[lazarustx]

Hello,
Let' me first say that I love Pentax and I love my K1. However, I recently dropped my K1 and while its getting repaired, I've had some time to think about what to do for a backup camera.

While I love my K1, it isn't a party camera and my friends won't touch it considering everyone is used to their phones for pictures.

So I've been considering a high end P&S. I've been eyeing the Sony RX100 MK7 P&S and the specs are pretty nice. I love that the screen can be used to take Selfies and that it is small/light and AF is fast, and a 24-200mm lens. Very nice. It also has a nice little built in view finder.

I recently rented the Ricoh GRIII and while I like the size/fit, I wasn't real keen on the fixed lens, fixed screen, and no EFV so its difficult to shot images in bright light.

So this brings me back to my original question...Would any of you K-70 users that that I could use the K-70 with a wide angle lens and use it as a large P&S?
- It has built in flash if I need it
- It is small enough to fit in one hand
- It has the articulating screen (group) selfies
- and I can use any of my DA and FA lens on it as a real backup to my K1.

Price wise
GRIII $900
Sony RX100 MK7 $1300
K-70 $650 (new) $400 used


Note 1: As a hobby I mainly shoot Macro with my K1 and I feel like heavy cameras are easier to keep steady. So I'm weary of a light P&S, but I know I could get used to a light camera...
Note 2: I have short hands so I'll need to find a wide lens for the K-70 with a very short focusing distance.


OK. I'll take any criticism, encouragement, or questions.

Thanks!

Rodney

[aslyfox]

consider what is available to rent so you can figure out what you want to buy

Information on Businesses that offer cameras and lenses for rent - Page 3 - PentaxForums.com

and LensRental has a special running

Discount Code from LensRental.com good for one use until December 31 - PentaxForums.com

[bertwert]

If I were in your shoes, I'd get a K-70, as then you have a decent 'serious' backup body, and it sounds like you're trying to convince yourself you want it (which you do ).

As far as a close-up wide angle lens, look no further than the 10-17 fisheye, it can focus really close (pretty much touching the front of the lens) and you get some really fun goofy selfies with it, fitting everyone in. I just took a bunch of them right now seeing if it works (with a K-50), and I find holding it is no problem, and even without a screen I could get me in there nicely with the fisheye. You could get the K-70 and 10-17 cheaper used than any of those options new. Another camera to consider might the be K-S2, as it could be cheaper used... you can check the compare tool here: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-cameras-compared/?c1=Pentax+K-70&c2=Pentax+K-S2

[ramseybuckeye]

To me the K-70 is a no brainer to me, but that’s me. There’s no way I could spend 1300 for a p&s, but you’re not using my money. I would get the K-70 and a 15 or 21, a very small combo. But if you really just want to shoot party shots, pull out the cell phone.

[VSTAR]

I had the RX100 mk5. I have a K1. I wanted the RX 100 when travelling and did not want a bulky camera. I could not get used to the RX100, could just be me. Going from Pentax I couldn’t get used to the menu system, or the VF, and did not get the photo results I wanted. Had a GR IV and loved the camera and the results. Considered a GRIII. At the last minute I was able to do a private trade for my RX100.

IMHO if you want a pocketable P&S then GRIII would be a great choice.

[timb64]

My personal opinion,if your friends were "intimidated" by the K1 a K70 is only marginally less daunting to a "non photographer".

If you have the cash to burn a P&S is the obvious solution,my own back up is a Mk 1 RX100 and it gives really acceptable results otherwise the suggestion above to just go with your phone.

How much are you trying to justify to yourself getting a K70??

[johnha]

An expensive P&S isn't a party camera in my book, back in the film days mine was a Zoom 90WR (the WR saved it from being wrecked at numerous parties).

Neither would a DSLR be a party camera for non-photographers (to big, too specialised). You'd probably need a new wide angle for the crop sensor too.

Better off using one of the Ricoh WG range: tough, waterproof, trendy and come in bright colours.

[MrB1]

Some might be disappointed to see the GR III and RX100 described as 'P&S' cameras, but surely any camera can be used as a P&S? It would appear that you want and need a K-70 (an excellent camera) as the backup for your own photography. For a 'party camera' perhaps consider pairing the K-70 with a DA 21, and set it to Green Auto Mode when you pass it over to one of your friends to take a shot; if that does not give you the results you want, you could create your own 'auto mode' setup and save it as one of the User Modes for your friends to use.

Philip

[noelpolar]

I'll probably get a black Fuji X100v at some stage for this purpose.... and I already have a KP and DA21.... go figure.

[Papa_Joe]

Sorry, to be so blunt, but the K-70 will not do the job.
The K-70 is no point and shoot. Real point and shoot is a complete other way of taking pictures and the K-70 is not suited for it.

If you need a backup for the K-1 the K-70 is a good choice.
If you are really into point and shoot, witch means you point the camera and shoot, the RX 100 III is completely sufficient, if you need a fiewfinder (try it at the dealer).
If you can get around without viewfinder consider a good phone as well.
If you need a more sophisticated, smaller camera, go for a mFT or even a Sony 6xxxx. But, why then did you buy your K-1?

