Should I buy Pentax Kx or wait for PMA 2010?

DavoMrMac · 01-27-2010, 05:09 AM

This sort of question sounds really lame, however, I am not in much of a hurry to buy.

My job is producing video reviews on the Geekanoids YouTube Channel. So I have plenty of kit to test and play with. Currently testing a Sony S90 and just finished a Ricoh CX2 review.

However, I have another project I am working on, so rather than rely on leant or borrowed kit it is time to buy a digital SLR. I have previously used a Canon 450D (felt good but a little plastic) and a Nikon D90 (very nice, but image quality did not wow me). So looking around I found the K-7 and then the K-x which impressed me for its low light performance.

The info I have found on this forum has been invaluable. With the only concern being lack of red-dot focus area being shown (I cannot believe they left this out).

The question... should I just go for the K-x (18-55 + 55-300 kit) now, or what until PMA 2010?

Does anyone has any indication (on previous cycle) if the K-x2 or K-8 might be announced?

Thanks All.

bymy141 · 01-27-2010, 08:42 AM

I have no knowledge on the introductions on PMA 2010 as a regular reader of this forum.

What I do know is that Pentax is introducing follow up models more or less each year, (12+ months) where the K-7 (follow up of the K20D before that K10D) and the K-x (follow up of the K-m, before that K200D) is out of sync by approxiamtely 6 months.

Looking back over the years 2007 - 2010, I'd expect a K-7 follow up fall this year and a K-x follow up late 2010, early 2011.
After that you need to wait 3 months for Pentax to fix the firmware to an acceptable level.
I think Pentax engineers in general do not get enough time to deliver the right firmware quality at introduction.
The K10D had numerous problems, K20D shake reduction, K-7 green line & hot pixel issues, K-x battery issue.
Also if you wait that long the price comes down 10%.

I guess you may want to try the camera's in a local store now and if you buy one, you will have at least half a year extra fun with your new camera.

Of course you can always wait another year, the model after will have better features and specs for sure

Damn Brit · 01-27-2010, 11:44 AM

You should know well enough that redundancy is built into all electronic equipment. You can always wait for the next generation in the hopes of an earth shattering advance. The reality is that you tend to end up paying top dollar for a minor advance.
Buy whatever is current when you need/want it at a price you're prepared to pay and don't worry about what might be is the best advice I can offer.

Welcome to PF by the way.

indytax · 01-27-2010, 12:07 PM

Pentax has already announced the slate of new point & shoots that they will launch at PMA, and there's no rumors that there will be any DSLR announcments to come, so my guess is that nothing new will be announced.

einstrigger · 01-27-2010, 02:21 PM

Wasn't the K-X just released to the North American market around Oct 2009? I don't think we'll see a successor quite yet if that's the case.

vizjerei · 02-09-2010, 08:15 AM

Buy now and buy more later!

**dcmsox2004** · 02-09-2010, 11:25 AM

fyi for potential k-x buyers...
Amazon.com: Pentax K-x 12.4 MP Digital SLR with 2.7-inch LCD and 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL Lens (Black): J&R Music and Computer World
k-x and 18-55 lens (yeah i know, marginal lens)... but for 499 buck u.s., very attractive...

TheTenaciousOne · 02-11-2010, 04:00 AM

If the D90 image qualitly didnt impress you i doubt the Kx will be any different as they use the same sensor. Probably just the lens you were using

GoremanX · 02-11-2010, 03:15 PM

Originally posted by einstrigger

Wasn't the K-X just released to the North American market around Oct 2009? I don't think we'll see a successor quite yet if that's the case.

But there's still a gap to be filled between the K-x and the K-7. There used to be:

*ist D, *ist DS(2), *ist DL(2)
K10D, K100D, K110D
K20D, K200D, K2000/K-m

Currently, it looks like:

K-7, [missing link], K-x

There's been a lot of rumours of a K200D successor coming up which adds the top LCD, visible focus points in the viewfinder and a couple of other things to the K-x.

