Pentax X-5

wanderography · 08-22-2012, 09:37 AM

This is nice to hear, when I'm out and about in the city I see nothing more than tons and tons of bridge cameras on tourists, pentax needs to get in that game... I highly doubt this is gonna be there big announcement at photokina, but if it is smaller than the other bridge cameras and weather sealed this could be a pretty nice camera.

audiobomber · 08-22-2012, 10:17 AM

Originally posted by DaveBlack

And is there a reason a camera base on a smartphone interface couldn't have such features. I guess most of the physical buttons would be replace by virtual touch-screen bottoms. Still a camera with a good sensor and good lens could be place in a small smartphone body and have manual mode, ISO control and shot raw.

Sure, a tablet or phone could have these features, but none do, and I personally doubt they ever will.

Originally posted by eddie1960

the nokia is a big step in that direction.

Not really. It has a better lens and sensor than other phones, but the photographic controls are rudimentary. Good IQ is not enough, I need capable handling too. YMMV.

All purpose tools are never very satisfactory, no matter if they're for plumbing or communications. My BlackBerry is a mediocre telephone, a lousy excuse for a computer and a horrible camera. The Nokia 808 is similar, except the camera portion is better.

eddie1960 · 08-22-2012, 10:39 AM

Originally posted by audiobomber

Sure, a tablet or phone could have these features, but none do, and I personally doubt they ever will.

Not really. It has a better lens and sensor than other phones, but the photographic controls are rudimentary. Good IQ is not enough, I need capable handling too. YMMV.

All purpose tools are never very satisfactory, no matter if they're for plumbing or communications. My BlackBerry is a mediocre telephone, a lousy excuse for a computer and a horrible camera. The Nokia 808 is similar, except the camera portion is better.

much of the limitation in the nokia could well be fixed with software updates though, it is the first gen of this so we'll see where it goes. Falks tests have been pretty impressive so far

audiobomber · 08-22-2012, 01:13 PM

Olympus has just announced a couple of bridge cams with 14mp backlit sensor. The lens on one is 4-100mm, which is 22.4mm equivalent on the wide end. It's pretty clear that Olympus and Pentax are using 14 & 16mp 1/2.3" Ex-Mor sensors in these bridge cams, as found in current Sony compacts.

eddie1960 · 08-22-2012, 01:19 PM

Originally posted by audiobomber

Olympus has just announced a couple of bridge cams with 14mp backlit sensor. The lens on one is 4-100mm, which is 22.4mm equivalent on the wide end. It's pretty clear that Olympus and Pentax are using 14 & 16mp 1/2.3" Ex-Mor sensors in these bridge cams, as found in current Sony compacts.

yep and nikon is using it in the S800 which is android powered. with a 4.5-45 that is 25-250 equivalent (interesting camera this one $350)

lammie200 · 08-22-2012, 03:10 PM

With the recent announcement by Pentax it seems it will have no RAW shooting capability and be priced at $280 MSRP. It looks like a nicely designed product at a reasonable price, but not ground breaking.

Verglace · 08-22-2012, 03:18 PM - **1 Like**

Its like they bought one of those companies that produce chinese fakes and made the fakes an official product...

Mistral75 · 08-22-2012, 03:30 PM

X-5 announced: Pentax announces X-5 DSLR-like 26x zoom 16MP CMOS superzoom: Digital Photography Review

Sensor is 1/2,33" BSI CMOS. Zoom is 22.3-280mm equivalent. Maximum aperture: f/3.1-5.9.

Suggested price is US$279.95.

devorama · 08-22-2012, 03:32 PM

With the official announcement and pictures I noticed:

The zoom lever is around the shutter release and looks just like the power switch for the DSLRs.

The mode dial has P and M, but no Av or Tv mode.

There IS a green button.

Another randomizing of the functions of the 4 sided controller. Flash is LEFT and drive mode is UP.

Press Releases - PENTAX Imaging USA

jogiba · 08-22-2012, 04:22 PM

It's funny how Pentax and Olympus done the math for the 4.0mm wide angle setting with Pentax saying it's 22.3mm eqiv and Olympus 22.4mm. BTW I have the Nikon P500 with 4.0-144mm 36x 22.5mm-810mm zoom that has a 3.0" tilting LCD with 921,000k dot resolution vs 460,000 dot resolution for the X-5.

Tanzer · 08-22-2012, 04:32 PM

Is it considered bad etiquette to boast "I told you so" on the forum?

(No interchangeable lens, etc, etc.)

I think they made a mistake by not adding a built in stereo mic, when all the other players all do. The X-5 is priced mid-pack so that shows that Pentax is not trying to position this as any better than the competition. A shame because I think they could have done better here, given that the image quality with the back-lit sensor (did I mention that I told you so?) should offer superior IQ.

