Originally posted by Rupert The D700 is on Amazon for $1199...the K5 for $1599. You don't need to be a Rocket Scientist to figure this one out....the Nikon will trounce the K5. Someone might want to mention to Hoya that there is a worldwide recession in progress, Nikon is much better well known that Pentax, and $400 is a lot of cash difference to the majority of people worldwide.
Originally posted by JohnBee Don't forget the simplest most obvious....
You get what you pay for
Just looking at the two systems makes it pretty obvious.
However the advantages don't stop at the ergonomics either... The K-5 earns its keep where it matters most.... by besting even the D700 in the process...
So from where I stand, I think Pentax is doing the right thing by taking the high road.
But for the price conscience onces, theres always the K-r option...
I'm with John on this one. K-5>D700. If I had no investment in either system, and I was looking at both those cameras, at the prices you gave, I would still buy the K-5. It's very likely that the K-5 will best the D700 in the ISO realm. It has more megapixels, FPS is essentially the same, build quality is better, weather sealing is better, size and weight is better, it shoot video.
But the biggest thing, is the size and weight. Those are worth money, people! I come from the outdoor industry, where people will pay 2-3 times the price for a sleeping bag that is just a few ounces lighter and packs just a wee bit smaller. Size and weight are important factor and it costs money to build something at the same quality, with the same feature into a smaller package with less weight. If the 7D and the K-5 were identical in every way, except for the bodies themselves, I would be willing to pay more for the K-5 since it is significantly lighter, smaller, better sealed, tougher and has way better ergonomics. That's all valuable stuff that no one likes to think about, because we all get too caught up measurebating whizbangs.