01-27-2010, 05:09 AM	#1
DavoMrMac Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 28	Should I buy Pentax Kx or wait for PMA 2010? This sort of question sounds really lame, however, I am not in much of a hurry to buy. My job is producing video reviews on the Geekanoids YouTube Channel. So I have plenty of kit to test and play with. Currently testing a Sony S90 and just finished a Ricoh CX2 review. However, I have another project I am working on, so rather than rely on leant or borrowed kit it is time to buy a digital SLR. I have previously used a Canon 450D (felt good but a little plastic) and a Nikon D90 (very nice, but image quality did not wow me). So looking around I found the K-7 and then the K-x which impressed me for its low light performance. The info I have found on this forum has been invaluable. With the only concern being lack of red-dot focus area being shown (I cannot believe they left this out). The question... should I just go for the K-x (18-55 + 55-300 kit) now, or what until PMA 2010? Does anyone has any indication (on previous cycle) if the K-x2 or K-8 might be announced? Thanks All.

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01-27-2010, 08:42 AM	#2
bymy141 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,563	I have no knowledge on the introductions on PMA 2010 as a regular reader of this forum. What I do know is that Pentax is introducing follow up models more or less each year, (12+ months) where the K-7 (follow up of the K20D before that K10D) and the K-x (follow up of the K-m, before that K200D) is out of sync by approxiamtely 6 months. Looking back over the years 2007 - 2010, I'd expect a K-7 follow up fall this year and a K-x follow up late 2010, early 2011. After that you need to wait 3 months for Pentax to fix the firmware to an acceptable level. I think Pentax engineers in general do not get enough time to deliver the right firmware quality at introduction. The K10D had numerous problems, K20D shake reduction, K-7 green line & hot pixel issues, K-x battery issue. Also if you wait that long the price comes down 10%. I guess you may want to try the camera's in a local store now and if you buy one, you will have at least half a year extra fun with your new camera. Of course you can always wait another year, the model after will have better features and specs for sure

01-27-2010, 11:44 AM	#3
Damn Brit Guest	You should know well enough that redundancy is built into all electronic equipment. You can always wait for the next generation in the hopes of an earth shattering advance. The reality is that you tend to end up paying top dollar for a minor advance. Buy whatever is current when you need/want it at a price you're prepared to pay and don't worry about what might be is the best advice I can offer. Welcome to PF by the way.

01-27-2010, 12:07 PM	#4
indytax Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Indianapolis, Indiana, USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 312	Pentax has already announced the slate of new point & shoots that they will launch at PMA, and there's no rumors that there will be any DSLR announcments to come, so my guess is that nothing new will be announced.

01-27-2010, 02:21 PM	#5
einstrigger Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Sacramento, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 728	Wasn't the K-X just released to the North American market around Oct 2009? I don't think we'll see a successor quite yet if that's the case.

02-09-2010, 08:15 AM	#6
vizjerei Veteran Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,418	Buy now and buy more later!

02-09-2010, 11:25 AM	#7
dcmsox2004 Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: rhode island Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,522	fyi for potential k-x buyers... Amazon.com: Pentax K-x 12.4 MP Digital SLR with 2.7-inch LCD and 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL Lens (Black): J&R Music and Computer World k-x and 18-55 lens (yeah i know, marginal lens)... but for 499 buck u.s., very attractive...

02-11-2010, 04:00 AM	#8
TheTenaciousOne Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Adelaide, SA, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 111	If the D90 image qualitly didnt impress you i doubt the Kx will be any different as they use the same sensor. Probably just the lens you were using

02-11-2010, 03:15 PM	#9
GoremanX Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Georgia, VT Photos: Albums Posts: 1,657	Originally posted by einstrigger Wasn't the K-X just released to the North American market around Oct 2009? I don't think we'll see a successor quite yet if that's the case. But there's still a gap to be filled between the K-x and the K-7. There used to be: ist D, ist DS(2), *ist DL(2) K10D, K100D, K110D K20D, K200D, K2000/K-m Currently, it looks like: K-7, [missing link], K-x There's been a lot of rumours of a K200D successor coming up which adds the top LCD, visible focus points in the viewfinder and a couple of other things to the K-x.