Pentax K5II vs Pentax K-30: Hi everyone, Just wondering if there are significant differences in real life shooting. I know all about the specs of the twwo cameras, but you don't shoot...

elandel Loc: Milan, Italy

Hi everyone,

Just wondering if there are significant differences in real life shooting. I know all about the specs of the twwo cameras, but you don't shoot specs so is there a real difference in real life performance? Which AF is better in low light? And IQ, it should be the same, or not?

Thanks.

Nosaj Loc: Sarasota, Florida

I use the K5. I think the K30 came out before the K5 II. Although I never use the K30, my guess is that both would provide very comparable results, but the K30 may have more weatherproofing, and the K5/K5 II may have more special features/options and advanced autofocus,

elandel Loc: Milan, Italy

JayDog11 wrote:

I use the K5. I think the K30 came out before the K5 II. Although I never use the K30, my guess is that both would provide very comparable results, but the K30 may have more weatherproofing, and the K5/K5 II may have more special features/options and advanced autofocus,

What about AF in low light, say in Churches with only natural light (very little); which do you think would be better?

Nosaj Loc: Sarasota, Florida

It's hard to say since I never used a K30, but it has a 16 mmp sensor similar to the K5, so it should do a fine job. Just be sure to bump up the ISO enough.

elandel Loc: Milan, Italy

I had the K5 but sold it because I wanted something lighter and went M4/3. Now own a D700 but want a aps-c sensor so I'm wondering about Nikon D7000/7100 or Pentax K-30/K5II.

Tough decision.

Nosaj Loc: Sarasota, Florida

I think the camera review section on Pentax Forum we site has a technical discussion of the K5 vs Nikon 7000 (and Canon 7D). Look around the Forum web site a bit and you'll find it. It may help. Before I got my K5, I has three cameras on my short list: Nikon 7000, Canon 60D or 7D, and the K5. I got the K5, and have never looked back! Also, I'm amazed to see the problems with the 7000 people are reporting on UHH. The 7001 is really not an upgrade or enhancement; its mostly a cosmetic shift in model number. When I was on the market for a camera (Jan-Mar, 2011), I was told by three highly reputable suppliers that the 7000 was backordered as a result of the tsunami damages in Japan, which destroyed their assembly and warehousing faclities. I also learned that Nikon contracted out to China the manufacture of a few parts that became unavailable. Eventaully, the 7000 was shipping again for the US market, but a few annoying issues came along with it. Perhaps, the 7001 is an attempt to refresh the camera's image! It's a fine camera, as is the Canon and others. I bought the K5 solely on my own judgement and not because someone on UHH said to buy it "because I have one."

elandel Loc: Milan, Italy

I'm leaning more towards the K-30/K5II, but can't decide.

Given IQ and High iso are the same which has better AF overall and in low light?

Nosaj Loc: Sarasota, Florida

The K5 II has an enhanced auto focus over the older K5 and K30. It also has more DSLR features, as a comparison of menu items will reveal. If I need to used something a bit smaller with a point-and-shoot feel, I have a K01 that accepts my Pentax prime lenses and has a nice 16 mmp sensor. Personally, I would go with the K5 II. Pentax migrated the waterproofing features of the K30 to the K5 II and IIe, and incorporated some of the Ricoh lcd color technology.

A10 Loc: Southern Indiana

I also have a K-5 and am impressed with the low light focusing capabilities. The "noise" is not a problem until ISO 3200 and if you don't mind using noise reduction software you can go up to 12800 ISO.

elandel Loc: Milan, Italy

A10 wrote:

I also have a K-5 and am impressed with the low light focusing capabilities. The "noise" is not a problem until ISO 3200 and if you don't mind using noise reduction software you can go up to 12800 ISO.

Is it K5 or K5II? What lens do you have? I like Ultrawide and tele.

A10 Loc: Southern Indiana

I have a K-5, it's a few years old. The k-5II is the newest version with some upgrades but not enough for me to buy it. I am very happy with my K-5 from all the photo programs to the extended ISO and #of frames per second. I have everything from an 11mm to a 500mm and all lens in between

elandel wrote:

Is it K5 or K5II? What lens do you have? I like Ultrawide and tele.

elandel Loc: Milan, Italy

A10 wrote:

I have a K-5, it's a few years old. The k-5II is the newest version with some upgrades but not enough for me to buy it. I am very happy with my K-5 from all the photo programs to the extended ISO and #of frames per second. I have everything from an 11mm to a 500mm and all lens in between

My only doubt is low-light AF. Some say it hunts in low light like Churches or indoor shots. Is this true?

elandel Loc: Milan, Italy

Got the K-30 and 18-135.

Mickey432 Loc: San Antonio , Texas

A10 ,

There are some good prices on the older Pentax K5 and I'm interested in it since I have some decent Pentax glass.
Please tell me about any indoor sports shots taken with your own K5 , NO FLASH ; did your K5 cope well at all with the low lighting of indoor gyms ? I follow my grandkids' highschool basketball games.
Please give me the pros and cons of the K5 . Thanks much .

Mickey432

rosscob44 Loc: Australia

I have recently bought the k30 and 18-135 lens, My main reason for this setup was for photographing my daughters dancing. Mostly indoor gyms and halls. I shoot mostly iso6400 and 1/500 and so far no problems with focus , fast and sharp even keeping up with the dance routines. Sorry I cannot post a photo at the moment as I am on a tablet.So far I love my new camera