As you already had a GR III, you will have got a glimpse of what P&S means. A very simple to use, compact camera to report your life. No fiddling around with Av, Tv, shadow recovery, AF-S, AF-C. You just trust the camera in program mode (plus exposure compensation) and shoot. If that is not your way, the more expensive compacts with all the additional possibilities, are not for you. You will always wish you had your K-1 in your hands, which is much simpler to use. These feature laden P&S are complicated.

Just one more advice on focal length on a P&S. There is not much use for more then 120 mm on a real compact. You can not hold it steady without support.

I have a K-70, after owning several film SLR, a istD* and a K10D. And I am shooting 90% of my pictures with P&S cameras. They are just good at reporting your life.

[surfar]

Price wise
GRIII $900
Sony RX100 MK7 $1300
K-70 $650 (new) $400 used

Why not consider the Panasonic zs200,7-800ish dollars.24-360 zoom,stabilised body able to process raws in camera and plenty of other neat features.

[savoche]

OK. I'll take any criticism, encouragement, or questions.

My thoughts:
- if you want a backup for the K-1 -> K-70 (or KP)
- if you want a truly pocketable "jack-of-all-trades, master of none" -> RX100 (but try one to see if the controls make sense to you)
- if you want a (nearly) pocketable system camera -> K-70 (or KP) - or maybe one of the smaller µ4/3 bodies

Smaller sensors are generally worse in low light, of course. And smaller bodies usually don't have as nice controls. Some of them rely on touch screens and menu diving. I definitely prefer physical buttons (then again, even though my Panasonic GX80 does have physical buttons they are hard to find by touch, and some of them are rather awkwardly placed).

I would also advise to test the viewfinder on the RX100 (or other small camera with an EVF). These small electronic viewfinders are not all good, and they tend to be placed very close to the edge of the camera making them not much better than the screen in bright light.

I love my GR (II) and live quite well with the limitations, but it's more a companion to the K-1 than a backup. The controls are within easy reach of thumb and index finger and are easy to find without looking. The fixed screen is maybe the main drawback. I guess it's possible to use the phone as an external screen, but from what I have seen the app is not the best.

[MrB1]

:
Returning to the OP's actual question:

.....Would any of you K-70 users (say) that I could use the K-70 with a wide angle lens and use it as a large P&S?
- It has built in flash if I need it
- It is small enough to fit in one hand
- It has the articulating screen (group) selfies
- and I can use any of my DA and FA lens on it as a real backup to my K1.

Thanks!

Rodney

:
The simple answer is "Yes" Rodney. (Extended answer - Post #8)

Philip
:

[gatorguy]

Sorry, to be so blunt, but the K-70 will not do the job.
The K-70 is no point and shoot. Real point and shoot is a complete other way of taking pictures and the K-70 is not suited for it.

If you need a backup for the K-1 the K-70 is a good choice.
If you are really into point and shoot, witch means you point the camera and shoot, the RX 100 III is completely sufficient, if you need a fiewfinder (try it at the dealer).
If you can get around without viewfinder consider a good phone as well.
If you need a more sophisticated, smaller camera, go for a mFT or even a Sony 6xxxx. But, why then did you buy your K-1?

As you already had a GR III, you will have got a glimpse of what P&S means. A very simple to use, compact camera to report your life. No fiddling around with Av, Tv, shadow recovery, AF-S, AF-C. You just trust the camera in program mode (plus exposure compensation) and shoot. If that is not your way, the more expensive compacts with all the additional possibilities, are not for you. You will always wish you had your K-1 in your hands, which is much simpler to use. These feature laden P&S are complicated.

Just one more advice on focal length on a P&S. There is not much use for more then 120 mm on a real compact. You can not hold it steady without support.

I have a K-70, after owning several film SLR, a istD* and a K10D. And I am shooting 90% of my pictures with P&S cameras. They are just good at reporting your life.

IMHO if you set the K70 to full auto mode it works well as a P&S. Pick it up, set focus, shoot. No need to "fiddle around with AV, TV" etc. if you either don't have time to or just would rather not at the moment. As a bonus any lens that works with the K1 will work with the K70 too and vice-versa.

Now as a camera to carry around to a raucous party? Nope, I wouldn't. That's where your phone comes in. FWIW a $300 Pixel 3a takes an amazingly nice photo, better than most $600+ smartphones. Pretty decent phone overall too. Also less likely to suffer any damage if it drops out of your hand or knocked off a counter so you worry less.
Personally I wouldn't go investing another $800 and up on a limited function Sony or Pany P&S. Your smartphone will likely take just as nice a photo, maybe even nicer, in a party environment.

You can find a K70 for less than $500 if you are patient and look around. That's the route I'd go. Then get a smartphone with an excellent camera for even less than that if you don't already have one. Done.

[southlander]

If thinking of the RX100 series, I’d look at one of the earlier variants, possibly the MkIII which has a fast lens while still covering the classic 24-70 FOV which would cover off the party snaps needs. Hell of a lot cheaper than the Mk VI or VII which feel like a lot of money for a small sensor.