Buy or wait? K-x versus K-r

redthree · 04-12-2011, 07:56 AM

Hi, I'm looking to buy my first DSLR, and the K-x looks like it fits my budget and needs. The problem is that it is discontinued and disappearing from many retailers. I can still buy it now for ~$500, but it will be gone if I wait.

But if I wait, will a newer model replace the K-x price point? I'd like to get a K-r, but it's more than I want to pay right now. Will Pentax drop the K-r to replace the K-x, or will they stop selling DSLRs at the $500 level?

I don't need to make a purchase until September 2011, so I can wait a bit if needed. Thanks for any advice.

REM · 04-12-2011, 08:45 AM

The K-r will probably replace the K-x at that price point once there is a successor to the K-r being sold. The K-r was announced (not sold) around Sept 2010. So a new camera successor wont probably be announced until a year to a year and a half going by previous camera refresh cycles.

So around Winter 2011/Spring 2012 is probably the earliest a K-r replacement will be available and sold.

**Just1MoreDave** · 04-12-2011, 08:48 AM

The situation will always be similar; only the camera names change with time. Say Pentax released the K-y today, $800. The K-r would still be available at $500.

Aknot · 04-12-2011, 09:15 AM

There is no reason to NOT (imo) get the K-x.

You will always play the "waiting" game when it comes to stuff like this. Whats to say the K-r's relacement wont make the price lower as its sucessor will make it lower...

You will then never buy a camera.

What do you like about the K-r over the K-x? what do you like about the K-x over the K-r?

Being your first DSLR I can tell you there is nothing wrong with the K-x. Browse the forums here and see some of the pictures taken with the K-x. Wonderful thing is if you get into it any lenses you have and or buy can always be used on the next Pentax you purchase....

Good luck!

wasser · 04-12-2011, 10:01 AM

When the Km/K2000 debuted it was available around $400. The Kx debuted at $600 and the Kr, which replaces the kx, bumped that up to $800. The Kx's current price is less a "price point" and more newer items driving down the price of older ones, which is inevitable. Just look at the K7. It debuted at $1300, but you can currently buy it for less than $900. Pentax won't replace the K7 at that price point. They've already replaced it with the K5 which is debuted at $1600.

Something already replaced the Kx, and that's the Kr. The next thing to replace the Kr is likely to be at least as much as Kr when it debuted. Will Pentax introduce another camera line below the Kr? I've not seen anything about that, but if they did it'd likely not be as capable or have as many features as the Kx, and certainly not the Kr.

[edit]All "debuted" prices were collected from http://camelcamelcamel.com/

InlawBiker · 04-12-2011, 10:05 AM

You can find nice used K-7's these days for $650, pretty nice really. The Kx is at a "low point" right now.

I have to wonder if the K-r price won't come down with the release of the Nikon D5100. To be honest I would have a hard time picking the K-r over it, given that they're priced about the same. At least I think they are. One thing's for sure, new technology is coming out more quickly than ever. There is no way to have the latest and greatest for very long.

wasser · 04-12-2011, 10:13 AM

Originally posted by InlawBiker

You can find nice used K-7's these days for $650, pretty nice really. The Kx is at a "low point" right now.

I have to wonder if the K-r price won't come down with the release of the Nikon D5100. To be honest I would have a hard time picking the K-r over it, given that they're priced about the same. At least I think they are. One thing's for sure, new technology is coming out more quickly than ever. There is no way to have the latest and greatest for very long.

Kr body only is listed under $600 at BH and the Nikon D5100 body is listed at $800. Of course, it's not been released yet and prices can change quickly.

KxBlaze · 04-12-2011, 10:29 AM

I say get the Kx now. Either new or even from our marketplace used. My opinion is that the extra/upgraded features of the Kr are not worth the $ (although the Kr is coming down in price and will soon be worth it), as of right now I think the $ saved from buying a Kx is the way to go. You could even get another nice lens with the $ saved. The Kx has a truly amazing sensor and will render great photos for years to come.

**DigiMack** · 04-12-2011, 11:08 AM

I have found the K-x to be a comfortable, easy to use camera, and although it is generally referred to as a Beginners camera, it can produce results equal to most of the best.
However, the most important thing I would consider is the price. At the present time a K-x can be picked-up for around $400 (US) with a kit lens. Much less than I paid for mine.
Incidently, I have a K-x and a K-5. My intention was to sell the K-x after getting the K-5, but have grown to like it so much that I am still shooting most with the K-x.

