Kx or K7 for travel

kytra · 07-22-2010, 03:57 AM

I am looking for actual user feed-back in order to help me choose the most appropriate camera for travel.

First, the setting: traveling by car in Europe, mostly cities, dry climate, intend to shoot indoor and outdoor, streets and architecture, using the FA Limited trio.

Why the question:

At the beginning I thought about taking the Kx but the WB problems (meaning significantly less accurate than the K7) and the less performant SR made me think twice. In favor of the Kx would be the size and weight, the non threatening color (white), the use of AA batteries, the high ISO performance.

How one would cope with the WB - this is what I loathe the most about the Kx, and after that the LCD screen. Should I take a grey card, is it easy to manually set-up the WB?(never used a grey card before)

Thanks in advance!

ChooseAName · 07-22-2010, 04:37 AM

Originally posted by kytra

At the beginning I thought about taking the Kx but the WB problems (meaning significantly less accurate than the K7) and the less performant SR made me think twice. In favor of the Kx would be the size and weight, the non threatening color (white), the use of AA batteries, the high ISO performance.

Are people in Europe afraid of black cameras?

If you can't be bothered with using a flash, I might go with the K-x for the high ISO. I would think most WB problems can be fixed in PP, unless you are one of those who looks down on PP.

Of course, if you don't want to be switching lenses much, maybe you should take both bodies. But then again you have not listed any shooting scenarios where there'd be much fast moving action.

Ira · 07-22-2010, 04:43 AM

Originally posted by kytra

I am looking for actual user feed-back in order to help me choose the most appropriate camera for travel.

How one would cope with the WB - this is what I loathe the most about the Kx, and after that the LCD screen.

I never heard of anyone loathing the K-x's WB (especially with RAW), or anyone loathing an LCD.

So if you think the K7 takes better pictures for your style, why the question? You answered it yourself.

simico · 07-22-2010, 06:07 AM

Originally posted by kytra

At the beginning I thought about taking the Kx but the WB problems (meaning significantly less accurate than the K7) and the less performant SR

Where did you get this from??
I wouldn't worry about WB, I use my K-m with Auto WB 90% of the time without any issues, K-x supposed to have better AWB. By the way, shoot RAW and problem solved.

trevorgrout · 07-22-2010, 06:14 AM

I didn't know the k-x had white balance problems. I have owned one since January, and on the contrary I think the white balance is exceptional. I like it much better than the canon 550D that I returned shortly after Christmas. I have found the only time I have a problem with white balance is when there are two different forms of light in the room (incadescent bulb and strong sunlight).

But as far as a travel camera...all I know is that since I put the Da 40 limited on my K-x it is so compact and fun to carry around. It feels like a large point and shoot. I don't have to worry about the lens getting banged up when I have the camera around my neck. I absolutely love that combination.

kytra · 07-22-2010, 08:15 AM

Regarding auto wb...Have you tried to use Kx in mixed light (for example a church with tungsten light mixed with daylight)? I can tell you the Kx sucks great time in Auto WB (at least compared witrh the K7, because I have never had any other DSLR)

Regarding LCD...IMHO, I don't think one would praise after handling a K7 or Nikon D90 or other camera with a 1 milion pixels LCD.

Anyway, thanks a lot for your interest and answers!

Probably I will go for the Kx since it seems more adapted to travel and street photography and try to shoot raw in difficult situations

Cheers!

Marc Sabatella · 07-22-2010, 08:38 AM

Agreed - not sure you got the idea that the K-x was any worse about reading your mind with reagrd to WB than any other camera, but it just isn't true.

Last edited by Marc Sabatella; 07-22-2010 at 01:19 PM.

Ira · 07-22-2010, 09:33 AM

The K-x's Auto WB is only going to default to one of the presets--it doesn't read various color temperatures in a scene and give you a perfect setting.

Does any camera actually do that?

Just asking.

WMBP · 07-22-2010, 09:49 AM

Originally posted by kytra

At the beginning I thought about taking the Kx but the WB problems (meaning significantly less accurate than the K7) and the less performant SR made me think twice.

Whatever camera you've got, set it to auto white balance, shoot raw, and forget about it.

Quote:

In favor of the Kx would be the size and weight, the non threatening color (white), the use of AA batteries, the high ISO performance.

Well, look at it from the other direction. What would be the ADVANTAGE of taking a K-7? I gather you have a K-7 as well as a K-x although I don't think you actually said this. Anyway, what does the K-7 give you that you need on vacation? Two e-dials? Nah. Weather-sealing, well, maybe, but probably not. And which camera would you rather lose or have stolen while traveling?

