Better Buy: K10D or K01?

Ace · 07-19-2013, 07:18 AM

With help from the forum, I have decided to buy better glass and wait on buying a k5. The question now is what camera. I shoot mainly landscapes but with that comes some wildlife. I am upgrading from an Ist D. I have been focusing on the K10D but the K-01 is an intriguing option. I would love to get opinions of the pluses and minuses of the two cameras. My main concern is the lack of a viewfinder on the K-01. Is that a deal breaker for a main camera? I will still have the Ist as backup but I would like a camera that will be usable in most situations. I use a Lumix DMC-LX3 as my P&S, so I have some experience shooting without a viewfinder. Any thoughts would be very helpful, thanks.

drypenn · 07-19-2013, 07:23 AM

Personally, if my istD is still working, I'll buy neither. Either save up for more glasses, or just wait until you can get a K5. If you must really have a new camera while you're waiting for a K5, find a nice KX. Better than k10.

mrNewt · 07-19-2013, 07:27 AM

I had a K10D and it was a great camera but I would say to get the K-01 - is a better camera when it comes to image quality and AF is not ideal, but is not as bad either.
You can get a viewfinder for the K-01... I've been using nothing but the K-01 for a couple months now. The K-5 sits on a shelf gathering dust

Great little camera!

Viewfinder for the K-01 SWIVI:

2her0ck · 07-19-2013, 07:35 AM

If you are going to keep your istD then personally I'd go with the K-01 but like drypenn said, better to wait and save up for a better upgrade.

I used to own a K-01. It has amazing image quality as it uses the same sensor as the K-5 which is a plus point but it did not have a view finder. I only own one camera at a time, so I upgraded to a K-30 and sold the K-01. The K-30 does not bring any new improvements to the image quality as it uses the same sensor but I needed the viewfinder and wanted a weather resistant body.

So like I said, if you are going to keep the istD then buy the K-01 for its better sensor, otherwise wait for a better upgrade depending on what you need.

Julie · 07-19-2013, 09:03 AM

I think I'd be inclined to go for the K01... just because it is a few years ahead of the K10d, technology-wise. Plus, I'm not a huge fan of buying camera bodies secondhand; if you are the same, you can still pick up a K01 new, but probably wouldn't be able to find a K10d.

If you're used to the viewfinder on your ist, then the K01 is probably going to be a little awkward at first... but like others have mentioned, there is the option of a viewfinder (I personally haven't tried one, I use my K01 less then my K30, sort of as a backup). I personally like my K01 for its image quality and cool, quirky design, but the handling is still a little awkward for me, AF in Liveview is slow ,and there is a long focus throw. If given the choice between a K01 and a K30/K5 model, I'd spring for the DSLR. But if it were between the K01 and an older DSLR, I'd go for the K01 just because it is affordable and not super-outdated in terms of technology, yet...

HenrikDK · 07-19-2013, 09:09 AM

I love my K-01 which replaced my K-x backup camera. Great for casual family stuff, candid, and street photography, and I prefer it over my K-5 for video. Feel I am never compromising IQ, and it seems to cause me to "see" differently. For landscape and wildlife, however, I am exclusively using my K-5. Was in the Florida Keys last week, and tried to take a landscape picture, since I had a WA mounted on it. Was close to impossible to see what I was photographing. Was even thinking I needed a backup DSLR again (my K-5 is in for repair for a lost lens release button), but that is my LBA talking.

IMO if you primarily do landscape and wildlife, I would not have the K-01 as my primary camera.

Ace · 07-19-2013, 09:16 AM

Originally posted by HenrikDK

I love my K-01 which replaced my K-x backup camera. Great for casual family stuff, candid, and street photography, and I prefer it over my K-5 for video. Feel I am never compromising IQ, and it seems to cause me to "see" differently. For landscape and wildlife, however, I am exclusively using my K-5. Was in the Florida Keys last week, and tried to take a landscape picture, since I had a WA mounted on it. Was close to impossible to see what I was photographing. Was even thinking I needed a backup DSLR again (my K-5 is in for repair for a lost lens release button), but that is my LBA talking.

IMO if you primarily do landscape and wildlife, I would not have the K-01 as my primary camera.

That is my main concern with no viewfinder. I am really tempted to get the K-01 due to the price, maybe even with the 40mm kit lens. But if it is too tough to see in bright sun it is useless to me. I know I can add a viewfinder but by the time you add on the price I might as well save for a K5.

**monochrome** · 07-19-2013, 09:22 AM

I have my old K10D AND a K-01. I've spent my camera money on old film cameras rather than upgrading to a K5, but I imagine I'll buy up when the next major advance happens.

Neither is a great all around camera (any more - at one time the K10D was very good but for low light / high ISO) so here are my +/- observations

K10: ISO 100 best color out there. Since I shoot ISO 100 K10 is a tripod or steady hand camera. I usually shoot at f/5.6. I have real problems at my age with the small viewfinder. Landscape *(at f/5.6 isolating one subject), macro, interiors and portrait with fast lenses.

