Backpacker Magazine – Gear Guide 2011

Gear Review: Pentax K-5 Camera

A tough DSLR that's perfect for shooting wildlife thanks to its quiet shutter.

by: Kelly Bastone

Tags:
• Cameras
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• Digital cameras
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• Camcorders
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• Gear
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DSLR
Whether you’re ready to go pro or just shoot like one, go for the Pentax K-5. It’s tough–our tester strapped it to a bumper to film his drive to the trailhead, splashed it in the Atlantic, and even dropped it into the Arkansas River. It still shoots: seven frames per second with 14 stops (great for wildly varying light, from sunrise to harsh midday sun to a backlit hiker). It shoots 1080p video, too. “And its shutter is the quietest I’ve heard,” says our photo editor, “a perfect feature for shooting wildlife.” Pair it with JOBY’s Gorillapod SLR-Zoom ($50; 14 oz.; joby.com) to create an all-terrain backcountry studio. $1,600 (body kit); 1lb. 10 oz. (body with battery); pentaximaging.com
See all "essential" reviews from the 2011 Gear Guide


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