KP image quality?

**niels hansen** · 03-17-2018, 05:21 AM

I am a rather unhappy KPowner,I was very happy wutk my K30 untill it fell on the floor. My first Kp war replaced after miles and miles troubles with AF and batterylife,
The second is better, but the average IQ is not on par with K30. The maximum IQ is marvellous, the minimum is awesomme. I wonder if it is caused by shutter vibrations as described in another thread. Can someone with knowledge to KP give an answer?

**BigMackCam** · 03-17-2018, 05:46 AM

I've moved your post to a new thread in the KP forum

SSGGeezer · 03-17-2018, 06:52 AM

Comparison shots with exif information? Settings? You need to support your statement about the KP having worse IQ with some images and how they were taken for anyone to offer suggestions. There very well could be an issue with your camera since my KP images are noticeably better than my K-50.
Even if you just post links to comparisons on flickr there are lots of folks here who can offer help.

mcgregni · 03-17-2018, 07:42 AM - **1 Like**

"The maximum IQ is marvellous" ...."the minimum is awesome" ...."the average IQ is not on par with K30" .....

You need to make another attempt to explain these three statements, rephrase them to make more sense.

KDD · 03-17-2018, 08:15 AM

Depend on your SKILL!!!

stevebrot · 03-17-2018, 10:28 AM - **6 Likes**

Originally posted by niels hansen

the average IQ is not on par with K30.

This comment echos complaints from new K-3 owners when the 24Mpx sensor first became available. Those migrating from 16Mpx Pentax bodies were often not happy with image quality (sharpness mostly) and felt that the camera design was at fault. The standard response was that the extra sensor resolution makes greater demand on both optics and technique. If a user persisted that both lenses and technique were flawless, a common suggestion was to down-sample the 24Mpx image to 16Mpx and see if it looks better.

To elaborate:

Attention to focus will pay a quality dividend
Use a tripod when quality is a concern and when on-tripod use the delay timer or a remote shutter release
Don't expect a flimsy tripod to hold the camera steady
Don't expect the SR feature to make up for shaky hands
Be aware of shutter speed and aperture. Avoid slow speeds and shooting wide open.
Lenses that used to be good enough at 16Mpx may not deliver adequately at 24Mpx

If those instructions sound a lot like old school photography, that is because they are old school. Nothing has changed where critical work is concerned.
If one remains unconvinced, a trial at a lower resolution may be worth considering. This may be most directly done one of two ways: 1) By changing the capture settings to JPEG Recorded Pixels = "M" (14Mpx), or 2) by resizing a series of full-resolution (6016px x 4000px) captures to match that of the K-30 (4928px x 3264px) using the software tool of choice. If the lower resolution shots are more acceptable, the extra resolution is the cause of the discontent.

Steve

swanlefitte · 03-17-2018, 12:10 PM - **1 Like**

It could be the extra pixels. It could be the lenses need calibration with the camera. A lens might have been +1 on the k30 and +5 on the kp. The +1 would hardly be noticable where +5 would. So have you done focus adjust with your lenses?

**newmikey** · 03-17-2018, 12:58 PM

Originally posted by niels hansen

...the average IQ is not on par with K30.

I'm perfectly OK with someone struggling to get the most out of any of the 24Mp sensor bodies but this seems just plain user error. My K-5IIs already blew the K-30 out of the water, my own current K-70 and my daughter's K-3 blow the K-5 II series as well as the K-30 (which my daughter owned prior to the K-3) out of the water. From what I've seen from others, the KP is on par with the K-70 at lower ISO values and surpasses it from ISO1600 upward.

This is most likely just operator error or lack of quality glass.

robjmitchell · 03-17-2018, 02:46 PM

You cant compare 100% crops between a 16mp and 24mp sensor as the crop of the 24mp will be of a smaller area and reveal any weakness in the lenses your using. The other thing is that you need more sharpening as the detail from the 24mp is finer than the 16mp when viewed at full size. All the lines are smaller and give you the impression of less sharpness, even though there is more detail.

stevebrot · 03-17-2018, 03:03 PM

Originally posted by robjmitchell

The other thing is that you need more sharpening as the detail from the 24mp is finer than the 16mp when viewed at full size.

