First Impressions Moving from K10D to K5

Bobe416 · 11-11-2010, 08:13 AM - **1 Like**

As a K10D owner, I have been looking forward to upgrading to the K-5. I bought one this week. Following are first impressions of using the K-5 after my first outing with it.

1. It took too long to charge the battery. After I attached the strap, lens and card, I had to wait before I could play with it.
2. In outdoor shooting with matrix metering, I found it slightly overexposes the high lights under some conditions (for example direct light hitting a white object in the picture). I suspect if I set the EV to -.50 or -.66 the issue will be resolved. I have since turned on the blinkies (exposure warning). The K-5 metering seems to give more consistent results than the K10D.
3. Shutter very quiet. The shutter will no longer be scaring animals when I take a picture!
4. Very little "hunting" for focus - seems to get it right the first time.
5. Changing the focus point is very easy - I found I was changing it from shot to shot. Seemed so much easier than with the K10D
6. ISO button makes it a lot easier to change the ISO, also I was not afraid to go over ISO 200
7. So far AWB seems to handle most outdoor shooting, so I won’t have to change it as much as I did with the K10D
8. I found setting the white balance a little tricky the first time since I had the auto focus point set to SEL so when I used the 4 way controller (for WB) it moved the focus point. Now that I know how it works, it should be easy, but a suggestion would be to add WB to the Control Panel.
9. I set the electronic level to display in the viewfinder - just have to learn to give it a quick glance before I press the trigger. I shoot in AV mode 90% of the time, but if I decide to use Manual mode I will want to shut off the level so the exposure meter is displayed.
10. The Control Panel is great! I wonder if there could be an option to let the user pick 2 or 3 things that could be added to the Control panel.
11. Seems a little lighter than the K10D, as well is a little smaller but still fits nicely in your hands. No issues using the buttons or getting a good hold on it
12. Overall I found the K-5 very easy to use and the total experience at lot more relaxing that using the K10D. I found I didn’t have to fiddle with settings from picture to picture or get frustrated trying to get focus lock.

Eagle_Friends · 11-11-2010, 08:57 AM

great write up

kevinschoenmakers · 11-11-2010, 09:00 AM

Originally posted by Bobe416

...

8. I found setting the white balance a little tricky the first time since I had the auto focus point set to SEL so when I used the 4 way controller (for WB) it moved the focus point. Now that I know how it works, it should be easy, but a suggestion would be to add WB to the Control Panel.

...

10. The Control Panel is great! I wonder if there could be an option to let the user pick 2 or 3 things that could be added to the Control panel.

For K-5 suggestions, please see this thread: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-dslr-discussion/121377-k-5-firmware-suggestions.html

aleonx3 · 11-11-2010, 09:01 AM

Bobe416, nice that you can share... since I have the K-7 and the K10D, I find the K-7 experience similar to yours, except of course, the AF speed and high iso IQ. I am convinced that k-5 is a lot more camera than the k-7, which makes me wanting to get the k-5 at some point in the future. May I ask if you get the k-5 locally or from other retailers within Canada?

deadwolfbones · 11-11-2010, 09:01 AM

Originally posted by Bobe416

As a K10D owner, I have been looking forward to upgrading to the K-5. I bought one this week. Following are first impressions of using the K-5 after my first outing with it.

1. It took too long to charge the battery. After I attached the strap, lens and card, I had to wait before I could play with it.

You'll find this is reflected in the battery lasting forever. The K-7/K-5 has some of the best battery life I've ever seen in a dSLR.

Bobe416 · 11-11-2010, 09:19 AM

Originally posted by aleonx3

Bobe416, nice that you can share... since I have the K-7 and the K10D, I find the K-7 experience similar to yours, except of course, the AF speed and high iso IQ. I am convinced that k-5 is a lot more camera than the k-7, which makes me wanting to get the k-5 at some point in the future. May I ask if you get the k-5 locally or from other retailers within Canada?

Hi aleonx3, I got the K-5 from Henry's - they did a price match on a Vancouver store Dunne&Rundle

violini · 11-11-2010, 09:28 AM

I have charged the battery 3 or 4 times so far and the shutter count is less than 3,500. I will soon sell my K-7 cheap and buy K-5.

aleonx3 · 11-11-2010, 09:57 AM

Originally posted by Bobe416

Hi aleonx3, I got the K-5 from Henry's - they did a price match on a Vancouver store Dunne&Rundle

That's really nice.. I thought Henry's are picky (and often reluctant) to price match with any retailers. So, Dunne & Rundle is a legit authorized Pentax retailer.

drougge · 11-11-2010, 09:57 AM

Originally posted by Bobe416

6. ISO button makes it a lot easier to change the ISO, also I was not afraid to go over ISO 200

You know, the K10 has an ISO-button too. It may say "OK" on it, but it works much the same. (Added in some firmware update, I don't remember which one.)

eddie1960 · 11-11-2010, 10:08 AM

wow Dunn and Rundle have good pricing
BH photo is 1599 as is henrys
D&R are 1428.99 + 24.95 shipping

thanks for the tip as I am starting to look (for the same upgrade though I may settle for the KR and their price on that is pretty hot as well

