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Jome · 06-24-2017, 12:16 AM

Hello,

I am looking for a 'cheap' backup DSLR and have seen the two cameras for around 100$. Which one should I choose:

K10D, K200D or another one? (And Yes, I have been to the DSLR comparison and Reviews).

Thanks for your help.
J.

Last edited by Jome; 06-24-2017 at 12:22 AM.

**i_trax** · 06-24-2017, 01:25 AM

I never had K200D but I had 2x K10D, still have one.
Will definitely go for K10D, still lovely camera.
If you could get one with firmware 1.20 ( do not update it ) , as I did, you could use all lenses with SDM broken AF in screwdrive mode.
Both K10D and K200D use CCD sensors, very to my liking and I think every Pentax user should have one of them.

**mikesbike** · 06-24-2017, 01:33 AM

Jpegs are better with the K200D and it uses AA batteries, which is good for backup, since if your battery charge is low with no time to recharge, you can simply pick up a set of lithium AAs most anywhere and keep shooting. Or have them along as backup. The K200D also has other more advanced features over the K10D like control of highlight and shadow exposure. The K200D is light for such a very well built DSLR having WR. I passed on the K10D and later got the K20D with the K200D as backup or for lighter carrying. The K10D is larger, heavier, the same size as the K20D, and likewise has more on-body controls than the K200D instead of going into a menu. But the K200D is still very easy to use. Metering with both will tend to under-expose by about 1/3-2/3 stop.

**BigMackCam** · 06-24-2017, 02:59 AM

Personally, I'd go with the K10D, if only for the fact that it has two control wheels compared to the K200D's one. Depending on which modes you tend to shoot with (and especially if you shoot fully manual), that can make a big difference.

I have the Samsung GX10, which is a re-branded K10D, and like it so much that I just bought a second one (waiting for that to arrive in the next day or two). It's a very solidly built camera, with really lovely image quality at ISO 100 to 800 and quite usable at ISO 1600 if the scene doesn't contain too many black or shadow areas.

**sibyrnes** · 06-24-2017, 07:10 AM - **1 Like**

The K200 will deliver the same IQ in a smaller and lighter package.

Mike Gezing · 06-24-2017, 07:11 AM - **1 Like**

I have both the K10D and K200D. I prefer the image IQ of the K200D. My FA 16-45mm zoom will also focus faster and not hunt, at the wide end, on the K200D.

E-man · 06-24-2017, 08:15 AM

I've never used a K200D but I love my K10D. It's definitely a lot of camera for the money.

stillshot2 · 06-24-2017, 08:41 AM - **1 Like**

I prefer the K200D. After using both cameras I concluded the K10D was too big and heavy and its auto focus was obviously much slower and inaccurate compared to the K200D, so away it went. The K200D is still around.

**BigMackCam** · 06-24-2017, 09:25 AM

Originally posted by stillshot2

the K10D was too big and heavy and its auto focus was obviously much slower and inaccurate compared to the K200D

Did you fine tune the AF offset in the service menu?

SAF "single auto focus" mode on my GX10 / K10D is very accurate with every lens I've tried (and I've tried lots of them

) - but only after fine tuning AF. Out of the box, it was quite a way out, but that was very easily sorted. I rarely get any missed focus shots. Continuous AF isn't all that great, but it's not a mode I use much with that camera anyway.

That aside, AF performance should be pretty much identical on both the K10D and K200D (if both cameras are good copies), since they both use the SAFOX VIII AF engine...

stillshot2 · 06-25-2017, 12:38 PM

Originally posted by BigMackCam

Did you fine tune the AF offset in the service menu?

I don't remember if I extensively tried to calibrate the focus or not, but that on top of how much larger and heavier than it was compared to my K30 caused me to send it back. My K200D focuses nearly as accurate as my K30 so maybe the K10D defective or had been dropped since I bought it used.

Jome · 06-26-2017, 01:34 AM

Thank You all,
As far as I can see, here are the Pro / Cons:
K200D: Light + AA battery + don't know if I can convert SDM to screwdrive, 90-100$ shipped
K10D: controls (2 wheels) + Tethering + can do the SDM to screwdrive conversion, 80-120$ shipped
I have also seen a K-S1 for less than 250$...
Please help me again...

**BigMackCam** · 06-26-2017, 01:51 AM

Originally posted by Jome

Thank You all,
As far as I can see, here are the Pro / Cons:
K200D: Light + AA battery + don't know if I can convert SDM to screwdrive, 90-100$ shipped
K10D: controls (2 wheels) + Tethering + can do the SDM to screwdrive conversion, 80-120$ shipped
I have also seen a K-S1 for less than 250$...
Please help me again...

It really depends on what you want out of the camera. The CCD sensors on the older models can produce lovely-looking images at lower ISOs, but they're not great for low light situations unless you're photographing static subjects (in which case you can select a low ISO and longer shutter speed, but will need to use a tripod).

The K10D and K200D are weather-resistant, which might be useful depending on the situations in which you shoot.

The K-S1 is a much more capable camera in terms of sensor resolution, dynamic range, high ISO performance and general speed of operation - plus, it's compact and light, though not weather-resistant, and - like the K200D - only has one control wheel.

Once you start looking at a budget of $200 - $250, you have a pretty wide choice available, including higher-end cameras like the K-5...

