Which Camera Body K-3 or K-50

WVRICK · 01-23-2014, 08:10 AM

It seems that I almost never get to use the K-50 I bought for Christmas due to other household members hogging it all the time. I just completed my income tax returns and will be getting a decent refund, so I have been thinking about getting another camera body so I can actually take some photos. Naturally I want to get the most bang for the buck, but I don't want to cheap out and be unhappy later. Should I get another K-50 (I love this camera when I use it) or should I seriously consider getting a K-3? Your thoughts on this will be appreciated.

Fat Albert · 01-23-2014, 08:11 AM

How about the K5IIs? I think it's on sale for $699 at the moment.

WVRICK · 01-23-2014, 08:21 AM

I thought about the K-5iis but I have friends who like the K-50 better than their K-5iis.

peterjcb · 01-23-2014, 08:24 AM

I originally purchased a K-50 from Costco with the 2 lens kit and it was very nice but I returned it and purchased a K-3.
This is a long term purchase for me and I don't plan on upgrading to another body any time in the foreseeable future.
The K-3 is very solid and built like a tank besides being a fantastic camera.
It is a camera that I will continue to learn and grow into...

WVRICK · 01-23-2014, 08:27 AM

I have been leaning that way because I tend to buy a camera and keep it a long long time. In fact, this is my first foray into digital I finally gave a friend my old Nikon film camera and lenses that were 35 years old.

**skid2964** · 01-23-2014, 08:27 AM

I say buy a used camera like a K-x, K-30 or K-r (or even a new k-500) and let the family hog it and you use the k-50....

**savoche** · 01-23-2014, 08:30 AM

Umm, if you think you will like the K-50 over the K-5, I'd think you won't like the K-3 - it's not very different from the K-5.

WVRICK · 01-23-2014, 08:31 AM

Great idea, but I have a feeling that I would end up using the used camera. In fact, I bet if I buy a K-3 I will end up using the K-50. Not a bad thing, I love seeing someone get passionate about a new hobby.

Bronmar · 01-23-2014, 09:26 AM

Starting from k x all Pentax bodies are using same "technology" sensor (not in terms of megapixels). However using the primes or high quality zooms can change the total picture tremendously.

WVRICK · 01-23-2014, 09:37 AM

Originally posted by savoche

Umm, if you think you will like the K-50 over the K-5, I'd think you won't like the K-3 - it's not very different from the K-5.

Actually, I think I would like any of them fine and I don't know enough or have enough experience with different digital cameras to know the difference. I hope to get some input from you more experienced people. When you consider the K-50 and K-5iis are half the price of a K-3 it is worth taking some time and considering before spending.

WVRICK · 01-23-2014, 09:41 AM

Originally posted by savoche

Umm, if you think you will like the K-50 over the K-5, I'd think you won't like the K-3 - it's not very different from the K-5.

Actually, I think I would like any of them fine and I don't know enough or have enough experience with different digital cameras to know the difference. I hope to get some input from you more experienced people. When you consider the K-50 and K-5iis are half the price of a K-3 it is worth taking some time and considering the purchase.

thazooo · 01-23-2014, 09:53 AM

I chose the K50 over the K3.
Reasoning :
I shoot either Av or M. Don't need a lot of Bells and Whistles.
For Video I have a Video Camera.
I liked the High iso of the K50 over the K3. I'm not a fan of Noise Reduction software. I use it when I need to but.......
The K3 24mp sensor is new and I'll let other folks sort out the issues. I may look at it again a couple of Generations down the road.
YMMV

**crewl1** · 01-23-2014, 10:00 AM

Originally posted by WVRICK

I thought about the K-5iis but I have friends who like the K-50 better than their K-5iis.

You have friends with Pentax!?!

Did they say why they like the K-50 better? Is it the lighter weight? Snappy performance? Features?

Personally I prefer the quiet shutter sound of my k-5 to the louder k-30/k-50 or even of my K-3.

**savoche** · 01-23-2014, 10:07 AM

Originally posted by WVRICK

Actually, I think I would like any of them fine and I don't know enough or have enough experience with different digital cameras to know the difference. I hope to get some input from you more experienced people. When you consider the K-50 and K-5iis are half the price of a K-3 it is worth taking some time and considering the purchase.

Fair enough. I have the K-5, haven't used the K-50 or K-3, but if I should buy a new camera now it would probably have to be a K-5ii. I wouldn't want to be without the top lcd screen as I have switched off the main screen.

The K-3 is great for a lot of reasons, but not twice the price better IMO. And both the K-50 and the K-5 family are really, really good.

**savoche** · 01-23-2014, 10:10 AM

Originally posted by crewl1

You have friends with Pentax!?!

He's got a pet unicorn as well

01-23-2014, 08:10 AM	#1
WVRICK Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Old Fields, WV Posts: 56	Which Camera Body K-3 or K-50 It seems that I almost never get to use the K-50 I bought for Christmas due to other household members hogging it all the time. I just completed my income tax returns and will be getting a decent refund, so I have been thinking about getting another camera body so I can actually take some photos. Naturally I want to get the most bang for the buck, but I don't want to cheap out and be unhappy later. Should I get another K-50 (I love this camera when I use it) or should I seriously consider getting a K-3? Your thoughts on this will be appreciated.

