[emalvick]

I would support the earlier post that suggested regardless of experience to go for something in the K-3 or K-5 line. Getting something else only leads to a later need to buy a K-3, unless you are just holding over before you buy a K-1 anyway.

I guess I don't know much about the K-s line, but I like that the K-3 and K-5 give two wheels for setting the exposure, and I know the K-30 and K-50 didn't (and I assume the K-70 still doesn't). As a budding photographer, I think it is more beneficial to learn the basics and having the wheels makes a lot of the concepts very easy to get at.

I also like the earlier suggestion regarding the 18-135 + the DA 50/1.8. Those are good learning lenses, and the DA 50/1.8 (an older 50 can work too) would be good for understanding how aperture and DOF work. It's amazing how much you can learn shooting a f2 vs. shooting at f4 (even if for practical purposes you rarely use a lens wide open).

[theborg]

Thanks to all, I think she will look for a k-5 at the end of the day it's less expansive than a new k-50/70

[pepperberry farm]

I guess I don't know much about the K-s line, but I like that the K-3 and K-5 give two wheels for setting the exposure, and I know the K-30 and K-50 didn't (and I assume the K-70 still doesn't). As a budding photographer, I think it is more beneficial to learn the basics and having the wheels makes a lot of the concepts very easy to get at.

if you mean the e-wheels, the K-50 does have two of them...

[emalvick]

if you mean the e-wheels, the K-50 does have two of them...

Good to know. For some reason I had passed on getting my father one as I thought the manual made it seem like that camera (and the K-30, which I thought was quite similar) only had one. I've only ever had a K10d, K5, and K3, and I would not like shooting in M mode (for instance) and having only control over one exposure aspect, which I thought was the case with some of the lower tier cameras (in any brand).

More generally, I would just recommend a camera that you can control aperature, shutter speed, and ISO fairly easily, which may be the case for most Pentax dSLR's these days.

[bertwert]

I guess I don't know much about the K-s line, but I like that the K-3 and K-5 give two wheels for setting the exposure, and I know the K-30 and K-50 didn't (and I assume the K-70 still doesn't).

Well my K-50 must be built wrong... it has 2...

All three (K-30, K-50, K-70) have 2 control wheels...
K-S1 has one and the K-S2 has 2...

[bertwert]

and I would not like shooting in M mode (for instance) and having only control over one exposure aspect, which I thought was the case with some of the lower tier cameras (in any brand).

One of the great things about Pentax is that the cheaper entry level cameras have two.

[robgski]

One of the great things about Pentax is that the cheaper entry level cameras have two.

Exactly!

[Des]

K-S1 has one and the K-S2 has 2...

Look forward to the K-S3, K-S4, etc. By the time we get to K-S5 it will be an engineering challenge. ;-)

I know the OP has made a decision but for the benefit of others in the same position, I would agree that the K-S2 is a good choice for beginners. The size is particularly good for people with smaller hands - many women will find it more comfortable than the bigger models.

[bertwert]

Look forward to the K-S3, K-S4, etc. By the time we get to K-S5 it will be an engineering challenge. ;-)

What can we change with this new dial on the K-S7?

Change the colour the leds flash on the body....