[rdeberti]

I love my K100D Super but feel 6MP just is not enough when I want to crop photos and make enlargements
Looking at used
Which do you think would be best bargain for me K10D or K20D or K200D
at todays used model prices which is the best buy?
Thanks

[Biff]

I think they are all great, I really like my K200D.

With the current prices I'm tempted to get a K20D, and a K5 later. There is still a lot for me to learn on the 200 and 20.

Value depends a bit on price. There is a K10D in excellent condition on Craigslist now with the grip for $340, which I think is a great value.

Happy upgrading. . .

[theperception2008]

I love my K100D Super but feel 6MP just is not enough when I want to crop photos and make enlargements
Looking at used
Which do you think would be best bargain for me K10D or K20D or K200D
at todays used model prices which is the best buy?
Thanks

I'm on the same boat as you too! I've been checking out the Marketplace hoping something comes up good. I am in Europe right now and the offers are pretty slim. I'm liking the K20D because you can adjust for focus variations. The K10D can only do it for one lens. That would be the biggie for me. I was also figuring that if I skip out on upgrading for another 6 months to 1 year then I can get a K-5. :-)

[GlennG]

I love my K100D Super but feel 6MP just is not enough when I want to crop photos and make enlargements

File enlargement through interpolation - have you tried this? I have not, but it is tempting. Not sure how good the results actually are, but you might give it a shot with your PP software, just to see. It might give you enough so that you would not need to upgrade (at this time).

I have the k100dS also - little to compare to, but seems like a great little camera. I also consider the upgrade options. From your three options, I'd lean toward the K20, just based on my take of all the reviews, seeing pics, and current prices. And, the K20 gives you the most room to do what you want - only pixels will get you what you need. All three seem to be good performers, from what I can tell.

Good luck with any of your choices.

Glenn

[audiobomber]

I had a K100D Super and now a K20D. The K20D is an improvement over the K100D Super in every possible way. Buy with confidence.

[tackyat.2]

With the K5 release, K20D prices should be dropping. I'd say if you need the extra MP, go for it.

[tibbitts]

Is the issue that you want larger output, or more cropping? If it's more cropping, maybe consider another lens instead of a new body.

I only have a k100 and k200. The latter was acquired more to have a second body than strictly for an upgrade. The first pentax that I'd like to have purely for upgrade purposes is the k5, but it's too expensive still.

Paul

[ChipB]

I upgraded from the *ist DS to the K200D - then kinda sidestepped to the K10D then to the K20D. K20D is by far, IMHO, the best of the bunch!!

[FWW56]

I've got a K100 as well as an Ist* DL, K20 and a Kx.

Your choices are all very good cameras but by far the best bang for the buck for upgrading from the K100 is the K20. You will realize over twice as many MP's and about a one stop higher ISO improvement with similar image quality to the K100.

Although a much better body with weather sealing, more control etc, the K10 will give you more MP's but lower ISO performance. The K200 will give you the same sensor as the K10 with more MP's and lessor ISO performance with the same camera body & controls as the K100. With either of these, you will be trading your K100's higher ISO performance for MP's, almost a lateral move.

With the K20 you will gain higher ISO performance from a much more robust camera body than the K100. You will get the second generation of the K10 body with a larger 14.6MP sensor, weather sealing and many more options than the K100 or the K200 along with more and easier to navigate controls.

Although not mentioned, the Kx is a very good camera and arguably having the best high ISO performance for an APS-C sensor. It's still an entry level camera and I find it lacking in features that I've grown accustomed too.

Good Luck!
FRANK

[adamaitken]

I'd go for the K20. So many good photos I've seen from this camera on the web, but the higher resolution is fine for bigger prints.

[zelovoc]

i recently upgraded from k200 to k5 and it`s like heaven&hell in every possible way. i suggest to save money and buy k5 later or used k7 now. dimensions are almost same but everything other is simply MUCH better.

[guinnessman]

I just upgraded from a k100d to a k20d (got the last one on woot), and I agree with most others sentiments regarding the handling, weather-sealing, larger prism, etc. Tje camera also appeared like new, even though it was marked a refurb, and considering it came with an 18-55 II for $505, I thought it was the best deal out there.

Unfortunately, I haven't been able to test it out too much - high ISO noise is nothing to write home about, 1600 on both cameras is similar, never liked 3200, and 3200 extended to 6400 on the k20d is terrible. Luckily, I have several fast primes, and my favorite lens (Sigma 10-20mm) I most often use during the day.

[audiobomber]

Unfortunately, I haven't been able to test it out too much - high ISO noise is nothing to write home about, 1600 on both cameras is similar, never liked 3200, and 3200 extended to 6400 on the k20d is terrible. Luckily, I have several fast primes, and my favorite lens (Sigma 10-20mm) I most often use during the day.

My testing (NR off, both resized to the same resolution) showed that K20D noise at ISO 2500 equalled the K100D Super at ISO 1600; i.e. 2/3 stop difference in favour of the K20D.

[wll]

I can tell you, without a doubt in my mind, the K20D is the way to go.

I love my DS, great little camera. Your K100D Super is much improved though :- )

My K200D's .. nice cameras, but the high ISO does not match my DS or your K100D Super IMHO and others.

My K20D blows them all out of the water by a LONG shot. The body is much, much stronger, its weather sealed, it has many more features, you have a optional battery grip. It is in effect a pro body !

In addition, I find the higher ISO to be quite good and use 3200 in a pinch and 6400 works if you turn to B&W .... on the other hand the newer noise reduction (thinking of Topaz DeNoise5) software gives ISO 3200 and 6400 in the K20D new life for sure.

Just to point out how much I like the K20D, I just bought TWO more used ones with low mileage (2500 Shutter activations).

Why did I not opt for the K7D, even though it has video and a host of nice features ? .....

1) Almost twice as expensive used.
2) The sensor on the K20D gives better resolution at higher ISO's than the K7D does from all the reported test and user threads on every forum I've seen.

Again if I were you, I would hunt down a good used, well cared for Low Mileage K20D, for around $450-$475 (as of 12-12-2010). You may purchase a refurbished K20D w18-55mm II lens for $499.99 that I have seen ..... a steal of a deal IMHO, again its a very, very good camera !

So there you have my impartial rant for the day ;- )


wll

I love my K100D Super but feel 6MP just is not enough when I want to crop photos and make enlargements
Looking at used
Which do you think would be best bargain for me K10D or K20D or K200D
at todays used model prices which is the best buy?
Thanks

[stanjo]

You may not get the effective resolution bump you expect when switching from 6MP to 14.6MP, because the low-end lens are the limiting factor. If you have the kit lens, do not expect pixel-level improvement in resolution.