Camera Labs

I would like some advice about which Pentax DSLR I should buy.
First of all I had a new Nikon D60 two lens kit for the past 6 months or so and I just sold it. I did enjoy using it but I wished that it had live view at times and I wished it would allow me to tweak some of the other settings in the camera. Also it looks like Nikon has stopped production of the D60. Before I bought my Nikon I was really wanting to get a Pentax K200D but I could not find one locally. I really liked the weather sealed body and the in camera RAW processing and other features the K200D has. I also think Pentax has the very good optics. To me from what I have seen in the reviews all over the internet the Pentax and the Nikons take the best photos. (I mean photos not edited in PS etc)
Also my father bought a new K1000 35mm and some lenses back in the day years ago. He has given me this K1000 and lenses they are all made in Japan and seem very well made.
Also my father has K110D DSLR that I have been using since I sold my Nikon. I really enjoy shooting with this K110D. I like the features that it allows me to make such as custom white balance, image adjustments and filters and others. I like the K110D more than my Nikon D60. Also I will say I don't care if the camera shoots video or not. I don't buy a still camera for shooting video I think this idea is really dumb but I know this is something that really sells.

So now this time I really want to buy a Pentax camera. I'm looking at the K2000/KM two lens kit. I can find the K2000 at some local stores but I think they have the older AL lenses not the new AL II. Also I'm thinking about the K20D body only and using the old Pentax lenses and the 18-55 mm that is on my dads K110D. Then buy new lenses as soon as I get an idea of what I want. Also I notice B&H has the K20D with some other Pentax lenses but that takes me up to near or above the $1000 price. I feel that if I'm going to spend that much maybe I should just go for the new K-7.

K2000 things I like.
I like the price
I like the smaller size of the camera
I like the newer Pentax menu system
And its one of the newer Pentax cameras
I like that it runs off of AA batteries

K2000 things I don't link
No live view (But I can live with out it)
CCD sensor I don't know how this camera will do in low light with out flash.
Build quality no weather sealing or alloy body all plastic.
Its the bottom of the line entry level DSLR I'm not sure how long it will be before wishing I bought the K20 or K7
I've read where AF light only lights up in the center. Does this mean you cant choose your own AF point?

K20D things I like
Live view
CMOS sensor
Build quality and weather sealing
Seems more like a pro camera
I like the other in camera features and settings
K20D things I don't like
Out of production
The 14MP sensor and noise and hot pixels I don't know if this is a problem or not.
Also because of the sensor I might have to get the best lenses to really get the best from the sensor. I also don't really think I need 14MP sensor I'm happy with the 6.1 MP sensor on my dads K110D. I don't plan on making big photo prints.
The live view wile it does have it I which it could display shooting information, A live histogram etc but I guess you cant.
Slower AF I hear the K2000 and the K7 are faster.

K7 things I like
Fast AF
live view
Build quality and size
Pentaprism viewfinder with 100% coverage
The 3 inch nice LCD
Its a current model

K7 things I don't like
Video mode this really something I don't use and does me really no good.
I just hope that most of the price of the K7 is not just for its video recording.
The price is a little more than I want to spend at the moment but I could do it.
Also I worry this camera may be more that what I really need. I'm not a pro and I don't plan on buying $1000 plus lenses etc.


I mostly just take photos of airplanes, landscapes, sunsets and sun rises, birds and other wild life. Also I like to take night photos of city lights and Christmas lights at Christmas time.

I see that Sony and Canon announced new cameras. Dose Pentax have anything coming up? Should I wait and see of they bring out a updated K2000 or a new K30D or something?
Also I wish Pentax would marked there cameras in the stores more. It would be really nice to be able to walk in some place and buy and K7 or K20.
I hope Pentax fixes there marketing and adds more DSLR cameras. As of now Pentax is down to just two the K7 and the K2000 I hope this is not the end.

Well if you are looking for live-view and you are correct that the K20D has a gnerally slower AF than the K2000 or K-7, but that is because the K2000s AF system is very basic (5 points and without AF confirmation) and the K-7 has much better AF algorithims (basically another light/color unit will "guess" the AF. basically like moving the MF ring to somewhere near the point and then letting the AF move that little bit).

I think the Pentax K-7 will be the flagship for a while until maybe next or 2 years from now. From what I am hearing, the K200D shall be replaced (or the K-m) and maybe another model will be released.

Honestly, at the prices the K20D is at, it is a great deal. Considering that it was competing (and still is) with the D300 at $1200 and $1800 two years ago and now is 1/3 the price of a new D300s, it truly is a STEAL at the price. Yes the live-view system isn't the best but it is a very capable camera. Although if you can afford it, the K-7 is a great deal too.

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Samsung GX-10, , SA 18-55mm
Canon 5D Mark II, 40D, EF 17-40mm f/4 L, EF 24-105mm L IS, EF 50mm f/1.4

www.flickr.com/glxlr

http://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/phot ... glass.html

He is selling a barely used K-7 for about $1100. To buy it you have to become a member and then become a site supporter through the donation system. I hardly call it donation though...

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Samsung GX-10, , SA 18-55mm
Canon 5D Mark II, 40D, EF 17-40mm f/4 L, EF 24-105mm L IS, EF 50mm f/1.4

www.flickr.com/glxlr

K20d is the best of the buck camera right now, but for ultimate best, K7

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RadiantLite - Cameras and Lenses Comparison Reviews, buying guide, photo taking techniques and other tips
My Portfolio - Some photos from my work

I'd advise you to try and not compromise on your camera choice, and to, essentially, get the best equipment that your money can buy right now. If you've already had/used/enjoyed the Nikon D60 and you know you're into photography and likely to continue with your hobby, then try and make the investment in nice equipment.

If you're willing to forego live view for the k-m, there's no reason you shouldn't be looking into the K200D. It's a higher-level, more capable camera.

It's true that the K20D is an incredible deal right now, but it's also outshone by the K7. The K20D is a good camera, but the K7 has a faster AF system, improved live view, and a much faster continuous shooting rate, among other features. The K20D is also extremely hefty. You can likely find the K7 kit, possibly even a two-lens kit with some extras, on Ebay right now for ~$1200. The kit lens with the K7 is weather sealed, too, which will add to the ruggedness of your set-up.

Essentially, you have four choices:

Go with the K-M. A lower-end, entry-level camera without weather-proofing, tough build, or live view.

Choose the K200D. A slightly-higher-than-entry-level dslr, with weather-proofing and tough build, but without live view.

Choose the K20D. A mid-range dslr with tough build, weather-proofing, more advanced features/controls than the K200D, more mp than the K200D, and a rudimentary live view system. A good deal right now, but has a hefty body and a slow-ish AF system.

Invest in the K7, with a smaller body than the K20D, but with more advanced features and improved handling, AF, and live view, a weather-proofed body and kit lens, and a lot of room to grow.

Honestly, if I could do it over again, I would likely have invested more initially and gotten a more advanced camera. It's hard to tell when you start out whether or not you'll enjoy photography, but after only 7 months with my K200D I'm starting to feel the need for an upgrade.

In the end, the decision is yours. Good luck, and let us know how you get on. Espeically if you choose the K7. I'm dying to know what it's really like in practice.

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Nikon D300 / 35mm f1.8 / 300mm f4 / TC-14E II
Pentax K200D / DA 18-55mm / DA 55-300mm
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