UPDATE...
Quote: Imaging Resource has since updated(reshot) their K-5 Still Studio scenes to correct the DOF issue that was present in these shots. Therefore... we can consider the case closed and the K-5 seems right where it belongs in terms of resolution performance.
So 'Thank-You' to Imaging Resources and DPReview for taking the time to make things right.
JohnBee
...this issue has since been resolve and the follow-up/conclusion can be seen here: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-k-5-forum/123138-k-5-vs-d7000-soft...-part-2-a.html - original thread...
Hello,
I'm writing this in response to a series of tests that have been coming about the web lately. And I've found(even in RAW) where the K-5 seems to produce softer images than the competition. Or.. specifically, in contrast to other systems using the same sensor.
The first of the issues were uncovered by Imaging Resources. Which incidentally, have admitted to shooting the K-5 with improper settings(f/5.6 vs f/8). Which they claimed will be re-shot with the proper settings.
However, even in this scene(where focus was proper), there are clear detail distinctions between the K-5 and the D7K and Sony using the same sensor.
I'm tempted to say AA filter. However, I'm not at all certain if the AA filter can or would cause finer detail distortions such as the ones observed in the standard studio scene around the resolution dial(or scale).
I've also found this phenomenon(softness) to occur in other head to head testing as well including the K-7, which appears to be much sharper pixel per pixel than the K-5.
All I can say is, I do hope this is not an issue with the camera or, worst yet... a permanent condition that we will just have to live with. Though I for one would love to get to the bottom of it.
Taken from Imaging Resource:
Quote: The K-5 Still Life images were shot at f/5.6 vs f/8. (The lens is probably ever so slightly sharper overall at f/5.6 due to diffraction, but we feel that the depth of field is more important for the still life subject. The flat targets are shot at f/5.6.). The flat target show that that the K-5's AF was working very accurately with those subjects with the 70mm macro.
EXHIBIT A: D7000, ISO100, NR_0
[IMGWIDELEFT]http://www.bertin.ca/tmp/K-5/D7000_CRP1.jpg[/IMGWIDELEFT]
EXHIBIT B: K-5, ISO100, NR_0
[IMGWIDELEFT]http://www.bertin.ca/tmp/K-5/K-5_CRP1.jpg[/IMGWIDELEFT]
EXHIBIT C: D7000, ISO100, NR_0
[IMGWIDELEFT]http://www.bertin.ca/tmp/K-5/D7000_CRP2.jpg[/IMGWIDELEFT]
EXHIBIT D: K-5, ISO100, NR_0
[IMGWIDELEFT]http://www.bertin.ca/tmp/K-5/K-5_CRP2.jpg[/IMGWIDELEFT]
EXHIBIT E: D7000, ISO100, NR_0
[IMGWIDELEFT]http://www.bertin.ca/tmp/K-5/D7000_CRP3.jpg[/IMGWIDELEFT]
EXHIBIT F: K-7, ISO100, NR_0
[IMGWIDELEFT]http://www.bertin.ca/tmp/K-5/K-7_CRP3.jpg[/IMGWIDELEFT]
EXHIBIT G: K-5, ISO100, NR_0
[IMGWIDELEFT]http://www.bertin.ca/tmp/K-5/K-5_CRP3.jpg[/IMGWIDELEFT]
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ORIGINAL FILES(RAW/DNG):
D7000, ISO100 RAW/NEF Sample: http://216.18.212.226/PRODS/D7000/FULLRES/D7000hSLI00100_NR0.NEF K-5, ISO100 RAW/DNG Sample: http://216.18.212.226/PRODS/K5/FULLRES/K5hSLI00100_NR_0.DNG
I have more RAW/DNG samples coming in from DPReview as well....
Last edited by JohnBee; 11-20-2010 at 04:04 AM.