Pentax K-5 review

Is the Pentax K5 simply a modest upgrade to an already existing camera, or one that deserves recognition in its own right?

Reviews
By published
Pentax K-5
The Pentax K5 has plenty to offer the photographer that doesn't follow the herd

Why you can trust TechRadar We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test.

ISO main

1/15sec at f/11, ISO 100 (Click to view full size image)

ISO 80

ISO 80 (Click to view full size image)

ISO 100

ISO 100 (Click to view full size image)

ISO 200

ISO 200 (Click to view full size image)

ISO 400

ISO 400 (Click to view full size image)

ISO 800

ISO 800 (Click to view full size image)

ISO 1600

ISO 1600 (Click to view full size image)

ISO 3200

ISO 3200 (Click to view full size image)

ISO 12800

ISO 12,800 (Click to view full size image)

ISO 25600

ISO 25,600 (Click to view full size image)

ISO 52100

ISO 52,100 (Click to view full size image)

Matt Golowczynski
Latest in DSLRs
Nikon Df DSLR camera on a wooden surface by large window, with dusk light
Forget Fujifilm, I've retested 2013's Nikon Df DSLR and it's the ultimate retro camera for these 6 reasons
Monochrome image of a distant wind farm alongside a Canon DSLR camera in the hand with black background
You don't really need a new camera – a $200,000 photo prize was just won with this old Canon DSLR
Photographer holding the Nikon D800 DSLR camera up to their eye while leaning on a tree trunk surrounded by bluebells
I used my DSLR for the first time in years since switching to mirrorless – here are four things I learned
Two cameras sitting next to each other on a wooden table
If DSLR cameras are dead, why are they still so popular? Here are 5 reasons
Prouct photo of the Pentax K-3 Mark III Monochrome with a 16-50mm f/2.8 attached
Pentax K-3 Mark III Monochrome review: one love
Canon EOS 4000D with 18-55mm lens attached on red background beside a lowest ever price text
This Canon beginner DSLR is so cheap right now it might even tempt you away from mirrorless
Latest in Reviews
WWE 2K25
I've spent days in the ring with WWE 2K25, and it's like a five-star match ruined by the Million Dollar Man
Curaprox Hydrosonic Pro electric toothbrush
Curaprox Hydrosonic Pro review: A powerful seven-mode, Swiss-made sonic brush
Atelier Yumia
I was already sold on Atelier Yumia as an RPG, but I wasn’t expecting it to have my favorite crafting system in all of gaming
Alienware 27 AW2725Q monitor on desk displaying a scene from Cyberpunk 2077
I played games with Alienware's new 27-inch 4K OLED monitor and now I don't want to see another LCD panel
PLAUD NOTE
I tested this AI voice recorder, and now I'll never take meeting notes manually again
SanDisk Extreme PRO with USB4
Testing the new SanDisk Extreme PRO with USB4 SSD proved both challenging and revealing
Poco F6 Pro in white from the back showing its Camera array and branding

For a mid-range handset, the Poco F6 Pro is premium in more ways than one, but I found it hard to ignore some of its key pitfalls
BraX3

This obscure brand wants to launch the most privacy-friendly smartphone ever without Google, but with a mysterious open-source OS at its core
Anker Charger 140W, 4-Port, PD 3.1 on block against pink background

This powerful phone charger has been making faces at me, but I kinda love it
See more latest
Most Popular
Poco F6 Pro in white from the back showing its Camera array and branding
For a mid-range handset, the Poco F6 Pro is premium in more ways than one, but I found it hard to ignore some of its key pitfalls
Anker Charger 140W, 4-Port, PD 3.1 on block against pink background
This powerful phone charger has been making faces at me, but I kinda love it
AOHI Future Starship power bank leaning on plinth, on desk with pink background
I tried the AOHI Future Starship, and while it charges laptops with ease, it’s likely not worth the price for many
VQ Cath Kidston 5,000mAh Power Bank leaning on plinth on desk with pink background
The VQ Cath Kidston 5,000mAh Power Bank is one of the most stylish batteries I’ve seen, but it’s too slow for the price
VRURC T6S power bank leaning on plinth on desk with pink background
I tested the VRURC T6S power bank for several days – and I was pleasantly surprised by this clever feature
Horipad Turbo
The Horipad Turbo might not be the feature-rich Nintendo Switch controller of your dreams, but it’s still a worthwhile budget pick
SanDisk Extreme PRO with USB4
Testing the new SanDisk Extreme PRO with USB4 SSD proved both challenging and revealing
From left to right, there's a MacBook Air and XPPen drawing display with accessories. There's some brightly coloured artwork on the display that reads "Spicy".
This impressive 4K drawing display I reviewed was so natural to draw on, I may never use paper again
Xiaomi 33W 10,000mAh Power Bank leaning on plinth on desk with pink background
I wouldn't take the Xiaomi 33W 10,000mAh Power Bank on extreme adventures, but it's great for my basic traveling needs
Cuktech 15 Ultra leaning on plinth on table with pink background
I like the fast charging and detailed display of the Cuktech 15 Ultra, but it doesn’t have quite enough capacity to last