Hello and a question

gwn7 · 10-03-2016, 05:10 PM

Hello, just joined the forum. The reason primarily is I want to get back into wildlife photography. I have a 10 year old Pentax K100D with a Pentax DA 55-300mm and the standard 18-55 mm that came with the camera. It only takes up to a 2GB card, which is a limitation. I want to upgrade to a newer Pentax with higher MB capacity and SD card capacity. Also, one that I could use my existing lenses on. What would you'll suggest for a weekend photographer/amateur just to have fun with.

Thanks,
George

Adam · 10-03-2016, 05:16 PM

With a firmware update, the K100D can accept up to 32 GB SDHC cards.

Anyway, it's quite dated, so I'd absolutely recommend upgrading to a more modern body. The K-S2 is currently the best value in my opinion. You can also go for the K-70 for better image quality if your budget is higher, or the K-50 if you don't want to spend as much.

New pricing should be $499, $649, and $319, respectively. The K-50 is discontinued at authorized dealers, though, so it may run you more.

All three are reviewed in-depth here:
In-Depth Reviews | PentaxForums.com Reviews

victormeldrew · 10-03-2016, 05:26 PM

I loved my K-50 for a quality amateur body and if you can find a kit on clearance somewhere it should be a bargain, especially if you can find one of the 18-135 kits for a bit of extra oomph.

C_Jones · 10-03-2016, 05:46 PM

Welcome to the forums.

GolNat · 10-03-2016, 06:37 PM

Welcome. Depends on your budget but a K-50 with a nice fast zoom would be a nice combo.

**UncleVanya** · 10-03-2016, 09:04 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by gwn7

Hello, just joined the forum. The reason primarily is I want to get back into wildlife photography. I have a 10 year old Pentax K100D with a Pentax DA 55-300mm and the standard 18-55 mm that came with the camera. It only takes up to a 2GB card, which is a limitation. I want to upgrade to a newer Pentax with higher MB capacity and SD card capacity. Also, one that I could use my existing lenses on. What would you'll suggest for a weekend photographer/amateur just to have fun with.

Thanks,
George

There is a nice camera database on the site (top navigation bar - cameras) where you can see a lot more detail but here's a partial list of options:

K-30 or K-50 - 16mp "low end" camera (very advanced for "low end")
K-5, K-5ii, K-5iis - 16mp "prosumer" camera. ii and iis are improved versions. iis has no antialiasing filter so it has higher sharpness.
KS-1, KS-2 - 20mp low and midrange cameras. KS-1 is not weather sealed. All other cameras on this list are.
K-3, K-3ii - 24mp "prosumer" camera. ii is improved including pixel shift but it lacks onboard flash opting for onboard gps tracker.
K-70 - latest 24mp "low end" camera, includes pixel shift for high color accuracy and detail.

There are many more models between but those are the ones that I know something about. The K-30 and K-50 are almost the same camera with different styling. The K-5 series is very nice and can take an external battery grip should you wish. The KS series is a bit oddly styled in version 1 and less so in version 2 but still a departure from Pentax norms. Good sensor, nice output in all of these. K3 series is bigger like the K-5 and has the option of a grip. It also offers pixel shift in the version ii, both models have dual sd card slots. K-70 is very new - and has a few video centric features that may be better than the K-3 series but it does not offer all the bells and whistles.

Budget?

All of these work with your existing lenses.

**pjv** · 10-03-2016, 09:33 PM

Originally posted by gwn7

Hello, just joined the forum.

Hi George. Welcome to the Pentax forums. Lots of good advice already given to you, so I will just say welcome and good to have you here.

**Kerrowdown** · 10-04-2016, 12:42 AM

I'm here late in the day, good replies already, welcome to the forum.

gwn7 · 10-04-2016, 02:23 AM

Great responses. Thanks for all of the advice. I'm going to start researching now.

gwn7 · 10-04-2016, 02:24 AM

Originally posted by Adam

With a firmware update, the K100D can accept up to 32 GB SDHC cards.

Anyway, it's quite dated, so I'd absolutely recommend upgrading to a more modern body. The K-S2 is currently the best value in my opinion. You can also go for the K-70 for better image quality if your budget is higher, or the K-50 if you don't want to spend as much.

New pricing should be $499, $649, and $319, respectively. The K-50 is discontinued at authorized dealers, though, so it may run you more.

All three are reviewed in-depth here:
In-Depth Reviews | PentaxForums.com Reviews

Good to know about the firmware. Thanks

**TER-OR** · 10-05-2016, 05:56 AM

Remember the Marketplace here. You can get great values on used gear and be fairly confident the gear has been cared for appropriately.

Welcome aboard!

