Author: | | New Member Registered: April, 2011 Location: Dorset , UK Posts: 6 | Review Date: September 17, 2023 | Recommended | Price: $200.00
| Rating: 8 |
Pros: | Handling, optical viewfinder | Cons: | Autofocus (Pentax in general) | Years Owned: 1
Ergonomics: 9
Build Quality: 10
User Interface: 9
Autofocus: 5
Features: 8
Value: 10
Image Quality: 8
Noise: 8
New or Used: Used
| | Been 6 years since the last review of this camera yet there must be many happy shooters out there !
I like this camera very much and somehow prefer it over the K-3 II. The files are very nice and outright superb as long as you don`t crop much.
Handing is excellent due to the nice hand grip and the large optical viewfinder.
I`m using it with the Pentax eye cup magnifier as I almost exclusively shoot in manual focus and all Pentax AF lenses I`ve tried so far have an awful focussing sound (newer ones might be better) and an AF accuracy that`s a bit mixed.
I guess 16 MP cameras are out of fashion hence this camera is now a bargain at £200 -£250 in the UK. | | | | | Veteran Member Registered: November, 2017 Posts: 576 | Review Date: December 11, 2017 | Recommended | Price: $250.00
| Rating: 9 |
Pros: | AF in low light, hand controls | Cons: | Iso control haven't got my head around flash use with it yet. | Years Owned: 1/2 day
Ergonomics: 10
Build Quality: 10
User Interface: 10
Autofocus: 10
Features: 9
Value: 10
Image Quality: 10
Noise: 10
New or Used: New
| | Love the layout its usable when shooting sunsets my favourite shot, Iso is giving me some headaches, exposure in daylight 10/10 every time Night I need to study it. I've put a sigma 28-300mm lens on it and I'm not used to the thin barrel of the lens. The Sigma lens is heavy so I'm having trouble with the balance but the shake thingy seems to cover that up. Disappointed with the Battery D-Li50 it doesn't last long (S/H) very little info in the reviews about the batteries and the amount of current the camera draws how many mA in an hour is a valuable info the charger also doesn't state time of charge doesn't say if its a smart or dumb charger I worked from Flat it would take 4.65 hours to charge. thats 400mA into 18??? mA battery Knowing what the camera draws would be very handy info after all appliances state what they draw. I am flying blind here as I don't have the 336 page manual in front of me so I couldn't say if its in there. Light on the charger is green I don't know if its charged or not red to me means charging then green is charged but the battery hasn't been charging long enought for what the battery light on the camera suggested.Its heaps better than the K-m it was a nightmare shooting sunsets as the picture screen does not display properly at in the daylight, (but the K-m did have the AA battery setup 4 AA batteries it took way better than the required 6 in a battery holder bring back the 4AA standard on the new cameras its heaps better). I have no idea if the screen on the back of the k-5ii camera is improved but that's not so important because you can set the shutter aperture iso and +/- on the top of the camera I've just gotta get used to doing it and learn how to switch from aperture to shutter settings. I am very happy I got this and after shooting in the dark with the auto focus working I am extatic about this camera because i need reading glasses. Actually that might be bad setting wise but AF is good. I don't find the Pentax software impressive its pretty bad and so slow and missing some basic features one thing with most software today if your horizon is crooked you can't correct it (it might be correct only look crooked due to point of view but some times a little correction looks good). I don't know what to do with PNG files Never used them before. Can't wait till me AA battery holder arrives they last so much longer the AA batteries. Hope I will be able to add to this review after I get used to the camera but I have a good feel about it especially the 10/10 on my first snap/test shots very impressive This is a professional camera that could make a novis produce professional results.
It's now April 2022 and I just found the filters and HDR and all the stuff to edit photo's inside the camera. Thats 5 years to find these features and I had to buy a few canon cameras to get a different perspective on the situation. The software is rubbish that comes with the pentax 5 years unusable but the canon software is great I am producing some quality photo's now. I am very dissappointed that it took 5 years of continued use to find these digital functions. No one directed me to them. If you own a k5ii and are thinking of a firmware upgrade don't do it, I love sunsets and the camera I upgraded the software on is no longer any good for sunsets and recording light things in the distance very poor. I don't know if I will use canon or pentax I have to try all the changes I have mede to my pentax based on my experience with the canon this year far easier camera to use and get good photo's. PS when I read the 2017 post above I didn't realise it was my post and while reading it I was thinking this guy knows similar stuff to me LOL. Have a nice Day. so it will be interesting which camera I settle on the K5ii, k5 or canon 650D, 600D, 550D, 450D or istd pentax - won't be this but this still works with my ring flash slide coppier, AF400T flash and heaps of old items.
