The K-5 is the best APS-C DSLR

Adam · 11-06-2010, 11:39 PM

I was actually looking to see how the K-5's sensor compares to that of the K-7 (that's a whole other story), when I saw this:

Name: pentaxk5.jpg
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Name: pentaxk5.jpg
Views: 2955
Size: 218.8 KB

Quite impressive, I must say! What's not impressive is that the K-7 is at the bottom of the list

BTW, I'm going to share this here, as people have been complaining about its visibility: here's a series of brief articles exploring the K-5's other great features (apart from the great IQ).

Adam
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Kguru · 11-07-2010, 01:30 AM

Thanks Adam. Quite remarkable that the #1 on score of 89 is a $40,000 camera while K-5 on 82 is equal 4th with the 645D and the D3s.

Col · 11-07-2010, 01:41 AM

It looks rather lonely up there! I've never owned a benchmark before.

bjan · 11-07-2010, 02:55 AM

Congratulations to all pentaxians with the outcome of the DxO tests.
The K5 has so many features (artistic filters, hdr, etc) that are specifically aiming at the Jpeg shooter. Will this DxO outcome also affect the Jpeg quality in terms of quality improvement compared to K7 for example ? Or does this completely depend on the jpeg enging and could the jpeg quality be equal (disapointing) to the K7 ?

Thanks for your info and have a nice day

jeffrey r · 11-07-2010, 04:50 AM

Originally posted by bjan

Will this DxO outcome also affect the Jpeg quality in terms of quality improvement compared to K7 for example ? Or does this completely depend on the jpeg enging and could the jpeg quality be equal (disapointing) to the K7 ?

I seem to recall Adam proclaiming that the JPEG engine of the K-5 is outstanding.

**Rondec** · 11-07-2010, 05:13 AM

Well, just to be clear, the K5 has the "best sensor" of any APS-C camera tested to date. It is a little unclear on the D7000 yet.

There are also other reasons to buy a camera and I think auto focus on the K5 still lags just a bit compared to other bodies out there (more due to the SDM lenses I imagine than the camera body). Still, looks to me like a clear win for Pentax.

pinholecam · 11-07-2010, 06:43 AM

Originally posted by Rondec

Well, just to be clear, the K5 has the "best sensor" of any APS-C camera tested to date. It is a little unclear on the D7000 yet.

There are also other reasons to buy a camera and I think auto focus on the K5 still lags just a bit compared to other bodies out there (more due to the SDM lenses I imagine than the camera body). Still, looks to me like a clear win for Pentax.

To me, the D7k image quality is a closed case. Based on the imaging resource sample photos, I'm very sure I am getting better stuff out of my K5.

WerTicus · 11-07-2010, 09:12 AM

now put up a jpg of its dynamic range score vs every camera ever made

Parallax · 11-07-2010, 10:56 AM

Originally posted by Adam

..........................What's not impressive is that the K-7 is at the bottom of the list

I think the K7 was Pentax's Windows ME of DSLR evolution.

opiedog · 11-07-2010, 11:16 AM

Originally posted by Rondec

Well, just to be clear, the K5 has the "best sensor" of any APS-C camera tested to date. It is a little unclear on the D7000 yet.

There are also other reasons to buy a camera and I think auto focus on the K5 still lags just a bit compared to other bodies out there (more due to the SDM lenses I imagine than the camera body). Still, looks to me like a clear win for Pentax.

i think the term "Best APSC" needs to be clarified. best in terms of what?
for now, yes the IQ is on top, however, IQ is just one aspect of a camera not to mention the SYSTEM

but nonetheless, very impressive k5 iq!

macTak · 11-07-2010, 11:19 AM

If you go to the landscape filter (which is DR), the K-5 is the best camera tested, period, beating not only every APS-C, but also every FF and MF camera!

Ivan Glisin · 11-07-2010, 12:22 PM

Originally posted by Adam

I was actually looking to see how the K-5's sensor compares to that of the K-7 (that's a whole other story), when I saw this

Yup, did the same the other day. In fact, check APS-C/1.3 (meaning APS-C and APS-H) as well and see what happens when Canon EOS 1D Mark II/III/IV come into picture. Enjoy... :-)

philbaum · 11-07-2010, 12:29 PM

Adam, thanks a bunch

After i read your post, i noticed that my K20d is no longer working.

Just kidding, it worked very nicely yesterday, nevertheless its great to see Pentax hit it out of the park. the bad news is this won't help the K5 price go down to where i can buy it.

Can we have a bit more negative news?

**Ash** · 11-07-2010, 01:08 PM

Anyway you see it, Pentax is up for a number of awards with the K-5...

creampuff · 11-07-2010, 05:15 PM

Originally posted by Parallax

I think the K7 was Pentax's Windows ME of DSLR evolution.

Blame it in the Koreans for coming out with such a shoddy sensor...

Yeah I went thru the Windows ME experience now that you mention it.

