I'm considering upgrading from the Kx I've been using for the last 5 years. But I'm having a lot of internal debate, and so I thought I would post something here and see if some friendly input helps my decision making.
In January I'm moving to London (from San Francisco) for work (film industry, not photo related). I intend to shoot a lot for my own enjoyment, in London, other parts of the UK I hope to travel to, and in continental Europe, where I hope to spend some time as well. Since I'm moving in the middle of winter, wet weather is one of the reasons I'm considering upgrading. But I'd like to make my purchases here before I go since it seems like the cheaper way to go.
I've had the Kx for years and it's been a PHENOMENAL investment. I think I paid around $460 for the body + 18-55 + 55-300 lens combo. I've gotten a handful of lenses over the years, mainly using the 18-135, 40, 15 and sigma 17-70. I've loved the relatively small size and the ability to take AAs. It makes for a great travel camera.
Last year I spent 3 months traveling in South America. Before my trip I bought a K5, thinking it would be a good step up in IQ, handling, and travel functionality with the weather resistance. But I ended up returning it because I just did not like how much bigger and heavier it was.
So that brings me to my current dilemma. I would still like a WR camera body to go the 18-135 lens. And I would still like to upgrade to something with better overall IQ, better high ISO, nicer VF, and hopefully better metering. But I know I don't want a camera the size of a K5. The K5 is still pretty small compared to many others out there, but it's more than I like to lug around. Honestly, I'd actually like something SMALLER than the Kx, but I'm conflicted about changing systems and giving up the OVF.
Would a K30 or a K50 be the right fit for me? Is it close enough in size to the Kx for me? And will the IQ and VF improvement be enough to justify it?
I've also considered stepping up and buying a Sony A7. I like the size and quality combo of that camera, and the EVF on it is surprisingly good. But there just aren't enough lenses for it. Maybe in a year or two I could see buying into that system.
Here are some links to galleries of travel photos taken with the Kx (mostly... there are a few s100 shots mixed in).
Colombia 2011 (mostly Kx with sigma 17-70)
Colombia 2011 - baileybrent's Photos | SmugMug
Colombia 2012 (mostly Kx with 18-135)
Colombia 2012 - baileybrent's Photos | SmugMug
Ecuador and Peru 2012 (mostly Kx with 18-135)
Ecuador and Peru 2012 - baileybrent's Photos | SmugMug
Seattle 2013 (mostly Kx with 40/2.8)
Seattle 2013 - baileybrent's Photos | SmugMug
So, K30/K50 users, what do you think? Would a K30 or K50 be the right thing for me? Or should I just wait a year and then sell my Pentax gear for FF Sony A7 gear?
All thoughts and comments welcome and appreciated.