I recently returned from vacation in Yellowstone National Park here in the US of A. For years I've been lugging my Pentax DSLRs, at least one, with a selection of lenses. Hiking to the bottom of Grand Canyon last December, after some agonizing, I decided I could live without the battery grip, but I still carried a K20D and a couple of lenses (one of which I' don't think I ended up using at all). Got some great photos but, well, hike to the bottom of Grand Canyon in a snowstorm with a K20D in your pack and you'll get a real good sense of just how much stuff weighs. Anyway for my recent vacation I decided to leave the really good equipment at home and take a couple of good Panasonic compact cameras. Worked out fine.

Will

(photo below taken with Panasonic FZ35)

kytra · 07-22-2010, 11:20 AM

thanks all for replies. I still stand by my opinion regarding my Kx auto WB because I've seen it in comparison to my K7 (yes, I have them both)
I hardly think this would come as a surprise since the K7 has a separate sensor for WB and boy, it is working wonders.
Will upload some test shots in the near future, stand by

Ira · 07-22-2010, 12:35 PM

Originally posted by kytra

thanks all for replies. I still stand by my opinion regarding my Kx auto WB because I've seen it in comparison to my K7 (yes, I have them both)
I hardly think this would come as a surprise since the K7 has a separate sensor for WB and boy, it is working wonders.
Will upload some test shots in the near future, stand by

The consensus of everyone here is that you couldn't be more wrong about the K-x's AWB.

And you still want to belabor this point?

I won't be standing by.

Marc Sabatella · 07-22-2010, 01:23 PM

Originally posted by kytra

thanks all for replies. I still stand by my opinion regarding my Kx auto WB because I've seen it in comparison to my K7 (yes, I have them both)

I'd say whatever difference you are seeing must be in some camera setting - Bright versus Natural mode, a customization that has been dialed in to the AWB or to the specific Picture mode you are using, or the option to do to the more versus less aggressive correction for tungsten light.

Quote:

I hardly think this would come as a surprise since the K7 has a separate sensor for WB

I believe you are mistaken on this. What the K-7 has a sensor to detect the light color and adjust *focus* accordingly, but this shoudln't to my knowledge have any effect at all on the WB of the camera.

ChooseAName · 07-22-2010, 01:38 PM

Originally posted by Ira

The consensus of everyone here is that you couldn't be more wrong about the K-x's AWB.

And you still want to belabor this point?

I won't be standing by.

Looks like fella's mind was already made up. Not quite sure why he even bothered to ask. Craving external confirmation?

07-22-2010, 03:57 AM	#1
kytra Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Bucharest Posts: 482	Kx or K7 for travel I am looking for actual user feed-back in order to help me choose the most appropriate camera for travel. First, the setting: traveling by car in Europe, mostly cities, dry climate, intend to shoot indoor and outdoor, streets and architecture, using the FA Limited trio. Why the question: At the beginning I thought about taking the Kx but the WB problems (meaning significantly less accurate than the K7) and the less performant SR made me think twice. In favor of the Kx would be the size and weight, the non threatening color (white), the use of AA batteries, the high ISO performance. How one would cope with the WB - this is what I loathe the most about the Kx, and after that the LCD screen. Should I take a grey card, is it easy to manually set-up the WB?(never used a grey card before) Thanks in advance!

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07-22-2010, 04:37 AM	#2
ChooseAName Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Southeast USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 390	Originally posted by kytra At the beginning I thought about taking the Kx but the WB problems (meaning significantly less accurate than the K7) and the less performant SR made me think twice. In favor of the Kx would be the size and weight, the non threatening color (white), the use of AA batteries, the high ISO performance. Are people in Europe afraid of black cameras? If you can't be bothered with using a flash, I might go with the K-x for the high ISO. I would think most WB problems can be fixed in PP, unless you are one of those who looks down on PP. Of course, if you don't want to be switching lenses much, maybe you should take both bodies. But then again you have not listed any shooting scenarios where there'd be much fast moving action.

07-22-2010, 04:43 AM	#3
Ira Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Coral Springs, FL Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,216	Originally posted by kytra I am looking for actual user feed-back in order to help me choose the most appropriate camera for travel. How one would cope with the WB - this is what I loathe the most about the Kx, and after that the LCD screen. I never heard of anyone loathing the K-x's WB (especially with RAW), or anyone loathing an LCD. So if you think the K7 takes better pictures for your style, why the question? You answered it yourself.

07-22-2010, 06:07 AM	#4
simico Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Budapest Posts: 821	Originally posted by kytra At the beginning I thought about taking the Kx but the WB problems (meaning significantly less accurate than the K7) and the less performant SR Where did you get this from?? I wouldn't worry about WB, I use my K-m with Auto WB 90% of the time without any issues, K-x supposed to have better AWB. By the way, shoot RAW and problem solved.

07-22-2010, 06:14 AM	#5
trevorgrout Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Oklahoma City Photos: Albums Posts: 105	I didn't know the k-x had white balance problems. I have owned one since January, and on the contrary I think the white balance is exceptional. I like it much better than the canon 550D that I returned shortly after Christmas. I have found the only time I have a problem with white balance is when there are two different forms of light in the room (incadescent bulb and strong sunlight). But as far as a travel camera...all I know is that since I put the Da 40 limited on my K-x it is so compact and fun to carry around. It feels like a large point and shoot. I don't have to worry about the lens getting banged up when I have the camera around my neck. I absolutely love that combination.

