Pentax K-5 vs Pentax K-5 II: A Hands-On Comparison for Enthusiasts and Pros

When it comes to APS-C DSLRs aimed at advanced amateurs and enthusiasts, the Pentax K-5 and its successor, the Pentax K-5 II, hold a special place. I’ve spent many hours putting both through their paces, from studio portrait shoots to gritty street photography sessions and demanding wildlife tracking. This detailed comparison boils down the nitty-gritty differences, real-world impact, and where each camera fits in today’s market. Whether you’re a cheapskate wanting the most bang-for-buck or a seasoned professional looking for a reliable backup body, I’ll help you make an informed choice.

Handling and Ergonomics: Size and Feel Matter More Than You Think

Let’s kick off with what you physically interact with: the size, shape, and controls. Both cameras sport the classic mid-size SLR body type Pentax is known for, but subtle differences can either make your shooting sessions a joy or a mild frustration, especially during long hauls or fast shoots.

At 131x97x73 mm, both bodies are virtually identical dimension-wise, but the K-5 II tips the scales at 760g, about 20 grams heavier than the K-5’s 740g. This difference is minor, but you can feel the slight beef-up in robustness. The weather-sealing remains solid on both, a big selling point if you shoot outdoors in less-than-ideal conditions.

What about grip and layout? The top view shows identical button placement and dials, drawing on Pentax’s well-regarded user interface:

The control cluster around the shutter and the rear panel's buttons are intuitive and satisfyingly tactile, with no flimsy plastics in sight. Pentax didn’t revolutionize the layout between these iterations, which is a good thing for those coming from a K-5 who just want incremental improvements without relearning the controls.

Both cameras lack touchscreen functionality on their 3-inch 921k-dot fixed TFT LCDs, which may feel archaic by today’s standards, especially if you’re used to swiping through images on modern cameras or smartphones.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

Under the hood, both cameras use a 16 MP APS-C CMOS sensor measuring 23.7 x 15.7mm, covering about 372 mm² of sensor area – standard for this class. They both feature an optical low-pass (anti-aliasing) filter, favoring fewer moiré artifacts but slightly softening the image compared to filterless options.

Here’s a quick visual on sensor specs, referring to their DxOMark scores:

DxOMark’s overall score is identical at 82 for both models. Color depth, dynamic range, and low-light ISO performance are nearly indistinguishable: 23.7 vs 23.8 bits for color depth, 14.1 EV dynamic range, and low-light ISO around 1160-1235. This means you can expect virtually the same image quality output, which matches my experience shooting in various lighting conditions.

Where the K-5 II pulls slightly ahead is in the minimum native ISO, going up to 100 instead of 80 on the original. While not a game-changer, this affects exposure latitude slightly and potentially noise performance under certain situations, particularly for daylight shooters aiming to maximize image cleanness.

In practice, both cameras deliver rich colors, solid dynamic range (great for landscapes and portraits), and surprisingly good high ISO capability for a 10+ year-old design. Grain starts creeping in noticeably only above ISO 3200, which is sufficient for most enthusiast uses.

Autofocus Performance: Tracking With Confidence

Autofocus is crucial for all genres, from wildlife to sports to macro. The K-5 and K-5 II use the same 11-point phase-detection AF system, with 9 cross-type points, complemented by contrast detection for live view AF.

Performance-wise:

• Both cameras excel in center-weighted autofocus, locking quickly and accurately in good light conditions.
• Subject tracking and face detection perform effectively but can struggle in very low light or erratic movement.
• Neither model has the fancier AF enhancements found in modern bodies, such as animal eye autofocus or AI-based tracking.

In my hands, the continuous AF mode lets you capture action fairly well, hitting the 7 FPS burst rate with reasonable buffer depth, making either model a viable tool for casual to intermediate sports and wildlife shooters.

Between the two, the K-5 II enjoys a slight edge due to improved AF firmware tweaks and marginally better low-light AF sensitivity, consistent with its higher ISO low-light rating.

Display and Viewfinder: See What You Shoot

The K-5 series cameras keep it traditional with an optical pentaprism viewfinder providing 100% coverage and 0.61x magnification - great for framing your shots precisely without nasty surprises at the edges.

The back LCD is where they both lag behind modern expectations:

This 3-inch screen is bright but fixed, non-touch, and a bit cramped at just under 1 million dots. It’s easy to review images but lacks the articulation favored for high or low angle shooting, a downside for street and macro photographers who often hunt from odd perspectives.

Real World Lens Compatibility and Stabilization

Pentax continues to impress with their lens ecosystem, supporting over 150 K-mount lenses, a huge advantage if you have a vintage glass collection or want a variety of specialist optics on the cheap.

Both cameras feature sensor-based image stabilization (Shake Reduction), which is a boon – especially for handheld shots with telephoto or macro lenses. This sensor-level stabilization works with any lens attached, unlike body systems depending on lens elements, adding a layer of versatility.

From my experience, the shake reduction enables sharper handheld landscape shots at slower shutter speeds and facilitates macro work without the usual tripod chains. The stabilization on both models is solid and indistinguishable in effectiveness.

Battery Life and Storage: Practicalities for Longer Shoots

Both cameras use the D-LI90 battery pack, offering an impressive approximate 980 shots per charge, a critical metric when you’re shooting in remote locations or cranking out long sessions without access to a plug.

Storage-wise, they both accept SD/SDHC/SDXC cards in a single slot, which is industry standard but somewhat limiting for professionals who prefer dual cards for redundancy or overflow - something Pentax introduced more robustly in later bodies.