10-03-2016, 05:10 PM	#1
gwn7 New Member Join Date: Oct 2016 Posts: 3	Hello and a question Hello, just joined the forum. The reason primarily is I want to get back into wildlife photography. I have a 10 year old Pentax K100D with a Pentax DA 55-300mm and the standard 18-55 mm that came with the camera. It only takes up to a 2GB card, which is a limitation. I want to upgrade to a newer Pentax with higher MB capacity and SD card capacity. Also, one that I could use my existing lenses on. What would you'll suggest for a weekend photographer/amateur just to have fun with. Thanks, George

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10-03-2016, 05:16 PM	#2
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,166	With a firmware update, the K100D can accept up to 32 GB SDHC cards. Anyway, it's quite dated, so I'd absolutely recommend upgrading to a more modern body. The K-S2 is currently the best value in my opinion. You can also go for the K-70 for better image quality if your budget is higher, or the K-50 if you don't want to spend as much. New pricing should be $499, $649, and $319, respectively. The K-50 is discontinued at authorized dealers, though, so it may run you more. All three are reviewed in-depth here: In-Depth Reviews \| PentaxForums.com Reviews

10-03-2016, 05:26 PM	#3
victormeldrew Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: South West UK Photos: Albums Posts: 1,493	I loved my K-50 for a quality amateur body and if you can find a kit on clearance somewhere it should be a bargain, especially if you can find one of the 18-135 kits for a bit of extra oomph.

10-03-2016, 05:46 PM	#4
C_Jones Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: NY Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,822	Welcome to the forums.

10-03-2016, 06:37 PM	#5
GolNat Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: USA-Delaware Posts: 134	Welcome. Depends on your budget but a K-50 with a nice fast zoom would be a nice combo.

10-03-2016, 09:04 PM - 1 Like	#6
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 24,814	Originally posted by gwn7 Hello, just joined the forum. The reason primarily is I want to get back into wildlife photography. I have a 10 year old Pentax K100D with a Pentax DA 55-300mm and the standard 18-55 mm that came with the camera. It only takes up to a 2GB card, which is a limitation. I want to upgrade to a newer Pentax with higher MB capacity and SD card capacity. Also, one that I could use my existing lenses on. What would you'll suggest for a weekend photographer/amateur just to have fun with. Thanks, George There is a nice camera database on the site (top navigation bar - cameras) where you can see a lot more detail but here's a partial list of options: K-30 or K-50 - 16mp "low end" camera (very advanced for "low end") K-5, K-5ii, K-5iis - 16mp "prosumer" camera. ii and iis are improved versions. iis has no antialiasing filter so it has higher sharpness. KS-1, KS-2 - 20mp low and midrange cameras. KS-1 is not weather sealed. All other cameras on this list are. K-3, K-3ii - 24mp "prosumer" camera. ii is improved including pixel shift but it lacks onboard flash opting for onboard gps tracker. K-70 - latest 24mp "low end" camera, includes pixel shift for high color accuracy and detail. There are many more models between but those are the ones that I know something about. The K-30 and K-50 are almost the same camera with different styling. The K-5 series is very nice and can take an external battery grip should you wish. The KS series is a bit oddly styled in version 1 and less so in version 2 but still a departure from Pentax norms. Good sensor, nice output in all of these. K3 series is bigger like the K-5 and has the option of a grip. It also offers pixel shift in the version ii, both models have dual sd card slots. K-70 is very new - and has a few video centric features that may be better than the K-3 series but it does not offer all the bells and whistles. Budget? All of these work with your existing lenses.

10-03-2016, 09:33 PM	#7
pjv Proudly Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2015 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,671	Originally posted by gwn7 Hello, just joined the forum. Hi George. Welcome to the Pentax forums. Lots of good advice already given to you, so I will just say welcome and good to have you here.

10-04-2016, 12:42 AM	#8
Kerrowdown PEG Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highlands of Scotland... "Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand" - William Blake Photos: Gallery Posts: 56,157	I'm here late in the day, good replies already, welcome to the forum.

10-04-2016, 02:23 AM	#9
gwn7 New Member Join Date: Oct 2016 Posts: 3 Original Poster	Great responses. Thanks for all of the advice. I'm going to start researching now.

10-04-2016, 02:24 AM	#10
gwn7 New Member Join Date: Oct 2016 Posts: 3 Original Poster	Originally posted by Adam With a firmware update, the K100D can accept up to 32 GB SDHC cards. Anyway, it's quite dated, so I'd absolutely recommend upgrading to a more modern body. The K-S2 is currently the best value in my opinion. You can also go for the K-70 for better image quality if your budget is higher, or the K-50 if you don't want to spend as much. New pricing should be $499, $649, and $319, respectively. The K-50 is discontinued at authorized dealers, though, so it may run you more. All three are reviewed in-depth here: In-Depth Reviews \| PentaxForums.com Reviews Good to know about the firmware. Thanks

10-05-2016, 05:56 AM	#11
TER-OR Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Dundee, IL Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,696	Remember the Marketplace here. You can get great values on used gear and be fairly confident the gear has been cared for appropriately. Welcome aboard!

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