For any newbys to a k5 12800 is a safe low noise ISO.
I now use 80-200 iso in daylight with AV setting.
night 800-12800 iso depending on the darkness.
the functions I found today after 5 yeard aer select view photos then the down arrow then toggle about for what you want when you find the filters etc you wish to use some have adjustments you can use right and left toggle buttons for you can also apply extra filters after you have saved a setting wish I had read a post like this when I first got my k5 in 2017.
I read the manual cover to cover and nothing I read lead me to in camera editing I just knew it was there somewhere from what I read.
| | | | Senior Member Registered: July, 2008 Location: Arizona Posts: 230 | Review Date: May 10, 2015 | Not Recommended | Price: $650.00
| Rating: 7 |
Pros: | Nice size-High ISO capability | Cons: | Photos are "soft" | Years Owned: 6 Months
Ergonomics: 10
Build Quality: 10
User Interface: 9
Autofocus: 9
Features: 9
Value: 7
Image Quality: 3
Noise: 9
New or Used: New
| | Bought this camera body after trading in my K10d & K20d. Read all the positive reviews-very disappointed with the image quality. My 8 yr old Ist DS blows it away when it comes to sharpness and IQ. Almost every shot has to be corrected with "unsharp mask"-IMHO this should not be necessary. Has been mentioned you have to use "good" glass. I have (4) DA Ltds-15,21,40 and 70. All perform the same. Have contacted the new Pentax repair center-have not heard back from them yet. Going on vacation next week-this will be staying home-the trusty Ist DS is in the bag.
| | | | New Member Registered: February, 2010 Location: huntsville,alabama Posts: 13 | Review Date: January 13, 2015 | Recommended | Price: $600.00
| Rating: 9 |
Pros: | so much to learn | Cons: | too much to learn | Years Owned: 1.5
Ergonomics: 10
Build Quality: 10
User Interface: 9
Autofocus: 9
Features: 10
Value: 10
Image Quality: 9
Noise: 9
New or Used: New
| | moved up from a k-x and i'm loving it.. | | | | | New Member Registered: August, 2014 Location: Brisbane Posts: 22 | Review Date: September 18, 2014 | Recommended | Price: $1,010.00
| Rating: 10 |
Pros: | Image quality, build quality, user interface, snappy AF in TTL and LV, excellent high-ISO performance, quiet shutter, weather sealed, ergonomics, optical/pentaprism viewfinder | Cons: | Slow/laggy performance when reviewing images or processing filters/HDR/corrections, grip could be taller, lack of control over video settings, 1/180 limit for flash/shutter sync | Ergonomics: 10
Build Quality: 10
User Interface: 9
Autofocus: 9
Features: 10
Value: 9
Image Quality: 10
Noise: 10
New or Used: New
| | What can I say? This is a fantastic body overall, with class-leading image quality, even at high ISO, the autofocus is quick to lock on (even when using an SDM lens) and is accurate, even in low light. It's put together like a brick ****house, I feel like that if I needed to defend myself I could cause some serious damage with it, but then go rinse it off under a tap and go back to shooting as if nothing happened. The user interface is fairly well thought-out, but when applying filters, HDR or corrections the camera is rather slow to perform those actions. Deleting images is also rather slow, even on a UHS-I SD card. It feels very nice to hold in the hand (the adage "hold a Pentax, and you'll buy a Pentax" still applies), although I feel that the grip could be a bit taller. A battery grip added just enough height to the standard grip position for my liking, and the vertical grip position already has a nice tall grip, so that was never going to be an issue with the battery grip.
The shutter is very quiet, so if you want to do street photography, you're much less likely to give yourself away with shutter noise. Low light image quality is fantastic, even when shooting at 6400 ISO and above the noise is so slight and indistinguishable at typical web resolutions it's not even worth worrying about, and if you're going for print, it's trivial to remove the noise using Lightroom/Photoshop or DxO Optics Pro. Weather sealing is a bonus too, I no longer have to worry about rain while taking photos at car meets. The pentaprism viewfinder is excellent too, the 100% frame coverage makes correctly framing images much easier, because I'm not worrying about things being in the frame of the sensor but not the frame of the viewfinder.
Video mode is pretty meh, but video has never been Pentax's strong point. It captures in MJPEG, which is a good format for video quality, but it takes up a lot of space. Also, the lack of manual controls for everything is annoying (although a workaround for the lack of manual control is to switch to manual mode, set all your settings how you like them, then hold AE-L and rotate the mode dial to video, and then once video mode has loaded fully, release AE-L). Another annoyance for flash users is that you cannot sync the flash at shutter speeds higher than 1/180, so trying to do frozen motion detail shots is much harder than it should be.
