Pentaxiste since 1987, the K-5 is my 6th case of the brand, and the third digital. In five months, I approach 5000 with pictures. The qualitative leap is huge compared to previous generations, and I totally agree with other comments such as "the big boys" or "it was expected". Pentax has always been very good optical, and very good cases ... a price / quality point of view. Yet I experienced years of frustration when Pentax "not doing much" compared to the competition "Canikon", who had a head start, whether autofocus, high sensitivity as an image stabilization etc. Pentax has already filled a large part of its delay with the release of the K10D in 2006. With the K-5, there is even need to make quality / price ratios for reassurance of their choice: quality itself Similarly, and opportunities are at the top level (for a price that is interesting)! I have not found a single point of frustration, a feature that would be a little off: everything is perfect! Without plagiarizing the data sheet or the previous comments, I really appreciate: -the high sensitivities that allow to shoot without asking any questions until 6400 in RAW; -l'autofocus and gusts, really improved compared to previous generations -l'antipoussière much more efficient (I have not cleaned my sensor 5000 photos) -the setting options, very simple and yet very advanced -the tropicalisation and stabilization by the housing, further enhanced -Of features really "pro", such as the 100% viewfinder, integrated electronic level, automatic correction of the horizon to 2 °, copyright registered each image, the name of the customizable file etc. etc. -The ease-of-use
About ease of use, I want to talk here of the 5 customizable User modes, rather unknown and whose no comment so far was speaking. This is one of the positions of the mode dial (like the program mode or aperture priority) that selects the user mode; the 1-5 is then obtained using the control pad, and locks as soon as you press the shutter button. -In User 1, which is the mode that I use most, I set and memorized all my favorite settings for photos "all comers": Program mode favoring the best lens quality, automatic sensitivity 80 ISO 6400, Matrix, recording in RAW + JPG, etc. -In User 2, I make the automatic HDR (the camera takes 3 pictures with the mirror up, which is faster then processed to give a single image where the whole dynamic light takes on the image). -In User 3, I defined and saved the settings I used in architecture picture up: aperture priority, fixed sensitivity ISO 160 with compensation in highlights and shadows, triggering by remote control mirror up for 3 seconds, etc.
Each user mode provides a set of starting settings, which can then change course on time, and you can of course store the new parameter set again. The term "expert panel" may scare some users, who are afraid of being drowned by functionality? These user modes are a joy: one custom setting its different types of use, and the unit returns in a single operation all the adjustments we deemed relevant!