Also it would have been nice if Pentax made this WR, to help send a consistent message.

For my next "I told you so" statement, I shall now miraculously predict that the number of posts on this thread will fall off dramatically, just like the number of posts and threads dedicated to the former X90.

audiobomber · 08-22-2012, 04:37 PM

Originally posted by jogiba

It's funny how Pentax and Olympus done the math for the 4.0 wide angle setting with Pentax saying it's 22.3mm eqiv and Olympus 22.4mm.

They are similat, but different 1/2.3" sensors. One is 14mp, the other is 16mp. Size could vary by a fraction.

jogiba · 08-22-2012, 04:51 PM

Originally posted by audiobomber

They are similat, but different 1/2.3" sensors. One is 14mp, the other is 16mp. Size could vary by a fraction.

Pentax : 1/2.33" (6.08 x 4.56 mm)
Olympus : 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm)
Nikon P500 36x 4.0-144mm zoom : 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm)

noaslplease · 08-22-2012, 04:55 PM

Originally posted by lammie200

With the recent announcement by Pentax it seems it will have no RAW shooting capability and be priced at $280 MSRP. It looks like a nicely designed product at a reasonable price, but not ground breaking.

+1. I think this will sell solidly as a bridge camera, though I never liked the market.
Small sensors, slow processors, I've honestly never met a bridge camera I liked.

audiobomber · 08-22-2012, 05:10 PM

Originally posted by jogiba

Pentax : 1/2.33" (6.08 x 4.56 mm)
Olympus : 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm)
Nikon P500 36x 4.0-144mm zoom : 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm)

DPR calls it 1/2.3 in the announcement and 1/2.33 in the specs. Other places agree with 1/2.33. I didn't manage to find a backlit 16.0mp 1/2.33" Sony sensor.

I was thinking that Pentax would put something unique in the design. Kind of disappointing, but maybe there will be something a little special about the lens, low distortion, low CA or something. Interesting that they used a swing screen though.

08-22-2012, 03:30 PM	#128
Mistral75 Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Paris, France Posts: 7,527	X-5 announced: Pentax announces X-5 DSLR-like 26x zoom 16MP CMOS superzoom: Digital Photography Review Sensor is 1/2,33" BSI CMOS. Zoom is 22.3-280mm equivalent. Maximum aperture: f/3.1-5.9. Suggested price is US$279.95. Last edited by Mistral75; 08-22-2012 at 03:43 PM.

08-22-2012, 04:22 PM	#130
jogiba Banned Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Millstone,NJ Posts: 6,491	It's funny how Pentax and Olympus done the math for the 4.0mm wide angle setting with Pentax saying it's 22.3mm eqiv and Olympus 22.4mm. BTW I have the Nikon P500 with 4.0-144mm 36x 22.5mm-810mm zoom that has a 3.0" tilting LCD with 921,000k dot resolution vs 460,000 dot resolution for the X-5. Last edited by jogiba; 08-22-2012 at 04:44 PM.

08-22-2012, 04:37 PM	#132
audiobomber Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Sudbury, Ontario Photos: Albums Posts: 6,806	Originally posted by jogiba It's funny how Pentax and Olympus done the math for the 4.0 wide angle setting with Pentax saying it's 22.3mm eqiv and Olympus 22.4mm. They are similat, but different 1/2.3" sensors. One is 14mp, the other is 16mp. Size could vary by a fraction. Last edited by audiobomber; 08-22-2012 at 04:49 PM.

08-22-2012, 09:37 AM	#121
wanderography Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Hayward, California, USA Posts: 567	This is nice to hear, when I'm out and about in the city I see nothing more than tons and tons of bridge cameras on tourists, pentax needs to get in that game... I highly doubt this is gonna be there big announcement at photokina, but if it is smaller than the other bridge cameras and weather sealed this could be a pretty nice camera.

08-22-2012, 10:17 AM	#122
audiobomber Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Sudbury, Ontario Photos: Albums Posts: 6,806	Originally posted by DaveBlack And is there a reason a camera base on a smartphone interface couldn't have such features. I guess most of the physical buttons would be replace by virtual touch-screen bottoms. Still a camera with a good sensor and good lens could be place in a small smartphone body and have manual mode, ISO control and shot raw. Sure, a tablet or phone could have these features, but none do, and I personally doubt they ever will. Originally posted by eddie1960 the nokia is a big step in that direction. Not really. It has a better lens and sensor than other phones, but the photographic controls are rudimentary. Good IQ is not enough, I need capable handling too. YMMV. All purpose tools are never very satisfactory, no matter if they're for plumbing or communications. My BlackBerry is a mediocre telephone, a lousy excuse for a computer and a horrible camera. The Nokia 808 is similar, except the camera portion is better.

