Originally posted by jeryst So I was just wondering how Pentax cameras like the K-1 stack up against the similar Nikons
and Canons in regards to features and image quality. Is there justification that those
other cameras are better than Pentax, or is it truely just a matter of advertising and
camera snobbery?
If you compare apples to apples, meaning Canon, Nikon, Pentax full frame at the same price point you'd be looking at:
Pentax K1: 36MP, 5-way IBIS sensor shift, 33 AF points, 3.2" Tilting LCD (1,037,000), 204,800 max ISO, no flash, 1/8000" max shutter, operating temp 14 to 104°F (-10 to 40°C), 924 g., plus unlike the others Astrotracer and Pixel-Shift resolution mode.
Nikon D750: 24MP, no IBIS, 51 AF points, 3.2" Tilting LCD (1,229,000), 12,800 max ISO, built-in flash, 1/4000" max shutter, 32 to 104°F (0 to 40°C), 750 g.
Canon 6D II: 26MP, 5-way IBIS digital shift, 45 AF points, 3" Swivel Touchscreen LCD (1,040,000), 40,000 max ISO, no flash, 1/4000" max shutter, 32 to 104°F (0 to 40°C), 685 g., plus unlike the others only a single SD card slot.
So as you can see, each camera has pros and cons in various areas, but nothing that clearly makes one inferior or superior. With that said, the K-1 is the Pentax FF flagship unlike the Nikon and Canon priced equivalents.
Now if we compared the K1 ($1900) with the Nikon D5 ($6500) or D850 ($3300) or Canon EOS 1DX II ($6000) or EOS 5D IV ($3500) the pros and cons balance changes.
Yes, snobbery is often a factor, but it goes both ways. You can have rich snobs and you can have poor snobs; photographers with $$$$ gear that actually believe they are better BUT also photographers with $ gear that look down on the $$$$ geared photographers.
AND sadly much of the perception via the media is from advertising and marketing. Canon+See Impossible; Nikon+At the heart of the image; Pentax+imagine. change.
Canon and Nikon are so dominant because they have historically flooded brick and mortars worldwide with entry level DSLRs while having a midrange models for upgrading and pro end prestige for the photographers that use their gear for a living and/or networks, institutions, governments, corporations that can just lease it.
For me, it's about the glass. I don't own Apple products because they are cheaper, but because I like the software integration, and Apple makes the hardware that works with it. I own Pentax (and Nikon) cameras because there are specific lenses that I love and they work on those cameras. (Full disclosure: In college I had one horrible experience with a Canon, and it has scarred and biased me for life!)
IF you're not currently invested in one system of lenses and don't have the budget for a higher end FF from Canon or Nikon, the Pentax K1 is a gem. A good photographer can do wonders with a K-S2 or K-50.