07-22-2010, 08:15 AM	#6
kytra Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Bucharest Posts: 482 Original Poster	Regarding auto wb...Have you tried to use Kx in mixed light (for example a church with tungsten light mixed with daylight)? I can tell you the Kx sucks great time in Auto WB (at least compared witrh the K7, because I have never had any other DSLR) Regarding LCD...IMHO, I don't think one would praise after handling a K7 or Nikon D90 or other camera with a 1 milion pixels LCD. Anyway, thanks a lot for your interest and answers! Probably I will go for the Kx since it seems more adapted to travel and street photography and try to shoot raw in difficult situations Cheers!

07-22-2010, 08:38 AM	#7
Marc Sabatella Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Denver, CO Photos: Gallery Posts: 10,685	Agreed - not sure you got the idea that the K-x was any worse about reading your mind with reagrd to WB than any other camera, but it just isn't true. Last edited by Marc Sabatella; 07-22-2010 at 01:19 PM.

07-22-2010, 09:33 AM	#8
Ira Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Coral Springs, FL Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,216	The K-x's Auto WB is only going to default to one of the presets--it doesn't read various color temperatures in a scene and give you a perfect setting. Does any camera actually do that? Just asking.

07-22-2010, 09:49 AM	#9
WMBP Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Dallas, Texas Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,482	Originally posted by kytra At the beginning I thought about taking the Kx but the WB problems (meaning significantly less accurate than the K7) and the less performant SR made me think twice. Whatever camera you've got, set it to auto white balance, shoot raw, and forget about it. Quote: In favor of the Kx would be the size and weight, the non threatening color (white), the use of AA batteries, the high ISO performance. Well, look at it from the other direction. What would be the ADVANTAGE of taking a K-7? I gather you have a K-7 as well as a K-x although I don't think you actually said this. Anyway, what does the K-7 give you that you need on vacation? Two e-dials? Nah. Weather-sealing, well, maybe, but probably not. And which camera would you rather lose or have stolen while traveling? I recently returned from vacation in Yellowstone National Park here in the US of A. For years I've been lugging my Pentax DSLRs, at least one, with a selection of lenses. Hiking to the bottom of Grand Canyon last December, after some agonizing, I decided I could live without the battery grip, but I still carried a K20D and a couple of lenses (one of which I' don't think I ended up using at all). Got some great photos but, well, hike to the bottom of Grand Canyon in a snowstorm with a K20D in your pack and you'll get a real good sense of just how much stuff weighs. Anyway for my recent vacation I decided to leave the really good equipment at home and take a couple of good Panasonic compact cameras. Worked out fine. Will (photo below taken with Panasonic FZ35)

07-22-2010, 11:20 AM	#10
kytra Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Bucharest Posts: 482 Original Poster	thanks all for replies. I still stand by my opinion regarding my Kx auto WB because I've seen it in comparison to my K7 (yes, I have them both) I hardly think this would come as a surprise since the K7 has a separate sensor for WB and boy, it is working wonders. Will upload some test shots in the near future, stand by

07-22-2010, 12:35 PM	#11
Ira Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Coral Springs, FL Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,216	Originally posted by kytra thanks all for replies. I still stand by my opinion regarding my Kx auto WB because I've seen it in comparison to my K7 (yes, I have them both) I hardly think this would come as a surprise since the K7 has a separate sensor for WB and boy, it is working wonders. Will upload some test shots in the near future, stand by The consensus of everyone here is that you couldn't be more wrong about the K-x's AWB. And you still want to belabor this point? I won't be standing by.

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07-22-2010, 01:23 PM	#12
Marc Sabatella Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Denver, CO Photos: Gallery Posts: 10,685	Originally posted by kytra thanks all for replies. I still stand by my opinion regarding my Kx auto WB because I've seen it in comparison to my K7 (yes, I have them both) I'd say whatever difference you are seeing must be in some camera setting - Bright versus Natural mode, a customization that has been dialed in to the AWB or to the specific Picture mode you are using, or the option to do to the more versus less aggressive correction for tungsten light. Quote: I hardly think this would come as a surprise since the K7 has a separate sensor for WB I believe you are mistaken on this. What the K-7 has a sensor to detect the light color and adjust focus accordingly, but this shoudln't to my knowledge have any effect at all on the WB of the camera.

07-22-2010, 01:38 PM	#13
ChooseAName Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Southeast USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 390	Originally posted by Ira The consensus of everyone here is that you couldn't be more wrong about the K-x's AWB. And you still want to belabor this point? I won't be standing by. Looks like fella's mind was already made up. Not quite sure why he even bothered to ask. Craving external confirmation?