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11-06-2010, 11:39 PM	#1
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,608	The K-5 is the best APS-C DSLR I was actually looking to see how the K-5's sensor compares to that of the K-7 (that's a whole other story), when I saw this: Quite impressive, I must say! What's not impressive is that the K-7 is at the bottom of the list BTW, I'm going to share this here, as people have been complaining about its visibility: here's a series of brief articles exploring the K-5's other great features (apart from the great IQ). 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:

11-07-2010, 01:30 AM	#2
Kguru Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Perth - WestAust Posts: 602	Thanks Adam. Quite remarkable that the #1 on score of 89 is a $40,000 camera while K-5 on 82 is equal 4th with the 645D and the D3s.

11-07-2010, 01:41 AM	#3
Col Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Stansted Essex Photos: Gallery Posts: 614	It looks rather lonely up there! I've never owned a benchmark before.

11-07-2010, 02:55 AM	#4
bjan Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 116	Congratulations to all pentaxians with the outcome of the DxO tests. The K5 has so many features (artistic filters, hdr, etc) that are specifically aiming at the Jpeg shooter. Will this DxO outcome also affect the Jpeg quality in terms of quality improvement compared to K7 for example ? Or does this completely depend on the jpeg enging and could the jpeg quality be equal (disapointing) to the K7 ? Thanks for your info and have a nice day

11-07-2010, 04:50 AM	#5
jeffrey r Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: New Jersey, USA Posts: 337	Originally posted by bjan Will this DxO outcome also affect the Jpeg quality in terms of quality improvement compared to K7 for example ? Or does this completely depend on the jpeg enging and could the jpeg quality be equal (disapointing) to the K7 ? I seem to recall Adam proclaiming that the JPEG engine of the K-5 is outstanding.

11-07-2010, 05:13 AM	#6
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,663	Well, just to be clear, the K5 has the "best sensor" of any APS-C camera tested to date. It is a little unclear on the D7000 yet. There are also other reasons to buy a camera and I think auto focus on the K5 still lags just a bit compared to other bodies out there (more due to the SDM lenses I imagine than the camera body). Still, looks to me like a clear win for Pentax.

11-07-2010, 06:43 AM	#7
pinholecam Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: North Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,709	Originally posted by Rondec Well, just to be clear, the K5 has the "best sensor" of any APS-C camera tested to date. It is a little unclear on the D7000 yet. There are also other reasons to buy a camera and I think auto focus on the K5 still lags just a bit compared to other bodies out there (more due to the SDM lenses I imagine than the camera body). Still, looks to me like a clear win for Pentax. To me, the D7k image quality is a closed case. Based on the imaging resource sample photos, I'm very sure I am getting better stuff out of my K5.

11-07-2010, 09:12 AM	#8
WerTicus Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Perth Australia Photos: Albums Posts: 1,514	now put up a jpg of its dynamic range score vs every camera ever made

11-07-2010, 10:56 AM	#9
Parallax Senior Moderator Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: South Dakota Photos: Gallery Posts: 19,333	Originally posted by Adam ..........................What's not impressive is that the K-7 is at the bottom of the list I think the K7 was Pentax's Windows ME of DSLR evolution.

11-07-2010, 11:16 AM	#10
opiedog Inactive Account Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: NC Posts: 787	Originally posted by Rondec Well, just to be clear, the K5 has the "best sensor" of any APS-C camera tested to date. It is a little unclear on the D7000 yet. There are also other reasons to buy a camera and I think auto focus on the K5 still lags just a bit compared to other bodies out there (more due to the SDM lenses I imagine than the camera body). Still, looks to me like a clear win for Pentax. i think the term "Best APSC" needs to be clarified. best in terms of what? for now, yes the IQ is on top, however, IQ is just one aspect of a camera not to mention the SYSTEM but nonetheless, very impressive k5 iq!

11-07-2010, 11:19 AM	#11
macTak Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Photos: Gallery Posts: 759	If you go to the landscape filter (which is DR), the K-5 is the best camera tested, period, beating not only every APS-C, but also every FF and MF camera!

11-07-2010, 12:22 PM	#12
Ivan Glisin Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Belgrade Posts: 656	Originally posted by Adam I was actually looking to see how the K-5's sensor compares to that of the K-7 (that's a whole other story), when I saw this Yup, did the same the other day. In fact, check APS-C/1.3 (meaning APS-C and APS-H) as well and see what happens when Canon EOS 1D Mark II/III/IV come into picture. Enjoy... :-)

11-07-2010, 12:29 PM	#13
philbaum Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Port Townsend, Washington State, USA Posts: 3,659	Adam, thanks a bunch After i read your post, i noticed that my K20d is no longer working. Just kidding, it worked very nicely yesterday, nevertheless its great to see Pentax hit it out of the park. the bad news is this won't help the K5 price go down to where i can buy it. Can we have a bit more negative news?

11-07-2010, 01:08 PM	#14
Ash Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toowoomba, Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,920	Anyway you see it, Pentax is up for a number of awards with the K-5...

11-07-2010, 05:15 PM	#15
creampuff Veteran Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Singapore Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,953	Originally posted by Parallax I think the K7 was Pentax's Windows ME of DSLR evolution. Blame it in the Koreans for coming out with such a shoddy sensor... Yeah I went thru the Windows ME experience now that you mention it.