Pentax K-5 II vs Pentax K5 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Pentax · DSLR · 16.3 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Pentax K-5 II
57
SCORE
|
Pentax · DSLR · 16.3 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Pentax K5
57
SCORE
|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Pentax K-5 II and the Pentax K5 are APS-C DSLRs sharing the same 131 x 97 x 73 mm body dimensions, so neither packs down smaller. The K5 is the lighter body at 740 g, against 760 g for the K-5 II, a difference of 20 g. The K-5 II followed in 2012, two years after the K5 arrived in 2010. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2012 | 2010 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
September 11, 2012 | September 20, 2010 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 131 x 97 x 73 mm | 131 x 97 x 73 mm |
| Camera weight | 760 g | 740 g |
| Optics | 60/100 | 60/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsFor cropping room or action coverage, the optics match: each camera pairs a 16.3 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor with 7 fps continuous shooting. In-body stabilisation on both bodies steadies handheld frames with any mounted lens. An optical pentaprism viewfinder serves each camera. Sensitivity is a shared setting too, running from 100 to 12800 ISO standard and 80 to 51200 ISO expanded. The mount designation differs: the K-5 II has a Pentax KAF mount and the K5 a Pentax KAF2 mount, so confirm lens fit against each body before buying. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
16.3 MP050 | 16.3 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
4928 x 3264 | 4928 x 3264 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size ⓘThe sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. |
15.7 x 23.7 | 15.7 x 23.7 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
 APS-C | APS-C |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
7 fps045 | 7 fps045 |
Lens mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Pentax KAF | Pentax KAF2 |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
Prime II | Prime II |
Aspect ratio ⓘThe aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |
 3:2 | 3:2 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
10030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO ⓘRefers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. |
128003003280000 | 128003003280000 |
Min ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
8030200 | 8030200 |
Max ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
512003003280000 | 512003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
3044080 | 3044080 |
Max shutter speed ⓘThe maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. |
800080032000 | 800080032000 |
Autofocus points ⓘAutofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. |
110300 | 110300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
 Yes | Yes |
Viewfinder type ⓘThe viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. |
Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentaprism) |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | N/A |
| Video | 57/100 | 57/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoFor web clips and casual footage, both cameras record Full HD video in Motion JPEG files. Each tops out at 25 fps, a rate suited to natural movement rather than strong slow motion. Built-in timelapse on both lets you shoot frame-advance sequences without external control. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
 Full HD | Full HD |
Max video format ⓘVideo resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. |
1920 x 1080 | 1920 x 1080 |
Max video frame rate ⓘHow many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. |
25 fps | 25 fps |
Timelapse built in ⓘA built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Video file format ⓘDifferent cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. |
Motion JPEG | Motion JPEG |
| Features | 54/100 | 54/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesWeather sealing on both bodies supports outdoor shooting in poor conditions, and each carries a built-in flash with external flash support plus live view. The 3-inch, 921,000-dot screens are fixed, with no touch control or articulation. Screen type is recorded differently: LCD for the K-5 II and TFT LCD for the K5. Connectivity is minimal on both: neither camera has Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or GPS, so images come off the card rather than over a wireless link, and geotagging is not built in. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
 Yes | Yes |
External flash ⓘExternal flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |
 Yes | Yes |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
✗ | ✗ |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
 Yes | Yes |
| Screen type | LCD | TFT LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen size | 3" | 3" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
9210001150001500000 | 9210001150001500000 |
Flip screen ⓘA flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |
✗ | ✗ |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
 Yes | Yes |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
✗ | ✗ |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Storage & battery | 43/100 | 43/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryBoth cameras write to a single SD, SDHC or SDXC card, so neither has a second slot. Battery ratings match at 980 shots, but the packs differ: the K-5 II takes a D-LI90P battery and the K5 a D-LI90, so check the model when buying a spare. Neither charges over USB. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC | SD / SDHC / SDXC |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | D-LI90P | D-LI90 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
980 shots1505000 | 980 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
On the verified specifications this is a neutral choice: resolution, burst speed, stabilisation, viewfinder type, video limits and the 980-shot battery rating all match. Either body covers the same work, from stabilised handheld shooting to weather-sealed outdoor use. The measured splits are the K5's 20 g lighter body and the two-year launch gap.
Buy the example in better condition and match the spare battery to its model, D-LI90P for the K-5 II or D-LI90 for the K5.