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05-09-2011, 03:49 PM   #1
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Is the Autofocus up to speed on the K-5 or K-7?

Hey forum, I know this question has been asked at LEAST a 1000 times (and i have read many) but still thought I'd give it a shot anyways just so I can be convinced one way or the other. I've been using a Samsung GX-10 (Pentax k10d clone) for a while, and it's been great and I haven't found any reason to want to upgrade. Recently, however, I've been tasked with shooting some airsoft, a pretty up to speed game, and although my camera is up to it most of the time, it still IRRITATES me when it misses and/or hunts.

So my question is: For you k-5/K-7 sports shooters, is the K-5's autofocus speed noticeable faster than the K-7 or K10D? I would love to save me some money and grab a used k-7 if it isn't but I'm still not sure, and if the autofocus isn'tup to sports, I'll stick with the GX-10 for a few more years til a new camera comes out. Thanks guys

05-09-2011, 03:55 PM   #2
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I haven't used any of those cameras; but the conventional wisdom is that the AF of the K5 is faster than the K7 which is faster than the K10. How much faster I don't know, but for AF-C the difference is meant to be very significant.
05-09-2011, 04:02 PM   #3
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QuoteOriginally posted by twitch Quote
I haven't used any of those cameras; but the conventional wisdom is that the AF of the K5 is faster than the K7 which is faster than the K10. How much faster I don't know, but for AF-C the difference is meant to be very significant.
I just wish I would know how MUCH faster. I hear from all users that each camera is faster but I want the usage in the field. If only I had an endless wallet I could get both to try out
05-09-2011, 04:06 PM   #4
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I've seen PDF scans on this forum taken from a french magazine I think that showed the AF-C speed difference and accuracy difference between K-7, K-5 & K-x. A bit of forum digging may turn that link up perhaps...

05-09-2011, 04:07 PM - 1 Like   #5
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Check You Tube for some tests. Casual tests seem to show 40-50% improvement in speed. The above video was shot with a pre-production K-5 (note that firmware is .10).
05-09-2011, 04:10 PM   #6
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QuoteOriginally posted by Winder Quote
YouTube - Pentax K-7 AF-C vs Pentax K-5 AF-C

Check You Tube for some tests. Casual tests seem to show 40-50% improvement in speed. The above video was shot with a pre-production K-5 (note that firmware is .10).
Haha, man that link is old...Wish i remembered to look at it again. Thanks Winder!
05-10-2011, 04:25 AM - 1 Like   #7
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Does this help?

Taken with Sigma 100-300 f4 fitted with Kenko 1.5x Tc in AF.C mode, 1/100th, f4.5, ISO 400

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05-10-2011, 04:45 AM - 1 Like   #8
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From practical experience of a few sports events, the K-5 lives up to my expectations.
I rarely miss a shot from AF speed or hunting on the K-5, whereas I did with the K10D/K20D.
I will be posting up some photos from my latest outdoor sports day shoot to show results from the K-5 + DA 55-300, which seemed to be all that I needed to capture the moments well.
05-10-2011, 07:24 AM - 1 Like   #9
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Well I started out with K20D and then K-7 and now K-5. The AF is getting faster, but still the lens you are using makes also a great difference. Most SDM lenses aren't that fast due to a big turn in the focusring. Sigma's HSM is faster. Some of the screw-driven lenses are also really fast.

My fastest lens is the DA 40mm/f2.8 Ltd.
05-10-2011, 07:26 AM   #10
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The only sport I've shot lately has been 8 year old soccer. I shot it with my K20D and the DA*200, and didn't really have any problems. I've recently moved to the K5 and same lens, and didn't really notice an improvement. But, like I said, the K20D was already doing fine. I even shot soccer with the DA18-250 (not really a sports lens) and the shots were all in focus and I was able to track easily with the K5.

For me, the big jump was from the K10D to the K20D. My SDM lenses seemed to perform better on my K20D than on my K10D.

The FPS on the K5 would be a big improvement over your GX10. AF-C should be an improvement as well. High ISO noise should be about a 2 stop improvement (at least) from the GX10 to the K5.


BTW, are you up for a Houston/Galveston Pentaxian get together? I posted something about it in the "groups" section. Drop me a PM if you're interested. May be a good way to try some different gear.
05-10-2011, 07:45 AM - 1 Like   #11
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K-5 (AF.C)+ slow DA 55-300 Also you need some practice to get such images I'am still in learning phase

05-10-2011, 08:33 AM   #12
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I have used the DS, the K10D and the K20D with much joy and appreciation in shooting pleasure, but never honestly saw much difference in the AF abilities between any of them. For most of my needs, it mattered little if the AF was slow, but when it did matter, I was usually disappointed.

I didn't really expect much more from the K5, so it was a huge surprise to find that it is indeed a major improvement over its predecessors.

An example I often use is my 50-500 Bigma, a big and slow focusing lens that likes to hunt like a hound dog. Manual is often the best way to use it.....but with the K5 it is probably a good 60% faster and hunting is not frequent, even in lower lighting conditions. My other fast lenses are .....Fast!

You will notice a huge difference over your GX-10, I don't have the least doubt of it.
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05-10-2011, 09:54 AM - 1 Like   #13
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k200d + sigma 70-200mm. It's easy to catch focus in AF.C. Didin't try in low light though

Last edited by kent; 02-14-2013 at 03:28 AM.
05-10-2011, 10:23 AM   #14
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So far compared with the K-10 I think the K-5 gets better shots. It's easier to go higher on the f-stops for better DOF, which really helps. Tracking with AF-C seems more accurate, though trying to get images of warblers in tree canopies the lens still hunts a lot...I suspect any lens will.

It's a big step up for me, and I'm still learning. I make a lot of n00b mistakes with settings (I realize when I get home). TAv is becoming my best buddy.
05-10-2011, 04:39 PM   #15
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Along with my drive mode results here, I also gave the K-5 a run under fast-moving conditions and it did very well even with the DA 55-300: Island Games - PentaxForums.com
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