There's no way to know and I'm sure Pentax wouldn't be telling. It may well be that they have used many manufacturers over the years. It's only become an issue since lithium battery packs were used, prior to that a mercury or silver oxide cell would likely have been marked with the manufacturer's name, rather than Pentax.

The difference is that now a particular battery is designated for a particular camera, or range of cameras such as the path from K-7 to K-3.

Open shelves for stuff not in actual use. Plenty of air circulation.

Just click on the Image button and choose a picture from your computer. 800 pixels wide on the longest side is the forum spec, anything else will be adjusted by the forum software accordingly.

The Amazon page lets you choose various colour combinations, but not at under £200 unfortunately.

MrB, there are so many levels on which original accessories are or can be a batter idea than cheap alternatives. There's the matter of guarantees, if an original battery fails and damages the camera then there's some comeback for the manufacturer. If it's a cheap battery that causes damage, then you're on your own. Just recently someone put a battery in upside down and the Pentax technicians removed it. I'll bet they wouldn't have been so confident to drill into it if it had been a third party product.

In terms of performance, there have been tests that have shown that only the Pentax batteries were up to spec. The others didn't even come close and some cheaper ones were totally dismal. You can't tell which ones you are buying.

If you buy an expensive camera and want it to work properly, then I don't think buying cheap accessories for it helps. In general I would always pay the extra. It's nothing to do with "peace of mind", a dreadful phrase IMHO, it's everything to do with efficiency and the pleasure of using accessories that match and fit properly, sharing the same high standards as the cameras and lenses.

Back on topic please, K-5 vs K-3.

Just because some things are made in China certainly does not mean they are all from the same factory. China is a very big place! There are no doubt many manufacturers of batteries and camera manufacturers will specify the standards they require. Yes, there are cheap copies and they would be best avoided on many counts.

Lithium batteries will run down when not used, but ours last a very long time if unused. The camera will take some current if not switched off.

I'd suggest rotating at least two battery packs, but you do need to remember to charge them.

There is a huge difference in detail from the K-5 to the K-3. If that's what's important to you, then it will make a difference.

The Limited lenses are sort of retro designs anyway, with their cut outs for the distance scale, metal construction and aperture rings.

Looks good to me. I always wanted a black MX, but couldn't afford the extra at the time. Now the black MX-1 does very nicely!