Am I nuts to sell a K20D and get a closeout K5?

pentasonic49 · 06-21-2013, 02:09 PM

Originally posted by emtor

I've just upgraded from the K20d to K5, and I find the AF of the K5 to be faster and quite accurate.
Also the WB of the K20d was something I never liked, especially in artificial light conditions.
With the K5, WB seems spot on in every situation even when set to auto.
The K5 also has a wider DR which is helpful when shooting portraits.
I could never revert back to the K20d although it is a lovely camera.

The only slight problem with the K5 relative to the K10/20 is the smaller size most noticeable when you have big hands, but otherwise it's a worthwhile upgrade. K5 prices have fallen now they are discontinued.

billx2 · 06-27-2013, 10:11 AM

I've had a real hard time deciding on this. Now that the price has also dropped on the K30 (the $499 deal with the WR lens), I am weighing the previous option of the K5 with 2 WR kit lenses and the two primes from Adorama, or just get the K30 WR kit (only the 18-55 included), pickup just the DA35 2.4 separate, and keep my PKA 50 F1.7 manual lens (which I was planning to sell for ~$40). I have an SMC F 100-300 zoom, so I really don't absolutely need the 50-200WR, but it would be nice.

Overall, if I went the cheap route with the K30 WR kit, I'd save about $500. Of course, I'd be a lens short (no 50-200WR), and would be trading the DA50 F1.8, for my PKA equivalent, but I see that lens as something I wouldn't use as much other than for portraits, in which case, the old manual is probably every bit as good.

Man, its a tough one. I feel like if I settle for the K30, I will always wish I had the K5...

kenafein · 06-27-2013, 10:39 AM

Originally posted by billx2

I've had a real hard time deciding on this. Now that the price has also dropped on the K30 (the $499 deal with the WR lens), I am weighing the previous option of the K5 with 2 WR kit lenses and the two primes from Adorama, or just get the K30 WR kit (only the 18-55 included), pickup just the DA35 2.4 separate, and keep my PKA 50 F1.7 manual lens (which I was planning to sell for ~$40). I have an SMC F 100-300 zoom, so I really don't absolutely need the 50-200WR, but it would be nice.

Overall, if I went the cheap route with the K30 WR kit, I'd save about $500. Of course, I'd be a lens short (no 50-200WR), and would be trading the DA50 F1.8, for my PKA equivalent, but I see that lens as something I wouldn't use as much other than for portraits, in which case, the old manual is probably every bit as good.

Man, its a tough one. I feel like if I settle for the K30, I will always wish I had the K5...

The K-30 is superior to the K-5 in many ways, inferior in others, but I don't know if I'd consider it settling. There are a few pro features in the K-5 that you might miss, a better buffer and the build quality is superb, but the K30 has focus peaking, superior video, superior autofocus. In a year you can probably pick up a K-5 for $400 or less and have both.

**grhazelton** · 06-27-2013, 12:14 PM

Originally posted by simonkit

You absolutely wouldn't regret it...I owned the K20D and deliberated about the K5 for quite a while, my only regret is that I didn't but one earlier, far better than the K20

Simon

I went from a K10 to a K5 and never looked back. The K10 is a fine camera, excellent handling and I never faulted its image quality, but I usually considered ISO 400 to be the limit of really good quality. I continue to be amazed at the good quality of the K5 at ISOs of 1000 and better. Low light focusing is much, much better, so one can utilize the K5's expanded ISO range over that of the K10.

mikeSF · 06-27-2013, 12:53 PM

I am still thrilled with my K5. It is a fantastic camera, and was a great upgrade from the K20 I had before, and K10, and *istDL...
Price is right and those early issues (sensor) were worked out like 2 yrs ago, IIRC.
As for the button...well, mine fell off, but if you put a strip black tape over yours, you're fine. If in doubt, just pull off the button, apply a drop of super glue to the tip of the shaft and press firmly. Then add the strip of black tape, haha.
good luck!

billx2 · 07-16-2013, 03:24 PM

Well, I ended up going the less expensive route and picked up the K30/WR kit for $499. I'll keep my A50 F1.7, pick up a DA35 F2.4 and use my F 100-300 for the long reach stuff. I'll miss the top LCD, and a few of the dedicated buttons, but I'm sure I'll get over it when I see the low light performance.

wmf2012 · 07-23-2013, 01:14 AM

if you take photos on base iso and not using video, it is not worth it to upgrade as K20D is still a very good camera IMHO.

if you are using med-high iso e.g 800 and want video capability, it is worth it.

i have k20D before, sold it for K7, now i have K5 and will sell the K7. it is worth it if you can have the second one for around $500 with low shutter count.
simple, the K5 is still consider the best APS-C for high iso performance. currently i still test the iso 25600 to be acceptable for print. i passed the 12800.

