AP Sensor Test

The new issue of AP dropped through my letterbox today and includes an interesting test report. They looked at the K-5 IIs and Fuji XPro1 (both with no AA filter) and the Nikon D600 (FF but with AA filter) to see where the current sensor performances lie compared to each other.

The differences between all three in terms of detail resolution are very slight indeed. The differences in noise levels give a small advantage to the K-5 IIs. (There is the usual "Pentax colour" that I like so much evident in the slightly warmer look, although that isn't really part of their comments and depends also on the photomechanical reproduction.)

It's interesting reading and it shows that publications are, like EPZ, having a go at looking at these things.

Saw this advertised in this weeks magazine, was looking forward to reading it.

I will have to have a read. Thanks for the info John.

I read that this morning - it really shows that there are no out and out 'best' options and I suppose more than ever depends on what you want or need that makes an option the 'best'

Good article John. It also highlights the K5IIs ability to retrieve shadows- it was impressed with this. Mac

I'll have to see if my digital edition is ready for download. I'm still vacillating on whether to get a K5IIs or wait and see if the long-rumoured FF camera is going to appear...

Does anyone have any links to noise comparisons between the K5 and K5IIs BTW? I could do with a couple of extra stops of usable ISO more than anything.

yes here ya go ....

http://www.dxomark.com/index.php/Cameras/Compare-Camera-Sensors/Compare-cameras-side-by-side/%28appareil1%29/830|0/%28brand%29/Pentax/%28appareil2%29/676|0/%28brand2%29/Pentax

For all intents and purposes, exactly the same. Same sensor.



In those tests the Original K-5 actually is a bout a 1/2 stop better at ISO51200, but I would put that down slight variations in testing and perhaps sample variation than the removal of the AA filter
.

Sensors are the same but I believe the cameras software is slightly improved, increasing ISO capability a very small amount..

Have just read the article in AP in relation to John's post, very interesting read. Personally APS-C works for me as the images I am getting from the K5lls are incredible in terms of detail. Pentax FF may provide more control over shallow DOF, but I have learnt some new techniques both camera and software based if I need really shallow DOF.

As I have invested in a fair amount of kit APS-C wise, I currently just could not justify buying FF kit, unless i start to make the money required to justify the outlay. However, as Pentax have stated that a full frame model is being worked on, the only unanswered question is will it be available before 2014? I just hope it has the incredible magic of the K5 and if it does, it will no doubt give Pentax more market share.

I guess I will wait and see if a FF Pentax comes out. Meanwhile I may just get the AA filter removed from my K5.....cheaper than buying a K5IIs. My IR Sony has exactly the same sensor, and the AA filter on that was removed during the IR conversion. The Sony definitely resolves more detail.

Have you had a price for doing that?

Waiting for a quote, will let you know when I get it....

The company in the UK I contacted (Protech, the one mentioned in this weeks AP) are not doing the K5 yet, unfortunately, though will be soon as they apparently have had load of enquiries. I may get it done in the States by Kolari, who charge $250.

When you add any state taxes plus shipping both ways, is it worth doing that rather than trading in for a K-5 IIs? At least you end up with a fully guaranteed (2 year) camera if you buy new.

I also wonder if the difference between the performance of K5 and K5llS is just down to the actual removal of the filter. For instance is different software used to adjust for the no filter scenario or other hardware changed?