Overall, the K-5 II is an excellent camera, however it is not without its niggles and quirks. I would recommend this camera highly.
| | | | Senior Member Registered: December, 2012 Posts: 135 | Review Date: May 26, 2014 | Recommended | Price: $900.00
| Rating: 9 |
Pros: | Built quality, ergonomics, IQ, WR, battery life, multiple lens AF Fine Adjustment, DNG, custom USER modes, TAv mode, quiet for a reflex | Cons: | Grip should be taller, extremelly slow playback image review, not recommended for video, check flash system for usability, body mount cover, AF not tracking | Years Owned: 1/2
Ergonomics: 9
Build Quality: 10
User Interface: 9
Autofocus: 8
Features: 9
Value: 10
Image Quality: 10
Noise: 9
New or Used: Used
| | This camera replaces a K-r and in between I used a Canon 7d for a couple of shoots.
Both Pentaxes outperform the Canon in noise performance.
The optical viewfinder wasn't as much of an improvement over the K-r as I had expected and the same goes for IQ.
But the built quality is much better, the body is better balanced, ergonomics are an improvement with more direct access to important functions and the mode selection no longer turns accidentally.
Battery life is at least twice as long as that of the K-r.
The Canon allows one to check battery life/capacity and has a better viewfinder.
The hand grip is better than the one on the K-r, but it should be taller to improve handling with heavier and longer lenses like the 50-135mm (the vertical grip helps but adds weight).
The rubber on the 7d is softer and provides a more comfortable and secure grip.
Playback image review is extremelly slow.
Multi-segmented Metering is not that great and I'm not overly impressed with the White Balance either (although I shoot Raw in Manual mode most of the time).
| | | | Pentaxian Registered: May, 2010 Location: now 1 hour north of PDX Posts: 3,897 | Review Date: December 18, 2013 | Recommended | Price: $599.00
| Rating: 10 |
Pros: | excellence of the K-5 with faster, more accurate AF | Cons: | limited video FWIW | Years Owned: < 1
Ergonomics: 10
Build Quality: 10
User Interface: 9
Autofocus: 10
Features: 9
Value: 10
Image Quality: 10
Noise: 10
New or Used: New
| | I could not pass by the Black-Friday deal on this camera .
My K-5 needed to visit the shop and I was without a wet-season camera, so the K-01 had been in use a lot. The II changes none of the external controls from the K-5 and gives the expected very hi-quality results that the super 16Mpx sensor has brought us for a few years now. Test shots into very dim corners of the house snap quickly into focus and the camera finds details my eyes cannot see - very impressed with SAFOX X, it's the main reason I did not grab a discounted K-5. Contrast AF is also very snappy now. I am not a shooter that needs AF-c tracking but I see it updates faster. I also like the new expanded-zone AF; some day I expect to make more use of that! The tempered-glass gapless LCD is also very impressive and a great improvement over the K-5 classic.
I do wish this camera had the ability to do interval movies and a few other video updates that the K-3 now has - but I take very few videos so its 'limitations' do not really affect me. Overall I'm very happy that I was able to get this at such a low price! | | | | Veteran Member Registered: August, 2013 Posts: 731 | Review Date: October 23, 2013 | Recommended | Price: $890.00
| Rating: 10 |
Pros: | Awesome in low light, great color, weather sealing | Cons: | one card slot, video is so so | Years Owned: 1
Ergonomics: 9
Build Quality: 10
User Interface: 10
Autofocus: 10
Features: 9
Value: 10
Image Quality: 10
Noise: 9
New or Used: New
| | Wow, what a camera. I have loved it from day one. You will greatly enjoy the image quality and high noise performance. The files out of the camera are stunning and full of color and life. Lens selection is awesome. I want the new 55-300 WR!!!
Overall, if you are a professional and are looking for a great camera and camera system Choose Pentax, chose the k-5ii.
| | | | New Member Registered: March, 2013 Posts: 3 | Review Date: October 15, 2013 | Recommended | Price: $1,500.00
| Rating: 10 |
Pros: | Build quality, low noise at high ISO, lens mounting (accepting with an adapter old Pentax lenses), Protection to dust and rain | Cons: | Not yet identified (maybe lack of a full frame sensor :)) | Years Owned: 1
Ergonomics: 10
Build Quality: 10
User Interface: 10
Autofocus: 10
Features: 10
Value: 10
Image Quality: 10
Noise: 10
New or Used: New
| | It took me quite a while and a lot of testing with competitors cameras (final decision between Pentax K5II and Nikon D 7000) before the acquisition. The build quality including its all weather protection were clearly in favor of Pentax. Same on handling. I switched to digital from analog cameras (not counting some previous disappointing attempts) so that was important to. Straight forward menus, perfect size, well placed buttons and wheels...
