For those who use a 16MP Pentax as your primary camera - upgrade in 2016?

**luftfluss** · 12-29-2015, 09:36 PM

I'm curious. For those of you whose primary camera is a 16MP Pentax, are you planning on upgrading to a 20+ MP APS-C or the ~~unicorn~~ upcoming FF in 2016?

I currently shoot a K-01 & K-30, and I just don't know.

UserAccessDenied · 12-29-2015, 09:44 PM

Currently shoot K30...
Will likely be upgrading to a K3ii by next winter.

kmurphy220 · 12-29-2015, 09:49 PM

My K-5 is mine for the next two years and will be the workhorse until the warranty is up. I figured it isn't broken and it takes better pictures than my 20.1mp Sony A5000, so I'll keep that thing until the circuits fry. lol

K57XR · 12-29-2015, 10:06 PM

My current workhorse is a K5 and will be for quite a while. I also have a K-01 which I use mostly for family videos. Still somewhat kicking myself for not taking advantage of the IIS when it was on clearance at BH for under $500. Probably consider upgrading to the K3 when the price drops withing my neighborhood.

**TwoUptons** · 12-29-2015, 10:18 PM

Originally posted by luftfluss

I'm curious. For those of you whose primary camera is a 16MP Pentax, are you planning on upgrading to a 20+ MP APS-C or the ~~unicorn~~ upcoming FF in 2016?

I currently shoot a K-01 & K-30, and I just don't know.

I also have a K-01, and while it takes very nice photos when it and I are in agreement, it occasionally drives me bonkers...

I have a K10, which is still awesome in terms of usability, but it is showing its age in resolution and noise. I want a real viewfinder again, and if the full-frame is cheap enough, I'll get that. If not, I'll wait for the next aps-c camera or a good sale.

-Eric

dansamy · 12-29-2015, 10:21 PM

I collect gear. As evidenced by my signature. I'll upgrade to a K-3/ii when they start damn near giving them away.

ofer4 · 12-29-2015, 10:21 PM

Sticking with my trusty K-30 until I have serious reason to switch. In other words, until I can make a justifiable case to the Mrs. I'd love a quieter shutter and an articulating LCD screen, but in all other respects, I'm very happy.

Dabola · 12-29-2015, 10:26 PM

....."a new 20+MP Pentax in 2016 ?"
No thanks. Expecially number of MP is not a reason. My K-5 and K10d are much more technically advanced than I am - the owner/user.
I am still struggling to say goodbye to K10d's CCD sensor.

Billk · 12-29-2015, 10:32 PM

Did it in 2015. I get a lot more keepers with the K3ii than the K7 so I would be inclined to say: "Do it" to anyone thinking about it.

Ron_Man · 12-29-2015, 11:02 PM

But what if I already have a K-5 and sidegraded to the K-3 while waiting for the FF??

**UncleVanya** · 12-29-2015, 11:05 PM

I moved from the k-50 to the k-3. It wasn't sure to resolution, just a sweet deal I couldn't pass up. The features have been helpful. I am glad I did but the k-50 wasn't letting me down.

OoKU · 12-29-2015, 11:11 PM

Ff,ff,ff...

**Tas** · 12-29-2015, 11:14 PM

I'm interested in a unicorn, particularly with the Zeiss glass I have, but I've been lusting after a 645Z too. Anyhoo, it's all a lot of pesos so for now I'll have to wait and see what 2016 holds.

**Alex645** · 12-29-2015, 11:29 PM - **8 Likes**

Every year, I lead a photo field trip of 16 advanced photo students and 3 chaperones to one of the 'neighbor islands'; Kauai, Maui, Molokai, Maui, or Hawaii (aka the Big Island). One of the chaperones had gone the year before and was feeling 'inadequate' with his point-and-shoot digital and asked me if I could loan him a DSLR. From experience, I've learned to never loan something that would ruin a friendship if it was damaged or lost, so I lent him what had to have been the worst camera in our group, a Nikon D50, circa 2005, 6.1 MP with an above par Nikkor 35mm f/1.8 prime lens.