07-16-2013, 03:24 PM	#36
billx2 Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Atlanta Posts: 41 Original Poster	Well, I ended up going the less expensive route and picked up the K30/WR kit for $499. I'll keep my A50 F1.7, pick up a DA35 F2.4 and use my F 100-300 for the long reach stuff. I'll miss the top LCD, and a few of the dedicated buttons, but I'm sure I'll get over it when I see the low light performance. Last edited by billx2; 07-17-2013 at 09:35 AM.

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06-21-2013, 02:09 PM	#31
pentasonic49 Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: weston-super-mare Posts: 395	Originally posted by emtor I've just upgraded from the K20d to K5, and I find the AF of the K5 to be faster and quite accurate. Also the WB of the K20d was something I never liked, especially in artificial light conditions. With the K5, WB seems spot on in every situation even when set to auto. The K5 also has a wider DR which is helpful when shooting portraits. I could never revert back to the K20d although it is a lovely camera. The only slight problem with the K5 relative to the K10/20 is the smaller size most noticeable when you have big hands, but otherwise it's a worthwhile upgrade. K5 prices have fallen now they are discontinued.

06-27-2013, 10:11 AM	#32
billx2 Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Atlanta Posts: 41 Original Poster	I've had a real hard time deciding on this. Now that the price has also dropped on the K30 (the $499 deal with the WR lens), I am weighing the previous option of the K5 with 2 WR kit lenses and the two primes from Adorama, or just get the K30 WR kit (only the 18-55 included), pickup just the DA35 2.4 separate, and keep my PKA 50 F1.7 manual lens (which I was planning to sell for ~$40). I have an SMC F 100-300 zoom, so I really don't absolutely need the 50-200WR, but it would be nice. Overall, if I went the cheap route with the K30 WR kit, I'd save about $500. Of course, I'd be a lens short (no 50-200WR), and would be trading the DA50 F1.8, for my PKA equivalent, but I see that lens as something I wouldn't use as much other than for portraits, in which case, the old manual is probably every bit as good. Man, its a tough one. I feel like if I settle for the K30, I will always wish I had the K5...

06-27-2013, 10:39 AM	#33
kenafein Veteran Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Southern California Photos: Albums Posts: 4,082	Originally posted by billx2 I've had a real hard time deciding on this. Now that the price has also dropped on the K30 (the $499 deal with the WR lens), I am weighing the previous option of the K5 with 2 WR kit lenses and the two primes from Adorama, or just get the K30 WR kit (only the 18-55 included), pickup just the DA35 2.4 separate, and keep my PKA 50 F1.7 manual lens (which I was planning to sell for ~$40). I have an SMC F 100-300 zoom, so I really don't absolutely need the 50-200WR, but it would be nice. Overall, if I went the cheap route with the K30 WR kit, I'd save about $500. Of course, I'd be a lens short (no 50-200WR), and would be trading the DA50 F1.8, for my PKA equivalent, but I see that lens as something I wouldn't use as much other than for portraits, in which case, the old manual is probably every bit as good. Man, its a tough one. I feel like if I settle for the K30, I will always wish I had the K5... The K-30 is superior to the K-5 in many ways, inferior in others, but I don't know if I'd consider it settling. There are a few pro features in the K-5 that you might miss, a better buffer and the build quality is superb, but the K30 has focus peaking, superior video, superior autofocus. In a year you can probably pick up a K-5 for $400 or less and have both.

06-27-2013, 12:14 PM	#34
grhazelton Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Jonesboro, GA Photos: Albums Posts: 1,972	Originally posted by simonkit You absolutely wouldn't regret it...I owned the K20D and deliberated about the K5 for quite a while, my only regret is that I didn't but one earlier, far better than the K20 Simon I went from a K10 to a K5 and never looked back. The K10 is a fine camera, excellent handling and I never faulted its image quality, but I usually considered ISO 400 to be the limit of really good quality. I continue to be amazed at the good quality of the K5 at ISOs of 1000 and better. Low light focusing is much, much better, so one can utilize the K5's expanded ISO range over that of the K10.

06-27-2013, 12:53 PM	#35
mikeSF Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: East Bay Area, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,622	I am still thrilled with my K5. It is a fantastic camera, and was a great upgrade from the K20 I had before, and K10, and *istDL... Price is right and those early issues (sensor) were worked out like 2 yrs ago, IIRC. As for the button...well, mine fell off, but if you put a strip black tape over yours, you're fine. If in doubt, just pull off the button, apply a drop of super glue to the tip of the shaft and press firmly. Then add the strip of black tape, haha. good luck!

07-23-2013, 01:14 AM	#37
wmf2012 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Photos: Albums Posts: 118	if you take photos on base iso and not using video, it is not worth it to upgrade as K20D is still a very good camera IMHO. if you are using med-high iso e.g 800 and want video capability, it is worth it. i have k20D before, sold it for K7, now i have K5 and will sell the K7. it is worth it if you can have the second one for around $500 with low shutter count. simple, the K5 is still consider the best APS-C for high iso performance. currently i still test the iso 25600 to be acceptable for print. i passed the 12800.