The Pentax K-5 II s (2012) is the AA-filterless variant of the K-5 II — a 16.3 MP weather-sealed APS-C DSLR with 92 sealing points and a rated shutter life of 100,000 actuations. The shutter count is embedded in PEF RAW files and readable via ExifTool or the camera menu. Drop a PEF or DNG file into the tool, or follow the ExifTool steps below.
Check Shutter Count →Announced in November 2012 alongside the standard K-5 II, the Pentax K-5 II s is mechanically and electronically identical to its sibling in every respect except one: the optical low-pass (anti-aliasing) filter has been removed from the sensor stack. Without the AA filter, the K-5 II s can resolve finer detail at the pixel level, making it particularly suited to landscape, macro, product, and architectural photography where moiré from repetitive patterns is rarely an issue. Both cameras use the same 16.3 MP Sony-manufactured APS-C CMOS sensor, PRIME II processor, SAFOX X+ 11-point AF system, and magnesium alloy body with 92 weather and dust seals.
Pentax rates the K-5 II s shutter at 100,000 actuations, consistent with the K-5 II and the K-7 before it.
| Model | Release | Sensor | Rated Shutter Life | RAW Format | AA Filter |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pentax K-5 II s | 2012 | 16.3 MP APS-C CMOS | 100,000 | PEF / DNG | None |
| Pentax K-5 II (sibling) | 2012 | 16.3 MP APS-C CMOS | 100,000 | PEF / DNG | Standard |
| Pentax K-3 (successor) | 2013 | 24.35 MP APS-C CMOS | 200,000 | PEF / DNG | Simulated |
exiftool -ShutterCount yourfile.PEF) or check directly in the camera menu. DNG output from the K-5 II s is supported in the browser tool.
The K-5 II s stores the cumulative shutter count in every PEF RAW file’s MakerNote. Although PEF is not yet supported in the shuttercount.app browser tool for count extraction, it is reliably readable with ExifTool.
exiftool -ShutterCount yourfile.PEF in a terminal or command prompt. Returns the exact lifetime count.Pentax shutters have a reputation for exceeding their rated life under normal use. A K-5 II s with 60,000 actuations is not necessarily approaching failure — but it should be priced to reflect its use relative to the 100,000-actuation rating.
| Actuation Count | % of Rated Life | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| 0 – 15,000 | 0 – 15 % | Very low use — near new |
| 15,000 – 40,000 | 15 – 40 % | Low to moderate use — good buy |
| 40,000 – 70,000 | 40 – 70 % | Moderate to high use — inspect carefully |
| 70,000 – 90,000 | 70 – 90 % | High use — negotiate on price |
| 90,000 + | 90 %+ | Near rated life — budget for shutter replacement |
The K-5 II s offers measurably sharper fine detail in controlled shooting scenarios — landscapes, architecture, product photography, and studio work. In practice, the difference requires a close pixel-level comparison at 100% to see clearly. For general photography, sports, or any situation with varied subject types (including fabric and fine-grained surfaces where moiré can appear), the standard K-5 II is often the safer and more versatile choice. On the used market, the K-5 II s typically commands a slight premium despite being otherwise identical.
The K-5 II s inherits the K-5 II’s 92-point weather and dust sealing, including seals around every button, the battery door, card slot cover, and lens mount. This makes it suitable for shooting in rain and dusty conditions. Verify that seals are intact by looking for cracking or hardening of the rubber at vulnerable points around the body, particularly if the body is more than a decade old.
The Pentax K-3 (2013) succeeded the K-5 II and K-5 II s, adding a 24.35 MP sensor, a unique AA simulation feature (electronically replicating an AA filter on demand via piezoelectric sensor movement), and a 200,000-actuation rated shutter. For buyers prioritising resolution and shutter durability, the K-3 is a natural next step.
Use ExifTool: exiftool -ShutterCount yourfile.PEF. Or navigate to MENU → Set-up → Camera Information on the camera. DNG files from the K-5 II s can also be dropped into shuttercount.app.
Pentax officially rates the K-5 II s shutter at 100,000 actuations — the same as the K-5 II. Many bodies exceed this in normal use.
Yes — 92 weather and dust seals, rated to −10°C. It accepts all K-mount lenses, including weather-resistant (WR) variants for a fully sealed system.
The K-5 II s uses the Pentax K-mount and accepts virtually all K-mount lenses produced since 1975, including modern DA, DA*, D FA, and D FA* lenses as well as legacy FA and A lenses with varying feature levels. Weather-resistant shooting requires a WR (weather-resistant) lens on the body.