K5 users

Ok users of the K5 what is the general verdict? especially those who have gone from the k20

I do like my k20d,but buying the k5 was the best decision I made.The k5 is light years ahead of the k20d.

Care to elaborate as I missed the K20 and got the K7 to use alongside my K10.

The K7 is not light years ahead of the K10. As far as IQ goes, non of the Pentax DSLR's are light years ahead of my istD. Slightly different yes.

Best regards

I didn't get on with the K20D - it was to big for me, and just didn't feel right.

From the moment I first picked up the K-5 I knew it was right for me. It sits so well in the hand, it just feel right to me.

I like the ergonomics on it too. Everything is in a logical place and easy to find without searching. No risk of hitting the wrong button by mistake.
The mode selector knob is lovely. Because it has a lock on it the camera stays in the mode I left it - it doesn't mysteriously change from Av to B for instance, which I have had with the K20D. It is a bit taller than on the K-7 - one extra layer of knurling, and is easy to use.
My only minor niggle is the SD card slot, but I am even getting used to that.

If you are comfortable with the K20D you may find the K-5 a bit small - but generally it is a much better designed camera (as of course was the K-7). It is a camera, not a brick with a lens on the front

IQ wise so far it is streets ahead too. Far less PP needed with it generally.

is the rear af button in a different place on the k5, from the k7, I found it to be in an awfull place as i use the rear af button all the time instead of half prees.

No it's in the same place - the K-5 uses the same body as the K-7 after all.

shame they havent moved it, its one big - for me that.

I don't really know where to start,but what is important to me is the faster f.p.s.Lower noise than the samsung 14.6 sensor.Does auto focus quicker in low light and ofcourse the new sensor.Between my Nikon d300s or the k5 I find the k5 beats the nikon in most areas, but that is my personal point of view.Regards Walter.

Are you referencing the K20 f.p.s. or the 7/8 f.p.s of the D300s? I have to asume you refer to the low light AF in comparison with the K20. Do you actually see a difference in the IQ though?

Best regards

I just went from a K10 to a K5. The K5 has better image quality, less noise espcially at higher ISO ratings and faster focusing. The frames per second rate is higher too but more importantly you can shoot longer bursts before the buffer locks up.
Ergonomically I've always found all Pentax cameras to be superb and the K5 is no different. Once you become accustomed to the new positioning of the buttons they're fine. Its like getting into a new car, you soon get the feel of everything.
I wondered about the smaller size after the chunky size of the K10/K20 but once I got the lens on I hardly noticed any difference.
Like Gwyn I have to do much less work in Photoshop on images from the K5 than the K10.
David.
PS I still have a K10 (the other went in part-ex) and it will still get plenty of use.

I find the K5 is even more user friendly than the K20D and that takes some beating.

What I like about the K5 over the K20:

ISO and Exp.Comp. can easily be adjusted by holding dedicated buttons on the top plate and turning the rear dial.

High ISO noise levels are good, this is the first time I have felt confident enough to use the TAv mode and not worry about noise.

More settings can be accessed via the four way controler rather than ploughing through the menu.

The mirror slap and shutter noise is quieter.

As for size and handling, the K5 feels much better with a grip attached but I suppose having big hands and having handles the K10/20 combo for so long the K5 felt small in comparison.