K5 still worth buying?

johngs · 08-08-2020, 08:27 PM

I have some Pentax lenses left over from when my K50 died. I'm interested in buying a used body so I can still use them.
I have the opportunity to buy a K5 with 25,000 clicks for about $300 US.
Is the K5 still relevant? I think it's about 8 years old? Or would I be better saving more for a newer model?

ChristianRock · 08-08-2020, 08:50 PM - **1 Like**

It's a good camera but the price is high. 200 or so would be a fair price at that shutter count, or 250-270 for a K-5II/K-5IIs. That's just my experience...

**luftfluss** · 08-08-2020, 10:12 PM

^^^ I agree.

If I were the OP, I'd post in the Wanted Items section of this forum, asking for the best camera possible for $300 or whatever $$ you wish to spend. I think there's a decent chance someone in NZ or Aus would have something for you.

totsmuyco · 08-08-2020, 10:22 PM - **1 Like**

The technology is a bit old and you won't be able to use the kAF4 mount lenses. But If you want the K-5 series, take a look at the k-5II/s. It can hold on its own in terms of image quality. I have a K-5II and it's a darn good camera.

Wheatfield · 08-08-2020, 10:46 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by johngs

I have some Pentax lenses left over from when my K50 died. I'm interested in buying a used body so I can still use them.
I have the opportunity to buy a K5 with 25,000 clicks for about $300 US.
Is the K5 still relevant? I think it's about 8 years old? Or would I be better saving more for a newer model?

The K5 was plagued with problems when it came out. Some were fixable, some never were. If you can get one from late in the model cycle it might be OK, but the early ones are pretty risky.
I'd avoid that one and go for a K5II or later. Once Ricoh got involved with the brand there were adults in the room again and the camera bodies got better.

kypfer · 08-09-2020, 12:25 AM - **1 Like**

I'll agree with the others ... the asking price seems a little high, but may depend on whether the body comes with any accessories, battery grip or flash, for instance, or perhaps which lens, if any, is fitted.
Whilst my K-5 has been superceded by my 24-megapixel bodies for "birding" and astrophotography, as a general-purpose easy-to-use everyday camera the K-5 is comfortably "bulky" in the hand, useful if wearing gloves, and the battery will last all day and then some

Just my tuppence worth ... other bodies are available

**BigMackCam** · 08-09-2020, 12:50 AM

I agree with other comments that US$300 is too expensive for a K-5. That said, it's still an excellent camera if you can find one at the right price. Take a look at the reviews here - it averages an overall score of 9.2 out of 10. Whilst one needs to take such a high score with a reasonably large pinch of salt, it shows that most reviewers were / are happy with their K-5. As @Wheatfield says, there were some problems when it came out, and it has a couple of design weaknesses - but no camera is perfect, and on balance it has proven to be a dependable and capable tool for a majority of folks. I bought mine about a year after release and it has been totally reliable in all the time I've owned it. I don't use it much these days, but I still like it enough that I can't convince myself to sell it...

**roberrl** · 08-09-2020, 04:28 AM

+1 for the K5iiS. I bought one a couple of years ago for not much more than your budget to use alongside my K-S2.
Other than not having a flippy screen which I have used extensively the older camera is very capable and generally seems to get used more often.
If you only have older lenses than the lack of support for KAF4 isn't an issue.

**robgski** · 08-09-2020, 04:30 AM

I owned a K-5 for over 5 years, travelled all over the world, took images in very harsh environments, with 0 failures or problems. Some of those images even won contests, so I heartily endorse the K-5
I was distraught when I accidentally dropped it from about 10 feet above ground onto concrete. The display still works, the maind problem is the rear dial binds a bit .

**aslyfox** · 08-09-2020, 04:31 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by johngs

. . . Is the K5 still relevant? I think it's about 8 years old?. . .

K 5 came out in 2010

K 5 II and K 5 IIs came out in 2012 and K 5 was " discontinued "

never had a K 5

my first " modern " digital was a used K 5 II and it worked very well

advanced to the K 3 and K 3 II and got lucky and won the KP in one of the recent contests here at the forums

the K 5 II would be a good starting point

Pentax K-5 vs. Pentax K-5 II vs. Pentax K-5 IIs - Pentax Camera Comparison - PentaxForums.com

price ???

