[rp_dxn]

Hello, i need your suggestions and advise. I have already a Pentax K30 and currently loving it.
Now, i thought of having a 2nd DSLR. Can you suggest one that can surpass k30 in terms of Image Quality?
If possible, those bodies that have 14bit raw. Im thinking of K50, but it seems theyre very identical.
K5II, but cant really appreciate the value, very pricey. So maybe, ill go with canon or nikon? D7000 maybe?


Looking forward to your responses guys.

[Na Horuk]

Hey, glad you are enjoying your camera!
The K-30 and K-50 are almost identical, only different looks. The image quality between the two will be indistinguishable.
The K-5 and K-5II will have slightly better photos, because it has higher bit depth. But this will be a very small difference - I think there are some threads about K-30 and K-5 comparisons, just use the search function.
The K-5IIs will be even better, because it has no AA filter. This means it produces sharper photos. But it also costs a lot.
The surprise is that the K-01 is also missing the AA filter and has spectacular image quality. But it is not a DSLR - it is mirrorless. It is a great camera and doesnt cost much. And it can use any Pentax lenses, just like a DSLR. If you are lucky, you can get a yellow one.

Buying a Nikon would make sense, if you buy one that costs over $1600. Plus lenses. Otherwise, the K-5IIs is the better choice. The other problem with buying Nikon is that the lenses will not be compatible between brands. It is better to buy Canon, because you can at least use Pentax lenses on Canon bodies with an adapter (you still lose some automation). But it is best to stick with just one brand - unless you have the budget and storage space to buy duplicate lenses.

[Spodeworld]

I have a K30, Nikon d7000 and nikon 5100. The Nikons are great too. If you don't need all the bells and whistles, you can get the d5100 pretty cheaply now, and it uses the same sensor as the nikon d7000, pentax k30 and pentax k5s. But, why not get a K5.

[Spodeworld]

Na Horik. R u sure the K01 doesn't have an AA filter? First I'm hearing about it.

[felixkh]

14 bit RAW will be K5, K5II, K5IIs

[rp_dxn]

Thanks fo the responses so far. My budget would be not more than $1000. $800 would be best. Tempted to consider k-01 but i need a dslr
for k5, k5II and K5IIs, ive been reading a lot of comparison reviews vs the k30, but the price difference is quite a punch considering there is really no big leap from k30 to k5IIs in terms of Image quality. (maybe im wrong)

As an enthusiast, do i really need a second dslr?

[Pablom]

A second with a different mount makes no sense, unless you plan on using them separately.
In terms of image quality neither you or me or anyone can see the difference between your K-30 and any of the other more expensive bodies.

[Pablom]

As an enthusiast, do i really need a second dslr?

It depends on what you want to do with it. So what is it you want to do with it that you can't do with what you have?

[rp_dxn]

Thanks! Good point. hmmm whats the cheapest pentax dslr body with 14bit raw thats has a good reputation of having very good quality images?

K-30 = i want to use it as my primary all rounder
2nd dslr = ill use it on special occasions and landscape.

Thanks guys

[tuggie76]

As an enthusiast, do i really need a second dslr?

When I bought my K30 I kept my K200, and although it spends 90% of the time on the shelf there are times when it is great to have a different lens available without having to change in the field and risk getting dirt in the camera. Also, on a recent night shoot my K30 locked up after a lot of exposures, I just pulled out my trusty K200 and carried on!

Tuggie 76

[felixkh]

I have 2 K30 bodies

[Na Horuk]

Na Horik. R u sure the K01 doesn't have an AA filter? First I'm hearing about it.

There are threads comparing it to the original K-5, and the K-01 produces sharper photos, because it has no mirror vibrations and AA filter is either very very weak or missing entirely.

And you already have a DSLR, the second body can easily be mirrorless. The K-01 offers almost anything a DSLR does, just not the speed (burst mode, PD AF, ..). But yeah, these are kind of hard to get in non-Asian markets lately

[jatrax]

Thanks! Good point. hmmm whats the cheapest pentax dslr body with 14bit raw thats has a good reputation of having very good quality images?

If you require 14bit RAW then the k-5 is the only answer. Available used for $500 - 600usd. The k-5II has an improvement in low light AF but is other wise identical. There have been a few reports of k-5II's or K-5IIs's at prices within your budget. Look here for example: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-price-watch/238786-k5-lls-amazon-price.html

You don't list where you are from so pricing may be different there but that is an amazing price for what you get.

[carrrlangas]

why do you want something better than the K-30. How is that camera limiting you?

[rp_dxn]

12bit raw. I need 14bit raw somethng that has more info for post post processing...