Just an update to this thread (which I created a few weeks ago).
I was all set to buy that K-50 when the K-5IIs deal at B&H ($699) popped up. After much agonizing
and evaluating the
moiré issue discussed here and elsewhere on the web (which I decided was a non-issue for me), I pulled the trigger this morning and bought the K-5IIs body. I have a few older lenses to get me started until the new Sigma 18-200 is evaluated and (if it's good enough) I buy it. I'm starting with an older Pentax KA 50mmf2 and 70-210 Vivitar Series1 (not one of the really good ones) - both manual focus, and a Sigma 28-105 f2.8-4 AE/AF. Obviously, none of this glass is great stuff but it's on the shelf (therefore, free) and, as they say, the best camera is the one you have with you.
After the earlier discussion about the K-3 vs K-50, I had determined that 16MP was quite sufficient and that any sort of video capability was a bonus and not something that would sway me. With the K-5IIs vs K-50 comparison, however, there were a few features that put check marks into the K-5IIs column. (I am mentioning this simply to provide my thoughts to others who might be considering this choice - as long as any K-5IIs units remain in stock.) YMMV, of course.
1. LCD panel on top - at least one member opined how important it was for him. I used my daughter's *istDS last weekend at the Bosque Del Apache and it did prove useful. I'm convinced.
2. Extended low light sensitivity compared to K-50. I'll take everything I can get here.
[edit: Oops; should have been more clear about this. I am referring to the extra AF range down to -3EV, the K-50 is -1EV.]
3. X-sync terminal. I use external flash with a handle/bracket and this will be nice to have (assuming I use a flash unit that doesn't require a Wein safesync). Not a deciding factor but a bonus.
4. MJPEG video. Yes; I know this might not seem to be an advantage but, with a simple re-wrap (no re-encoding) into another container, the footage is editable without the interframe compression of H264. Frame-accurate editing without having to convert to Apple Lossless or ProRes. Not a big deal as video isn't really a reason to buy a Pentax DSLR. I considered it a bonus. 25 minute max time per clip? Way more than I need. (I know the K-50 has AF during video but I've seen and
heard such videos and the result is awful IMHO. My son-in-law shoots...
...with his Canon and does manual focus for similar reasons. (The link is a quick one he did just for grins.)
5. Stereo mic input (MIA on the K-50) - Again, not a big deal but, should I want to get even a little more serious about video, this extends the useful life of the camera by giving me access to all sorts of audio equipment.
6. Interval video (missing in the K-5IIs) - Okay, I'll have to drop the time-lapse jpegs into
Zeitraffer but that's free. Not enough of an issue to worry about.
BTW, I also bought the $20 two-extra-years warranty at B&H for the Pentax and that includes one checkup/cleaning (besides the warranty).
One thing I neglected to do, however, was to use the link here at the Forums to initiate the purchase. *darn* I'll have to remember that the next time I buy.
Barry
Last edited by rumplestiltskin; 01-29-2014 at 09:11 AM.