Pentax K-5 II

The Pentax K-5 II ($1,199.95 direct, body only)? is one of a pair of cameras that represent Pentax's top-end APS-C D-SLR lineup. It features a standard sensor design, which includes a low-pass filter, while the other?the K-5 IIs ?omits that filter. The 16-megapixel shooter is capable of delivering excellent images, can rattle off shots at 6.2 frames per second, and is sealed for use in harsh weather?but it's not a camera that you'll want to buy if video recording is a priority. Our Editors' Choice Sony Alpha 77 ?is a better choice for movies.

Design and Features
The K-5 II's body is identical in design to its predecessor, the K-5 . Compared with other cameras in its class, it's quite small, measuring only 3.8 by 5.2 by 2.9 inches and weighing about 1.6 pounds. Compare this to Canon's EOS 60D at 4.2 by 5.7 by 3.1 inches and 1.7 pounds. If you prefer a bit more bulk to your camera, you can extend the battery life and make the K-5 II a bit bigger by adding the D-BG4 Battery Grip, which attaches to the bottom of the camera and adds two control wheels and a shutter release for vertical shooting.

You get ample physical controls available on the K-5 II's svelte body. There's a Mode dial on the top, to the left of the viewfinder, which also features a toggle switch to change between spot, center weighted, and average metering patterns. On the other side of the viewfinder you'll find buttons to fire the shutter, adjust EV compensation, and change the ISO. There's also a monochrome LCD, with a backlight, that displays current shooting settings.

Front and rear control dials are there to adjust settings during shooting. There's the reprogrammable Green button, a toggle switch to change the autofocus point selection mode, and buttons to adjust white balance, change the drive mode, tweak flash settings, and adjust the JPG color settings.

Like other cameras in this class, the K-5 II has a solid glass pentaprism viewfinder that gives you a 100 percent view of the frame. Most lower-priced cameras use a pentamirror finder that is not as bright and often doesn't capture the extreme edges of what the camera can capture. Pentax's own K-30 is an exception to this rule?it's one of the few sub-$1,000 cameras that has a top-end optical viewfinder.

The 3-inch rear display is a sharp 921k dots. It is identical in quality to that of the K-5 and K-30, but eliminates the air gap that exists between the screen and its protective cover. It definitely looks better than the K-5's screen when viewed side by side.

The camera's weather-sealing lets you shoot away in heavy downpours and other inclement weather. Pentax SLRs have become very popular with outdoor enthusiasts. Time has proven that the K-5's sealing is top-notch, and the build quality of the K-5 II is identical. Pentax has a good selection of both zoom and prime lenses that are sealed, and if you do see yourself shooting in the elements, you will want to marry the camera to one of these. Popular options include the SMC DA 18-135mm F/3.5-5.6 ED AL (IF) DC WR ?and any of the top-end DA* line of Pentax lenses, including the wide-aperture 55mm f/1.4 DA* SDM prime optic.?

The K-5 II's small design lends itself especially well to the Pentax lens system, which has a strong selection of compact prime lenses. If you're more of a zoom lens person, it's wise to take a look at Pentax's current lineup before adopting the system?there are f/2.8 lenses that cover the 16-50mm and 50-135mm range, the only other fixed-aperture zoom is a 60-250mm f/4 lens. There's also no full-frame upgrade option for Pentax owners?as such all but a handful are designed only for use with APS-C sensor cameras. Canon, Nikon, and Sony all offer full-frame body options, and sell full-frame lenses that can be used on either body type.

One byproduct of the K-5 II's weather sealing is that it helps to quiet the sound of the shutter?it's one of the quietest you'll find on a traditional D-SLR. Sony cameras like the Alpha 77, which feature fixed mirrors and electronic viewfinders, are quieter?but only because the mirror doesn't move when taking a photo.

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