08-22-2012, 10:39 AM	#123
eddie1960 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 13,666	Originally posted by audiobomber Sure, a tablet or phone could have these features, but none do, and I personally doubt they ever will. Not really. It has a better lens and sensor than other phones, but the photographic controls are rudimentary. Good IQ is not enough, I need capable handling too. YMMV. All purpose tools are never very satisfactory, no matter if they're for plumbing or communications. My BlackBerry is a mediocre telephone, a lousy excuse for a computer and a horrible camera. The Nokia 808 is similar, except the camera portion is better. much of the limitation in the nokia could well be fixed with software updates though, it is the first gen of this so we'll see where it goes. Falks tests have been pretty impressive so far

08-22-2012, 01:13 PM	#124
audiobomber Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Sudbury, Ontario Photos: Albums Posts: 6,806	Olympus has just announced a couple of bridge cams with 14mp backlit sensor. The lens on one is 4-100mm, which is 22.4mm equivalent on the wide end. It's pretty clear that Olympus and Pentax are using 14 & 16mp 1/2.3" Ex-Mor sensors in these bridge cams, as found in current Sony compacts.

08-22-2012, 01:19 PM	#125
eddie1960 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 13,666	Originally posted by audiobomber Olympus has just announced a couple of bridge cams with 14mp backlit sensor. The lens on one is 4-100mm, which is 22.4mm equivalent on the wide end. It's pretty clear that Olympus and Pentax are using 14 & 16mp 1/2.3" Ex-Mor sensors in these bridge cams, as found in current Sony compacts. yep and nikon is using it in the S800 which is android powered. with a 4.5-45 that is 25-250 equivalent (interesting camera this one $350)

08-22-2012, 03:10 PM	#126
lammie200 Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: San Francisco Photos: Albums Posts: 1,033	With the recent announcement by Pentax it seems it will have no RAW shooting capability and be priced at $280 MSRP. It looks like a nicely designed product at a reasonable price, but not ground breaking.

08-22-2012, 03:18 PM - 1 Like	#127
Verglace Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 468	Its like they bought one of those companies that produce chinese fakes and made the fakes an official product...

08-22-2012, 03:32 PM	#129
devorama Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Chicago, IL Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 638	With the official announcement and pictures I noticed: The zoom lever is around the shutter release and looks just like the power switch for the DSLRs. The mode dial has P and M, but no Av or Tv mode. There IS a green button. Another randomizing of the functions of the 4 sided controller. Flash is LEFT and drive mode is UP. Press Releases - PENTAX Imaging USA

08-22-2012, 04:32 PM	#131
Tanzer Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Perrineville, NJ Posts: 1,375	Is it considered bad etiquette to boast "I told you so" on the forum? (No interchangeable lens, etc, etc.) I think they made a mistake by not adding a built in stereo mic, when all the other players all do. The X-5 is priced mid-pack so that shows that Pentax is not trying to position this as any better than the competition. A shame because I think they could have done better here, given that the image quality with the back-lit sensor (did I mention that I told you so?) should offer superior IQ. Also it would have been nice if Pentax made this WR, to help send a consistent message. For my next "I told you so" statement, I shall now miraculously predict that the number of posts on this thread will fall off dramatically, just like the number of posts and threads dedicated to the former X90.

08-22-2012, 04:51 PM	#133
jogiba Banned Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Millstone,NJ Posts: 6,491	Originally posted by audiobomber They are similat, but different 1/2.3" sensors. One is 14mp, the other is 16mp. Size could vary by a fraction. Pentax : 1/2.33" (6.08 x 4.56 mm) Olympus : 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) Nikon P500 36x 4.0-144mm zoom : 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm)

08-22-2012, 04:55 PM	#134
noaslplease Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: San Jose, California Photos: Albums Posts: 80	Originally posted by lammie200 With the recent announcement by Pentax it seems it will have no RAW shooting capability and be priced at $280 MSRP. It looks like a nicely designed product at a reasonable price, but not ground breaking. +1. I think this will sell solidly as a bridge camera, though I never liked the market. Small sensors, slow processors, I've honestly never met a bridge camera I liked.

08-22-2012, 05:10 PM	#135
audiobomber Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Sudbury, Ontario Photos: Albums Posts: 6,806	Originally posted by jogiba Pentax : 1/2.33" (6.08 x 4.56 mm) Olympus : 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) Nikon P500 36x 4.0-144mm zoom : 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) DPR calls it 1/2.3 in the announcement and 1/2.33 in the specs. Other places agree with 1/2.33. I didn't manage to find a backlit 16.0mp 1/2.33" Sony sensor. I was thinking that Pentax would put something unique in the design. Kind of disappointing, but maybe there will be something a little special about the lens, low distortion, low CA or something. Interesting that they used a swing screen though.