Coeurdechene · 04-12-2011, 12:57 PM

Kx is an amazing piece of equipment, if it fits your budget go, buy it and Shoot

.

**Dma110** · 04-12-2011, 01:11 PM

Buy the Kx. It Is an amazing camera. Think of all the pictures you'll miss by waiting for prices that may not drop.

Ira · 04-12-2011, 05:37 PM

Kx owner here:

Buy the Kr.

It has too many advantages to not justify buying it over the Kx.

The K7 is one thing, but it doesn't come close to the high ISO capability of the Kr and K5.

justtakingpics · 04-12-2011, 05:51 PM

Originally posted by Ira

Kx owner here:

Buy the Kr.

It has too many advantages to not justify buying it over the Kx.

The K7 is one thing, but it doesn't come close to the high ISO capability of the Kr and K5.

I would kind of like a k-r. One because I like gear. I admit it. Second, I like the rechargeable battery, the AF points, and I think it has a slightly better/different AF system SAFOX IX, but couldn't tell you if it matters much on the safox.

twitch · 04-12-2011, 06:26 PM

K-r/K-x's seem hard to shift for sellers on the market place, so you may find a seller who is willing to let go a K-r for the price of a new K-x.

Ira · 04-12-2011, 07:16 PM

Originally posted by justtakingpics

I would kind of like a k-r. One because I like gear. I admit it. Second, I like the rechargeable battery, the AF points, and I think it has a slightly better/different AF system SAFOX IX, but couldn't tell you if it matters much on the safox.

The AF is a lot faster, making continuous shooting mode a pleasure, and in-camera HDR quite possible.

And the Kr's LCD screen blows the Kx's away.

04-12-2011, 07:56 AM	#1
redthree Inactive Account Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 2	Buy or wait? K-x versus K-r Hi, I'm looking to buy my first DSLR, and the K-x looks like it fits my budget and needs. The problem is that it is discontinued and disappearing from many retailers. I can still buy it now for ~$500, but it will be gone if I wait. But if I wait, will a newer model replace the K-x price point? I'd like to get a K-r, but it's more than I want to pay right now. Will Pentax drop the K-r to replace the K-x, or will they stop selling DSLRs at the $500 level? I don't need to make a purchase until September 2011, so I can wait a bit if needed. Thanks for any advice.

04-12-2011, 12:57 PM	#10
Coeurdechene Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: madrid Photos: Albums Posts: 833	Kx is an amazing piece of equipment, if it fits your budget go, buy it and Shoot.

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04-12-2011, 08:45 AM	#2
REM Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 78	The K-r will probably replace the K-x at that price point once there is a successor to the K-r being sold. The K-r was announced (not sold) around Sept 2010. So a new camera successor wont probably be announced until a year to a year and a half going by previous camera refresh cycles. So around Winter 2011/Spring 2012 is probably the earliest a K-r replacement will be available and sold.

04-12-2011, 08:48 AM	#3
Just1MoreDave Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Aurora, CO Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,340	The situation will always be similar; only the camera names change with time. Say Pentax released the K-y today, $800. The K-r would still be available at $500.

04-12-2011, 09:15 AM	#4
Aknot Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Va Photos: Albums Posts: 119	There is no reason to NOT (imo) get the K-x. You will always play the "waiting" game when it comes to stuff like this. Whats to say the K-r's relacement wont make the price lower as its sucessor will make it lower... You will then never buy a camera. What do you like about the K-r over the K-x? what do you like about the K-x over the K-r? Being your first DSLR I can tell you there is nothing wrong with the K-x. Browse the forums here and see some of the pictures taken with the K-x. Wonderful thing is if you get into it any lenses you have and or buy can always be used on the next Pentax you purchase.... Good luck!

