As we all know, DPR's K-5 review has been out:-
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/pentaxk5
Congratz to Pentax for getting a "Gold Award" for this camera. I think DPR's comments and remarks throughout the whole review are in general accurate and fair enough this time. In particular, the video feature of the K-5 is dated and full of limitations. Namely, as I have been saying those for long here, its Motion JPEG codec is rather inefficient and the lack of AF (neither re-focusing) during video recording are too outdated against the current competition. Furthermore, no K-5 user could take a full-resolution photo at the time of video recording, unlike what Canon, Nikon and Sony DSLR users can now do with their current models.
As we can also see from the resolution chart tests, K-5's JPEG engine is obviously still quite weak when it is compared to what RAW could deliver. So, it would be better to shoot RAW to get the highest possible resolution and image details. This holds true for the Nikon D7000. But I do find that the difference between RAW and JPEG is less subtle as for the case of K-x, which should be a more ideal JPEG machine. Maybe it's time for a PRIME III or EXPEED 3 or whatsoever. But anyway, I think the camera makers know well how to make a "proper" image engine according to the targeted market segments and selling prices of their products.
Finally, despite what measurbations and comments as laid down in the review and put up by the reviewers, we still need to view and inspect all those selected samples and judge by ourselves further, but yet I think I am not impressed by many of those, nevertheless.
Finally, I think this "early arrived" (when compared to previous Pentax DSLR models) and favourable DPR K-5 review should have helped Pentax a lot in promoting their K-5 and products and more importantly, to help those potential or existing K-5 users for more "re-assurance" for themselves, which many of the gadget consumers nowadays always want! :-D But then I am afraid that the K-5 Sensor Stains Issue and Evil would still hurt them much, that is, the potential users will hold on their purchasing plan, until and unless Pentax/Hoya would really tell us something about this quality issue and the root cause, and more importantly, the corrective and preventive remedials.
Next, let's talk about the true Pentax DSLR flagship but which is not of K-mount anyway, i.e., the 645D. Here is a new review with (small sized) samples, view the links below:-
http://diglloyd.com/diglloyd/2010-12-blog.html#blog20101216Pentax645Dexamples
http://diglloyd.com/dap/index.html#Pentax645D
Update (12-21):-
Since DPR's K-5 review has been out, people have been wondering and discussing about why a different "standard" lens has been used for the final review, and in particularly, it is the first time for DPR to have such a move. See what Peter Zheng reports and comments:-
http://forum.xitek.com/showthread.php?threadid=818466
(in Chinese, Google translated English Page Here)
He has got the previous K-5 measurbation test shots and crops with the FA50/1.4 lens on K-5 (originally, when the DPR 60D review was published just earlier) and then compared to those with the DFA 50/2.8 Macro now, for the final K-5 review.. I wonder comment further for what Peter has found and writes. You'd better read and judge yourself. I blog, you decide! :-)
Previous Related:-
Ten Reasons for Thinking Twice before Decided on a K-5..
Saturday, December 18, 2010
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Comments by IntenseDebate
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bandymelis · 743 weeks ago
Tudor · 743 weeks ago
actually Pentax announces you on request about the sensor stains issue :D...this is the case in my homecountry (Romania) where the Pentax distributor said that they'll exchange the K5 after taking some shots in the light tent and send them to Pentax Germany for further analysis. If Pentax Germany acknowledges it, the distributor will exchange the camera for a new one. Of course, there was no official announcement about this but the tech guy on the phone was willing to help. So...basically Pentax will 'unofficially' change the camera if the current one is affected by the stains UPON request, officially there's nothing about it on the official website :-).
Regards,
Tudor
illdefined · 743 weeks ago
Pentax should be recognized for competing evenly with companies ten times their size but your "congratulations" sound very hollow. i'm glad to see your mania of kicking this underdog brand while they're down getting harder and harder as they stand themselves up in spite of all your kicking.
Tom · 743 weeks ago
The "stains" issue is being handled perfectly. As a customer one can buy with confidence. The issue will cost someone some money (probably Sony) but it need not be a concern for customers.
Jon · 743 weeks ago
Jon · 743 weeks ago
Dimitri · 743 weeks ago
But i concure with Steve - the image quality of K5 in every day shooting is not stellar and not really discernably better then 7D/550D/D7000 and so on. Just get one and try.
