Just downgraded and couldn't be happier

Laurentiu Cristofor · 06-08-2011, 09:49 PM

Talk about splitting hairs over minute sensor differences.

Funny how the best shot I see in this thread is from the K-7

wll · 06-09-2011, 04:11 AM

Originally posted by CrazyNuts

I used to own a K10D before buying a K-7 in hope that it would be a major improvement in IQ and overall performance.

I had the camera for 6 months and in that whole time I kept saying to myself "I wish I didn't sell the K10D"

Comparing the pictures I took with the K10D to the K-7, it was quite obvious that the K-7 missed the mark in the IQ department.

Sure the K-7 has better AF and WB control but to be honest, the noise even from ISO 100 I just couldn't bare.

SO. I sold the K-7 and bought a DEMO K20D locally for under $500.

Could not be happier. The IQ is back and even my Sigma 100-300mm f/4 is performing the way it used to on the K10D. On my K-7 the Sigma had really bad focusing issues (even after being taken in for servicing).

Think I'll be keeping this body for a while and not sure how long it will be before I upgrade to the K-5, if at all.

Anybody else out there is of simillar opinion?

I had K10D's when they first came out, did not like the high ISO ability at all. Sold them about 5 months after the K20D came out and bought K20D's ... and have never looked back.

After the K-7 came out and the reports came in about the sensor not having the range of the K20D, I kept the K20D's

I do own a K-5 (and that camera is in a class by itself), but the K20D's are great cameras.

I recently bought another refurbished for less than $400.00. Even though the K-7 has many features the K20D does not, the K20D image quality is superb, IMHO

wll

Parallax · 06-09-2011, 09:10 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by edgedemon

That's not bad for a 5yr old camera..

The fact that your K20D is 5 years old makes it even more impressive.

(The K 20D was introduced in early 2008, just over 3 years ago.)

ihemiola · 06-18-2011, 07:33 PM

Originally posted by Laurentiu Cristofor

Funny how the best shot I see in this thread is from the K-7

It's been a while since I've posted but here's an ISO 100 from a K10:

Attached Images

octavmandru · 06-18-2011, 07:59 PM

How about the metering problems in K20? Darn, I need to compensate +1 in an overcast day.
Of course, after an extended usage, the camera becomes the extension of yourself. You learn to overcome the drawbacks, even use it in own advantage.

I remember that I was using the k200 inside museums at iso 400 max, after I purchased it. Lots of blurred pictures resulted, but didn't blame the camera.
Later, I went to 1600 and the pictures seemed better than before.
And yesterday, I kept shooting the K20 at iso 2500, and guess what: I loved the results.

Still, I would try the k5 happily.

Octav

Designosophy · 06-21-2011, 08:37 AM

To the OP: Congratulations on finding the right camera for you. If it is the one that serves you best, then it is the best one for you.

Would you please post some comparison pictures so we can see the good and bad you are talking about? This will help readers to make objective observations.

dylansalt · 06-21-2011, 12:39 PM

K10D is a great dslr and capable of beautiful pics but it's sensor and its overall performance is no where near the K5.

A true substantial upgrade will be from the K10D to the K5.

**EsBee** · 06-21-2011, 02:51 PM

Originally posted by CrazyNuts

I used to own a K10D before buying a K-7...

...I sold the K-7 and bought a DEMO K20D...

That's three completely different sensors.

Although I agree that some times downgrading is just pure fun, are you sure it isn't the similarities of ergonomics and user interface between K10d and K20d that you are probably more comfortable with?

While owning a K20d, I got a K-7 and saw significant improvement in many aspects that I cared about, including the image quality. I personally didn't notice any noise issues since I rarely shoot above ISO 800 but even in tests, the K-7 gave me more than acceptable quality at ISO 1600.

normhead · 06-21-2011, 04:37 PM

Hmmmm.. lots of people do tests, no one has results to show. SO I guess, really, I have no idea what everyone is talking about.

RioRico · 06-21-2011, 05:26 PM

Originally posted by Parallax

The fact that your K20D is 5 years old makes it even more impressive.

(The K 20D was introduced in early 2008, just over 3 years ago.)

It must be the original prototype! So rare! So valuable! Like a laser from 1957!

CrazyNuts · 07-25-2011, 01:31 AM

Apologies for neglecting this thread.

I don't have any comparison pics that are of the same location/environment/conditions.

I was merely stating my own opinion.

It was definitely not the "ergonomics" that put me off. I got used to the K-7 very quickly, in fact I prefer it to the K20D.

All I got to say is this. Since I got my K20D I've been happier with the results, happier with the ISO Noise and my gorgeous Sigma 100-300mm f/4 doesn't suffer FF issues anymore.

The K-7 frustrated me in all those areas.

Daveinozbikes · 07-26-2011, 05:07 AM

oh yeah...and the Pentax 18-250mm lens......

kent · 07-26-2011, 06:49 AM

I am deciding to buy K-7 or used K20D. I can't afford K-5 and even more I wouldn't buy it as long as there is a lot K-5 glitch list. I love K20D however I love K-7 even more but somehow I am between choice of old or new. I am used to poor high iso (hence my current K200D) and I am not about to blame K-7.

07-26-2011, 05:07 AM	#27
Daveinozbikes Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Dawesville,Western Australia. Photos: Gallery Posts: 128	K20d forever........ oh yeah...and the Pentax 18-250mm lens......

