Shutter Sound Level Comparison K-30, K-5, K-3

agsy · 02-04-2014, 12:28 PM

Great comparison. One of the "plus" on my list when I upgraded to the k5II was the shutter sound compared to the K-x I owned. So much softer.

bigted · 02-04-2014, 12:49 PM

Originally posted by Na Horuk

Now add a K-r: Chip-cap-klang!

I love how the K-3 seems so quiet when I compare it to my K-r. The K-3 is almost in stealth mode. When I used my K-r to shoot wildlife the shutter sound would scare off whatever I was trying to capture. In comparison the K-3 isn't even noticed.

**crewl1** · 02-04-2014, 01:01 PM

Originally posted by geomez

Did the cameras in your test have lenses attached and if so, were they the same three lenses?

No I used a body cap to make sure all things were equal.
The overall volume would be reduced with some lenses, but the comparative levels would stay the same.

ausmoose · 02-04-2014, 09:10 PM

It's always great when I'm taking a photo of, say, a lizard, with my K-30, and I press the shutter, 'whoops that's too overexposed!', look through the viewfinder again, 'hey where's that little bugger gone???' It tends to scare animals, unfortunately, but I do like hearing the shutter sound, as long as it doesn't scare my photo oppurtunity away.

danny09 · 02-06-2014, 12:46 AM

My K10D shutter almost sounds like a 6 bullet revolver being fired one by one. K3 is like the tight slap of my mathematics teacher on getting low grades. It didnt sound like a slap but it sure used to be

EJMzagsfan · 02-06-2014, 02:03 AM

I went from a k10 to a k5 when I upgraded. I loved the big old almost gun cock of the k10. The k5 isnt as pleasing for some reason, but is, as everyone knows remarkably quiet. The k5 messes with a lot of the people i take pictures of because they never know I pressed the shutter.

**geomez** · 02-06-2014, 02:17 AM

Originally posted by EJMzagsfan

I went from a k10 to a k5 when I upgraded. I loved the big old almost gun cock of the k10. The k5 isnt as pleasing for some reason, but is, as everyone knows remarkably quiet. The k5 messes with a lot of the people i take pictures of because they never know I pressed the shutter.

You're probably the only person I've ever heard liking the explosively loud shutter sounds of the older bodies.

EJMzagsfan · 02-06-2014, 03:29 AM

Originally posted by geomez

You're probably the only person I've ever heard liking the explosively loud shutter sounds of the older bodies.

Ha!
Does no one else like the big reassuring thwacks?

**geomez** · 02-06-2014, 04:14 AM

Originally posted by EJMzagsfan

Ha! Does no one else like the big reassuring thwacks?

No way! I love the dampened, ninja click of the K-5 and K-3. Just during this conversation I picked up my *ist DS and fired off a few shots. It sounds like a sound byte from a sward fight. I'm surprised nobody ran for cover when I used to take shots in with it in public.

**Kerrowdown** · 02-06-2014, 07:41 AM

Well just going by the db meter the K-5 wins and going by just my ears it sounds softer too.

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02-04-2014, 12:28 PM	#16
agsy Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Florida Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 551	Great comparison. One of the "plus" on my list when I upgraded to the k5II was the shutter sound compared to the K-x I owned. So much softer.

02-04-2014, 12:49 PM	#17
bigted Moderator Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Jessica Lake, Whiteshell Provincial Park, or Winnipeg Manitoba, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,593	Originally posted by Na Horuk Now add a K-r: Chip-cap-klang! I love how the K-3 seems so quiet when I compare it to my K-r. The K-3 is almost in stealth mode. When I used my K-r to shoot wildlife the shutter sound would scare off whatever I was trying to capture. In comparison the K-3 isn't even noticed.

02-04-2014, 01:01 PM	#18
crewl1 Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Los Angeles, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,807 Original Poster	Originally posted by geomez Did the cameras in your test have lenses attached and if so, were they the same three lenses? No I used a body cap to make sure all things were equal. The overall volume would be reduced with some lenses, but the comparative levels would stay the same.

02-04-2014, 09:10 PM	#19
ausmoose Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Sydney, NSW Photos: Albums Posts: 968	It's always great when I'm taking a photo of, say, a lizard, with my K-30, and I press the shutter, 'whoops that's too overexposed!', look through the viewfinder again, 'hey where's that little bugger gone???' It tends to scare animals, unfortunately, but I do like hearing the shutter sound, as long as it doesn't scare my photo oppurtunity away.

02-06-2014, 12:46 AM	#20
danny09 Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 417	My K10D shutter almost sounds like a 6 bullet revolver being fired one by one. K3 is like the tight slap of my mathematics teacher on getting low grades. It didnt sound like a slap but it sure used to be

02-06-2014, 02:03 AM	#21
EJMzagsfan Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Idaho Photos: Albums Posts: 241	I went from a k10 to a k5 when I upgraded. I loved the big old almost gun cock of the k10. The k5 isnt as pleasing for some reason, but is, as everyone knows remarkably quiet. The k5 messes with a lot of the people i take pictures of because they never know I pressed the shutter.

02-06-2014, 02:17 AM	#22
geomez Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Roanoke, Virginia, USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,760	Originally posted by EJMzagsfan I went from a k10 to a k5 when I upgraded. I loved the big old almost gun cock of the k10. The k5 isnt as pleasing for some reason, but is, as everyone knows remarkably quiet. The k5 messes with a lot of the people i take pictures of because they never know I pressed the shutter. You're probably the only person I've ever heard liking the explosively loud shutter sounds of the older bodies.

02-06-2014, 03:29 AM	#23
EJMzagsfan Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Idaho Photos: Albums Posts: 241	Originally posted by geomez You're probably the only person I've ever heard liking the explosively loud shutter sounds of the older bodies. Ha! Does no one else like the big reassuring thwacks?

02-06-2014, 04:14 AM	#24
geomez Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Roanoke, Virginia, USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,760	Originally posted by EJMzagsfan Ha! Does no one else like the big reassuring thwacks? No way! I love the dampened, ninja click of the K-5 and K-3. Just during this conversation I picked up my *ist DS and fired off a few shots. It sounds like a sound byte from a sward fight. I'm surprised nobody ran for cover when I used to take shots in with it in public.

02-06-2014, 07:41 AM	#25
Kerrowdown PEG Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highlands of Scotland... "Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand" - William Blake Photos: Gallery Posts: 57,816	Well just going by the db meter the K-5 wins and going by just my ears it sounds softer too.