Not my experience, though much may depend on the lens being used. Detail rendered is detail rendered. If the OP is shooting with the kit lens from the K-30 or even the new DA 18-50/4-5.6 a little more sharpening may be needed to compensate for detail not rendered.

Steve

robiles · 03-17-2018, 03:13 PM

Nothing to complain here about iq of the KP. i have a nice panorama print hanging in the house. shot with a 15mm limited. looks fabulous

**Ex Finn.** · 03-17-2018, 03:15 PM - **2 Likes**

The KP, in most shooting scenarios, mops the floor with K5 and is nipping at the heels of the K1. YMMW.

reh321 · 03-17-2018, 05:27 PM

Originally posted by stevebrot

Not my experience, though much may depend on the lens being used. Detail rendered is detail rendered. If the OP is shooting with the kit lens from the K-30 or even the new DA 18-50/4-5.6 a little more sharpening may be needed to compensate for detail not rendered.

Steve

I'm thinking of going from the K-30 to the KP.

Does the 18-135mm work well with the KP?

Would getting the new PLM 55-300mm make sense?

SSGGeezer · 03-18-2018, 06:43 AM

Originally posted by reh321

I'm thinking of going from the K-30 to the KP.

Does the 18-135mm work well with the KP?

Would getting the new PLM 55-300mm make sense?

Good thought!

I can't say since I have not used one.

Definitely a good combo with the KP.

robtcorl · 03-18-2018, 07:18 AM

Originally posted by reh321

Does the 18-135mm work well with the KP?

I think it works very well on the KP.
It combined with my DA 300* are used about 90% of the time.

03-17-2018, 05:21 AM	#1
niels hansen Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2017 Posts: 343	KP image quality? I am a rather unhappy KPowner,I was very happy wutk my K30 untill it fell on the floor. My first Kp war replaced after miles and miles troubles with AF and batterylife, The second is better, but the average IQ is not on par with K30. The maximum IQ is marvellous, the minimum is awesomme. I wonder if it is caused by shutter vibrations as described in another thread. Can someone with knowledge to KP give an answer?

03-17-2018, 10:28 AM - 6 Likes	#6
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by niels hansen the average IQ is not on par with K30. This comment echos complaints from new K-3 owners when the 24Mpx sensor first became available. Those migrating from 16Mpx Pentax bodies were often not happy with image quality (sharpness mostly) and felt that the camera design was at fault. The standard response was that the extra sensor resolution makes greater demand on both optics and technique. If a user persisted that both lenses and technique were flawless, a common suggestion was to down-sample the 24Mpx image to 16Mpx and see if it looks better. To elaborate: Attention to focus will pay a quality dividend Use a tripod when quality is a concern and when on-tripod use the delay timer or a remote shutter release Don't expect a flimsy tripod to hold the camera steady Don't expect the SR feature to make up for shaky hands Be aware of shutter speed and aperture. Avoid slow speeds and shooting wide open. Lenses that used to be good enough at 16Mpx may not deliver adequately at 24Mpx If those instructions sound a lot like old school photography, that is because they are old school. Nothing has changed where critical work is concerned. If one remains unconvinced, a trial at a lower resolution may be worth considering. This may be most directly done one of two ways: 1) By changing the capture settings to JPEG Recorded Pixels = "M" (14Mpx), or 2) by resizing a series of full-resolution (6016px x 4000px) captures to match that of the K-30 (4928px x 3264px) using the software tool of choice. If the lower resolution shots are more acceptable, the extra resolution is the cause of the discontent. Steve

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03-17-2018, 05:46 AM	#2
BigMackCam Digitiser of Film Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: North East of England Posts: 20,670	I've moved your post to a new thread in the KP forum

03-17-2018, 06:52 AM	#3
SSGGeezer Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Indiana, U.S. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,845	Comparison shots with exif information? Settings? You need to support your statement about the KP having worse IQ with some images and how they were taken for anyone to offer suggestions. There very well could be an issue with your camera since my KP images are noticeably better than my K-50. Even if you just post links to comparisons on flickr there are lots of folks here who can offer help.