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06-08-2011, 09:49 PM	#16
Laurentiu Cristofor Banned Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: WA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,055	Talk about splitting hairs over minute sensor differences. Funny how the best shot I see in this thread is from the K-7

06-09-2011, 04:11 AM	#17
wll Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Mission Hills, CA Posts: 773	Originally posted by CrazyNuts I used to own a K10D before buying a K-7 in hope that it would be a major improvement in IQ and overall performance. I had the camera for 6 months and in that whole time I kept saying to myself "I wish I didn't sell the K10D" Comparing the pictures I took with the K10D to the K-7, it was quite obvious that the K-7 missed the mark in the IQ department. Sure the K-7 has better AF and WB control but to be honest, the noise even from ISO 100 I just couldn't bare. SO. I sold the K-7 and bought a DEMO K20D locally for under $500. Could not be happier. The IQ is back and even my Sigma 100-300mm f/4 is performing the way it used to on the K10D. On my K-7 the Sigma had really bad focusing issues (even after being taken in for servicing). Think I'll be keeping this body for a while and not sure how long it will be before I upgrade to the K-5, if at all. Anybody else out there is of simillar opinion? I had K10D's when they first came out, did not like the high ISO ability at all. Sold them about 5 months after the K20D came out and bought K20D's ... and have never looked back. After the K-7 came out and the reports came in about the sensor not having the range of the K20D, I kept the K20D's I do own a K-5 (and that camera is in a class by itself), but the K20D's are great cameras. I recently bought another refurbished for less than $400.00. Even though the K-7 has many features the K20D does not, the K20D image quality is superb, IMHO wll

06-09-2011, 09:10 AM - 1 Like	#18
Parallax Senior Moderator Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: South Dakota Photos: Gallery Posts: 19,332	Originally posted by edgedemon That's not bad for a 5yr old camera.. The fact that your K20D is 5 years old makes it even more impressive. (The K 20D was introduced in early 2008, just over 3 years ago.)

06-18-2011, 07:33 PM	#19
ihemiola Inactive Account Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Texas Photos: Gallery Posts: 10	Originally posted by Laurentiu Cristofor Funny how the best shot I see in this thread is from the K-7 It's been a while since I've posted but here's an ISO 100 from a K10: Attached Images

06-18-2011, 07:59 PM	#20
octavmandru Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: somewhere around Posts: 615	How about the metering problems in K20? Darn, I need to compensate +1 in an overcast day. Of course, after an extended usage, the camera becomes the extension of yourself. You learn to overcome the drawbacks, even use it in own advantage. I remember that I was using the k200 inside museums at iso 400 max, after I purchased it. Lots of blurred pictures resulted, but didn't blame the camera. Later, I went to 1600 and the pictures seemed better than before. And yesterday, I kept shooting the K20 at iso 2500, and guess what: I loved the results. Still, I would try the k5 happily. Octav

06-21-2011, 08:37 AM	#21
Designosophy Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Northeast Philadelphia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,137	To the OP: Congratulations on finding the right camera for you. If it is the one that serves you best, then it is the best one for you. Would you please post some comparison pictures so we can see the good and bad you are talking about? This will help readers to make objective observations.

06-21-2011, 12:39 PM	#22
dylansalt Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Durban, South Africa Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,052	K10D is a great dslr and capable of beautiful pics but it's sensor and its overall performance is no where near the K5. A true substantial upgrade will be from the K10D to the K5.

06-21-2011, 02:51 PM	#23
EsBee Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: National Capital Region Posts: 739	Originally posted by CrazyNuts I used to own a K10D before buying a K-7... ...I sold the K-7 and bought a DEMO K20D... That's three completely different sensors. Although I agree that some times downgrading is just pure fun, are you sure it isn't the similarities of ergonomics and user interface between K10d and K20d that you are probably more comfortable with? While owning a K20d, I got a K-7 and saw significant improvement in many aspects that I cared about, including the image quality. I personally didn't notice any noise issues since I rarely shoot above ISO 800 but even in tests, the K-7 gave me more than acceptable quality at ISO 1600.

06-21-2011, 04:37 PM	#24
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	Hmmmm.. lots of people do tests, no one has results to show. SO I guess, really, I have no idea what everyone is talking about.

06-21-2011, 05:26 PM	#25
RioRico Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Limbo, California Posts: 11,263	Originally posted by Parallax The fact that your K20D is 5 years old makes it even more impressive. (The K 20D was introduced in early 2008, just over 3 years ago.) It must be the original prototype! So rare! So valuable! Like a laser from 1957!

07-25-2011, 01:31 AM	#26
CrazyNuts Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Perth, Australia Posts: 180 Original Poster	Apologies for neglecting this thread. I don't have any comparison pics that are of the same location/environment/conditions. I was merely stating my own opinion. It was definitely not the "ergonomics" that put me off. I got used to the K-7 very quickly, in fact I prefer it to the K20D. All I got to say is this. Since I got my K20D I've been happier with the results, happier with the ISO Noise and my gorgeous Sigma 100-300mm f/4 doesn't suffer FF issues anymore. The K-7 frustrated me in all those areas.

07-26-2011, 06:49 AM	#28
kent Veteran Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Lithuania Photos: Gallery Posts: 344	I am deciding to buy K-7 or used K20D. I can't afford K-5 and even more I wouldn't buy it as long as there is a lot K-5 glitch list. I love K20D however I love K-7 even more but somehow I am between choice of old or new. I am used to poor high iso (hence my current K200D) and I am not about to blame K-7.