K-01: Very sharp, excellent ISO camera with a special imaging engine (also found in K30, I think). Focus Peaking on the LCD helps me. Since I don't shoot action I can accept CDAF. I have mostly MF lenses anyway. Mid-range controls and single wheel are a bother to me. Sun glare on the LCD is a problem sometimes so I use a black cloth. That makes high-sun outdoor shooting sort of a throw-back to box cameras, which isn't all bad.

Video is pretty good for my needs but not broadcast not even enthusiast amateur standard.

I think a K30 / K50 is pretty much a K-01 in a dSLR-style body, which you should consider.

My favorite camera is my KX, then LX for action, and I just got an MZ-S to see what all the shouting has been about. LX and MZ-S will eventually be sold - just trying them out.

Some of that might be ghelpful. Most of it should characterize me and my observations as (politely) an outlier.

Ace · 07-19-2013, 09:32 AM

Originally posted by monochrome

I just got an MZ-S

I don't shoot film often anymore but the MZ-S is by far my favorite camera. With the battery grip on it fits in my hand like I was born with it. I will still pull out a roll of Velvia and shoot some photos just to use the MZ-S.

HenrikDK · 07-19-2013, 10:17 AM

Originally posted by Ace

That is my main concern with no viewfinder. I am really tempted to get the K-01 due to the price, maybe even with the 40mm kit lens. But if it is too tough to see in bright sun it is useless to me. I know I can add a viewfinder but by the time you add on the price I might as well save for a K5.

You could consider a K-7? Looks like you can a used one for $300 or so. For landscape using a tripod the high ISO performance of the newer sensors would not do much for you. Could help with wildlife, though. Would make an easier later transition to a K-5. I do agree the k-30/K-50 are great options but probably about as expensive as a K-5.

mickey · 07-20-2013, 07:01 AM

The K10 is still a fine camera and hard to beat at iso 100.
I still use mine with manual lenses on a tripod for landscapes.
It often gets a runout with a 40mm XS on it as backup to the K-5.
AF struggles at times and is noisy at high iso, which only goes to 1600.
Its ergonomics are the best Pentax has made and it's tough as nails.
It takes a bit of patience to get the best out of this camera, knowing its good and bad points.
However, when comparing it with more recent cameras, I can see people have stated the K-01 is better.
I don't think I could get on with the K-01 because of the lack of viewfinder. I have come to that assumption because I have hardly ever used live view on my K-5.

Could be worth adding the K-7 into that list of yours.

07-19-2013, 07:18 AM	#1
Ace Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Nevada Posts: 38	Better Buy: K10D or K01? With help from the forum, I have decided to buy better glass and wait on buying a k5. The question now is what camera. I shoot mainly landscapes but with that comes some wildlife. I am upgrading from an Ist D. I have been focusing on the K10D but the K-01 is an intriguing option. I would love to get opinions of the pluses and minuses of the two cameras. My main concern is the lack of a viewfinder on the K-01. Is that a deal breaker for a main camera? I will still have the Ist as backup but I would like a camera that will be usable in most situations. I use a Lumix DMC-LX3 as my P&S, so I have some experience shooting without a viewfinder. Any thoughts would be very helpful, thanks.

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07-19-2013, 07:23 AM	#2
drypenn Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Photos: Albums Posts: 963	Personally, if my istD is still working, I'll buy neither. Either save up for more glasses, or just wait until you can get a K5. If you must really have a new camera while you're waiting for a K5, find a nice KX. Better than k10.

07-19-2013, 07:27 AM	#3
mrNewt Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: ON, RH Posts: 2,181	I had a K10D and it was a great camera but I would say to get the K-01 - is a better camera when it comes to image quality and AF is not ideal, but is not as bad either. You can get a viewfinder for the K-01... I've been using nothing but the K-01 for a couple months now. The K-5 sits on a shelf gathering dust Great little camera! Viewfinder for the K-01 SWIVI:

07-19-2013, 07:35 AM	#4
2her0ck Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Oamaru Photos: Albums Posts: 49	If you are going to keep your istD then personally I'd go with the K-01 but like drypenn said, better to wait and save up for a better upgrade. I used to own a K-01. It has amazing image quality as it uses the same sensor as the K-5 which is a plus point but it did not have a view finder. I only own one camera at a time, so I upgraded to a K-30 and sold the K-01. The K-30 does not bring any new improvements to the image quality as it uses the same sensor but I needed the viewfinder and wanted a weather resistant body. So like I said, if you are going to keep the istD then buy the K-01 for its better sensor, otherwise wait for a better upgrade depending on what you need.

07-19-2013, 09:03 AM	#5
Julie Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Illinois Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,069	I think I'd be inclined to go for the K01... just because it is a few years ahead of the K10d, technology-wise. Plus, I'm not a huge fan of buying camera bodies secondhand; if you are the same, you can still pick up a K01 new, but probably wouldn't be able to find a K10d. If you're used to the viewfinder on your ist, then the K01 is probably going to be a little awkward at first... but like others have mentioned, there is the option of a viewfinder (I personally haven't tried one, I use my K01 less then my K30, sort of as a backup). I personally like my K01 for its image quality and cool, quirky design, but the handling is still a little awkward for me, AF in Liveview is slow ,and there is a long focus throw. If given the choice between a K01 and a K30/K5 model, I'd spring for the DSLR. But if it were between the K01 and an older DSLR, I'd go for the K01 just because it is affordable and not super-outdated in terms of technology, yet...