After the trip, I ask all participants (both film and digital) to submit their best images for inclusion into a custom-made photo book that I edit (blurb.com). The average camera was probably 16 MP, but there were some FF sensors up to 24 MP at the time and I was shooting mostly MF Ektar 100 on my Pentax 645 which after scanning gets me around a 40 MP TIFF file. Who had THE best shots? The chaperone with the oldest digital camera shooting with the lowest MP.

Yes, I can see the difference between the 16 MP on an APS-C of the K-50, 16 MP on a FF Nikon Df, and 51.4 MP on the Pentax 645Z, but it is probably the least important factor in what I'd assess and appreciate in photography. The biggest factor is the photographer. Equipment-wise the biggest factor is the glass. I'd upgrade myself, then I'd upgrade my glass, before I'd chase rainbows with MP.

bm75 · 12-30-2015, 01:15 AM

Yes, the coming FF body and new f/2.8 zooms are tempting. The problem is the new FF would be (very) expensive and my k5 still works fine ... I mean... I'll wait to see if the camera is worth the price (and ckeck if "old" glass couples with 36 mpx or more FF body with good results) and then consider buying first the FF body itself. If the "old" glass i already own does not match camera demands and I'll be forced to spend in a time Eur 4000 for both brand new K1 and a lens....well...seriously... being a non professional I could not justify that cost. But in any case I will not trade my k5 , I'm satisfied of APSC+16mpx and I'll continue using it.

View Poll Results: Do you plan to upgrade to a new 20+MP Pentax in 2016?
Most likely Yes	71	34.30%
Most likely No	122	58.94%
Plan on switching camera systems	4	1.93%
Film, baby!	10	4.83%
Voters: 207. You may not vote on this poll

12-29-2015, 09:36 PM	#1
luftfluss Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: NJ Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,618	For those who use a 16MP Pentax as your primary camera - upgrade in 2016? I'm curious. For those of you whose primary camera is a 16MP Pentax, are you planning on upgrading to a 20+ MP APS-C or the ~~unicorn~~ upcoming FF in 2016? I currently shoot a K-01 & K-30, and I just don't know.

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12-29-2015, 09:44 PM	#2
UserAccessDenied Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Maryland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,677	Currently shoot K30... Will likely be upgrading to a K3ii by next winter.

12-29-2015, 09:49 PM	#3
kmurphy220 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Photos: Albums Posts: 235	My K-5 is mine for the next two years and will be the workhorse until the warranty is up. I figured it isn't broken and it takes better pictures than my 20.1mp Sony A5000, so I'll keep that thing until the circuits fry. lol

12-29-2015, 10:06 PM	#4
K57XR Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Colorado, USA Posts: 830	My current workhorse is a K5 and will be for quite a while. I also have a K-01 which I use mostly for family videos. Still somewhat kicking myself for not taking advantage of the IIS when it was on clearance at BH for under $500. Probably consider upgrading to the K3 when the price drops withing my neighborhood.

12-29-2015, 10:18 PM	#5
TwoUptons Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2015 Photos: Albums Posts: 4,207	Originally posted by luftfluss I'm curious. For those of you whose primary camera is a 16MP Pentax, are you planning on upgrading to a 20+ MP APS-C or the ~~unicorn~~ upcoming FF in 2016? I currently shoot a K-01 & K-30, and I just don't know. I also have a K-01, and while it takes very nice photos when it and I are in agreement, it occasionally drives me bonkers... I have a K10, which is still awesome in terms of usability, but it is showing its age in resolution and noise. I want a real viewfinder again, and if the full-frame is cheap enough, I'll get that. If not, I'll wait for the next aps-c camera or a good sale. -Eric

12-29-2015, 10:21 PM	#6
dansamy Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Alabama Posts: 2,450	I collect gear. As evidenced by my signature. I'll upgrade to a K-3/ii when they start damn near giving them away.

