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sevenarrow · 02-04-2012, 06:56 PM

For those of you with both a K-5 and K-r ... Would you mind comparing the audio quality of the K-5 vs. K-r?

About three weeks ago I noticed that when I create a video with my K-5, the sound quality was atrocious. Very muffled and faint. I compared it to the audio quality of my K-r and there was a dramatic difference. The K-r was loud, crisp, clear. Audio was clearly superior.

I sent the K-5 to C.R.I.S. for repair. They sent it back saying they repaired the internal microphone.

However, if there is any improvement in audio quality, it is minimal. Apparently they didn't to a very thorough test after the supposed repair by comparing it to another K-5 in good working order or even a K-r. The sound is still very muffled. The K-r is still clearly superior in sound quality. I can't believe the audio quality coming from my K-5 is normal. I wish I had another K-5 for comparison.

Adam · 02-04-2012, 06:59 PM

The internal mics aren't stellar- get a hotshot-mounted one if you'd like good audio quality!

sevenarrow · 02-04-2012, 07:20 PM

Adam,
I'm not comparing the audio quality to a professional attached microphone. As far as I'm concerned, the audio quality on my K-r is stellar. The audio on my K-5 is very poor in comparison to my K-r. Something is defective in the K-5.

rawr · 02-04-2012, 07:41 PM

Originally posted by sevenarrow

a professional attached microphone

I wouldn't call something like a $50 Audio-Technica stereo DSLR mic unattainably 'professional'. For good audio on either camera, it's probably a good way to go.

BTW where is the mic located on the K-r? Is it in a different spot to the K-5?

sevenarrow · 02-04-2012, 09:35 PM

rawr,
The K-5 audio quality is not poor because I'm using the built-in internal mic. It is poor because it seems defective. I'm sure an external mic will produce better quality sound but my point is that the sound quality of the K-r is outstanding without an external mic. The sound quality from my K-5 is terrible. It should be at least as good or better than the K-r. The K-5 audio is very muffled and quiet. The K-r audio is crystal clear and loud.

I've had the K-5 for about 10 months. Shortly after I bought it, I noticed the sound quality seemed poor. So, I bought an external mic thinking that would resolve the issue. I don't remember how much it cost but tried it and the sound quality didn't improve whatsoever. Since I didn't plan on using the video feature I wasn't too concerned and figured I just had to change some camera setting or something and I returned the mic to the store and pretty much forgot about the problem until recently when I needed to use the video.

JinDesu · 02-04-2012, 09:38 PM

Can you upload a sample with your speaking voice? That way another k-5 owner can determine if the quality is on par with their own.

sevenarrow · 02-04-2012, 10:18 PM

You can view and hear the K-5 video at

Youtu.be

The K-r video is at

Youtu.be

JinDesu · 02-04-2012, 10:23 PM

Hm, the k-5 sounds much quieter, but i don't know if the "quality" is off. But now maybe some k-5 users can comment.. Also, what is that ticking sound?

Anvh · 02-04-2012, 10:30 PM

The mic on the K5 is weather sealed, that makes it sound muffled.

Funny how often the obvious is missed.

ps. the ticking is a codec timing issue i believe or the SR

rawr · 02-04-2012, 10:40 PM

My K-5 has fine mic pickup. Yours sounds muffled.

You aren't putting anything on top of the K-5's in-built mic? It's immediately in front of the hot-shoe.

sevenarrow · 02-04-2012, 10:43 PM

I can't hear the ticking sound when played locally on my computer. YouTube seems to be causing the ticking sound.

I hadn't thought of the weather sealing causing the problem but I still find it hard to believe that Pentax's flagship DSLR would have such poor audio quality. As far as I'm concerned, the video on the K-5 is not usable if you want audio with the video. It's totally unacceptable to me.

sevenarrow · 02-04-2012, 10:46 PM

rawr,

Thanks for verifying that your K-5 audio sounds better than mine.
I have made sure my hands or anything else is not covering up the microphone.

rawr · 02-04-2012, 10:50 PM

How does your audio compare to this (random) Youtube K-5 audio/video test:

You Tube

sevenarrow · 02-05-2012, 09:08 AM

rawr,
This random K5 audio is far better sound quality than mine. Very loud, clear, and crisp, just like my K-r.

I just can't believe CRIS camera repair thought they had fixed it. Really sloppy work. They obviously didn't test it against a good working K-5.

Gimbal · 02-05-2012, 10:25 AM

Originally posted by sevenarrow

rawr,
This random K5 audio is far better sound quality than mine. Very loud, clear, and crisp, just like my K-r.

But as you can see that video has a consistent audio track even though the video is clipped a lot. Perhaps the audio is recorded separately? Anyhow this is not a straight out of the camera clip.

