Pentax is by no means the most prolific DSLR manufacturer, and quite how it plays its hand is not always predictable. Nevertheless, following the announcement of the mid-range K-r and confirmation of the long-awaited 645D medium format model, it seemed clear that it would soon turn its attention to something between the two, either as a replacement for or a sibling to the warmly-received Pentax K-7.

The K-5 is just that, positioned above the K-7, and when you compare the Pentax K-5 vs K-7 there are a number of revisions to to the K-5's feature set to justify its arrival. Pentax has devoted equal measure of attention to both major and minor improvements, with a new sensor and focusing system among the headlines, and a multitude of smaller customisations and refinements previously bestowed upon its other recent models.

The model comes at a time when a number of other manufacturers are updating their own lines with likely competitors, notably Olympus with its E-5 (read our Olympus E5 Review: first impressions), Canon with the EOS 60D (read our Canon 60D Review) and Nikon with the D7000 (read our Nikon D7000 Review).

When you look at the K-5 vs D7000, K-5 vs 60D and K-5 vs E5, all three offer something different, but the Pentax K-5 can comfortably list a number of features which arguably make it the most intriguing of the group.