Originally posted by camerateen My dad used to have a 2009 Panasonic FZ38 bridge camera which I know is now a bit on the old side, but it did have good quality photos. I'd love to get some of those gorgeous bokeh shots the people are posting on here.
Forgive me but I'm on a very tight budget. I want a digital camera within £200 (approx $250) range for a used one (with lens if possible). I'm not too fussed if it's slightly outdated or doesn't have stuff like wifi etc.
The main features I'm looking for are:
As good quality photos as possible
Can do good Bokeh/Shallow Depth of Field - Especially portraits with blurry backgrounds
Can do 1080p movies at least at 30fps
Bonus Features (if possible)
Hackable to allow for improvements to it's OS
Wireless
Can exchange lens
Not too bulky
If it can be modern with good features then that would be great
1st things first. Pentax is not the brand you want if video is important to you. It can do it in most modern bodies but with limitations. That may change over time but at this time I don't recommend Pentax to anyone asking about video as a must have feature.
2nd: Pentax firmware hacking is virtually non-existant. Don't expect that to change unless you are going to drive it.
3rd: Shallow DOF will require a larger sensor or a longer working distance and telephoto etc. If you want to get tightly framed pictures of people you can get great bokeh with even bridge cameras but the effort is harder. The easiest is on larger formats like the new K-1 but that is way out of budget. If we assume you want to use APSC sensor sizes or perhaps M43 at the smallest that is likely going in the right direction. Pentax offers APSC, FF, and 1/1.7" (Q series) currently. For what you want APSC is likley the best compromise.
4th: The Ricoh GR can be eliminated for cost and lack of interchangable lenses at least on the current model.
5th: Wireless - not too bulky... that pretty much leaves you with the KS-1 and KS-2 but the KS-1 is discontinued and the KS-2 is out of your budget. These are also newer cameras that support video a bit better than the older bodies some may suggest. The KS-1 does not include wireless out of the box. You need an eyefi or a flu card for this. The flu card offers primative remote control but it miles behind things like the new K-1 or the Panasonic/Olympus/Samsung offerings. K-30 and K-50 and even K-01 can do video and use eyefi cards but I am uncertain if the eyefi offers what you want. The flucard at least offers some remote viewing which is lacking on the eyefi.
So if you don't flee pentax I suggest you read up on the KS-1 here:
Pentax K-S1 Review - Introduction | PentaxForums.com Reviews It lacks weather sealing but offers most of what you ask for and is often available for close to your budget numbers or a little above. Get a cheap manual SMC-A 50mm f/2 or f/1.7 (much better) to get started - it won't do autofocus but it will give you nice enough portraits and will be cheap. The 18-55 or 18-50 autofocus lenses would be nice to have but are much slower and offer less options for blurred backgrounds. Later there are a myriad of choices we can help you spend money on!
If you prefer listen to others but based on what you have posted as YOUR criteria that's what I suggest - in Pentax. As for other brands - Canon and Panasonic are my top video selections based on my friends use - I'm not a video guy so I'd defer that advice to others.