Pentax Unveils K-5 DSLR

September 21, 2010: Pentax has chosen Photkina 2010 to showcase a new interchangeable-lens DSLR camera, the K-5.
Based on the popular K-7 model, the new K-5 features a new 23.7 x 15.7 mm CMOS image sensor with an effective resolution of 16.28 megapixels. With a body of sturdy yet lightweight magnesium alloy, and a chassis of highly rigid stainless steel, the K-5 is dustproof, weather-resistant and cold-resistant. Its shutter mechanism is rated for 100,000 cycles and supports a top shutter speed of 1/800 second. The K-5 features the Pentax-developed SR (Shake Reduction) mechanism, which claims a shutter speed compensation of 2.5 to 4 EV steps.

Front view of the new Pentax K-5. (Source: Pentax.)

Back view of the new Pentax K-5. (Source: Pentax.)

Top view of the new Pentax K-5. (Source: Pentax.)
The new camera provides a wide sensitivity range between ISO 100 and ISO 12800, which can be extended at each end via a custom function to cover ISO 80 and ISO 51200. The high-performance PRIME II imaging engine enables continuous shooting at approximately seven images per second. The buffer memory can accommodate up to 22 large/fine JPEG images, making this camera ideal for photographing sports and wildlife.
The K-5 features a new-generation, wide-frame SAFOX IX+ AF system with 11 sensor points (with nine cross-type sensors positioned in the middle). It also offers a choice of shutter-release options, including between focus priority and release priority in the AF.S (single) advance mode and between focus priority and speed priority in the AF.C (continuous) mode. An AF-assist light is also provided.
Other features include a pentaprism finder with close to 100% field of view and magnification of 0.92x (with a 50mm F1.4 lens at infinity). The Natural-Bright-Matte focusing screen is ideal for manual focusing. The new sensor supports improved autofocusing during Live View shooting, thanks to a more sophisticated algorithm that drives the Contrast-based system. A choice of three grid overlays is provided for composition assistance.
Full HD ((1920 x 1080 pixels) movie recording is supported at a frame rate of 25 frames per second. The K-5 also provides a wide range of special effects through custom images and digital filters. In-camera HDR processing is also included, with a choice between auto, standard and extended modes. The new camera also includes an electronic level, Raw/Fx button and 77-segment multi-pattern metering system.

For full details, visit the Pentax K-5 microsite at http://www.pentaximaging.com/slr/K-5/. Photo Review will publish details of local release dates and pricing when they become available.

Image sensor: 23.7 x 15.7 mm CMOS sensor with approx. 16.93 million photosites (16.28 megapixels effective)
A/D processing: 14-bit
Lens mount: Pentax K-AF
Focal length crop factor: 1.5x
Image formats: Stills – RAW (PEF/DNG), JPEG (Exif 2.21), RAW+JPEG; Movies – Motion JPEG (AVI)
Image Sizes: Stills – JPEG: 16M (4928 x 3264 pixels), 10M (3936 x 2624 pixels), 6M (3072 x 2048 pixels), 2M (1728 x 1152 pixels); RAW: 16M (4928×3264 pixels); Movies: 1920 x 1080 @ 25 fps; 1280 x 720, 848 x 480, 640 x 480 @ 30 fps; monaural audio
Image Stabilisation: Sensor-shift; Effective compensation range up to 4EV (depending on the used lens type and shooting conditions)
Dust removal: Image sensor cleaning using ultrasonic vibrations ‘DR II’ with the Dust Alert function
Shutter speed range: 30 seconds to 1/8000 second plus Bulb
Exposure Compensation: +/- 5EV (1/2 EV steps or 1/3 EV steps can be selected)
Exposure bracketing: Auto Bracketing (2, 3 or 5 frames)
Self-timer: 12 or 2 seconds delay
Focus system: SAFOX IX+ TTL phase-matching autofocus with 11 point (9 cross type focus points in the centre)
Focus modes: Single AF (AF.S), Continuous AF (AF.C), Focus priority or shutter priority mode for AF.S, Focus priority or FPS priority mode for AF.C , AF Point Selection Auto: 5 points, Auto: 11 points, Select, Centre; Dedicated LED AF assist light
Exposure metering: TTL open aperture, 77 segmented metering, centre-weighted and spot metering
Shooting modes: Auto, Hyper Program (P), Sensitivity Priority (Sv), Shutter Priority (Tv), Aperture Priority (Av), Shutter-Aperture Priority (TAv), Hyper Manual (M), Bulb (B), X-Sync (X), User and Movie
Picture Style/Control settings: Bright, Natural, Portrait, Landscape, Vibrant, Muted, Monochrome, Reversal Film, Bleach Bypass
Colour space options: sRGB, Adobe RGB
Custom functions: 27 options plus mode memory for 13 items
ISO range: Auto: 100 to 12800 (EV steps can be set to 1EV, 1/2EV, or 1/3EV), expandable from ISO 80 up to ISO 51200. Up to ISO 1600 in Bulb mode.
White balance: Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Fluorescent Light (D:Daylight Colour, N:Daylight White, W:Cool White, L:Warm White), Tungsten Light, Flash, CTE, Manual, Colour Temperature, Manual
Flash: Built-in P-TTL flash with pop-up, GN: approx. 13 (ISO100/m)
Flash exposure adjustment: -2.0 to + 1.0EV
Sequence shooting: Max. 7.0 fps for up to 22 JPEG frames or 8 RAW frames
Storage Media: SD/SDHC memory cards
Viewfinder: Pentaprism with approx. 100% FOV coverage, 0.92x magnification (50mm f/1.4 at infinity); approx. 21.7 mm eye relief; dioptre adjustment of -2.5 to + 1.5 dpt; Interchangeable Natural-Bright-Matte II focusing screen
LCD monitor: 3.0-inch wide viewing angle TFT colour LCD with AR coating and 921,000 dots
Live View modes: TTL method using CMOS image sensor with contrast-detect AF + face detection; Grid display (4×4 Grid, Golden Section, Scale display), Bright/dark area warning, Histogram
Video Capture: Yes
Data LCD: Yes
Playback functions: Single frame, Image comparison, multi-image display (4, 9, 16, 36, 81 segmentation), display magnification (up to 32x, scrolling and quick magnification available), rotating, histogram (Y histogram, RGB histogram), bright/dark area warning, detailed information display, copyright information display (photographer, copyright holder), folder display, calendar display, slideshow; Delete: single image, delete all, select & delete, delete folder, delete instant review image Digital Filter Toy Camera, Monochrome, Retro, Colour, High Contrast, Soft, Extract Colour, Starburst, Sketch Filter, Water Colour, Fish-eye, Pastel, Slim, Miniature, HDR, Posterisation, Base Parameter Adjustment, Custom Filter; RAW Development File Format (JPEG/TIFF), Custom Image, White Balance, Sensitivity, High-ISO NR, Shadow Correction, Distortion Correction, Lateral Chromatic Aberration Correction, Colour Space Edit Resize, Cropping (Aspect ratio and Slant adjustment available), Index, Movie Edit (Divide or delete selected frames), Capturing a JPEG still picture from a movie
Interface terminals: USB2.0 (MSC/PTP high-speed compatible) / AV output terminal (NTSC/PAL), external power supply terminal, external release controller terminal, X-synch socket, DHMI output terminal, stereo microphone input terminal
Power supply: D-LI109 Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Battery; CIPA rated for approx. 740 images with 50% flash; 980 images without flash
Dimensions (wxhxd): 131 x 97 x 73 mm (body only excluding protrusions)
Weight: Approx. 660g (body only)