12-29-2015, 10:21 PM	#7
ofer4 Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Utah Posts: 428	Sticking with my trusty K-30 until I have serious reason to switch. In other words, until I can make a justifiable case to the Mrs. I'd love a quieter shutter and an articulating LCD screen, but in all other respects, I'm very happy.

12-29-2015, 10:26 PM	#8
Dabola Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Bergen, Norway Posts: 60	....."a new 20+MP Pentax in 2016 ?" No thanks. Expecially number of MP is not a reason. My K-5 and K10d are much more technically advanced than I am - the owner/user. I am still struggling to say goodbye to K10d's CCD sensor.

12-29-2015, 10:32 PM	#9
Billk Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Melbourne, Victoria Posts: 349	Did it in 2015. I get a lot more keepers with the K3ii than the K7 so I would be inclined to say: "Do it" to anyone thinking about it.

12-29-2015, 11:02 PM	#10
Ron_Man Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: MD Posts: 221	But what if I already have a K-5 and sidegraded to the K-3 while waiting for the FF??

12-29-2015, 11:05 PM	#11
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,384	I moved from the k-50 to the k-3. It wasn't sure to resolution, just a sweet deal I couldn't pass up. The features have been helpful. I am glad I did but the k-50 wasn't letting me down.

12-29-2015, 11:11 PM	#12
OoKU Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2015 Posts: 740	Ff,ff,ff...

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12-29-2015, 11:14 PM	#13
Tas Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Brisbane, QLD Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,202	I'm interested in a unicorn, particularly with the Zeiss glass I have, but I've been lusting after a 645Z too. Anyhoo, it's all a lot of pesos so for now I'll have to wait and see what 2016 holds.

12-29-2015, 11:29 PM - 8 Likes	#14
Alex645 Site Supporter Join Date: May 2015 Location: Kaneohe, HI Photos: Albums Posts: 3,526	Every year, I lead a photo field trip of 16 advanced photo students and 3 chaperones to one of the 'neighbor islands'; Kauai, Maui, Molokai, Maui, or Hawaii (aka the Big Island). One of the chaperones had gone the year before and was feeling 'inadequate' with his point-and-shoot digital and asked me if I could loan him a DSLR. From experience, I've learned to never loan something that would ruin a friendship if it was damaged or lost, so I lent him what had to have been the worst camera in our group, a Nikon D50, circa 2005, 6.1 MP with an above par Nikkor 35mm f/1.8 prime lens. After the trip, I ask all participants (both film and digital) to submit their best images for inclusion into a custom-made photo book that I edit (blurb.com). The average camera was probably 16 MP, but there were some FF sensors up to 24 MP at the time and I was shooting mostly MF Ektar 100 on my Pentax 645 which after scanning gets me around a 40 MP TIFF file. Who had THE best shots? The chaperone with the oldest digital camera shooting with the lowest MP. Yes, I can see the difference between the 16 MP on an APS-C of the K-50, 16 MP on a FF Nikon Df, and 51.4 MP on the Pentax 645Z, but it is probably the least important factor in what I'd assess and appreciate in photography. The biggest factor is the photographer. Equipment-wise the biggest factor is the glass. I'd upgrade myself, then I'd upgrade my glass, before I'd chase rainbows with MP.

12-30-2015, 01:15 AM	#15
bm75 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Italia Photos: Albums Posts: 354	Yes, the coming FF body and new f/2.8 zooms are tempting. The problem is the new FF would be (very) expensive and my k5 still works fine ... I mean... I'll wait to see if the camera is worth the price (and ckeck if "old" glass couples with 36 mpx or more FF body with good results) and then consider buying first the FF body itself. If the "old" glass i already own does not match camera demands and I'll be forced to spend in a time Eur 4000 for both brand new K1 and a lens....well...seriously... being a non professional I could not justify that cost. But in any case I will not trade my k5 , I'm satisfied of APSC+16mpx and I'll continue using it.