Pentax K-5 II

    72
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    Highlights

    • 16.3 MP APS-C CMOS Sensor
    • 100 - 12,800 Native ISO
    • 11 Focus Points (11 Cross-type)
    • Image Stabilization
    • 3.0" 921k dot Fixed Screen
    • Optical (pentaprism) Viewfinder
    • 7.0 fps Continuous Shooting
    • 1920 x 1080 Video Shooting
    • 25 min Video Recording Limit
    • Built-in Flash
    • Wheather Sealed Body
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    Disclosure: We earn money from the affiliate links to products associated with content in this article.

    Overview

    Pentax K-5 II was announced in 2013 and is an APS-C (23.7 x 15.7 mm) DSLR camera with 16.3 Megapixel CMOS sensor. Its native ISO ranges from 100 to 12,800 and expands to 80 - 51,200 in boosted mode. The camera has a Fixed 3.0" screen with 921k dot resolution and built-in Optical (pentaprism) viewfinder. It has a built-in Sensor Shift in body image stabilization.

    Pentax K-5 II can capture video up to 1920 x 1080 resolution.

    Pros and Cons

    In this section we present pros and cons of Pentax K-5 II.

    PROS

    •   Video Capture
    •   Face Detection
    •   Live View Autofocus
    •   Image Stabilization
    •   High Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/8000 sec
    •   Built-in Flash
    •   HDMI Output
    •   Environmental Sealing
    •   Orientation Sensor

    CONS

    •   11 Focus Points
    •   Fixed Screen
    •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
    •   Low Video Recording Limit
    •   No Headphone Output
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
    •   No Built-In Bluetooth

    And here are some specifications which fall into average criteria and are neither in PROs nor in CONs category:

    AVERAGE

    •   Price
    •   Sensor Resolution - 16.3 Megapixel
    •   100 Lowest Native ISO
    •   12,800 Highest Native ISO
    •   9 Cross-type Focus Points
    •   Screen Size - 3.0"
    •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
    •   Max Continuous Shooting - 7.0 fps
    •   DxO Overall Score - 82
    •   Weight - 760 g (1.68 lb / 26.81 oz)
    •   Battery Life - 980 shots

    Predecessor

    Here we are comparing Pentax K-5 II to its predecessor K-5 and displaying the major changes.

    UPGRADES Pentax K-5 II vs Pentax K-5
    Higher Boosted ISO 51,200 vs 25,600
    Higher DxO Low Light ISO 1235 vs 1162
    Higher DxO Color Depth 23.8 vs 23.7
    DOWNGRADES Pentax K-5 II vs Pentax K-5
    Higher Native ISO 100 vs 80
    Built-in Microphone Mono vs Stereo
    Heavier 760 g (1.68 lb / 26.81 oz) vs 740 g (1.63 lb / 26.10 oz)

    For more detailed comparison between the models please visit Pentax K-5 II vs K-5.

    Successor

    In 2013 Pentax K-5 II was replaced by Pentax K-5 IIs. Let us now have a look at some important differences between Pentax K-5 II and its successor.

    UPGRADES Pentax K-5 IIs vs Pentax K-5 II
    Cheaper Body Only: $1,199.95, Kit with 18-55mm WR lens: $1,349.95, Kit with 18-135mm WR lens : $1,549.95 vs Body Only:$1,299.95
    Higher DxO Color Depth 23.9 vs 23.8
    DOWNGRADES Pentax K-5 IIs vs Pentax K-5 II
    Lower DxO Low Light ISO 1208 vs 1235

    For more detailed comparison between the models please visit Pentax K-5 II vs K-5 IIs.

    Screen and Viewfinder

    Fixed screen

    Pentax K-5 II has a 3.0" Fixed screen with 921k dot resolution.


    Optical (pentaprism) Viewfinder

    Camera has a built-in Optical (pentaprism) viewfinder. It has a 100% coverage and 0.92x (0.61x 35mm equivalent) magnification.

    Sensor

    Pentax K-5 II features a 16.3 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor with dimensions of 23.7 x 15.7 mm and a total area of 372.1 mm2. Its native ISO range is 100 - 12,800 and expands to 80 - 51,200 in boosted mode.


    Here is a sensor size comparison chart where you can see how Pentax K-5 II's APS-C sensor compares with other types of sensors:

    Sensor size chart
    Sensor Dimensions Area Aspect Ratio Crop Factor
    Image cannot be displayedMedium Format44 x 33 mm1452 mm24:30.79x
    Image cannot be displayedFull Frame36 x 24 mm864 mm23:21x
    Image cannot be displayedAPS-H27 x 18 mm486 mm23:21.3x
    Image cannot be displayedAPS-C23.7 x 15.7 mm372.1 mm23:21.5x
    Image cannot be displayedAPS-C (Canon)22.3 x 14.9 mm332.3 mm23:21.6x
    Image cannot be displayedMicro Four Thirds17.4 x 13 mm226.2 mm24:32x
    Image cannot be displayed1-inch13.2 x 8.8 mm116.2 mm23:22.7x
    Image cannot be displayed1/1.7-inch7.44 x 5.58 mm41.5 mm24:34.7x
    Image cannot be displayed1/2.3-inch6.17 x 4.55 mm28.1 mm24:35.6x

    Photography Features

    Camera is equipped with PRIME II processor and can take pictures up to 4928 x 3264 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolutions like 3936 x 2624, 3072 x 2048, 1728 x 1152 with 3:2 aspect ratios.


    Lens Mount

    Pentax K-5 II has Pentax KAF2 lens mount. Due to APS-C sensor its crop factor (also called lens multiplier) is 1.5x. This means that a 35mm equivalent focal length of the mounted lens will be equal to its actual focal length times 1.5.