02-04-2012, 06:56 PM	#1
sevenarrow Forum Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Colorado Springs, CO Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 61	K-5 audio quality very poor For those of you with both a K-5 and K-r ... Would you mind comparing the audio quality of the K-5 vs. K-r? About three weeks ago I noticed that when I create a video with my K-5, the sound quality was atrocious. Very muffled and faint. I compared it to the audio quality of my K-r and there was a dramatic difference. The K-r was loud, crisp, clear. Audio was clearly superior. I sent the K-5 to C.R.I.S. for repair. They sent it back saying they repaired the internal microphone. However, if there is any improvement in audio quality, it is minimal. Apparently they didn't to a very thorough test after the supposed repair by comparing it to another K-5 in good working order or even a K-r. The sound is still very muffled. The K-r is still clearly superior in sound quality. I can't believe the audio quality coming from my K-5 is normal. I wish I had another K-5 for comparison.

02-04-2012, 06:59 PM	#2
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,608	The internal mics aren't stellar- get a hotshot-mounted one if you'd like good audio quality! Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

02-04-2012, 07:20 PM	#3
sevenarrow Forum Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Colorado Springs, CO Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 61 Original Poster	Re: audio in DSLRs not stellar Adam, I'm not comparing the audio quality to a professional attached microphone. As far as I'm concerned, the audio quality on my K-r is stellar. The audio on my K-5 is very poor in comparison to my K-r. Something is defective in the K-5.

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02-04-2012, 07:41 PM	#4
rawr Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 11,913	Originally posted by sevenarrow a professional attached microphone I wouldn't call something like a $50 Audio-Technica stereo DSLR mic unattainably 'professional'. For good audio on either camera, it's probably a good way to go. BTW where is the mic located on the K-r? Is it in a different spot to the K-5?

02-04-2012, 09:35 PM	#5
sevenarrow Forum Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Colorado Springs, CO Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 61 Original Poster	rawr, The K-5 audio quality is not poor because I'm using the built-in internal mic. It is poor because it seems defective. I'm sure an external mic will produce better quality sound but my point is that the sound quality of the K-r is outstanding without an external mic. The sound quality from my K-5 is terrible. It should be at least as good or better than the K-r. The K-5 audio is very muffled and quiet. The K-r audio is crystal clear and loud. I've had the K-5 for about 10 months. Shortly after I bought it, I noticed the sound quality seemed poor. So, I bought an external mic thinking that would resolve the issue. I don't remember how much it cost but tried it and the sound quality didn't improve whatsoever. Since I didn't plan on using the video feature I wasn't too concerned and figured I just had to change some camera setting or something and I returned the mic to the store and pretty much forgot about the problem until recently when I needed to use the video.

02-04-2012, 09:38 PM	#6
JinDesu Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: New York City Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,638	Can you upload a sample with your speaking voice? That way another k-5 owner can determine if the quality is on par with their own.

02-04-2012, 10:23 PM	#8
JinDesu Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: New York City Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,638	Hm, the k-5 sounds much quieter, but i don't know if the "quality" is off. But now maybe some k-5 users can comment.. Also, what is that ticking sound?

02-04-2012, 10:30 PM	#9
Anvh Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 4,616	The mic on the K5 is weather sealed, that makes it sound muffled. Funny how often the obvious is missed. ps. the ticking is a codec timing issue i believe or the SR

02-04-2012, 10:40 PM	#10
rawr Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 11,913	My K-5 has fine mic pickup. Yours sounds muffled. You aren't putting anything on top of the K-5's in-built mic? It's immediately in front of the hot-shoe.

02-04-2012, 10:43 PM	#11
sevenarrow Forum Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Colorado Springs, CO Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 61 Original Poster	I can't hear the ticking sound when played locally on my computer. YouTube seems to be causing the ticking sound. I hadn't thought of the weather sealing causing the problem but I still find it hard to believe that Pentax's flagship DSLR would have such poor audio quality. As far as I'm concerned, the video on the K-5 is not usable if you want audio with the video. It's totally unacceptable to me.

02-04-2012, 10:46 PM	#12
sevenarrow Forum Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Colorado Springs, CO Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 61 Original Poster	rawr, Thanks for verifying that your K-5 audio sounds better than mine. I have made sure my hands or anything else is not covering up the microphone.

02-05-2012, 09:08 AM	#14
sevenarrow Forum Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Colorado Springs, CO Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 61 Original Poster	rawr, This random K5 audio is far better sound quality than mine. Very loud, clear, and crisp, just like my K-r. I just can't believe CRIS camera repair thought they had fixed it. Really sloppy work. They obviously didn't test it against a good working K-5.

02-05-2012, 10:25 AM	#15
Gimbal Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Sweden Posts: 2,106	Originally posted by sevenarrow rawr, This random K5 audio is far better sound quality than mine. Very loud, clear, and crisp, just like my K-r. But as you can see that video has a consistent audio track even though the video is clipped a lot. Perhaps the audio is recorded separately? Anyhow this is not a straight out of the camera clip.

K-5 audio quality very poor

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