First, however, I had as I often read these sensor contamination, which was between the filter and sensor. Consequently, it was hotter still does not turn a wet cleaning. In addition to that the stains were visible until several weeks after purchase. This makes it natural for the quality control of Pentax difficult to detect this defect.
As then fine spots were two large, I exchanged the camera directly from Pentax. Everything went smoothly. Pentax has admitted the problem openly.
The theme is now definitively off the table, because Pentax has identified and eliminated the problem in production. So you can buy the camera without hesitation in this regard, provided that it is a copy of recent production date. But I assume here on Amazon.
So now, but the camera itself.
The most important should initially be the picture quality.
Here you just have to say that the K5 at the moment next to the D7000 is the reference for the APS-C DSLRs.
A dynamic range of 14 f-stops in the basic ISO 80 is not achieved in part by some KB DSLRs. This dynamic range, one notices first time in landscapes, where the sky is not ausfrisst and / or the foreground is too dark.
In addition, you can easily by 3-4 aperture draw a RAW recording in the converter up without that dazugesellt disturbing noise.
The noise is to IS0 800 virtually invisible until IS06400 present but hardly disturbing (my subjective impression). About ISO 6400 can, however, depending on the lighting situation still shoot sharp images without disturbing noise. It should be noted that the noise of the K5 is very uniform luminance. A chroma hardly knows the K5. The luminance can impressively be removed with LR3 without a significant loss of texture occurs.
To focus only be said so much that the resolution (MTF) is on par with the competition. The prerequisite is that the lens has an appropriate quality. With the DA Limiteds as the K5 is a dream combination.
The autofocus of the K5 has become much faster as compared to its predecessors. He grabs to decisively and encounters the point without the hitherto known and typical readjustment. Even when lighting conditions in which you can hardly see what (LWWas in the viewfinder, the speed in continuous AF concerns, ie a pursuit of the subject, as has been done to the front again a significant step. Although the performance of a D700 with Nikkor 70-200 VRII is not reached by the K5 and a Sigma 70-200 HSM course. But that's a different price category.
End of the race dogs or sport is nevertheless easily possible with the K5.
There are still criticisms of the AF. There are only eleven AF sensors including nine cross-type sensors available. Well, that's not as dramatic, yet they now wanted a few more sensors.
Further, the size of the measuring fields is quite large, larger than the competition.
Haptics, operation and processing quality is again a major strength of the K5. The camera is a dream in my hand, almost like a glove. If you once had the opportunity to keep the competition at the same time in your hand, you will know what I mean. The handle is simply very well formed and adapts perfectly to. All buttons are logically placed and easy to reach. With the two dials, the concept is similar to Nikon. One must not take the Finder from the shutter button, if you want to use the command dial.
The menu is clear and logically articulated. Maybe, but it seems to me just as before as many years of Pentax users.
The size of the camera is amazing. It is compared to the competition downright tiny and flaying so may not be as much of an impression as an other DSLR. But I do not need. I like to put the DA 40 Ltd. on with gerademal 15mm !! Depth and prefer going on. The camera fits in so many a pocket and is always with you.
For some, the camera is almost too small because of the small finder can sometimes hang in the air. Who cares, who should get a battery grip. This one definitely has better grip, especially when you turn screwed a telephoto lens.
Only criticism when operating the dual assignment of the OK button and the missing switch to turn off the image stabilizer.
The fact that the K5, from a magnesium - is all around completely sealed aluminum alloy, aligns itself with Pentax in this price class by itself However, one should note that only in combination with a sealed objective of this feature can be exploited.. Dives are recommended but NICT with the K5.
The Shake Reduction (Image Stabilizer) is especially useful in low light and very effective. For static subjects achieved even with longer up to 4 aperture exposure time than the general. Rule of thumb. A bright f1.4 optics that ISO performance and image stabilization adds up to a combination in which there no longer are many designs that you can not take pictures.
In various forums, the K5 is quite controversial. Sometimes I have the impression that many think it may not be what must not be. Pentax has placed with the K5 a camera, how was it not necessarily expect from Pentax to date.
On numerous prestigious platforms my impression is confirmed in tests.
In dpreview the K5 even received the Gold Award, this time! the competition.
Also on DxOMark occupied the K5 an excellent 6th place before so many KB model. Just to name a few examples.
For video function I can except that it works not say much. The K5 is a cameras Find and no video camera for me.
Conclusion. The K5 is in addition to the D7000 at the moment probably the best APS-C DSLR on the market. There is still potential for improvement in the size of the AF points, for example,