Pentax K-5 – YLovePhoto https://www.ylovephoto.com/en Intrigued by photography Tue, 08 Feb 2011 23:31:43 +0000 en-US hourly 1 Pentax announces limited edition Silver K-5 https://www.ylovephoto.com/en/2011/02/09/pentax-announces-limited-edition-silver-k-5/ Tue, 08 Feb 2011 23:30:42 +0000 https://ylovephoto.com/en/?p=9467 Back to the classics. Pentax announces a limited edition of the Pentax K-5. This time, despite the habits that Pentax was forming, this is not a colorful variant, but a very wise and quiet SILVER model.

Pentax K-5 SILVER

Back to tradition?

Three nice lenses will also received the SILVER treatment:

  • SMC PENTAX-DA 21mm f/3.2 AL Limited Silver
  • SMC PENTAX-DA 40mm f/2.8 Limited Silver
  • SMC PENTAX-DA 70mm f/2.4 Limited Silver

Available in April 2011, you will certainly have to disburse $1699.95 (or probably around 1700€) to put your hand on it.

]]> Let’s clean the Pentax K-5 stains https://www.ylovephoto.com/en/2011/01/30/lets-clean-the-pentax-k-5-stains/ Sun, 30 Jan 2011 12:32:25 +0000 https://ylovephoto.com/en/?p=9320 Pentax finally admitted a manufacturing issue (either in the production process or in quality control) on the recent Pentax K-5. Most of the very first users had observed small stains on the digital sensor of their K5. Contrary to dust stains (unfortunately very common on all digital SLR cameras), this defect can not be wiped away by cleaning.

Pentax K-5, stains on the sensor

It has to go through a repai (replacement of the sensor of the anti-aliasing filter, apparently).

Pentax will do it for free.

Pentax K5 : Scratch

Apparently, this comes from very little scratches on the surface of the sensor. Combined small size, immediate proximity with the sensor (the AA filter is stuck directly on the sensor) and the softening action of the filter explain the roundish stain appearance rather than a simpler rectilinear mark.

These marks are not present of the digital SLR from Sony or Nikon even though they use the same sensor. So, it is quite easy to sort out possible root causes:

  • Some bad handling or minor errors in the Pentax manufacturing process.
  • A defective anti-aliasing (AA) filter added by Pentax (Sony and Nikon do not use the same filter).
  • At worst, a machine defect or a tool issue in the Pentax plant.

Visibly, Pentax quickly identified the actual cause and could correct it as quickly. This pushes me toward the internal Pentax issue hypothesis. I admit that from my own Quality Management background, I would really appreciate getting more precise information. It should be interesting to understand Pentax quality ability.

So, now the only thing left is to repair the Pentax K-5 involved in this.

]]> Pentax new firmware wave https://www.ylovephoto.com/en/2011/01/08/pentax-new-firmware-wave/ Sat, 08 Jan 2011 16:30:08 +0000 https://ylovephoto.com/en/?p=9189 4Mbit EPROMs Texas Instruments TMS27C040A
Creative Commons License photo credit: yellowcloud

Pentax has announced a tsunami of firmware updates for its SLR photo cameras:

]]> DxO Optics Pro v6.5.2 https://www.ylovephoto.com/en/2010/12/21/dxo-optics-pro-v6-5-2/ Tue, 21 Dec 2010 12:35:13 +0000 https://ylovephoto.com/en/?p=9062 Nouvelle version pour le produit phare de DxO Labs. Cette fois-ci (pour Windows et pour MacOS), il apporte le support des fichiers RAW de Pentax K-5, Sony NEX-5 & NEX-3.

]]> Firmware v1.01 for Pentax K-5 https://www.ylovephoto.com/en/2010/11/22/firmware-v1-01-for-pentax-k-5/ Sun, 21 Nov 2010 22:03:24 +0000 https://ylovephoto.com/en/?p=8699 Pentax has presented a new firmware version for the brand new Pentax K-5. According to Pentax, the improvements are:

  • Increased number of maximum pictures taken in continuous shooting in RAW, throughout the sensitivity range. For instance, in RAW, this firmware increases the number of pictures from a maximum of approx 8 frames to approx 20 frames
  • Improved stability for general performance

Download the firmware v1.01 for Pentax K-5

]]> DxOMark: Pentax K-5 now at the top! https://www.ylovephoto.com/en/2010/11/05/dxomark-pentax-k-5-now-at-the-top/ https://www.ylovephoto.com/en/2010/11/05/dxomark-pentax-k-5-now-at-the-top/#comments Fri, 05 Nov 2010 20:56:20 +0000 https://ylovephoto.com/en/?p=8503

It was not even a full day after I indicated that the Sony Alpha 55 was at the top of the competition since it had the best sensor evaluation ranking among the APS-C camera sensors. Here comes a new update from DxO Labs and the DxOMark ranking is revolutionized.

Not only is the Pentax K5 is at the top, the Pentax K-5 has the best APS-C sensor according to DxOMark, but while the next ones are very similar one to the other (all have 73 points) the Pentax K-reaches the stratospheric score of no less than 82, which nearly puts it in a different category altogether (near the Nikon D3s that has a Full Frame sensor). Impressive! The Pentax K5 leaves the competition far behind in the dust of its lift off.

]]> https://www.ylovephoto.com/en/2010/11/05/dxomark-pentax-k-5-now-at-the-top/feed/ 1 Longer bursts for the Pentax K-5 https://www.ylovephoto.com/en/2010/11/01/longer-bursts-for-the-pentax-k-5/ Mon, 01 Nov 2010 08:40:35 +0000 https://ylovephoto.com/en/?p=8415 Pentax just announced that they will be able to lengthen the bursts of continuous shooting in the Pentax K-5 with a future new firmware.