03-17-2018, 07:42 AM - 1 Like	#4
mcgregni Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Surrey, England Posts: 2,603	"The maximum IQ is marvellous" ...."the minimum is awesome" ...."the average IQ is not on par with K30" ..... You need to make another attempt to explain these three statements, rephrase them to make more sense.

03-17-2018, 08:15 AM	#5
KDD Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 403	Depend on your SKILL!!!

03-17-2018, 12:10 PM - 1 Like	#7
swanlefitte Pentaxian Join Date: May 2015 Location: Minneapolis Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,068	It could be the extra pixels. It could be the lenses need calibration with the camera. A lens might have been +1 on the k30 and +5 on the kp. The +1 would hardly be noticable where +5 would. So have you done focus adjust with your lenses?

03-17-2018, 12:58 PM	#8
newmikey Site Supporter Join Date: May 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,287	Originally posted by niels hansen ...the average IQ is not on par with K30. I'm perfectly OK with someone struggling to get the most out of any of the 24Mp sensor bodies but this seems just plain user error. My K-5IIs already blew the K-30 out of the water, my own current K-70 and my daughter's K-3 blow the K-5 II series as well as the K-30 (which my daughter owned prior to the K-3) out of the water. From what I've seen from others, the KP is on par with the K-70 at lower ISO values and surpasses it from ISO1600 upward. This is most likely just operator error or lack of quality glass.

03-17-2018, 02:46 PM	#9
robjmitchell Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Melbourne Aus Posts: 1,776	You cant compare 100% crops between a 16mp and 24mp sensor as the crop of the 24mp will be of a smaller area and reveal any weakness in the lenses your using. The other thing is that you need more sharpening as the detail from the 24mp is finer than the 16mp when viewed at full size. All the lines are smaller and give you the impression of less sharpness, even though there is more detail.

03-17-2018, 03:03 PM	#10
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by robjmitchell The other thing is that you need more sharpening as the detail from the 24mp is finer than the 16mp when viewed at full size. Not my experience, though much may depend on the lens being used. Detail rendered is detail rendered. If the OP is shooting with the kit lens from the K-30 or even the new DA 18-50/4-5.6 a little more sharpening may be needed to compensate for detail not rendered. Steve

03-17-2018, 03:13 PM	#11
robiles Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Deva Posts: 311	Nothing to complain here about iq of the KP. i have a nice panorama print hanging in the house. shot with a 15mm limited. looks fabulous

03-17-2018, 03:15 PM - 2 Likes	#12
Ex Finn. Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Southern Maryland. Espoo. Kouvola. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,975	The KP, in most shooting scenarios, mops the floor with K5 and is nipping at the heels of the K1. YMMW.

03-17-2018, 05:27 PM	#13
reh321 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: South Bend, IN, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,177	Originally posted by stevebrot Not my experience, though much may depend on the lens being used. Detail rendered is detail rendered. If the OP is shooting with the kit lens from the K-30 or even the new DA 18-50/4-5.6 a little more sharpening may be needed to compensate for detail not rendered. Steve I'm thinking of going from the K-30 to the KP. Does the 18-135mm work well with the KP? Would getting the new PLM 55-300mm make sense?

03-18-2018, 06:43 AM	#14
SSGGeezer Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Indiana, U.S. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,845	Originally posted by reh321 I'm thinking of going from the K-30 to the KP. Does the 18-135mm work well with the KP? Would getting the new PLM 55-300mm make sense? Good thought! I can't say since I have not used one. Definitely a good combo with the KP.

03-18-2018, 07:18 AM	#15
robtcorl Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: St Louis, MO Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,606	Originally posted by reh321 Does the 18-135mm work well with the KP? I think it works very well on the KP. It combined with my DA 300* are used about 90% of the time.