Again first: Basically an SLR - There are no bad models more on the market and because it does not matter who makes a camera - please always remember - unsubscribe any brand wars in the reviews :)
Subjectively, I describe here so the Pentax K-5 II as the subject of this review compared with the Pentax K-5:
Shape keys, use:
The Pentax K-5II is quite solid, therefore, compared with the previous model, Pentax K-5 has done nothing in shape - only details on the display can be seen. The rear buttons are all accessible blind when you look through the viewfinder - and that was no different in the K-5 - and there is the usual operating concept as with the models of previous years. There are two dials - a back and a front, so you can with your thumb and forefinger adjust two parameters to switch on the camera without anything. Need to set the mode dial, a button to be pressed on, which prevents accidental adjustment and two-finger operation is required. According to Pentax, the display glass is significantly more durable, if it's true, I can not judge - and that is apparently the only difference wipe-K and K-5 5II what form and buttons and operation concerns ..
Image quality and functionality:
The picture quality is good and the usual dynamic range is large, noise is relatively visible only in the high ISO speeds and an extensive calibration can be performed in the camera software itself. Colors can be calibrated very extensive, white balance can be selected with different presets and additionally, you can the color temperature in Kelvin Set (3 stores) and additionally, you can set the white balance visually calibrate and store, also with 3 memory cells (eg gray card or WB-cover) Other features include lens corrections (eg CA and other) and exposure bracketing to 5 photos and wireless flash (eg Metz 50 AF 1 Pentax or flash). The usual flash modes as 2nd curtain, etc. are available as well as the possibility of HSS synchronization. An interesting feature is the choice of aperture and shutter speed in automatic adjustment of the ISO - help special situations to master, for example, where the image needs to fit without getting a head if the light is right at the freezing of movement, etc.
Autofocus / exposure:
The autofocus of the Pentax K-5II has a sensor of an advancement over previous models is. The sensor already operates from a 2.8 aperture fully and very reliable. The SAFOX chip is also developed and operates at a fairly good AF logic - you can, for example, by AF-C (AF Tracking) Set whether the sensors to predict a movement based on adjacent AF points or not. you can connect both the AF with the exposure, you can see the AF and exposure separately or store them together etc. all functions that are very extensive. Here are the actual differences for K-fifth
Sealing:
Here I can say that it's a really very good seal - both in the Pentax K-5II and the K-5, because the cases are identical. Both cameras have already showered extensively in continuous rain and that makes them nothing. On all plug-in contacts, there are seals, the sync socket has a rubber stopper and the flash is also opened yet sealed. The prerequisite for a solid seal is the use of appropriate lenses, but what you should not overestimate, because a "light" rain coped also not sealed lens. Sealing the remote shutter works here but only with the IR remote triggers, for a cable release would have to open a sealed door. However, the IR remote release can be configured in the menu on the operation and thus BULB then one needs no normal cable release (unless you use the timer with programmable timer)
Differences K-5II to K-5:
The only technical difference that I noticed, would be massively improved autofocus of K-5II, which is significantly more precise both in very low light and in normal use than its predecessor. This is probably because the K-5, the performance of the AF sensors has only fully available from approximately F5.6 and the K-5II that creates starting at about F2.8. And otherwise except another Kameragurt the K-5II with other colors and the same dimensions as one knows him nothing really heard of the K-5 otherwise.
Conclusion:
The K-5II is a great camera, no question, but everyone should ask what and why you want to be equipped with a DSLR. For the landscape photographer has the K-5II certainly compared to the K-5 no advantages for universal photographer with ambitions for versatility, I would recommend buying the K-5II, so that one is in flying or fast animals as well equipped as with diffuse & scarce light situations. Both models are not bad.
My K-5II is to complement the K-5 is perfect for my ambitions and because of the good performance at my lenses, there are five stars - the same number of stars, I would give the K-5 also :)
