[2] Externally, the camera body is almost unchanged from the Pentax K-7 (the mode dial on the left side is slightly higher).

The main improvements compared to the previous model are higher light sensitivity (ISO range between 80 and 51,200, high ISO performance with improved noise control); an increase in sensor resolution by nearly two megapixels; and an all-new autofocus subsystem, SAFOX IX+.

[3] Consistent with previous Pentax models, there are many small improvements as well: The K-5 can record video at 1080p full HD as well as at lower resolutions using the motion JPEG codec.

Videos can be recorded at the following resolutions and frame rates: DxO Labs gave the 16.3 MP Sony-built sensor a score of 82.

One of the major factors was shadow noise and dynamic range (in raw mode, to bypass in-camera processing).