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Pentax has announced its 2012 flagship DSLR siblings, the K-5 II and K-5 IIs. Both camera models feature a 16.28-megapixel CMOS image sensor, a 3.0-inch LCD display, Pentax’s PRIME II imagine engine, a newly designed Autofocus sensor for more accurate performance with faster lenses, a 1/8000 per second top shutter speed, 7 frames-per-second high-speed burst shooting, 9 image modes and 18 built-in digital filters. Both cameras are also dustproof, thanks to 77 special body seals, and weather-resistant, good for reliable operation down to 14°F (-10°C).

Other built-in gadgetry includes their SR (shake reduction) mechanism to prevent camera shake from blurring photos and video recording, a dust reduction (DR II) mechanism to keep that CMOS sensor particle-free, an electronic level, and an extremely long batter life (approx 980 shots per full charge).

So, what’s difference between the K-5 II and the K-5 IIs?

The IIs will cost about $100 more (body only) than the II because the IIs “is offered without an anti-aliasing filter, which is commonly found in many DSLRs to smooth computer generated imagery by decreasing high frequencies and distortion, but adversely reduces detail resolution. Without this filter, the K-5 IIs creates deeply rich, detailed imagery at supreme resolution levels.” Pentax says this is better for professional photographers who typically shoot indoors and have greater control over lighting conditions.

Pentax K-5 II features

• 16.28-megapixel CMOS image sensor (23.7mm x 15.7mm)
• 3.0-inch (921K dots) LCD display
• PRIME II imaging engine
• ISO 100 – 12800 (standard); ISO 80 – 51200 (custom)
• A new, highly-sensitive AF (Auto Focus) sensor
• Dustproof and Weather-resistant – 77 special body seals & reliable operation down to 14°F (-10°C)
• 1/8000 per second top shutter speed (good for 100K shutter releases)
• Pentax SR (Shake Reduction) mechanism
• 100-percent field of view viewfinder
• High-speed Burst Shooting at 7 frames pers second (in JPEG mode, max of 30 frames)
• 9 Images Modes (including Bleach Bypass)
• 18 Built-in Digital Filters (including Sketch and Posterization)
• Electronic Level
• CTE mode (automatically adjusts white balance)
• DR II (Dust Removal II) mechanism
• Dynamic Range Expansion Function
• RAW Data Retrieve Function (saves the RAW files of a recently-recorded JPEG image)
• RAW/Fx button
• Long battery life (approx 980 images per charge)

Pentax K-5 IIs features

• The Pentax K-5 IIs is identical to the K-5 II in terms of features and performance with one exception. It has no anti-aliasing filter.

The Pentax K-5 II will be available this October (2012) in three forms. The body-only version will retails for $1,199.95, while the the DA 18-55mm kit and the DA 18-135mm kits will set you back $1,349.95 and $1,549.95, respectively.

The Pentax K-5 IIs will be available in October as well, in a body-only package, for $1,299.95.