    In-Body Image Stabilization

    The camera has a built-in Sensor Shift in-body image stabilization (IBIS). This means that you are still getting vibration reduction when camera is paired with non-image stabilizied lenses. It also works with lenses with optical image stabilization and in combination can achieve even better compensation.

    Check out the cameras which are frequently compared to Pentax K-5 II.

    Connectivity, Battery and Storage

    USB Input and HDMI Output

    Pentax K-5 II has a USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) input for data transfer. There is a Mini HDMI connector for video signal output.


    Battery

    Pentax K-5 II comes with D-LI90 battery pack with battery life of 980 shots.


    External Storage Slots

    The camera has a single SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I) card slot.

    Other Features

    Shutter

    Pentax K-5 II's shutter speed can go up to 1/8000 sec. Camera can shoot continuously up to 7.0 fps.


    Flash

    Pentax K-5 II has a built-in flash with maximum range of 13.00 m at ISO 100 and also accepts external flash which can be connected via Hot Shoe or Wireless connection.

    Physical Parameters

    Pentax K-5 II has dimensions of 131 x 97 x 73 mm (5.16 x 3.82 x 2.87"). It weighs 760 g (1.68 lb / 26.81 oz) which is neither heavy nor lightweight.

    131 mm (5.16")

    97 mm (3.82")

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    97 mm (3.82")

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    73 mm (2.87")

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    Pentax K-5 II dimensions

    Pentax K-5 II for Different Types of Photography

    We give scores to the camera for different type of photography based on its features and specifications. Let us see how Pentax K-5 II is suitable for six different types of photography.


    Landscape Photography

    GOOD
    81

    Pentax K-5 II gets a score of 81 and is GOOD choice for Landscape photography.

    •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   Environmental Sealing

    Sports Photography

    GOOD
    73

    Pentax K-5 II gets a score of 73 and is GOOD choice for Sports photography.

    •   12,800 Highest Native ISO
    •   11 Focus Points
    •   9 Cross-type Focus Points
    •   Face Detection
    •   Image Stabilization
    •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
    •   Max Continuous Shooting - 7.0 fps
    •   Battery Life - 980 shots
    •   Orientation Sensor

    Wildlife Photography

    AVERAGE
    69

    Pentax K-5 II gets a score of 69 and is AVERAGE choice for Wildlife photography.

    •   12,800 Highest Native ISO
    •   11 Focus Points
    •   9 Cross-type Focus Points
    •   Image Stabilization
    •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
    •   Max Continuous Shooting - 7.0 fps
    •   Environmental Sealing
    •   Battery Life - 980 shots
    •   Orientation Sensor

    Portrait Photography

    GOOD
    83

    Pentax K-5 II gets a score of 83 and is GOOD choice for Portrait photography.

    •   11 Focus Points
    •   9 Cross-type Focus Points
    •   Face Detection
    •   Image Stabilization
    •   Screen Size - 3.0"
    •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
    •   Orientation Sensor

    Street Photography

    GOOD
    82

    Pentax K-5 II gets a score of 82 and is GOOD choice for Street photography.

    •   11 Focus Points
    •   9 Cross-type Focus Points
    •   Image Stabilization
    •   Fixed Screen
    •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   Environmental Sealing
    •   Weight - 760 g (1.68 lb / 26.81 oz)

    Travel Photography

    GOOD
    81

    Pentax K-5 II gets a score of 81 and is GOOD choice for Travel photography.

    •   Image Stabilization
    •   Fixed Screen
    •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot
    •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
    •   Low Video Recording Limit
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   Environmental Sealing
    •   Weight - 760 g (1.68 lb / 26.81 oz)
    •   Battery Life - 980 shots

    Pentax K-5 II Evaluation

    We evaluate Pentax K-5 II and give score of 72 out of 100. We also give separate scores for 7 different categories according to the available features and specifications some of which are listed below. These evaluations are relative and may change each time a new camera is added to the database.


    OVERALL
    72

    Sensor

    AVERAGE
    69

    We give Pentax K-5 II a score of 69 for Sensor parameters.

    •   Sensor Resolution - 16.3 Megapixel
    •   100 Lowest Native ISO
    •   12,800 Highest Native ISO
    •   DxO Overall Score - 82

    Photo

    GOOD
    80

    We give Pentax K-5 II a score of 80 for Photo parameters.

    •   Image Stabilization
    •   High Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/8000 sec
    •   Max Continuous Shooting - 7.0 fps

    Video

    POOR
    45

    We give Pentax K-5 II a score of 45 for Video parameters.

    •   Image Stabilization
    •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
    •   Low Video Recording Limit

    Focusing

    GOOD
    80

    We give Pentax K-5 II a score of 80 for Focusing parameters.

    •   11 Focus Points
    •   9 Cross-type Focus Points
    •   Face Detection
    •   Live View Autofocus

    Screen and Viewfinder

    GOOD
    73

    We give Pentax K-5 II a score of 73 for Screen and Viewfinder parameters.

    •   Fixed Screen
    •   Screen Size - 3.0"
    •   Screen Resolution - 921k dot

    Connectivity

    GOOD
    75

    We give Pentax K-5 II a score of 75 for Connectivity parameters.

    •   HDMI Output
    •   No Headphone Output
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
    •   No Built-In Bluetooth

    Battery, Storage and Physical

    GOOD
    70

    We give Pentax K-5 II a score of 70 for Battery, Storage and Physical parameters.

    •   Environmental Sealing
    •   Weight - 760 g (1.68 lb / 26.81 oz)
    •   Battery Life - 980 shots


    For a full specification list please go to the specifications page:

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