K-5 wins top award from DPReview

<p>DPReview today published their in-depth review of the Pentax K-5, and gave it the DPReview Gold Award:</p>

<p><em>"The Pentax K-5's compact, solid body, generally well thought-out ergonomics, comprehensive feature set and excellent image quality, in both still and movie modes make it one of the best APS-C DSLRs currently on the market."</em></p>

<p>Read more at:<br>

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/pentaxk5/</p>

<p> </p>

<p>Didn't expect dpreview to get real, but they did :)</p>

<p>Just got a k-5 a two weeks ago, was so happy and ready to shoot photos and video! Did a few test runs at home, different lenses, great stuff... was really happy with my purchase... then I woke up this morning and now the mode dial is messed up. I don't know how the mode dial could go bad over night when the camera is just sitting on the table, but today it's stuck in M mode... seems like the dial contacts gave out somehow. No matter what I turn the dial to (video, AV, Sv, etc.) the display and controls say "M" mode. Maybe I was unlucky and got a bad one, but still, this really sucks. Also, why is there a locking mechanism on the dial? (I have a k10d that doesn't have this) Seems like one more potential area for introducing manufacturing defects. The rest of the camera seems to be operating fine, so I'm really annoyed, especially when I was looking to do some video with the camera. The one time I become an "early adopter" I get screwed... oh well, such is life i guess...</p>

<p>Ned, are you reading this?? You got a great product but QC seems to be an issue.... not looking forward to sending in my camera and getting it back 4 months from now...</p>

<p>Knob lock prevents operator error for program mode. K10d had a lock to open the memory card -- which alas has been taken away in K-7 and K-5. Professional Nikon cameras used to have knob-locks, so K-5 is not the first one.</p>

<p>It's kinda funny, in my preview of the K-7, I noted I didn't like the locking mode dial. And while their are pros and cons to it, I have grown to generally like it.</p>

<p>The biggest con is on the K-7 there isn't much room between the camera and the dial, so those with low dexterity or working in the cold might have issues, but that's about it. I don't see a real negative too it beyond that.</p>

<p>The pros are no more pulling the camera out of a tight bag and having issues with the dial rotating, which while rare was annoying. Especially true if the camera was caught between modes!</p>

<p>On my Samsung TL500, the mode dial rotates a lot when I stuff it into a form fitting case, and this really annoys me!</p>

<p>As to your issue, that is really weird. 1) have you pulled the battery, 2) checked to make sure the other dials are all in a set position, 3) updated the firmware.</p>

<p>One thing I will note as major caveat. The locking SD door was a really good thing on a sealed camera. When I pull my K-7 out of my TLZ bags the strap sometimes opens the SD card door. Two things happen or can happen 1) my camera is now no weather sealed anymore until I realize this, 2) my camera is inoperable until I realize it. Several times I have thought my K-7 was broken because the SD card door was open.</p>

<p>The locking door was a very small hassel BUT it offered redundancy. Even if your SD card slot was broken and wouldn't hold and SD card, the K10D/K20D would lock the SD card into place. It also assured the photographer that the camera would always remain fully sealed!</p>

<p>Case in point, check out the reviews on Casios excellent EXLIM series waterproof compact. I was all set to get one till I read multiple reviews of the SD card door opening and killing the camera. The K-7/K-5 now introduces that possibility and Pentax will not repair your water damaged camera if the SD door is the culprit!</p>

<blockquote>

<p>As to your issue, that is really weird. 1) have you pulled the battery, 2) checked to make sure the other dials are all in a set position, 3) updated the firmware.</p>

</blockquote>

<p>Hi Justin, yes, pulled the battery, multiple times throughout the day (hoping it would magically fix itself)... going to try to leave it out over night in case it takes a while for the internal memory to reset; checked all dials, camera works fine and shoots fine... but only in "M" mode. Haven't updated the firmware (using 1.0), as current issue isn't addressed by the latest version and it was working perfectly fine for a few days. I don't want something to happen while updating it and mess it up further.</p>

<p>Going to send it off to Pentax for warranty repair. I prefer the non-locking mode dial as on the k10D. I switch modes often, annoying to press the button, etc. And I agree with you, I miss the latch on the SD card. Feels more secure, (and more professional to me anyway) having the extra latch. I have the EXLIM camera you mentioned... and yes, that latch is problematic and often opens when I put the camera in my back pocket.. my next P&S purchase would be a waterproof/crushproof one.</p>

<p>Yeah, I'm befuddled by your issue because you said it was working when you last used it, now it isn't.</p>

<p>Just as a note, companies don't usually list every fix in the firmware. Not implying this was a firmware issue but just because it's not listed doesn't mean it wasn't something firmware could fix.</p>

<p>One other simple thing to try is doing a factory reset!</p>

<p>Anyway, sorry to hear you are having an issue, nothing is fun about having to send your upgrade off to repair. It shouldn't take 4 months...even Hin's well publicized "nightmare" was about 8 weeks and they apparently shipped his part from Japan via courier pigeon. I think most Pentax repairs take about 3-4 weeks. If you still have your K10D you've got a good backup to use.</p>

<p>One quick question, if the camera is only 2 weeks old is it past the return date?</p>

<p>David, try going to firmware version 1.01.<br>

(Justin, among my other peeves, the excellent accessory door on K10d to reach cable connectors has been replaced by this flimsy rubber door on K7/K5, which is harder to close properly.</p>

<p>I agree about the rubber door, however, my fears about it not being sealed were lessened when I learned those ports are sealed via the interior.</p>

<p>This made sense to me since I've never seen a pro Nikon shooter with those rubber caps intact on D1/2/3 SLRS, yet they are still shooting in the rain. </p>

<p>That said, I liked the door too. Those plugs eventually wear out or break off. The door is cleaner and more permanent.</p>

<p>The only positive I can find is that the Live View/MLU and IR Remote almost make needing to access the rubber plugs unecessary. I don't use the HDMI or USB, and rarely use the cable release when I have the IR remote. So for the most part I've only removed the plugs a few times a year! I'd probably glue them shut if they became an issue.</p>

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<p>I made the trek back to Adorama and they graciously exchanged my k-5 for another one, so I'm all set. :) So far so good with this k-5. I think I probably hit that 1 in 1,000,000 unit that just stops working for no reason. (like the occasional hard drive that dies after a few days instead of 100,000 hrs or whatever the typical lifespan is). I need that one-in-a-million luck for winning the NY Lotto ;)</p>