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I am currently very tempted to buy a K-01, but also thinking it might be a stupid idea, and would appreciate people's thoughts - particularly in relation to a couple of particular points.
I have just bought a Pentax Q, and really like it. And I actually like the lack of viewfinder. With my K30 I tend to prefer using live view when using a tripod or bean bag - I also like not having to have the camera at eye level, shooting from the ground level for example without having to lie on the floor - but I also don't like live view on DSLRs compared to mirrorless cameras. (I also like focus peaking, and really like the way it works with quick shift lenses, but again this isn't as nice to use on a DSLR.)
Also, I really like my K30, but I don't like the noise. That is, not the high ISO perfomance but the loud shutter. It seems obtrusive.
The Q and the K-01 are so much quieter. The K5 is also quieter, but I found it noticeably heavier than the K30. (And the K-01 would be even lighter.)
So for these reasons I am tempted to try the K-01.
The problem is, I tried the K-01 but returned it, because I was disappointed with the AF speed.
However, I have two reasons for wondering if it is worth another try.
1) I never updated the firmware. I believe this improves the AF speed. Was this improvement significant?
2) I found the AF, more or less, okay with my prime lenses, but really wasn't happy with it with my zoom lenses. But I didn't own the 18-135 when I had the K-01. But it is recommended to be used with the K-01 here
Pentax K-01 Lens Guide - Photographic Articles - PentaxForums.com - is AF with this lens as quick as with the primes? (I have the DA40 XS and the DA 70.)
Alternatively, I might give up zooms completely and get the DA 15.
I can't justify spending any more really, so buying the K-01 would mean selling the K30, and buying the DA 15 would mean selling the 18-135.
(And if I want something like the flexibility of a zoom, I could always carry the K-01 and the Q - and would probably still be lighter than the K30 with the 18-135.)
Do I really want to give up my 18-135 though?
Any thoughts appreciated, but especially if you have answers to my two questions above.