[ remember that I claim no particular expertise. I'm still learning, I just post a lot

]

Originally posted by robgski

. . . I was distraught when I accidentally dropped it from about 10 feet above ground onto concrete. . . . .

how was the concrete, did it crack ?

BirdDude007 · 08-09-2020, 06:36 AM

A K5 in that condition should sell for around $200 or less, I have had one for 9 years and at one time it was my only body and main workhorse. This camera never let me down, it is built like a tank. I still have it and my wife uses it now for learning purposes, she will most likely move up to one of my K3s, but I will most likely hang on to it....

photocles · 08-09-2020, 08:36 AM

I bought a used K-5 in late 2015 with 4k cycles on the shutter for about $250. As a camera, I can find very little fault in the K-5; it's fabulous and I still use it a lot. Yes, newer cameras have advantages/features that the K-5 doesn't, but all in all, it is a competent imaging tool capable of delivering in most situations. I can't hesitate to recommend the K-5, but I do think you could do better on the price.

C_Jones · 08-09-2020, 12:25 PM

I have a K-5 IIs and it is capable of excellent images. It is well styled and built.

**Apet-Sure** · 08-09-2020, 12:53 PM

Supposedly one of the problems with the original K-5 was that the rear screen scratched easily. This was fixed on the K-5II/IIs. I bought a used K-5IIs which has been a fantastic camera. Up to ISO 1600 the IQ is great. Highly recommended if the price is right ($250-ish) and you don't want something newer.

Wasp · 08-09-2020, 12:56 PM

Keep in mind that the K5 was the last gasp from the Hoya era. From what I have read here, the K5 II was a big improvement that came after Ricoh took over. And USD300 is a bit optimistic IMO.

The fact that it is available locally could be a deciding factor - something that I recognize. Used Pentax DSLRs are very rare in South Africa. When they do turn up they are almost invariably from the CCD era and optimistically priced to boot.

08-08-2020, 08:27 PM	#1
johngs Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Christchurch, New Zealand Posts: 229	K5 still worth buying? I have some Pentax lenses left over from when my K50 died. I'm interested in buying a used body so I can still use them. I have the opportunity to buy a K5 with 25,000 clicks for about $300 US. Is the K5 still relevant? I think it's about 8 years old? Or would I be better saving more for a newer model?

08-09-2020, 04:31 AM - 1 Like	#10
aslyfox Seeker of Knowledge Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Topeka, Kansas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 24,583	Originally posted by johngs . . . Is the K5 still relevant? I think it's about 8 years old?. . . K 5 came out in 2010 K 5 II and K 5 IIs came out in 2012 and K 5 was " discontinued " never had a K 5 my first " modern " digital was a used K 5 II and it worked very well advanced to the K 3 and K 3 II and got lucky and won the KP in one of the recent contests here at the forums the K 5 II would be a good starting point Pentax K-5 vs. Pentax K-5 II vs. Pentax K-5 IIs - Pentax Camera Comparison - PentaxForums.com price ??? [ remember that I claim no particular expertise. I'm still learning, I just post a lot ] Originally posted by robgski . . . I was distraught when I accidentally dropped it from about 10 feet above ground onto concrete. . . . . how was the concrete, did it crack ? Last edited by aslyfox; 08-09-2020 at 05:15 AM.

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08-08-2020, 08:50 PM - 1 Like	#2
ChristianRock Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: People's Republic of America Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,912	It's a good camera but the price is high. 200 or so would be a fair price at that shutter count, or 250-270 for a K-5II/K-5IIs. That's just my experience...

08-08-2020, 10:12 PM	#3
luftfluss Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: NJ Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,627	^^^ I agree. If I were the OP, I'd post in the Wanted Items section of this forum, asking for the best camera possible for $300 or whatever $$ you wish to spend. I think there's a decent chance someone in NZ or Aus would have something for you.

08-08-2020, 10:22 PM - 1 Like	#4
totsmuyco Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Iloilo City Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,276	The technology is a bit old and you won't be able to use the kAF4 mount lenses. But If you want the K-5 series, take a look at the k-5II/s. It can hold on its own in terms of image quality. I have a K-5II and it's a darn good camera.

