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09-18-2012, 09:09 PM   #1
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K-5 vs K30 Batteries

I've been trying to find a direct comparison between the batteries and battery life of the K-5 vs the K30. Having a K200D I find the AA option of the K30 appealing, but surely (. . . and stop calling me. . . )* the K-5 has battery power accomodations and features that make it too a camera useful in remote areas and long trips. (?).

Any thoughts and advice are appreciated.





* sorry about the embedded movie quote. . .

09-18-2012, 09:18 PM   #2
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The Pentax K-5 grip comes with a tray for 6 AA's, so yes As long as you prioritize the grip as the power source, the battery in the camera should last for months.

Even with 2 normal Li-ion batteries in both the grip and the body, you can expect to get just under 2,000 shots with a K-5, which I've found to be enough for most trips.

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09-18-2012, 11:11 PM   #3
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The K-5 with two original batteries lasts forever. The AA tray in the grip makes a nice emergency option.
09-18-2012, 11:57 PM   #4
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I agree with the others. On the K-5 just get a second original battery for normal use. Add the battery grip with a sufficient number of Energizer Lithiums if you're going to go somewhere really remote.

While AA's have worked well for me on the K200D and K-x, I have no complaints about the battery life on the K-5 - it's very good, and I may even prefer it now.

09-19-2012, 05:26 AM   #5
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I've moved from a K-5 to a K-30 and the reduced battery life is noticeable. 2 new developments in AA have reduced the difference though:

You can now get 2.5 Ah Eneloop AAs which with the AA adaptor give almost D-L190 capacity. Generic battery holders for the K-R / K-30 can be picked up for $10 on the net so easy to carry a number of backups. You can also now get 1450 Li Ion AAs but they require re-wiring the battery holder to series/parallel.
7.8 wh D-L109
9.6 wh 4 x 2000 mAh AAs
11.1 wh 4 x 1450 Li Ion AAs @ 750 mAh
12 wh 4 x 2500 mAh AAs
13.4 D-L190

Last edited by Tassie; 09-19-2012 at 05:28 AM. Reason: Hit wrong button - posted before finishing
09-19-2012, 09:28 PM   #6
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Thanks everyone. Your answer eliminate battery life etc. from my variables about which body to buy next. I was leaning towards towards the K-30, but now the K-5 ii is in the mix. Either way, a big jump from my K200D (which I still really like in daylight, fantastic color).
09-19-2012, 11:42 PM   #7
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Hold on to you K200D - you may still prefer it for certain shooting situations.

09-20-2012, 05:08 AM   #8
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QuoteOriginally posted by DSims Quote
Hold on to you K200D - you may still prefer it for certain shooting situations.
Indeed.
09-20-2012, 06:45 AM   #9
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QuoteOriginally posted by DSims Quote
Hold on to you K200D - you may still prefer it for certain shooting situations.
Agree!
09-23-2012, 09:58 PM   #10
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QuoteOriginally posted by DSims Quote
I agree with the others. On the K-5 just get a second original battery for normal use. Add the battery grip with a sufficient number of Energizer Lithiums if you're going to go somewhere really remote.

While AA's have worked well for me on the K200D and K-x, I have no complaints about the battery life on the K-5 - it's very good, and I may even prefer it now.
Sanyo Eneloops are what I use.
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