01-23-2014, 10:00 AM	#13
crewl1 Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Los Angeles, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,807	Originally posted by WVRICK I thought about the K-5iis but I have friends who like the K-50 better than their K-5iis. You have friends with Pentax!?! Did they say why they like the K-50 better? Is it the lighter weight? Snappy performance? Features? Personally I prefer the quiet shutter sound of my k-5 to the louder k-30/k-50 or even of my K-3. Last edited by crewl1; 01-23-2014 at 10:09 AM.

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01-23-2014, 08:11 AM	#2
Fat Albert Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Posts: 966	How about the K5IIs? I think it's on sale for $699 at the moment.

01-23-2014, 08:21 AM	#3
WVRICK Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Old Fields, WV Posts: 56 Original Poster	I thought about the K-5iis but I have friends who like the K-50 better than their K-5iis.

01-23-2014, 08:24 AM	#4
peterjcb Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Weddington, NC Posts: 468	I originally purchased a K-50 from Costco with the 2 lens kit and it was very nice but I returned it and purchased a K-3. This is a long term purchase for me and I don't plan on upgrading to another body any time in the foreseeable future. The K-3 is very solid and built like a tank besides being a fantastic camera. It is a camera that I will continue to learn and grow into...

01-23-2014, 08:27 AM	#5
WVRICK Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Old Fields, WV Posts: 56 Original Poster	I have been leaning that way because I tend to buy a camera and keep it a long long time. In fact, this is my first foray into digital I finally gave a friend my old Nikon film camera and lenses that were 35 years old.

01-23-2014, 08:27 AM	#6
skid2964 Site Supporter Join Date: May 2008 Location: USA Posts: 614	I say buy a used camera like a K-x, K-30 or K-r (or even a new k-500) and let the family hog it and you use the k-50....

01-23-2014, 08:30 AM	#7
savoche Master of the obvious Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Lowlands of Norway Posts: 18,311	Umm, if you think you will like the K-50 over the K-5, I'd think you won't like the K-3 - it's not very different from the K-5.

01-23-2014, 08:31 AM	#8
WVRICK Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Old Fields, WV Posts: 56 Original Poster	Great idea, but I have a feeling that I would end up using the used camera. In fact, I bet if I buy a K-3 I will end up using the K-50. Not a bad thing, I love seeing someone get passionate about a new hobby.

01-23-2014, 09:26 AM	#9
Bronmar Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 26	Starting from k x all Pentax bodies are using same "technology" sensor (not in terms of megapixels). However using the primes or high quality zooms can change the total picture tremendously.

01-23-2014, 09:37 AM	#10
WVRICK Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Old Fields, WV Posts: 56 Original Poster	Originally posted by savoche Umm, if you think you will like the K-50 over the K-5, I'd think you won't like the K-3 - it's not very different from the K-5. Actually, I think I would like any of them fine and I don't know enough or have enough experience with different digital cameras to know the difference. I hope to get some input from you more experienced people. When you consider the K-50 and K-5iis are half the price of a K-3 it is worth taking some time and considering before spending.

01-23-2014, 09:41 AM	#11
WVRICK Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Old Fields, WV Posts: 56 Original Poster	Originally posted by savoche Umm, if you think you will like the K-50 over the K-5, I'd think you won't like the K-3 - it's not very different from the K-5. Actually, I think I would like any of them fine and I don't know enough or have enough experience with different digital cameras to know the difference. I hope to get some input from you more experienced people. When you consider the K-50 and K-5iis are half the price of a K-3 it is worth taking some time and considering the purchase.

01-23-2014, 09:53 AM	#12
thazooo Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Mississippi, USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 854	I chose the K50 over the K3. Reasoning : I shoot either Av or M. Don't need a lot of Bells and Whistles. For Video I have a Video Camera. I liked the High iso of the K50 over the K3. I'm not a fan of Noise Reduction software. I use it when I need to but....... The K3 24mp sensor is new and I'll let other folks sort out the issues. I may look at it again a couple of Generations down the road. YMMV

01-23-2014, 10:07 AM	#14
savoche Master of the obvious Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Lowlands of Norway Posts: 18,311	Originally posted by WVRICK Actually, I think I would like any of them fine and I don't know enough or have enough experience with different digital cameras to know the difference. I hope to get some input from you more experienced people. When you consider the K-50 and K-5iis are half the price of a K-3 it is worth taking some time and considering the purchase. Fair enough. I have the K-5, haven't used the K-50 or K-3, but if I should buy a new camera now it would probably have to be a K-5ii. I wouldn't want to be without the top lcd screen as I have switched off the main screen. The K-3 is great for a lot of reasons, but not twice the price better IMO. And both the K-50 and the K-5 family are really, really good.

01-23-2014, 10:10 AM	#15
savoche Master of the obvious Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Lowlands of Norway Posts: 18,311	Originally posted by crewl1 You have friends with Pentax!?! He's got a pet unicorn as well