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04-11-2017, 10:51 PM   #1
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Pentax DSLRs getting too heavy?

With the introduction of Nikon D7500 it came to my mind that Pentax DSLR line is getting a bit to heavy. With every iteration a bit of weight is added, as opposed to Nikon models where it is the exact opposite. Nikon 7500 is a very capable camera and on par with the whole Pentax APS-C lineup. Heck, even the full frame D750 model weights almost as newer Pentax APS-C models. So it might be a sensible thing to try to lighten the cameras down in the future? Or re-introduce the K-S1 back on the market, or get its real successor (not just slap a swivel screen on K-50 as K-S2 did)?
Pentax brand takes pride in its small and light primes. Behemoths that their cameras are becoming are not doing its compact lenses any justice.

04-11-2017, 11:01 PM - 1 Like   #2
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QuoteOriginally posted by Trickortreat Quote
Pentax DSLRs getting too heavy?
Not just Pentax but all DSLR's...
... big, bloated, heavy and too damn complex and unresponsive.
04-11-2017, 11:04 PM   #3
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QuoteOriginally posted by wildman Quote
Not just Pentax but all DSLR's...
?

Look at Nikon lineup - every new model is lighter than previous...
04-11-2017, 11:09 PM   #4
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QuoteOriginally posted by Trickortreat Quote
Look at Nikon lineup - every new model is lighter than previous...
"lighter" not light.

04-11-2017, 11:14 PM - 1 Like   #5
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DSLRs will never compete with smart phones in the weight category - rather concentrate on products that can do things smart phones can't do, and if that means weight (robustness, weather sealing, features such as IBIS) then so be it.
04-11-2017, 11:17 PM - 1 Like   #6
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QuoteOriginally posted by Trickortreat Quote
?

Look at Nikon lineup - every new model is lighter than previous...
Sounds like you have a preference! Go for it!

BTW...what are you shooting now? Did you upgrade your K500?


Steve

Last edited by stevebrot; 04-11-2017 at 11:31 PM.
04-11-2017, 11:31 PM   #7
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QuoteOriginally posted by Trickortreat Quote
With the introduction of Nikon D7500 it came to my mind that Pentax DSLR line is getting a bit to heavy. With every iteration a bit of weight is added,
I'm not sure that's necessarily the case. The K10D (released in 2006) and (K-3 released in 2013) are remarkably similar in weight with and without the battery fitted. The KP is noticeably lighter, at just over 700g including battery and card. Pretty good for such a sturdily-built weather-resistant body.

04-11-2017, 11:38 PM   #8
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QuoteOriginally posted by ffking Quote
DSLRs will never compete with smart phones in the weight category
Then they will continue to lose market share. With modern tech why not no more bulk and weight than, say, the old K1000?
K1000=600g, k1=1000g
04-12-2017, 12:00 AM - 1 Like   #9
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QuoteOriginally posted by wildman Quote
Then they will continue to lose market share. With modern tech why not no more bulk and weight than, say, the old K1000?
K1000=600g, k1=1000g
Can't remember K-1000 having an array of electronics, sensor mechanisms, Sr and a tilting lcd screen. And heck that camera is heavy.
04-12-2017, 12:06 AM   #10
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QuoteOriginally posted by G.E.Zekai Quote
Can't remember K-1000 having an array of electronics, sensor mechanisms, Sr and a tilting lcd screen. And heck that camera is heavy.
don't forget AF - the K-1 still supports screw drive - oh, and weather sealing, as I mentioned originally

QuoteOriginally posted by wildman Quote
Then they will continue to lose market share. With modern tech why not no more bulk and weight than, say, the old K1000?
K1000=600g, k1=1000g
But that's my point - DSLRs will never be as light as smartphones so they have to compete in other areas, like IQ and all the extra features and capabilities they have. If people put convenience before IQ and versatility, then they won't buy a DSLR in the first place - no loss.

Last edited by ffking; 04-12-2017 at 12:20 AM.
04-12-2017, 12:34 AM - 15 Likes   #11
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Worry about a few hundred grams, then carry 5 lenses and a tripod...
04-12-2017, 12:41 AM   #12
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QuoteOriginally posted by ffking Quote
But that's my point - DSLRs will never be as light as smartphones
I never said nor implied that they should nor could be as small as a phone - just that they should and could be a lighter and smaller for the purposes of a discreet hand held camera. I guess I still miss my old Nikon S2 rangefinder for many purposes.

Last edited by wildman; 04-12-2017 at 12:50 AM.
04-12-2017, 12:52 AM   #13
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QuoteOriginally posted by stevebrot Quote
Sounds like you have a preference! Go for it!

BTW...what are you shooting now? Did you upgrade your K500?


Steve
Dont have any preference. Just saying - if one is getting lighter, why the other is getting heavier. Ill get myself a K-S1 to change the K-500 just because of the weight difference. It's just getting tiresome to carry a 650g+ camera and a lens around a neck for 2+ hours on many occasions.
04-12-2017, 12:57 AM - 1 Like   #14
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I prefer the build quality of K3. I am not sure about the build quality of D7500. I have never touch one yet. but I know I was looking at D7000 Vs K5 before I went with K5. D7000 gave me a plastic feel. not a cheap plastic but still plastic. K5 is a solid block of metal.

D7500
Weight: 720 g includes batteries
Dimension: 136 x 104 x 73 mm (5.3 x 4.1 x 2.9 in.)

K3II
Weight: 800 g includes batteries
Dimension: 131 x 100 x 77 mm (5.16 x 3.94 x 3.03in)
04-12-2017, 12:58 AM   #15
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QuoteOriginally posted by ffking Quote
DSLRs will never compete with smart phones in the weight category - rather concentrate on products that can do things smart phones can't do, and if that means weight (robustness, weather sealing, features such as IBIS) then so be it.
Where did i compare them to the smartphones? Just proper cameras. Nikon d7500 is just as feature packed as any of the Pentax current lineup and lighter (lighter than d7200 that was lighter than d7100, that itself was lighter than d7000).
Pentax managed to pull out a rather light DSLR - the K-S1. Design flaws aside - it would be nice to get back on that track - have a lightest DSLR with a proper pentaprism and 100% coverage on the market.
Making heavier and heavier cameras is not attracting any new customers by the way, and as i see it the Pentax user base is shrinking

---------- Post added 04-12-17 at 10:00 AM ----------

QuoteOriginally posted by pakinjapan Quote
I prefer the build quality of K3. I am not sure about the build quality of D7500. I have never touch one yet. but I know I was looking at D7000 Vs K5 before I went with K5. D7000 gave me a plastic feel. not a cheap plastic but still plastic. K5 is a solid block of metal.

D7500
Weight: 720 g includes batteries
Dimension: 136 x 104 x 73 mm (5.3 x 4.1 x 2.9 in.)

K3II
Weight: 800 g includes batteries
Dimension: 131 x 100 x 77 mm (5.16 x 3.94 x 3.03in)
where did u get that quote from? D7500 is 640g inc batteries. D7500 is a properly made camera made to last. Just as K3 - they are targeting same user group after all...
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