So how good is the K-5 sensor

Here it doesn't preform that bad though
ISO 3200
ISO 6400

Here is also a big leap in quality just like the photos Alan showed from the k5, I doubt you should push it over ISO3200.

Really? Your ISO1600 images from your K10D look like the ISO1600 from the K-5 straight out of the camera, pixel for pixel? Mine look more like the 6400 ones!

Dan

I've not tried it yet, more interested in finding out how many more stops i'm going to be able to squeeze out of the Bigma I will certainly have no problems with shooting at 1600, as for higher I'll just have to wait for Neat Image to release K5 noise profiles and see what it can do with them.

Almost, I said there wasn't so much of an improvement pixel for pixel.
The K5 looks better but I prefer ISO1600 on the K10D over ISO3200 on the K5.
The K10D has more noise but it also holds more detail pixel for pixel off course.
No doubt the K5 will be better when printed because it has more pixels.

RAW file without noise reduction and standard sharpening setting from lightroom 3
[IMG]http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk244/Anvh/_IGP8819.jpg[/IMG]

From what I've seen I'll definitely be having no probs shooting at 6400 when I get a k-5. Or even 12800 or 25600

Compared to my K10D and K20D there's a huge leap in high IS performance.

from what I've seen there's a huge improvement over the K10D.

Is this thread leading to a division of those with K5's and those without?

Yesterday I took the time to read the user manuals for the K5 and D7000.

They both use the same sensor. Interesting to see how the two companies electronics differ. No details here but if any are intersted, the manuals highlight some major differences in operation and performance.

Best regards

Division? I think it's impossible to argue against the improvements in the new sensor. Although one man has, of course- RiceHigh. He's now claiming the K-7 is better, despite having spent the last year pouring scorn on it.

I sincerely hope not Gary

PS: a bit off topic but who's interested in a K5 User Meet

Some comments here link from Ned Bunnell about the K-5, he mentions the natural colours. Mr Rocky Rockwell commented that his D7000 (same sensor) has exactly the same colour renditions as his other Nikons (after he sets the same settings in the colour control) so he knows what to expect.

This point in particular means that the base settings for all Nikon models must be the same? Nedd’s comment raises the question that maybe he thinks there is a colour difference between his K7 and his K5?

The "different sensor" (CMOS only) reason is weak based on Rockwell’s comment. So have we had a different roll of digital film with each Pentax DSLR?

Once we get some postings from the members with K5's rolling through it will be worth looking to see if there is a difference. If some have the K5 and another Pentax body, maybe they can do an identical subject comparison?

Best regards

I don't have either a K-7 or a K-5, but I am willing to smack down nearly £1,0000 for a K-5, but I have no interest in a K-7 as my K20D can already do that.

do what?

Best regards

I really liked my K-7 .. just wanted the faster AF.

If I'm honest though I am not finding it much faster at all .. but then I have only taken 3 shots due to work and crap weather.

It's the AF performance that I find lacking in my K-7... most of my work is at low ISO's so I'm trying to convince myself that I don't "need" a K-5... although all the extra DR that people are going on about does sound very tempting!

yeah, it's those extra few stops in dr that are tempting me too...