Weather Sealing and Build Quality: Ready for the Outdoors

One reason I always recommend Pentax DSLRs for serious outdoor photographers is their compelling weather sealing. Both these cameras seal against dust and light moisture, letting you shoot confidently in rain, snow, or dusty landscapes. This is particularly important for wildlife photographers who can’t afford to babysit gear constantly.

That said, neither body claims full waterproof, shockproof, or freeze-proof certifications, so a bit of caution in extreme environments is still wise.

Video Capabilities: Functional but Not Cutting Edge

For those branching into video or vlog-style projects, both the K-5 and K-5 II offer Full HD 1080p at 25fps, and 720p options at 25 and 30fps. Recorded in Motion JPEG format, the video quality is decent, but file sizes are large and compression is less efficient than codecs like H.264 or newer.

Both have a microphone port but lack headphone output for audio monitoring, which might be a dealbreaker for serious filmmakers. Video autofocus is contrast-based and relatively sluggish compared to modern hybrid mirrorless cameras.

In short, their video is serviceable for documentary-style shooting or casual use but not competitive for professional videography in 2024.

Sample Image Gallery: Putting Pixels to the Test

I took opportunities across genres to shoot side-by-side comparisons with both cameras under consistent conditions. Here’s a glimpse at how they perform:

Pentax K 5 front Pentax K 5 screen back Pentax K 5 II front Pentax K 5 II screen back

• Portraits: Both render natural skin tones and smooth bokeh, thanks to the APS-C sensor and good lens selection. The K-5 II’s slightly improved image processing gives a modest edge in subtle tone gradation.
• Landscapes: Dynamic range handles skies and shadows well; no surprises there.
• Wildlife: AF briskness and frame rate allow decent action freezes but don’t expect mirrorless-level speeds.
• Night: Low light noise is well controlled up to ISO 3200, beyond which grain becomes visible.
• Macro and Street: Stabilization and compact handling make both good tools for close work and nifty street candid shots.

Scoring Their Strengths: A Quick Reference

Now, let’s break down their overall and genre-specific marks from DxOMark, aggregated alongside my own experience:

Both cameras score a neat 82 overall, confirming their parity on the technical front with slight nuances in low-light and video.

Summing Up the Pros and Cons

Pentax K-5 Benefits:

• Slightly lighter body, more budget-friendly price (~$800)
• Proven reliable design with solid ergonomics and weather sealing
• Excellent sensor and phase-detect AF combo for the era
• Great battery life and expansive lens selection

Pentax K-5 Drawbacks:

• Older sensor min ISO 80 (rarely impactful)
• Slightly dated video features
• No touchscreen or articulated display
• Single card slot may limit professional workflows

Pentax K-5 II Benefits:

• Improved low-light autofocus and ISO performance
• Refined firmware offering better image processing subtlety
• Retains all the original’s strengths in build, stabilization, and ergonomics

Pentax K-5 II Drawbacks:

• Slightly heavier (760g)
• Small price premium (~$830)
• Same video limitations remain
• No major revolutionary upgrades

Who Should Buy Which Camera?

• Budget-Conscious Enthusiasts and Beginners: The original Pentax K-5 offers tremendous value for your money. It’s still a very capable APS-C DSLR that punches above its weight, especially if you already own Pentax lenses or want access to the vast K-mount ecosystem without dropping a fortune.

• Semi-Professional Shooters and Enthusiasts Needing Better Low-Light AF: The K-5 II’s subtle advances in autofocus and sensor tuning are worth the price premium if you often shoot under tricky lighting. Outdoor photographers who prioritize reliability and incremental performance should lean towards the K-5 II.

• Portrait and Landscape Photographers: Both cameras deliver excellent image quality with rich color and dynamic range. You can’t go wrong either way. If video is a sidenote, grab whichever fits your budget better.

• Wildlife, Macro, and Action Shooters: The AF improvements of the K-5 II can help, but neither camera is a true speed demon compared to modern mirrorless or newer DSLRs. Nonetheless, sensor stabilization and solid burst rates make both reasonable for moderately fast subjects.

• Video Creators: Both cameras fall short in video codec efficiency and features. If video is a big focus, consider more modern alternatives.

• Travel Photographers: With robust weather sealing and good battery life, either is suitable. The slightly lighter K-5 might edge out for portability.

Final Verdict: Is It Worth Upgrading?

Looking back on three years of development between these models, the Pentax K-5 II represents a sensible evolution, not a revolution. If you already own a K-5 and are happy with your camera’s performance, upgrading makes little sense unless you specifically crave the modest autofocus and low-light gains. For new buyers, the K-5 II’s slightly higher price (about $30 more) is justified by marginally better specs and firmware.

Both cameras hold their own in today’s crowded market, especially for those loyal to Pentax’s classic handling, durable bodies, and extensive glass options. While they don’t compete head-to-head with full-frame or mirrorless systems, their blend of reliability, image quality, and price remains compelling.

I hope this firsthand, detailed comparison helps you avoid the usual headaches of spec-sheet analysis and guides you to a camera that suits your style and budget. In my experience, both the Pentax K-5 and K-5 II are solid companions for photographers valuing durability, image quality, and the sheer joy of commanding an optical viewfinder.

Happy shooting!

If you want a quick recap, here’s a summary image highlighting the key factors I discussed:

Related Reading: Selecting Lenses for Pentax K-Mount Cameras

A separate deep dive on lens choices can unlock even more potential from these cameras, so check back soon for my expert lens ecosystem guide.

About the Author

With over 15 years of hands-on camera testing and a passion for uncovering practical truths beyond marketing hype, I’ve reviewed thousands of cameras ranging from beginner compacts to high-end professional bodies. I believe in making camera buying approachable, honest, and tailored to your real-world needs.

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5. Pentax K 5 front Pentax K 5 screen back Pentax K 5 II front Pentax K 5 II screen back