Pentax K-5 II / IIs Review

Pentax hasn't done much to update the box design of the K-5 II/IIs; the look is shared with that of its predecessor.  Inside, you will find the usual accessories, in addition to a redesigned neck strap:

• the manual
• software CD
• body and viewfinder caps
• camera strap (O-ST132)
• USB cable (I-USB7)
• AV cable (I-AVC7)
• lithium-ion battery (D-LI90)
• charger and power cord (D-BC90)

The same battery is also used by the Pentax K-5, 645D, K-7, and K-01.

There is a typographical error on the side of the box: the K-5 II/IIs has the Prime II imaging engine, not the Prime M (which is found in the K-30 and K-01).

The new neck strap (middle) seems to have been inspired by others in the industry:

Kit Options

In the US, Pentax K-5 II is available as a body only, with an 18-55mm weather-resistant kit lens, or with an 18-135mm weather-resistant all-around lens.  The latter gives you a bundle savings of approximately $179.  The MSRP pricing is $1199, $1349, and $1549, respectively.

The K-5 IIs is solely available as a body only for $1299, which is bad news for those that wanted to save on the 18-135mm.  On the other hand, the K-5 IIs should generally be used with better lenses (such as Pentax DA* or Limited lenses) if you want to take advantage of its higher-resolution sensor.

More information on these two lenses can be found in our Pentax lens database.