Pentax K-5 II Features

The Pentax K-5 II can take photos in ANY kind of light, thanks to its stabilization, new autofocus and massive ISO range.

Release Date: October 2012

Price Without Lens: $1,170 USD

Available at:

Amazon • Adorama • B&H Photo Video

The follow-up to Pentax's high-end K-5 (released in Oct. 2010) is the Pentax K-5 II.

Like its predecessor, the Pentax K-5 II features a huge ISO range from a low of 80 to a high of 51200, a top speed of 7 photos per second and a Full HD movie mode.

The Pentax K-5 II also features built-in image stabilization which helps to reduce blurry photos caused by camera shake. This image stabilization works with any lens you attach to the camera.

The K-5 II is dustproof, water resistant and cold resistant: you can use it in sand, showers and sleet without having to worry about damaging the electronics inside.

The main new feature of the K-5 II is it's redesigned autofocus system that is designed to quickly lock onto subjects, even in very dim available light.

An alternative version of the camera - the K-5 IIs - will also be available for professionals. This camera eliminates a filter that can reduce image quality when used in a controlled environment like a photo studio.

Pentax K-5 II Features

Megapixels	16.3
Stabilization	Built In
Memory Card	SD / SDHC / SDXC
Max. Shutter Speed	1/8000
Max. Photo Capture	7 per second
ISO Range	80 to 51200
Movie Modes	Motion JPEG 1960x1080p 1280x720 640 x 480
LCD	Fixed 3in (921,000 dots)
Viewfinder	Pentaprism (100% coverage)
Autofocus	11 point
Face Detect AF	Yes
Sensor Dimensions	23.6 x 15.8 (1.5x crop factor)
HDMI Port	Yes
Live View	Yes
Built-in Flash	Yes (Sync: 1/180)
Compatible Lenses	All Pentax K Mount
Battery	D-LI90P LiIon
Dimensions	5.2 x 3.8 x 2.9in 132 x 96.5 x 74mm
Weight	26.1oz (740g)

Features Explained

If you're looking for a DSLR that is rugged then the Pentax K-5 II should definitely be on your list of cameras to consider.

Very few digital SLRs have significant amounts of weather-proofing which means that they can be damaged when used in extreme conditions.

You can use the K-5 II in a torrential downpour without batting an eye — you can also use it in very cold temperatures, making it a good choice for winter landscape photographers.

The huge ISO range and the built-in image stabilization are great tools for photographers who want to take pictures in available light without lugging around a tripod.

Both of these features help to prevent blurry photos due to either the motion of the camera or the motion of the subject.

Having a lot of ISO to work with helps when you need to increase your shutter speed in dim available light to freeze the motion of your subject.
The stabilization helps to prevent camera motion blur, and is most useful when you are snapping non-moving subjets using slow shutter speeds.

In addition to its core functionality, the Pentax K-5 II also includes some "bonus" features that you can leverage for specific photographic situations:

Electronic Level — most useful for landscape photographers who want to keep their horizon lines flat
Dust Removal II — shakes dust off the camera's sensor so you don't see dust flecks in your photos
Dynamic Range Expansion — ensures that details are preserved in high-contrast scenes in both the bright areas (highlights) and the shadows
RAW Data Retrieve — lets you save a RAW file (a digital negative) of your last photo even if you shot it only as a JPG
Dedicated RAW Button — lets you quickly switch between capturing photos as JPG files and capturing them as RAW