One issues I've read in reviews was the slow focusing compare to D 7000. My tests conclusion was - not in the real life. I didn't observe any advantage from this point of view for Nikon.
The light in the testing showroom was dim so the results draw the line. Clearly K5II blow away the competitor.
Moreover I could directly use it afterwards with my old excellent Pentax K lenses and with a tiny adapter with fantastic Super Takumars and Carl Zeiss lenses.
No disappointment, a smooth transit to digital. It operates and it feels as my mechanical cameras.
| | | | New Member Registered: February, 2013 Location: Tarnow Posts: 4 1 user found this helpful | Review Date: October 15, 2013 | Recommended | Price: None indicated
| Rating: 9 |
Pros: | | Cons: | | Ergonomics: 9
Build Quality: 9
User Interface: 9
Autofocus: 8
Features: 9
Value: 9
Image Quality: 9
Noise: 9
New or Used: New
| | I'm a happy owner of a second Pentax camera - K5 II, as a matter of fact, I also possess K200D. I purchased it ab 5 years ago and has been so satisfied with this brand, that without any hasitation i decided to buy another Pentax camera. I was offered Nikon D7000, but fortunately to me i decided on Pentax. I use it mostly to portrait and wedding photography. High ISO is very useful in the case of wedding as in most churches the light is not bright enough. Very rarely I use the flesh, i'd rather make use of natural light. Shake reduction works superbly and even in long time of exposure I have no problem to take a good photo. The only disadvantage is that Pentax lenses are too expensive in comparison with eg Sigma. Aftter all I advice my friends and not only friends on some forums to get this brand, because it worth the money | | | | Junior Member Registered: October, 2012 Location: Toronto, Ontario Posts: 37 | Review Date: October 14, 2013 | Recommended | Price: None indicated
| Rating: 10 |
Pros: | Size, weight, ergonomics, low-light AF, low noise at high ISO, quiet shutter, decent tracking | Cons: | Rather basic video mode, even though I don't use it. Only 11 AF points. | Years Owned: 1
Ergonomics: 9
Build Quality: 10
User Interface: 10
Autofocus: 9
Features: 9
Value: 9
Image Quality: 9
Noise: 10
New or Used: New
| | I'd rather give it a 9.5, but since that's not an option, 10.
I am not a professional, but I wanted a rugged, weather-proofed DSLR so I could take photographs anywhere without worrying about my gear. I got into photography with an Pentax MX, and that's what led me to finding the K-5II, and purchasing that. I liked the use of legacy glass, and the extreme low light AF sensitivity, which has definitely saved me at least once. I've also found myself having to use high ISOs rather frequently (8000, 10000, 12800, and even 25600 once), and the noise is very manageable with raw files even without NR applied in post
The camera feels great in my hands, although it feels even better with the grip attached. I have yet to have a problem with the tracking AF shooting rugby, although the AF points are spread a bit far out.
The biggest con is the movie mode, which only offers 1080p at 25fps, and with no manual control. However I don't use video often, so I don't have too much of a problem with it.
Over all, a fantastic camera.
| | | | Veteran Member Registered: January, 2012 Location: Slovenia Posts: 2,182 | Review Date: October 14, 2013 | Recommended | Price: $1,100.00
| Rating: 9 |
Pros: | Build quality, high-ISO performance, AFS in low-light situations, lens compatibility, WR, ergonomics, customization. | Cons: | Slow JPEG processing with lens corrections, CAF in low light, enormous AF points, plasticky battery door | Years Owned: 0.9
Ergonomics: 9
Build Quality: 9
User Interface: 8
Autofocus: 7
Features: 9
Value: 9
Image Quality: 10
Noise: 9
New or Used: New
| | Except for some things listed under 'Cons', this camera is an utterly superb photographic machine. Check out Stek-7's review below for a good writeup of pros and cons (except I haven't had any lock-ups; be sure to update the firmware immediately).
February 2014 Edit: I have decided to update this review. Although the scores have moved around slightly, the camera stays at 9 overall, and still recommended. It has proven itself to be extremely capable device, although not without its quirks (but I was mostly aware of those when buying it). I wish it were 5mm taller though.