04-12-2011, 10:01 AM	#5
wasser Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: northern ca Photos: Gallery Posts: 427	When the Km/K2000 debuted it was available around $400. The Kx debuted at $600 and the Kr, which replaces the kx, bumped that up to $800. The Kx's current price is less a "price point" and more newer items driving down the price of older ones, which is inevitable. Just look at the K7. It debuted at $1300, but you can currently buy it for less than $900. Pentax won't replace the K7 at that price point. They've already replaced it with the K5 which is debuted at $1600. Something already replaced the Kx, and that's the Kr. The next thing to replace the Kr is likely to be at least as much as Kr when it debuted. Will Pentax introduce another camera line below the Kr? I've not seen anything about that, but if they did it'd likely not be as capable or have as many features as the Kx, and certainly not the Kr. [edit]All "debuted" prices were collected from http://camelcamelcamel.com/

04-12-2011, 10:05 AM	#6
InlawBiker Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Seattle, WA Photos: Gallery Posts: 123	You can find nice used K-7's these days for $650, pretty nice really. The Kx is at a "low point" right now. I have to wonder if the K-r price won't come down with the release of the Nikon D5100. To be honest I would have a hard time picking the K-r over it, given that they're priced about the same. At least I think they are. One thing's for sure, new technology is coming out more quickly than ever. There is no way to have the latest and greatest for very long.

04-12-2011, 10:13 AM	#7
wasser Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: northern ca Photos: Gallery Posts: 427	Originally posted by InlawBiker You can find nice used K-7's these days for $650, pretty nice really. The Kx is at a "low point" right now. I have to wonder if the K-r price won't come down with the release of the Nikon D5100. To be honest I would have a hard time picking the K-r over it, given that they're priced about the same. At least I think they are. One thing's for sure, new technology is coming out more quickly than ever. There is no way to have the latest and greatest for very long. Kr body only is listed under $600 at BH and the Nikon D5100 body is listed at $800. Of course, it's not been released yet and prices can change quickly.

04-12-2011, 10:29 AM	#8
KxBlaze Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: California Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,602	I say get the Kx now. Either new or even from our marketplace used. My opinion is that the extra/upgraded features of the Kr are not worth the $ (although the Kr is coming down in price and will soon be worth it), as of right now I think the $ saved from buying a Kx is the way to go. You could even get another nice lens with the $ saved. The Kx has a truly amazing sensor and will render great photos for years to come.

04-12-2011, 11:08 AM	#9
DigiMack Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 169	I have found the K-x to be a comfortable, easy to use camera, and although it is generally referred to as a Beginners camera, it can produce results equal to most of the best. However, the most important thing I would consider is the price. At the present time a K-x can be picked-up for around $400 (US) with a kit lens. Much less than I paid for mine. Incidently, I have a K-x and a K-5. My intention was to sell the K-x after getting the K-5, but have grown to like it so much that I am still shooting most with the K-x.

04-12-2011, 01:11 PM	#11
Dma110 Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Gilbert Arizona Posts: 559	Buy the Kx. It Is an amazing camera. Think of all the pictures you'll miss by waiting for prices that may not drop.

04-12-2011, 05:37 PM	#12
Ira Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Coral Springs, FL Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,216	Kx owner here: Buy the Kr. It has too many advantages to not justify buying it over the Kx. The K7 is one thing, but it doesn't come close to the high ISO capability of the Kr and K5.

04-12-2011, 05:51 PM	#13
justtakingpics Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 288	Originally posted by Ira Kx owner here: Buy the Kr. It has too many advantages to not justify buying it over the Kx. The K7 is one thing, but it doesn't come close to the high ISO capability of the Kr and K5. I would kind of like a k-r. One because I like gear. I admit it. Second, I like the rechargeable battery, the AF points, and I think it has a slightly better/different AF system SAFOX IX, but couldn't tell you if it matters much on the safox.

04-12-2011, 06:26 PM	#14
twitch Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 4,571	K-r/K-x's seem hard to shift for sellers on the market place, so you may find a seller who is willing to let go a K-r for the price of a new K-x.

04-12-2011, 07:16 PM	#15
Ira Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Coral Springs, FL Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,216	Originally posted by justtakingpics I would kind of like a k-r. One because I like gear. I admit it. Second, I like the rechargeable battery, the AF points, and I think it has a slightly better/different AF system SAFOX IX, but couldn't tell you if it matters much on the safox. The AF is a lot faster, making continuous shooting mode a pleasure, and in-camera HDR quite possible. And the Kr's LCD screen blows the Kx's away.