Originally posted by WPRESTO I do still use not only the K5, but an older K20D. The latter has a feature I miss on both newer bodies: a switch to turn on-off the VR sensor shift when the camera is off-on a tripod. Particularly walking about, I often often switch from hand-held to tripod and I'm constantly forgetting to open the "information" panel and change the VR setting on the K3, and that process is not nearly as convenient as the little switch on the K20D. Wonder if I can assign the green button to be a VR on-off? Doubt it. How about the new FF automatically turning off VR when a cable release is inserted? Nope, I'd rather have the flip-switch back.
The K-5 can only control SR through a menu. On the K-3, I programmed the useless-to-me RAW/JPEG button to cycle SR.
Some prefer switches for SR, metering and AF Mode, as on the K20D. I find the K-3 buttons a huge improvement over previous cameras. My USER modes are programmed to change these parameters and many others instantaneously. I customized the User modes for Tripod, Flash and Action. I can change just about every setting on the camera to optimal values for each of these simply by rotating the Mode dial.
I can be walking along a trail, shooting in Hyper-Program mode, SR on, Matrix metering, AF-S, center point focus, and see a bird flying toward me. Two clicks on the Mode dial, and I'm ready for BIF (TAv mode, 1000s, f8, SR off, CW metering, AF-C, 25-point Expanded AF, 0.5EV). Incredibly fast, and no worries about forgetting to change one of the settings.
Re the OP, the K-5 I bought had severe front-focus in tungsten light. Firmware upgrades did not help. so I sent it back. I don't know how much reading you do about users' practical experiences. I read two Pentax forums daily, and it is clear to me that the K-5 has unreliable AF accuracy in low and coloured light. The K-5 II, IIs and K-3 addressed this failing. The K-3 is rated to -3EV AF and metering, but you don't have to shoot in the dark to see the difference. The K-3 AF is quicker and more accurate. The K3 has sophisticated tracking controls, completely lacking in the K-5. Cropping is not important to you, but it is critically important to anyone who shoots a lot of telephoto with a good lens.
Last edited by audiobomber; 08-20-2015 at 11:22 AM.