AP Sensor Test

johnriley · 2013-02-23T10:11:42+0000

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.

Pentax Digital SLRsPentax Digital SLRs

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johnriley johnriley

24424 posts
24 years
Tyldesley,
Manchester

Posted 27/02/2013 - 17:37 Link

I think there has been a tweaking of the firmware as well. I would guess that even the sensor module may have had slight improvements during its production life.

Best regards, John

smudge smudge

533 posts
15 years
Forest Gate

Posted 27/02/2013 - 18:03 Link

I ended up buying the K5II rather than the IIs and to my surprise it produces images that are noticeably sharper than my K5, so something has changed other than improved low light focussing.

I tried a comparative test using a DA21mm (tripod, mirror up) using K10d, K5 and K5II. The shot taken with the K5 was a little sharper than the K10d and the K5II shot was significantly sharper still. I thought it might be just an oddity of that lens so I tried the same with a Sigma 24mm f1.8 - with similar results.

I've no idea what the technical explanation is for the improvement but I am well pleased

Regards, Philip

Edited by smudge: 27/02/2013 - 18:04

Smeggypants Smeggypants

7671 posts
16 years
Smegland

Posted 27/02/2013 - 19:24 Link

Could it be the AF is more accurate out of the box? Or did you test the AD accuracy with your original K-5

[i]Bodies: 1x K-5IIs, 2x K-5, Sony TX-5, Nokia 808
Lenses: Pentax DA 10-17mm ED(IF) Fish Eye, Pentax DA 14mm f/2.8, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8, Pentax-A 28mm f/2.8, Sigma 30mm F1.4 EX DC, Pentax-A 50mm f/1.2, Pentax-A 50mm f/1.4, Pentax-FA 50mm f/1.4, Pentax-A 50mm f/1.7, Pentax DA* 50-135mm f/2.8, Sigma 135-400mm APO DG, and more ..
Flash: AF-540FGZ, Vivitar 283

smudge smudge

533 posts
15 years
Forest Gate

Posted 27/02/2013 - 21:48 Link

Smeggypants wrote:
Could it be the AF is more accurate out of the box? Or did you test the AD accuracy with your original K-5

That was my first thought when I tested with the DA21, which is why I also tried out another lens. I have not had opportunity to do a proper comparison with any other lenses yet, maybe I'll try the DA70 tomorrow if I get time.

Regards, Philip

Smeggypants Smeggypants

7671 posts
16 years
Smegland

Posted 28/02/2013 - 03:22 Link

Calibrate the AF on both cameras before compariing