Heavily Abused Camera… Five Years Later!

[@davidstorm4015]

I've owned and used Pentax DSLR's for many years, they have been through rain, snow, hail and ice and have never let me down. The only time I had a water related issue was with a K-x, but that camera is not weather-sealed so I should not have let it get wet. I have a K-5 with 100,000 clicks, paint is battered and bruised, some writing worn off the buttons, but guess what - it still works perfectly and takes great pictures.

[@kiwijonowilson]

About 6 years ago I dropped tested my K-x complete with a DA-L 55-300 on it - unintentionally. It fell on to a bare concrete floor from > 0.5m (~ 2ft) to my absolute horror! I was probably just lucky with the way it fell but I was amazed that it barely made a mark on the lens or camera (just a couple of tiny scuffs that became unnoticeable over time) and it all worked fined. Even a few years later no problems. The K-x has moved on to make way for a K-5, K-01 and then K-1 but I still have the DA-L 55-300 and it performs just fine.

[@RickMentore]

It was painful watching you abuse this camera! I love Pentax color science, their reliability and their old fashion style. I just hope they weather their financial storm and continue making quality cameras.

[@DW7887]

I´ve "drop tested" my K-70..on accident..only minor cosmetic damage, nothing more. One reason I enjoy using Pentax ;-)

[@Clodrock]

I know Pentax weather-sealed DSLRs and lenses are built like tanks but I've never treated my K5, K3 or KP (or my WR lenses) like what I just saw. However, it's reassuring to know that they can indeed take that kind of abuse. I don't think any manufacturer makes their cameras as rugged as Pentax makes theirs. Just look at the battery door and memory card slot door on the K3!

[@northof-62]

K-5 is my only true friend in adverse weather . Never failed beat. I have pro Canons and Nikons too but they state the operating lowest temp. to be 0 °C as opposed to Pentax' -15 °C. A nice all-weather lens is the WR 18-135mm

[@computerartclub]

Wow... You are a brave but also very cruel man. Someone put that camera into foster care! Seriously though, thank you for putting the camera to the test so that others can make a more informed choice. That K-S2 looks like a pretty sturdy model.

[@AlbertSiegel]

Yes, I was surprised how well it stood up back then. I'm still impressed the camera works like new even now five years later. There are few other cameras I would have this level of confidence in. I feel the sealing is every bit as good as the old Olympus E-1 or Canon 1 series I used to own. I had total confidence in the build and reliability of those cameras just as much as I do this one.

[@Dark_Viking]

Long lives the Pentax ))) This was mad and cool at the same time!

[@sulev111]

Yes, very reliable... a big chunk of their cameras have "aperture block failure" bug, that includes your KS2. I find these "tests" a little silly. Do the same things to other cameras for comparisons, you'll find they all will survive. If you want to push the weathersealing and show how it's better than others, put the cameras underwater. My K50 survived over 2 minutes underwater swimming and taking pictures. Still works today. Secondly the drop test... on mud. I dropped my A7III today on a forest road covered with snow from 1,5m. I think all cameras should at minimum survive that. On the other hand I have seen many cameras including Pentax that have been dropped on concrete, that's where you start seeing a difference.

[@AlbertSiegel]

I would love to test other cameras the same way, but that is beyond my budget. If you are willing to provide me with a camera of your choice to make a similar abuse video, I will happily do it. I too would be interested in the result.

[@paulsebring5326]

Nice video! You're a brave man!

[@Needacreate]

And that's not even one of their flagship models, mind you. It's what they mean when they advertise their DSLRs as field cameras. (That said, be kind to your gear. It will reward you.)

[@StaffViet2009]

No aperture block problem too? Damn, you are lụcky

[@AlbertSiegel]

I guess so. The camera has never given me a single problem at all. I'm planning to buy the new K-3 Mark III when it hits stores, but will keep this K-S2 until it dies. It's a great camera and a nice light-weight option for when I don't need what the higher-end models offer.