[borkycrown]

Hi Pentaxers.

I have been shooting on a K200D with SMCP-FA 50mm f/1.4 Autofocus Lens. Frankly, I've never loved the camera. I use it mostly for handheld, low light indoor portraits and it definitelty falls short.

Would upgrading to K-70 be enough of an upgrade to warrant a purchase? Or would you recommend other cameras and lenses?

Thanks!
Amanda

[Blue]

I got the K200d and K20 in 2008. I actually like the K200d better in most aspects and still have it. That said, its 10 years old so you can benefit with any body currently out compared to it.

[bschriver11]

If your shooting indoor portraits then you should never underestimate what a flash can do for your photos as well, you will be able to shoot at a lower ISO and the speed of the flash will bring out the sharpness and detail. The difference is night and day with a good bounced flash.

[bladerunner6]

Hi Pentaxers.

I have been shooting on a K200D with SMCP-FA 50mm f/1.4 Autofocus Lens. Frankly, I've never loved the camera. I use it mostly for handheld, low light indoor portraits and it definitelty falls short.

Would upgrading to K-70 be enough of an upgrade to warrant a purchase? Or would you recommend other cameras and lenses?

Thanks!
Amanda

The K-70 will have significantly better low light capabilities and better SR.

The firs t will definitely help and the second might.

[Kobie]

If your shooting indoor portraits then you should never underestimate what a flash can do for your photos as well, you will be able to shoot at a lower ISO and the speed of the flash will bring out the sharpness and detail. The difference is night and day with a good bounced flash.

I completely agree. I had paid gigs shooting nightclubs with a K200d. Never had to go higher than ISO 800 with flash and that was only for extremely dark clubs. Generally never had to go above ISO-400.

[Edgar_in_Indy]

Would upgrading to K-70 be enough of an upgrade to warrant a purchase? Or would you recommend other cameras and lenses?

Sensors have improved quite a bit since your 200D was released. Even my tiny Panasonic LX10 with a 1" sensor scores higher than the K200D on the DxOMark sensor tests. The short answer is yes, the K-70 would be a big upgrade from your K200D.

[Adam]

The K-70 will crush the performance of the K200D in just about every way- especially when it comes to image quality and the user interface. If that's what you're after, I'd say definitely upgrade.

Your lens shouldn't be a limiting factor in terms of image quality, but if you want something with a bit more flexibility, maybe look at the DA 16-85mm, which is a solid walkaround lens.

Adam
PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide | Site Help | My Photography)



PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

[david94903]

Having started with a Sony Mavica in the late 90's (the one with the floppy disk), then on to the Kodak P880, to the Pentax K20d, then graduating through the K-5 series, and later the K-3, and now onto the K-1, the simple answer is yes, the upgrade is worth it. Just the improvement in dynamic range from generation to generation is reason enough.

[Nunavut]

I too upgraded from my K200D to a K3 this year. But I'm still using them both. The k3 for handheld and portrait, and I've got the k200d on a tripod with a macro. Works fine with good light, and having the extra body is nice.

The k3 is an amazing camera even almost 5 years old. Massive upgrade over the k200d.

[pinholecam]

There was a sudden a big jump in sensor capability after the K200D, starting from the Kx.
Indoor portraits will certainly benefit from a K70.

Other than the sensor, the K70 is a big jump in performance in every way compared to the K200D.
Better and faster AF, LV capable, better battery life, and lots more features.

Make the upgrade.....

[ramseybuckeye]

Hi Pentaxers.

I have been shooting on a K200D with SMCP-FA 50mm f/1.4 Autofocus Lens. Frankly, I've never loved the camera. I use it mostly for handheld, low light indoor portraits and it definitelty falls short.

Would upgrading to K-70 be enough of an upgrade to warrant a purchase? Or would you recommend other cameras and lenses?

Thanks!
Amanda

Well worth it, I jumped from K20D to K30 & K50 and again to KP. There wer amazing differences each time. Your jump will be an incredible leap.

[Paul the Sunman]

The K70 or KP will take you to another planet! The KP (body only) is $304 off at the moment at B&H, or the K70+DA18-135 at the same price ($797). Great deals.

[borkycrown]

Thanks for the feedback everyone!

I've always disliked the look of using the flash - perhaps the problem is due to using the built-in flash?

And I just found a K50 body on ebay for $200...I'm tempted because the K70 is $500 more!

[Jan178]

The K-70 is waaay above K-200d, specially low light. In my house there is K-200d (still very pleasing outdoors in good light), K-x (better low light, bad viewfinder and display), K-5 (even better low light and pentaprism viewfinder) and most recently K-70, that is real bang for buck for it´s quality with almost amazing low light, pentaprism viewfinder and articulating screen.
Easy to shoot ISO 3200 indoors, not bad even higher. So definately worth the invest from K-200d!
I was also considering a used K-50 and even K-30, but competitive pricing of the K-70 and possible aperture control issues of the previous led me into buying the K-70.

[jgnfld]

Thanks for the feedback everyone!

I've always disliked the look of using the flash - perhaps the problem is due to using the built-in flash?

And I just found a K50 body on ebay for $200...I'm tempted because the K70 is $500 more!

I loved my white Star Wars K-50, and it's still working for the guy I gave it to. That said, I'd be really leery of buying one off e-bay given the aperture control block issues prevalent with that model.