I just got my new K-5 from B&H, and I've been playing with it for the last few hours. In no particular order, here are my first impressions:
- Coming from a K-r, the large grip of the K-5 felt somewhat uncomfortable. Given that cameras like the Canon EOS 7D and Nikon D300S have similarly large grips, it's something I should--and will--get used to.
- The LCD has one pixel stuck green. I suppose that this is an isolated case, and I will accept this as within manufacturing tolerances. However, when the K-5 is serviced for the first time (which may be in the far future), I will make note of the stuck pixel.
- The in-body AF motor runs slower than that of the K-r. This slightly reduces AF performance, but the K-5 has better AF accuracy because of the light wavelength sensor and the AF isn't quite as noisy.
- The control layout needs some time to get used to, but it'll probably permit more efficient operation once I do. Some of the levers seem stiff, but they'll probably loosen up with use.
- The battery shipped low (but not so low that the camera could not be operated). The battery also takes a long time to charge (the manual states a maximum of 390 minutes, or 6 1/2 hours) and is much larger than that of the K-r. The battery is still charging as I type this.
- The K-5 shipped with firmware 1.01. I charged the battery for some time, then proceeded to upgrade to 1.13 without issues.
- The shutter is significantly quieter than that of the K-r. The shutter recock noise is quite apparent, but overall operating noise is certainly less than that of the K-r.
- The sensor was clean and had no dust or stains.
- The Dust Reduction II mechanism in the K-5 is much quieter and is considered to be more effective than the SR-based DR in the K-r. Furthermore, the automatic DR II on power on can be interrupted (unlike the K-r), so that having it on does not slow the power-on-to-first-shot time.
- The shutter count started at 1, indicating that the camera was brand new and not returned by another customer.
- Several benefits are realized from the K-5 having independent shutter, mirror, and aperture control motors. This includes depth-of-field preview without the need for the mirror to cycle, continuous depth-of-field preview before shooting a video, and better mirror lock-up support.
- The flash is popped fully mechanically, rather than electronically (by means of a solenoid moving a hook) as on the K-r.
- Being able to manually override the auto-ISO and resetting to auto-ISO without entering the menus is a real boon, saving quite a bit of time.
- The way the battery cover opens is entirely unlike that of the K-r and is similar to the design used in professional Canon and Nikon DSLRs: turn a lock and pull out. I suppose this is needed to achieve full environmental sealing...
- A test of burst shooting in manual mode, 1/8000s, f/2.8, ISO 80, MF showed that the camera was physically capable of attaining a full 7.0 fps, but more practical speeds are about 6 to 6.5 fps.
- I found the horizon correction to be really helpful, and it certainly did a very good job at making sure the horizon is level.
- The viewfinder is larger and somewhat brighter than that of the K-r owing to the 100% coverage pentaprism design. The numbers on the data line are larger and easier to view as well.
- Per-pixel noise doesn't seem to be that much better than that of the K-r, but since the pixel count is higher, the K-5 will outresolve the K-r at all ISO levels.
- The User modes let me switch quickly to a particular configuration when the situation demands it, which can help me get faster shots.
That pretty much sums it up. The K-5 is simply amazing, and I probably will appreciate it more as I shoot with it more. The "ceremonial first shot" is attached.
--DragonLord
Last edited by bwDraco; 03-28-2012 at 12:09 AM.
Originally posted by wizofoz 
Post #1 by DragonLord
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