Availability: Somewhere in November 2010.

Source : QueSabesDe.com

]]> Official image samples for Pentax K-5 https://www.ylovephoto.com/en/2010/10/17/official-image-samples-for-pentax-k-5/ Sun, 17 Oct 2010 15:03:01 +0000 https://ylovephoto.com/en/?p=8305 Pentax Japan now publishes a few test/sample images from the Pentak K-5 to allow IQ evaluation up to ISO 51200 (only ISO 100, for now).

High-ISO Pentax K5 image samples

Official K-5 samples

]]> Pentax K-5 flyer in German https://www.ylovephoto.com/en/2010/10/02/pentax-k-5-flyer-in-german/ Sat, 02 Oct 2010 12:23:52 +0000 https://ylovephoto.com/en/?p=7966 PentaxRumors published a flyer of the K-5 (in German). It lists a few of the K-5 accessories.

Pentax K5
Pentax K-5 (flyer)
]]> First look at the Pentax K-5 https://www.ylovephoto.com/en/2010/09/25/first-look-at-the-pentax-k-5/ Sat, 25 Sep 2010 15:53:30 +0000 https://ylovephoto.com/en/?p=7916 WhatDigitalCamera.com demonstrates the Pentax K-5 to us through a first look video. A kind of short guided tour.


YouTube link

]]> Pentax K-5, now official https://www.ylovephoto.com/en/2010/09/20/pentax-k-5-now-official/ Mon, 20 Sep 2010 18:19:24 +0000 https://ylovephoto.com/en/?p=7811 After several weeks of multiple leaks, the Pentax K-5 is now officially launched by Pentax just a day before the Photokina fair opens its doors in Köln, Germany.

Pentax K-5
Pentax K-5
Pentax K-5
Pentax K-5 (back)

No surprise here. The features are detailed here. To make things simple:

  • 16.2 MP
  • 11-point AF
  • 7 fps bursts
  • HDR mode
  • 3″ (7.5 cm) LCD screen
  • Sensitivity: ISO 200-12800 (exp. ISO 80-51200)

The K-5 will be available starting in mid-October at around $1899 or £1200 with a kit lens.


YouTube link

The camera is not impressive or very innovative (except if the ISO 12800 sensitivity comes with a really low noise level), but it’s a clear commitment of Pentax to keep supporting the higher end of their DSLR product line. And this is good news since they provide a systematically good camera under the Pentax K-5 name.

Recommended Retail Price:

  • US$1699 / AU$ 1999 / $1249 boîtier seul
  • 1299€ / £1199.99 en kit avec 18-55mm WR
  • 1649€ / £1699.99 en kit avec 18-135mm WR

Pentax_K5 Pentax_K5

]]> Pentax K-5, up front https://www.ylovephoto.com/en/2010/09/19/pentax-k-5-up-front/ Sun, 19 Sep 2010 16:30:32 +0000 https://ylovephoto.com/en/?p=7804 From PentaxForums, here comes the front view of the upcoming Pentax K-5.

Pentax K-5
Pentax K-5 (front)
]]> Pentax K-5, it’s nearly here https://www.ylovephoto.com/en/2010/09/19/pentax-k-5-its-nearly-here/ Sun, 19 Sep 2010 16:18:18 +0000 https://ylovephoto.com/en/?p=7795 It should be announced tomorrow by Pentax, but I believe that it is now nearly completely leaked. When the Photokina opens its doors, the Pentax K-5 will be clearly in the open and it will no longer be a rumor.

The latest photos I found are:

Pentax K-5 (back)
Pentax K-5 (back)
Pentax K-5 (top)
Pentax K-5 (top)

We can expect that this camera will be walking in the footsteps of the Pentax K-7.

]]> Pentax K-5 (leak) https://www.ylovephoto.com/en/2010/09/14/pentax-k-5-leak/ Mon, 13 Sep 2010 22:29:14 +0000 https://ylovephoto.com/en/?p=7603 Apparently, the Pentax K-5 which should be announced tomorrow has seen its image leaked at LensTip.

Pentax K-5

The specs are expected to be here on the page for Pentax K-5 specs and reviews.

]]> Pentax K-5 and Pentax KR https://www.ylovephoto.com/en/2010/08/23/pentax-k-5-and-pentax-kr/ Mon, 23 Aug 2010 14:12:07 +0000 https://ylovephoto.com/en/?p=6667 Thanks to PentaxForums, we may actually know what the next Pentax DSLR photo cameras will be.

As expected the most interesting camera would be the Pentax K-5, with a set of features putting it right into the competition for expert photographers.

  • 16 MP APS-C photo sensor
  • Sensitivity: ISO xxx-25600
  • Continuous shooting at 7 fps
  • Launch on Sept 20
  • Availability: Oct 2010
  • US$1600 suggested retail price

If the high ISO values go with a low noise and high real sensitivity, all Pentax lovers will be happy and a few other may be attracted. However, it seems that the sensor may be the 16MP CMOS sensor from Sony that nearly everybody seems determined to used these days and it may be difficult to differentiate themselves completely from the crowd on this issue only.

The low-end Pentax KR is also very near to what we were expecting (good news again for Pentax):

  • 12 MP APS-C photo sensor
  • Up to 120 color combinations (Pentax is now specializing if unmistakably visible photo cameras)
  • Continuous shooting at 6 fps
  • Launch on Sept 20?
  • Availability: Oct 2010
  • US$875 suggested retail price

Pentax is back in the game! Don’t count them out.

Thanks Tim for the heads-up call.

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