07-19-2013, 09:09 AM	#6
HenrikDK Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Charlotte, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 386	I love my K-01 which replaced my K-x backup camera. Great for casual family stuff, candid, and street photography, and I prefer it over my K-5 for video. Feel I am never compromising IQ, and it seems to cause me to "see" differently. For landscape and wildlife, however, I am exclusively using my K-5. Was in the Florida Keys last week, and tried to take a landscape picture, since I had a WA mounted on it. Was close to impossible to see what I was photographing. Was even thinking I needed a backup DSLR again (my K-5 is in for repair for a lost lens release button), but that is my LBA talking. IMO if you primarily do landscape and wildlife, I would not have the K-01 as my primary camera.

07-19-2013, 09:16 AM	#7
Ace Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Nevada Posts: 38 Original Poster	Originally posted by HenrikDK I love my K-01 which replaced my K-x backup camera. Great for casual family stuff, candid, and street photography, and I prefer it over my K-5 for video. Feel I am never compromising IQ, and it seems to cause me to "see" differently. For landscape and wildlife, however, I am exclusively using my K-5. Was in the Florida Keys last week, and tried to take a landscape picture, since I had a WA mounted on it. Was close to impossible to see what I was photographing. Was even thinking I needed a backup DSLR again (my K-5 is in for repair for a lost lens release button), but that is my LBA talking. IMO if you primarily do landscape and wildlife, I would not have the K-01 as my primary camera. That is my main concern with no viewfinder. I am really tempted to get the K-01 due to the price, maybe even with the 40mm kit lens. But if it is too tough to see in bright sun it is useless to me. I know I can add a viewfinder but by the time you add on the price I might as well save for a K5.

07-19-2013, 09:22 AM	#8
monochrome Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Working From Home Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 26,276	I have my old K10D AND a K-01. I've spent my camera money on old film cameras rather than upgrading to a K5, but I imagine I'll buy up when the next major advance happens. Neither is a great all around camera (any more - at one time the K10D was very good but for low light / high ISO) so here are my +/- observations K10: ISO 100 best color out there. Since I shoot ISO 100 K10 is a tripod or steady hand camera. I usually shoot at f/5.6. I have real problems at my age with the small viewfinder. Landscape (at f/5.6 isolating one subject), macro, interiors and portrait with fast lenses. K-01: Very sharp, excellent ISO camera with a special imaging engine (also found in K30, I think). Focus Peaking on the LCD helps me. Since I don't shoot action I can accept CDAF. I have mostly MF lenses anyway. Mid-range controls and single wheel are a bother to me. Sun glare on the LCD is a problem sometimes so I use a black cloth. That makes high-sun outdoor shooting sort of a throw-back to box cameras, which isn't all bad. Video is pretty good for my needs but not broadcast not even enthusiast amateur standard. I think a K30 / K50 is pretty much a K-01 in a dSLR-style body*, which you should consider. My favorite camera is my KX, then LX for action, and I just got an MZ-S to see what all the shouting has been about. LX and MZ-S will eventually be sold - just trying them out. Some of that might be ghelpful. Most of it should characterize me and my observations as (politely) an outlier.

07-19-2013, 09:32 AM	#9
Ace Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Nevada Posts: 38 Original Poster	Originally posted by monochrome I just got an MZ-S I don't shoot film often anymore but the MZ-S is by far my favorite camera. With the battery grip on it fits in my hand like I was born with it. I will still pull out a roll of Velvia and shoot some photos just to use the MZ-S.

07-19-2013, 10:17 AM	#10
HenrikDK Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Charlotte, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 386	Originally posted by Ace That is my main concern with no viewfinder. I am really tempted to get the K-01 due to the price, maybe even with the 40mm kit lens. But if it is too tough to see in bright sun it is useless to me. I know I can add a viewfinder but by the time you add on the price I might as well save for a K5. You could consider a K-7? Looks like you can a used one for $300 or so. For landscape using a tripod the high ISO performance of the newer sensors would not do much for you. Could help with wildlife, though. Would make an easier later transition to a K-5. I do agree the k-30/K-50 are great options but probably about as expensive as a K-5.

07-20-2013, 07:01 AM	#11
mickey Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Japan Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,146	The K10 is still a fine camera and hard to beat at iso 100. I still use mine with manual lenses on a tripod for landscapes. It often gets a runout with a 40mm XS on it as backup to the K-5. AF struggles at times and is noisy at high iso, which only goes to 1600. Its ergonomics are the best Pentax has made and it's tough as nails. It takes a bit of patience to get the best out of this camera, knowing its good and bad points. However, when comparing it with more recent cameras, I can see people have stated the K-01 is better. I don't think I could get on with the K-01 because of the lack of viewfinder. I have come to that assumption because I have hardly ever used live view on my K-5. Could be worth adding the K-7 into that list of yours.