The next-generation SAFOX X AF module was newly developed for the K-5 II. This module incorporates a high-sensitivity AF sensor that performs brilliantly in low-light conditions. It also incorporates a diffractive lens to greatly improve focusing accuracy while effectively minimizing chromatic aberration generated within the module. It also features a light-source sensor to minimize focusing errors, particularly with artificial light sources.
A newly developed, high-sensitivity AF sensor assures dependable autofocus operation down to a minimum luminance of –3 EV (when using nine middle sensor points). When shooting in moonlight, for instance, the sensor prevents the AF mechanism from slowing down or being confused by high-illumination spots in the image field. It also captures low-contrast subjects in great accuracy.
The K-5 II features an 11-point AF system, with nine cross-shaped sensors to assure accurate focus even with subjects that linear sensors often fail to detect. This high-precision AF system also works with luminance flux based on F2.8 levels (using the linear sensor at center). This drastically improves the autofocus accuracy when using a very fast lens with a maximum aperture of F2.8 or larger, allowing you to optimize focusing accuracy using a very narrow depth of field.
When the AF mode is set to continuous (AF. C), the K-5 II automatically tracks the subject, even when it moves away from a pre-selected AF point, by assessing the distance data collected by neighboring focus sensors. This function assures stable AF operation with subjects that are otherwise difficult to pinpoint focus on, including high-speed action, distant subjects and poorly illuminated scenes.
The K-5 II features the PENTAX-developed image-sensor-shift-type SR (Shake Reduction) mechanism compatible with all PENTAX interchangeable lenses. Using a high-sensitivity gyro sensor, it effectively compensates for even the slightest camera shake to optimize the resolving power of the high-performance image sensor. This mechanism is not only effective in low-light conditions, but also comes in handy during Live View shooting and movie recording.
Note: This mechanism compensates camera
shake by as much as three shutter steps.
This function is one of the additional benefits of the SR mechanism. When the K-5 II is mounted on a tripod, it allows you to effortlessly make minute adjustment to image composition and compensate for the camera’s tilt, by shifting the image sensor along the X and Y axes and/or rotating it. This function is particularly useful in composing an image during Live View shooting.
Another benefit of the SR mechanism is that the K-5 II effectively and accurately adjusts the position of the image sensor to provide a 100-percent field of view, without compromising its compact design or imaging performance. The combination of a high-grade glass pentaprism and high-performance finder optics also assures a large, bright viewfinder image (at an approximately 0.92-times magnification, with a 50mm F1.4 lens set at infinity).
The K-5 II automatically compensates for horizontal inclination of the image, and brings it to a level position by rotating the image sensor by as much as ±2 degrees.* This function makes precise horizontal alignment simple and effortless, not only in handheld shooting, but also in tripod shooting.
* When the SR mechanism is activated,
the maximum angle of compensation is ±1 degree.
The K-5 II is a low-noise digital imaging system incorporating a CMOS image sensor with high S/N ratio, a gain amplifier and a 14-bit A/D converter in a compact body to deliver crisp colors, a wide dynamic range, smooth gradational transitions and noise-free shadows. Its image reproduction at high sensitivities has been greatly improved, with the wide sensitivity range of ISO 100 to ISO 12800 at default setting. Its top sensitivity can be pushed as high as ISO 51200 when expanded with a custom function.
The K-5 II features the proven PRIME II as its imaging engine, which processes 14-bit, multi-gradation image data at high speed and produces high-quality, fine-detailed images with approximately 16.28 effective megapixels that are rich in gradations and fine in resolution. With its advanced noise-reduction process, this imaging engine also helps the K-5 II attain these super-high sensitivities.
The K-5 II’s high-sensitivity noise-reduction function can be not only turned on and off, but it also offers a choice of a reduction level from low, medium and high (with an identical noise-reduction effect applied to all ISO sensitivity settings). Using a custom function, you can even assign an OFF mode or one of three reduction levels to each ISO sensitivity setting.
The user can assign an OFF mode to lower sensitivities, or one of the reduction levels to higher sensitivities, via a custom function.
The K-5 II’s imaging system converts analog image data output by its image sensor into 14-bit digital signals (4096 gradations for each RGB color), then sends them to the imaging engine as multi-gradation image data possessing four times more information than its 12-bit counterpart. Thanks to this depth of information, the K-5 II can make faithful reproductions of subtle nuances in color and gradation.