The battery lasts for years. Seriously, I routinely get 1500-2000 shots off, even with AF and SR turned on.
AF in good light is very fast, although it drops noticeably after a certain point. CAF in low light can be really hit-or-miss, sometimes adjusting at once, sometimes taking about two seconds (but feels like ages). I have found that the large AF points can be a problem in some situations.
Will continue to update.
| | | | Forum Member Registered: April, 2013 Posts: 55 | Review Date: October 14, 2013 | Recommended | Price: $780.00
| Rating: 10 |
Pros: | Impressive built quality, very fast autofocus in all kind of lights, ergonomics | Cons: | weight, white balance inaccurate in times | Years Owned: 2013
Ergonomics: 8
Build Quality: 9
User Interface: 9
Autofocus: 9
Features: 9
Value: 10
Image Quality: 10
Noise: 10
New or Used: New
| | I bought my k5 ii a month ago, and I am so far enjoyed shooting with it in different environments.
I have actually shot in a TV studio, in night clubs, in daylight...
I shot all of my pictures in RAW and I find that to be a very good idea to take advantadge of the k5 ii full potential.
Cropping, Adding some contrast and sharpening is usually all what i need in post processing.
All in all I am very satisfied with what this dslr delivers.
| | | | New Member Registered: May, 2012 Posts: 10 1 user found this helpful | Review Date: July 20, 2013 | Recommended | Price: $1,000.00
| Rating: 10 |
Pros: | build quality, image quality, handling, speed, WR, stealthy (shutter sound) | Cons: | freezes (2 x until now), video mode not so sophisticated | Years Owned: less than one
Ergonomics: 10
Build Quality: 10
User Interface: 10
Autofocus: 9
Features: 9
Value: 10
Image Quality: 10
Noise: 10
New or Used: New
| | here is a little reviewof my Pentax K-5 II:
I own this camera now since oct. 2012, and im more than proud to own this wonderful camera! To note out the positive features, i will start with the (very few) negatives.
- video mode is not so sophisticated like in other DSLR's (doesnt matter to me since im not using video mode very often at all, but it surely may be important for other users)
- since i own my K-5 II, i had 2 total freezes of the camera. In some situations this could be bothersome. Maybe i should install the newest firmware, and the problem will be fixed.
Now to the positive points:
- very good build quality, it really has the feel and look of an everlasting camera, which will stay at your side for years and years.
- stunning image quality (high dynamic range, low noise, good resolution)
- very professional and intuitive handling of the camera like my old K-7
- very compact, compared to other semi-professional DSLR's like EOS 7D/Nikon D7100/Olympus E-5
- stealthy shutter sound (very good for nature photography etc.)
- fully weather resistant, even with the provided kit-lens!!
- very fast response from camera, including autofocus
- AF can focus down to -3EV (Moonlight)
All in all, this is the best Camera i have ever owned, and i owned some of Pentax DSLR's (*ist DL -> K200D -> K-7 ->K-5 II
I hope you enjoyed this short review!
| | | | Forum Member Registered: November, 2011 Posts: 81 | Review Date: April 12, 2013 | Recommended | Price: $1,150.00
| Rating: 9 |
Pros: | Great AF; solid well built; great images; WR; and uses Pentax glass! | Cons: | LV button poorly placed; single memory card slot; user manual is kack | Years Owned: 1 week
Ergonomics: 8
Build Quality: 10
User Interface: 9
Autofocus: 10
Features: 9
Value: 9
Image Quality: 9
Noise: 9
New or Used: New
| | Bare in mind I've owned this for less than a week. ANd come at it from the perspective of a k200d user 4 years.
The good things are obvious and often repeated so won't spend too much time on them - Impressed straight away with the build (heft) of this camera, and I love the way its focus works with even modest lens like ubiquitous 18-250 - its like someone put the lens focus on turbo. And on the 50-135 its even better.
So to the not so good...
I think most people who are using a camera of this performance and price will value their images - I'm more and more convinced that it should have dual memory card slots.
The LV button is poorly placed, its been bumped to active a few times when trying to use the four way controller (to move the focus point for example) - I never use LV so that's caused a few inappropriate words from this photographer
And the user manual? Seriously? Must do better! It took me (an engineer and seasoned Pentax DSLR user a full day, eventually going to the internet, to figure out how to adjust the jpeg settings in camera (when shooting in RAW + I like to show model punchy and vibrant examples in the camera)
Other than that, so far, absolutely wrapped and so pleased I held my financial nerve and jumped over the k30 and k5 (fine cameras that they probably are)
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