[plock]

Hi I am considering buying a second hand Pentax DSLR and could use some ideas from people.My question is;should I buy a K-3 (VG condition with 16,000 actuations) and a 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 AL WR lens for $475 or a
k-s2 body (mint condition with 190 actuations) plus a Sigma AF 17-50mm F2.8 DC EX HSM (Excellent condition) for $540?

[FozzFoster]

k-s2 body

At that price and lens I'd vote for the K-S2 and the Sigma! - I own the K-S2 myself and it is a really good camera!

Would this be your first camera?

[hcc]

The K-3 is a more sturdy body. 16,000 actuations are nothing IMO. The lens are different, with the Sigma 17-50mm being a higher grade lens than the DA18-55mm. But lenses can always be purchased later.

I would go for the K-3.My 5 cents.

[SSGGeezer]

I would lean towards the K-3 just for the build quality.

[maw]

The K3 is tested for 200,000 actuations, and in my opinion is more professional (I have the K3II), 24 mpx against 20 mpx,
you can buy the lenses even after, although to start the 18-55mm is not bad, you must be able to use it,
the only advantage for the KS-2 is the fact that it has the Sigma 18-50 F/2.8 DC EX HSM (very good).
The choice is yours.

[pakinjapan]

Me too, vote for K3

[aslyfox]

Welcome to the forums

if this helps

here is a side by side comparison

Pentax K-3 vs. Pentax K-S2 - Pentax Camera Comparison - PentaxForums.com

an in depth reviews of the Pentax

Pentax-DA 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 WR Review - Introduction | PentaxForums.com Reviews

and the Sigma

DA* 16-50mm vs. Sigma and Tamron 17-50mm F2.8 Comparison Review - Introduction | PentaxForums.com Reviews

I hope I got the lenses correct

[Larrymc]

Hi I am considering buying a second hand Pentax DSLR and could use some ideas from people.My question is;should I buy a K-3 (VG condition with 16,000 actuations) and a 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 AL WR lens for $475 or a
k-s2 body (mint condition with 190 actuations) plus a Sigma AF 17-50mm F2.8 DC EX HSM (Excellent condition) for $540?

Go for the K-3 its much more feature rich than the K-S2 and in the long run is much more user friendly. The K-3 is much more of a high end enthusiast's camera that the K-S2. The K-3 has a higher capacity battery and dual card slots and more "Pro" features.

Larry

[kernos]

Go with Pentax flagship products. They're likely to be around years from now.

[mikesbike]

The K-3 is a fine camera, but my question is how good is the deal at $400? That is if the used kit lens is worth about $75. And what does VG condition mean? How much would one with low use in excellent or mint condition be?

The K-S2 can produce very fine results. I have one as well as the KP and K-5 IIs. One great thing about it is that in my opinion it is the most advanced body while being that lightweight and small, and it is very good for low light work- I love it. So if mint with only 190 actuations, you are essentially getting a new camera. Since the exceptionally fine Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 DC EX HSM is now selling discounted $300 off by B&H for $369, that means you'd be getting the (virtually new) K-S2 for about $170!

At that savings, you might find another better deal on an excellent condition K-3 in the future, and like me, you'd have an ultra-lightweight alternative when you need light carrying with a smaller lens, or very fine lightweight backup, plus the heavier-weight K-3.

[pepperberry farm]

take a look in the Marketplace here for a good used K-3 - you'll find a better deal than either of those...

[Ronald Oakes]

Just keep in mind....the K-S2 has a articulating screen. The K-3 Doesn't !
That's one feature I simply wont live without.

[Canada_Rockies]

Add my vote for the K-3. It just feels right in my hands with the grip on it. It takes great pictures. When in a panic, even Green mode takes pictures that can be enhanced in post processing. 24 Megapixels is plenty.

[plock]

I used to shoot a lot of film, for 35mm I used Nikons mainly F4 ,F2 and FE and I also have a Bronica Etrsi setup but my first ever camera owned was a Pentax K1000 that I bought in the late 70s with lawn mowing and paper route money.When Nikon stopped making Ektachrome I sold the F4 and all the AF lenses I had.

I have never owned a DSLR but have had a few different point and shoot digital cameras the best was a Lumix that was like 8mp and had a Leica lens.

[bwgv001]

take the K3