11-11-2010, 08:13 AM - 1 Like	#1
Bobe416 Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 57	First Impressions Moving from K10D to K5 As a K10D owner, I have been looking forward to upgrading to the K-5. I bought one this week. Following are first impressions of using the K-5 after my first outing with it. 1. It took too long to charge the battery. After I attached the strap, lens and card, I had to wait before I could play with it. 2. In outdoor shooting with matrix metering, I found it slightly overexposes the high lights under some conditions (for example direct light hitting a white object in the picture). I suspect if I set the EV to -.50 or -.66 the issue will be resolved. I have since turned on the blinkies (exposure warning). The K-5 metering seems to give more consistent results than the K10D. 3. Shutter very quiet. The shutter will no longer be scaring animals when I take a picture! 4. Very little "hunting" for focus - seems to get it right the first time. 5. Changing the focus point is very easy - I found I was changing it from shot to shot. Seemed so much easier than with the K10D 6. ISO button makes it a lot easier to change the ISO, also I was not afraid to go over ISO 200 7. So far AWB seems to handle most outdoor shooting, so I won’t have to change it as much as I did with the K10D 8. I found setting the white balance a little tricky the first time since I had the auto focus point set to SEL so when I used the 4 way controller (for WB) it moved the focus point. Now that I know how it works, it should be easy, but a suggestion would be to add WB to the Control Panel. 9. I set the electronic level to display in the viewfinder - just have to learn to give it a quick glance before I press the trigger. I shoot in AV mode 90% of the time, but if I decide to use Manual mode I will want to shut off the level so the exposure meter is displayed. 10. The Control Panel is great! I wonder if there could be an option to let the user pick 2 or 3 things that could be added to the Control panel. 11. Seems a little lighter than the K10D, as well is a little smaller but still fits nicely in your hands. No issues using the buttons or getting a good hold on it 12. Overall I found the K-5 very easy to use and the total experience at lot more relaxing that using the K10D. I found I didn’t have to fiddle with settings from picture to picture or get frustrated trying to get focus lock.

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11-11-2010, 08:57 AM	#2
Eagle_Friends Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 971	great write up

11-11-2010, 09:00 AM	#3
kevinschoenmakers Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Shanghai Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,509	Originally posted by Bobe416 ... 8. I found setting the white balance a little tricky the first time since I had the auto focus point set to SEL so when I used the 4 way controller (for WB) it moved the focus point. Now that I know how it works, it should be easy, but a suggestion would be to add WB to the Control Panel. ... 10. The Control Panel is great! I wonder if there could be an option to let the user pick 2 or 3 things that could be added to the Control panel. For K-5 suggestions, please see this thread: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-dslr-discussion/121377-k-5-firmware-suggestions.html

11-11-2010, 09:01 AM	#4
aleonx3 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Brampton, Ontario Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,996	Bobe416, nice that you can share... since I have the K-7 and the K10D, I find the K-7 experience similar to yours, except of course, the AF speed and high iso IQ. I am convinced that k-5 is a lot more camera than the k-7, which makes me wanting to get the k-5 at some point in the future. May I ask if you get the k-5 locally or from other retailers within Canada?

11-11-2010, 09:01 AM	#5
deadwolfbones Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: La Crescenta, CA Posts: 7,450	Originally posted by Bobe416 As a K10D owner, I have been looking forward to upgrading to the K-5. I bought one this week. Following are first impressions of using the K-5 after my first outing with it. 1. It took too long to charge the battery. After I attached the strap, lens and card, I had to wait before I could play with it. You'll find this is reflected in the battery lasting forever. The K-7/K-5 has some of the best battery life I've ever seen in a dSLR.

11-11-2010, 09:19 AM	#6
Bobe416 Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 57 Original Poster	Originally posted by aleonx3 Bobe416, nice that you can share... since I have the K-7 and the K10D, I find the K-7 experience similar to yours, except of course, the AF speed and high iso IQ. I am convinced that k-5 is a lot more camera than the k-7, which makes me wanting to get the k-5 at some point in the future. May I ask if you get the k-5 locally or from other retailers within Canada? Hi aleonx3, I got the K-5 from Henry's - they did a price match on a Vancouver store Dunne&Rundle

11-11-2010, 09:28 AM	#7
violini Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Winnipeg MB Photos: Gallery Posts: 350	I have charged the battery 3 or 4 times so far and the shutter count is less than 3,500. I will soon sell my K-7 cheap and buy K-5.

11-11-2010, 09:57 AM	#8
aleonx3 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Brampton, Ontario Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,996	Originally posted by Bobe416 Hi aleonx3, I got the K-5 from Henry's - they did a price match on a Vancouver store Dunne&Rundle That's really nice.. I thought Henry's are picky (and often reluctant) to price match with any retailers. So, Dunne & Rundle is a legit authorized Pentax retailer.

11-11-2010, 09:57 AM	#9
drougge Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Malmö Photos: Gallery Posts: 787	Originally posted by Bobe416 6. ISO button makes it a lot easier to change the ISO, also I was not afraid to go over ISO 200 You know, the K10 has an ISO-button too. It may say "OK" on it, but it works much the same. (Added in some firmware update, I don't remember which one.)

11-11-2010, 10:08 AM	#10
eddie1960 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 13,666	wow Dunn and Rundle have good pricing BH photo is 1599 as is henrys D&R are 1428.99 + 24.95 shipping thanks for the tip as I am starting to look (for the same upgrade though I may settle for the KR and their price on that is pretty hot as well