[jogo21]

I've decided to get a K50. I actually decided a few months back based on reading many reviews and recommendations. I put it off as I was waiting for that $50 Costco savings. But now I see it cheaper on Amazon. There are 2 bundles that I'm choosing from-2 kit lens bundle (18-55 and 50-200, both wr) for $500 or 18-135 wr for $613. I was initially leaning towards 2 kit lens as it's cheaper and I have a choice of using two lens depending on occasion. But after reading several threads many recommend the 18-135 lens.

I basically need camera for family pictures. Mostly my two active children ages 5 and 9. I need camera for action pics of them playing sports (not sure if they're considered action given age), school activities in auditorium, the occasional trip to amusement parks, beaches, and zoos, and birthday parties-indoors and outdoors.

Thanks in advance for your recommendations.

[officiousbystander]

The 18-135 will be better than either kit lens and worth the extra $100. Also make sure any order is fulfilled by Amazon. A bargain is a false economy if you don't get good after sales support which could happen with a third party supplier.

[Adam]

I've decided to get a K50. I actually decided a few months back based on reading many reviews and recommendations. I put it off as I was waiting for that $50 Costco savings. But now I see it cheaper on Amazon. There are 2 bundles that I'm choosing from-2 kit lens bundle (18-55 and 50-200, both wr) for $500 or 18-135 wr for $613. I was initially leaning towards 2 kit lens as it's cheaper and I have a choice of using two lens depending on occasion. But after reading several threads many recommend the 18-135 lens.

I basically need camera for family pictures. Mostly my two active children ages 5 and 9. I need camera for action pics of them playing sports (not sure if they're considered action given age), school activities in auditorium, the occasional trip to amusement parks, beaches, and zoos, and birthday parties-indoors and outdoors.

Thanks in advance for your recommendations.

I'd likewise recommend the 18-135mm kit. The $613 deal on amazon looks legit (fulfilled by Amazon), so you should get warranty coverage:

Amazon.com : Pentax K-50 16MP Digital SLR Camera Kit with DA 18-135mm WR f3.5-5.6 Lens (Black) : Camera & Photo

[UncleVanya]

+1 for the18-135. It is more versatile and capable than either of the other lenses, and it has a nearly silent focusing system which may come in handy for candid shots.

[hcc]

Another +1 for the DA18-135mm. The K=50 + 18-135mm will do all what you need.

[jaikumarr18]

Another +1 for the DA18-135mm WR lens. I bought it bundled with K30 and its very good value and versatile.

[Tatouzou]

I have used the 18-55+55-200 bundle (early series, non WR, but same built and optical formula) for nearly 10 years. And I bought the 18-135 WR last year bundled with my K30 (same camera as K50, only difference is body styling).
My 2cts advices:

1/ K50 is the best APS-C DSLR you can buy at this price tag: excellent sensor, with high dynamic range and state of the art high ISO performance; outstanding ergonomy, with advanced functions only available on much more expensive contenders; more pixel than you need in most scenes unless you crop a lot; very good built quality, lots of in-camera JPEG tuning possibilities and very malleable raw files.

2/ the 18-135 on K30/K50 is a very efficient do-everything lens for all kind of photography: very sharp in the center, very nice colours ad contrast, well corrected CA, compact and buil like a tank, very fast silent AF. And for snapshots, thanks to its range, you always get the right lens aready mounted, ready to shoot. Only con is the corners are soft wide open and remain soft even stopped down above 70mm; thus it is not the best lens for shooting very high definition landscape or architecture details at focal lengths above 55mm (but better zoom lenses are more expensive and usually bigger). IMO, in most lanscapes, action shots or general telephoto, the 18-135 blurred edges are not an issue, they are hidden by the nice out of focus bokeh. On the other hand, Pentax choice of a very sharp center gives very pleasant punchy close-ups, with a kind of 3D subject isolation like with limited primes..

3/ the 18-55 is not better than the 18-135 between 18 and 55: stopped down, both are good and the results are very close; wide open, the 18-55 is more even, but the 18-135 is sharper in the middle. And 55mm is a little too short for many snapshots.

4/ the 50-200 is sharp from 50 to 100, has better edge sharpness than the 18-135 at focal length between 70 and 135, but is not as sharp in the center, and less contrasty. General IQ is good for the price tag, but the only moderate center sharpness needs to be helped by more accentuation in PP or JPEG tuning.

So, IMO, the 18-135 is the best choice to suit your needs. Later, you may complement your bag for a moderate budget by the DA50mm f1.8 for portrait and DA35mm f2.4 low light general scenes. Both are cheap and very sharp from corner to corner, producing high definition very contrasty pictures, and very resistant to flare.

[pepperberry farm]

I bought the K-50 with the 18-55 and 50-200mm lenses.... and wish I had done more research and bought the 18-135mm lens instead....

while the 2 kit lenses I have are good - the 18-135 would have been a better solution for me to start with...

[savoche]

I bought the K-50 with the 18-55 and 50-200mm lenses.... and wish I had done more research and bought the 18-135mm lens instead....

while the 2 kit lenses I have are good - the 18-135 would have been a better solution for me to start with...

I, too, started with the two-lens kit, but later bought the 18-135. Haven't used any of the original kit since. The 18-135 definitely is a better solution IMO.

[jogo21]

Thank you all for the very detailed responses. I do appreciate taking the time and giving me your input. Looks like the 18-135mm bundle will be a better fit for my needs.

[ramseybuckeye]

+ 1 for the DA 18-135

[UncleVanya]

I didn't elaborate and since you already know what to do it really isn't that relevant, but my first dslr was a used k100d super with the series 1 18-55, 50-200 combo. They sit on the shelf unused since I have obtained the 18-135.

[jogo21]

Thanks. Sounds like 18-135 will be able to meet most of my needs. It will be mostly in well lit places-outdoors-but plan on also to use for pics in gym, auditorium, and bday celebrations. Low light can be a challenge but with flash hopefully it will be a good alternative.

[pepperberry farm]

I, too, started with the two-lens kit, but later bought the 18-135. Haven't used any of the original kit since. The 18-135 definitely is a better solution IMO.

I bought a Sigma 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 DC that has replaced both kit lenses and has become my walk-around lens...

[scottyinfrisco]

I just got the K-50 and the 18-135mm was definitely the right choice. There was a major problem with getting this bundle... It led to getting a K-3 bundle... YMMV. LOL