I had both 7D (for 10 d) and K5 (for 3 d) and i have sent both back.
The reason with 7D was, that it is just to big and heavy for my needs. But i found the handling, video and IQ very good. The viewfinder is as good as it gets on APS-C, at least today.
The reason with K5 was... well it is really a lovely camera with good IQ, but it just feels antique and underpowered if you ever held a 7D in your hand. The viewfinder of the K5 is much dimmer then that of the 7D. AF in dim light, oh well - just get K5 and try yourself. You can forget the video - you get HUGE avi files with A LOT of noise.
Barbarosa · 743 weeks ago
K-5 is quantum leap for pentax and new lenses hopefully will follow soon, as we can see form patents.
Rene · 743 weeks ago
- accurately calibrated AF goes off in dim light or tungstan light at around 1.5m (DPreview thread)
- insufficient intensity in high orange color (DPreview thread disappear for some unknown reason)
- bounced flash overexposing (dpreview thread)
- general weakness in AF tracking and locking (really so hard to check?)
pscl57 · 743 weeks ago
Sure, the K5 is better for phot than video.
But a feature that the competition doesn't have for video is SR wich is effective with all focal fixed lenses. Simply, with a 35mm you have the ability to take videos with SR. With Canon or Nikon the only solution is to use a tripod.
Mage · 743 weeks ago
1. AF was not tested much at all. This is one of the most important thing in photography. No matter how good the ISO and colour or whatever, if it is not in focus, you do not have the picture. I think they had done better AF tests before, and there are certainly more tests of AF tracking, locking, low-light AF, etc on other sites even though some of that are not so scientifc. So, one of K-5's main weaknesses was conveniently omitted from their tests. There is already a lot of complaints about tunstan and low light AF on that thread, something DPR is not aware of. We all know that the Pentax 11-point AF is not sophisticated at all compared to others'.
2. A lot of emphasis was placed on how a camera feels in the hands. The ergonomics, dials, etc. D7000 was criticised heavily by DPR in this area (4 Cons in the Conclusion of the D7000 review). Although the K-5 is very nice there, it should be remembered that the main use of a camera is not to stroke and feel its body, but to take photos. The reviewers continued to mention this nice feel many times and that must have affected their rating for the K-5.
3. Flash is another of the all known K-5's weaknesses and that is again not tested. Only the inbuilt flash tested. There are various well documented limitations and issues with Pentax flash system when used with an external flash unit. Flash performance relies on what is in the camera to determine flash exposure. In general, Pentax flash is not so good as others. In particular, there is a specific over-exposure issue for the K-5 in some situations as reported on a DRP thread. There is also another report of inconsistent flash output causing totally blown photos by some members.
4. The K-5 is placed by DPR in a different category than the D7000, which is the closest camera in features, though cheaper. Yet, the performance is often compared to the D7000, but scoring is apparently done based on how the K-5 comapres to the D300s or 7D. Those are expensive but tired cameras with older sensors, and so the K-5 looks good in that group, in a relative sense. The K-5 and D7000 have a sensor that is quite significantly improved compared to other models especially what is in the D300s. The K-5 will not look so impressive if scored against the lower-priced D7000.
5. The K-5 was tested using a 50mm f/2.8 macro lens this time, even though the 50mm f/1.4 has always been used for all cameras of all brands previously. Now a macro lens is the sharpest lens you can have. This is especially true when it has a slower max aperture and therefore less compromises in design to cope with various aberrations. Again an advantage to K-5.
All these seems to show a deliberate effort to give a Gold to this K-5. I think it is an excellent camera, provided you do not do a lot of low light or tungstan portrait, church weddings, etc due to its problem in AF under those conditions, if you do not do indoor sports etc and need good AF performance, tracking etc, if you do not need accurate and consistent flash performance for important journalistic work or portraits, interiors, and of course if you can find the right lens from the limited Pentax range.
Dexter · 743 weeks ago
But I must admit, the pain in your words, or lack there of, having to give pentax credit for putting out a great camera that trumps nikon's latest offering, was very enjoyable to read.I recently got to spend a week shooting the d7000 & K-5 side by side for a review and the k-5 trumps the d7000 in every category, except for video & duel card slots. It's a shame you hate pentax so much, you would really enjoy this camera.
Ben · 743 weeks ago
Boris · 742 weeks ago
Rice Pudding = rather boring desert which is difficult to clean off your lens.