08-08-2020, 10:46 PM - 1 Like	#5
Wheatfield Moderator Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: The wheatfields of Canada Posts: 15,987	Originally posted by johngs I have some Pentax lenses left over from when my K50 died. I'm interested in buying a used body so I can still use them. I have the opportunity to buy a K5 with 25,000 clicks for about $300 US. Is the K5 still relevant? I think it's about 8 years old? Or would I be better saving more for a newer model? The K5 was plagued with problems when it came out. Some were fixable, some never were. If you can get one from late in the model cycle it might be OK, but the early ones are pretty risky. I'd avoid that one and go for a K5II or later. Once Ricoh got involved with the brand there were adults in the room again and the camera bodies got better.

08-09-2020, 12:25 AM - 1 Like	#6
kypfer Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Jersey C.I. Posts: 3,596	I'll agree with the others ... the asking price seems a little high, but may depend on whether the body comes with any accessories, battery grip or flash, for instance, or perhaps which lens, if any, is fitted. Whilst my K-5 has been superceded by my 24-megapixel bodies for "birding" and astrophotography, as a general-purpose easy-to-use everyday camera the K-5 is comfortably "bulky" in the hand, useful if wearing gloves, and the battery will last all day and then some Just my tuppence worth ... other bodies are available

08-09-2020, 12:50 AM	#7
BigMackCam Digitiser of Film Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: North East of England Posts: 20,695	I agree with other comments that US$300 is too expensive for a K-5. That said, it's still an excellent camera if you can find one at the right price. Take a look at the reviews here - it averages an overall score of 9.2 out of 10. Whilst one needs to take such a high score with a reasonably large pinch of salt, it shows that most reviewers were / are happy with their K-5. As @Wheatfield says, there were some problems when it came out, and it has a couple of design weaknesses - but no camera is perfect, and on balance it has proven to be a dependable and capable tool for a majority of folks. I bought mine about a year after release and it has been totally reliable in all the time I've owned it. I don't use it much these days, but I still like it enough that I can't convince myself to sell it...

08-09-2020, 04:28 AM	#8
roberrl Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Oxford, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 346	+1 for the K5iiS. I bought one a couple of years ago for not much more than your budget to use alongside my K-S2. Other than not having a flippy screen which I have used extensively the older camera is very capable and generally seems to get used more often. If you only have older lenses than the lack of support for KAF4 isn't an issue.

08-09-2020, 04:30 AM	#9
robgski Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Shenandoah Valley, Virginia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,817	I owned a K-5 for over 5 years, travelled all over the world, took images in very harsh environments, with 0 failures or problems. Some of those images even won contests, so I heartily endorse the K-5 I was distraught when I accidentally dropped it from about 10 feet above ground onto concrete. The display still works, the maind problem is the rear dial binds a bit .

08-09-2020, 06:36 AM	#11
BirdDude007 Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Las Vegas NV Photos: Albums Posts: 784	A K5 in that condition should sell for around $200 or less, I have had one for 9 years and at one time it was my only body and main workhorse. This camera never let me down, it is built like a tank. I still have it and my wife uses it now for learning purposes, she will most likely move up to one of my K3s, but I will most likely hang on to it....

08-09-2020, 08:36 AM	#12
photocles Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Connacht, Ireland Photos: Gallery Posts: 458	I bought a used K-5 in late 2015 with 4k cycles on the shutter for about $250. As a camera, I can find very little fault in the K-5; it's fabulous and I still use it a lot. Yes, newer cameras have advantages/features that the K-5 doesn't, but all in all, it is a competent imaging tool capable of delivering in most situations. I can't hesitate to recommend the K-5, but I do think you could do better on the price.

08-09-2020, 12:25 PM	#13
C_Jones Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: NY Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,084	I have a K-5 IIs and it is capable of excellent images. It is well styled and built.

08-09-2020, 12:53 PM	#14
Apet-Sure Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Goldsboro North Carolina Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,872	Supposedly one of the problems with the original K-5 was that the rear screen scratched easily. This was fixed on the K-5II/IIs. I bought a used K-5IIs which has been a fantastic camera. Up to ISO 1600 the IQ is great. Highly recommended if the price is right ($250-ish) and you don't want something newer.

08-09-2020, 12:56 PM	#15
Wasp Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Pretoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,661	Keep in mind that the K5 was the last gasp from the Hoya era. From what I have read here, the K5 II was a big improvement that came after Ricoh took over. And USD300 is a bit optimistic IMO. The fact that it is available locally could be a deciding factor - something that I recognize. Used Pentax DSLRs are very rare in South Africa. When they do turn up they are almost invariably from the CCD era and optimistically priced to boot.