Pentax K-5

Rugged flagship APS-C DSLR with high performance

Pentax K-5
80/100
CAMERA SCORE
Features 16
Performance 17
Durability 18
Price 14
Usability 15
Brand Pentax
Model K-5

Key Features

SENSOR 16.3 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor
PROCESSOR PRIME II image engine for high-speed processing
AUTOFOCUS SAFOX IX+ 11-point AF system with 9 cross-type sensors
PHASE DETECTION Dedicated TTL phase-detection AF sensor
VIDEO Full HD 1080p at 25fps, Motion JPEG format
STABILIZATION SR (Shake Reduction) sensor-shift stabilization
BURST RATE 7 frames per second, up to 22 RAW frames
VIEWFINDER Pentaprism optical viewfinder with 100% coverage
DISPLAY 3.0-inch 921k-dot TFT LCD, fixed
CONNECTIVITY USB 2.0, HDMI Type C, 3.5mm microphone jack
MEMORY CARD Single SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot
WEATHER SEALING Magnesium alloy body with 77 weather seals
BATTERY LIFE Approx. 980 shots per charge (D-LI90)

The Most Important Buttons & Dials — Pentax K-5

Control / Button / Dial Status Note
Shutter-release Button ✓ Present
Mode Dial ✓ Present
+/- EV (Exposure Compensation) Button ✓ Present
Dedicated ISO Button ✓ Present
Dedicated Aperture Dial / Ring ~ Limited Via command dials
Dedicated Shutter Speed Dial ~ Limited Via command dials
AF-ON Button ✓ Present
Main Command Dial ✓ Present
Sub-Command Dial ✓ Present
Function (Fn) Buttons ✓ Present
Joystick / Multi-selector ✓ Present
AF-assist / Self-timer Lamp ✓ Present
Monitor Mode Button ✓ Present
Video Record Button ✓ Present
Drive Mode Control ✓ Present

How-to Use Pentax K-5

Welcome to the How-to section of the camera. In this Light & Composition University website, each page for a camera has a how-to section and a section for learning. Simply because the buttons and the controls of each camera is located in different places that not only varies for brands but in each model. How-to section help you operate your camera, however, if you are interested to learn photography, not only you need to know how your camera works, but also you must know what you can change and why you do that to get better photo. Click the “Learn” or scroll down.

Pentax K-5 Exposure Indicators

Optimal exposure Underexposed by 1/3 EV Overexposed by over 2 EV
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The key to the photography is light, and it’s the exposure indicators, where you see how much light your camera sensor sees. These indicators both in monitor and viewfinder show whether the photograph would be under or over-exposed at the current setting. The amount of under or overexposure is shown in increments of 1/3 EV.

Learn & Master Photography with Pentax K-5

For over a decade, we have been teaching photography following a university standard. No one does it better than us. We have a selection of courses, diplomas, graduate and post-graduate programs, as well as some of our best-selling university press publications, to guide you in the best possible way for your camera. Enroll in the fundamentals and then move to the genres you want to master.

Technical Specification

Sensor APS-C CMOS
Resolution 16.3 MP
ISO Range 100-12800 (expandable to 51200)
Autofocus 11-point TTL phase detection
Shutter Speed 1/8000 to 30 sec
Burst Rate 7 fps
Video 1920x1080 25fps
Stabilization Sensor-shift
Viewfinder Pentaprism, 0.92x magnification
LCD 3.0-inch, 921k dots
Memory Card SD/SDHC/SDXC
Connectivity USB 2.0, HDMI, Mic
Battery Life 980 shots
Weight 660g
Dimensions 131 x 97 x 73 mm