Jome · 06-26-2017, 02:07 AM

Originally posted by BigMackCam

It really depends on what you want out of the camera. The CCD sensors on the older models can produce lovely-looking images at lower ISOs, but they're not great for low light situations unless you're photographing static subjects (in which case you can select a low ISO and longer shutter speed, but will need to use a tripod).

The K10D and K200D are weather-resistant, which might be useful depending on the situations in which you shoot.

The K-S1 is a much more capable camera in terms of sensor resolution, dynamic range, high ISO performance and general speed of operation - plus, it's compact and light, though not weather-resistant, and - like the K200D - only has one control wheel.

Once you start looking at a budget of $200 - $250, you have a pretty wide choice available, including higher-end cameras like the K-5...

Thanks Mike,
A K5 would be perfect but they are around 300$ in my area. I also have to be sure that I can convert any concerned SDM lenses to screwdrive.
Joël

**BigMackCam** · 06-26-2017, 02:17 AM

Originally posted by Jome

A K5 would be perfect but they are around 300$ in my area. I also have to be sure that I can convert any concerned SDM lenses to screwdrive.

Do check out our Marketplace if you haven't already, Joël. K-5's come up there from time to time at around $250, sometimes a little less if the shutter count is a bit higher than average or the cosmetics are less than perfect (neither of which should matter too much if you're just looking for a low-cost backup body). There was one sold recently with just 3600 shutter actuations for $235 + shipping.

Igor123 · 06-26-2017, 04:16 AM

I don't have a great knowledge about that part of the market, and may be a little bit OT, but shouldn't at least a K20 be posible to find for about $100? (Getting the best of both K10 and K200)

06-24-2017, 12:16 AM	#1
Jome Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2016 Photos: Albums Posts: 784	For 100$ K10D or K200D? Hello, I am looking for a 'cheap' backup DSLR and have seen the two cameras for around 100$. Which one should I choose: K10D, K200D or another one? (And Yes, I have been to the DSLR comparison and Reviews). Thanks for your help. J. Last edited by Jome; 06-24-2017 at 12:22 AM.

06-24-2017, 09:25 AM	#9
BigMackCam Digitiser of Film Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: North East of England Posts: 20,704	Originally posted by stillshot2 the K10D was too big and heavy and its auto focus was obviously much slower and inaccurate compared to the K200D Did you fine tune the AF offset in the service menu? SAF "single auto focus" mode on my GX10 / K10D is very accurate with every lens I've tried (and I've tried lots of them ) - but only after fine tuning AF. Out of the box, it was quite a way out, but that was very easily sorted. I rarely get any missed focus shots. Continuous AF isn't all that great, but it's not a mode I use much with that camera anyway. That aside, AF performance should be pretty much identical on both the K10D and K200D (if both cameras are good copies), since they both use the SAFOX VIII AF engine... Last edited by BigMackCam; 06-24-2017 at 09:32 AM.

06-26-2017, 01:51 AM	#12
BigMackCam Digitiser of Film Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: North East of England Posts: 20,704	Originally posted by Jome Thank You all, As far as I can see, here are the Pro / Cons: K200D: Light + AA battery + don't know if I can convert SDM to screwdrive, 90-100$ shipped K10D: controls (2 wheels) + Tethering + can do the SDM to screwdrive conversion, 80-120$ shipped I have also seen a K-S1 for less than 250$... Please help me again... It really depends on what you want out of the camera. The CCD sensors on the older models can produce lovely-looking images at lower ISOs, but they're not great for low light situations unless you're photographing static subjects (in which case you can select a low ISO and longer shutter speed, but will need to use a tripod). The K10D and K200D are weather-resistant, which might be useful depending on the situations in which you shoot. The K-S1 is a much more capable camera in terms of sensor resolution, dynamic range, high ISO performance and general speed of operation - plus, it's compact and light, though not weather-resistant, and - like the K200D - only has one control wheel. Once you start looking at a budget of $200 - $250, you have a pretty wide choice available, including higher-end cameras like the K-5... Last edited by BigMackCam; 06-26-2017 at 02:01 AM.

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06-24-2017, 01:25 AM	#2
i_trax Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Perth Western Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,621	I never had K200D but I had 2x K10D, still have one. Will definitely go for K10D, still lovely camera. If you could get one with firmware 1.20 ( do not update it ) , as I did, you could use all lenses with SDM broken AF in screwdrive mode. Both K10D and K200D use CCD sensors, very to my liking and I think every Pentax user should have one of them.

06-24-2017, 01:33 AM	#3
mikesbike Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Southeastern Michigan Posts: 4,566	Jpegs are better with the K200D and it uses AA batteries, which is good for backup, since if your battery charge is low with no time to recharge, you can simply pick up a set of lithium AAs most anywhere and keep shooting. Or have them along as backup. The K200D also has other more advanced features over the K10D like control of highlight and shadow exposure. The K200D is light for such a very well built DSLR having WR. I passed on the K10D and later got the K20D with the K200D as backup or for lighter carrying. The K10D is larger, heavier, the same size as the K20D, and likewise has more on-body controls than the K200D instead of going into a menu. But the K200D is still very easy to use. Metering with both will tend to under-expose by about 1/3-2/3 stop.

06-24-2017, 02:59 AM	#4
BigMackCam Digitiser of Film Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: North East of England Posts: 20,704	Personally, I'd go with the K10D, if only for the fact that it has two control wheels compared to the K200D's one. Depending on which modes you tend to shoot with (and especially if you shoot fully manual), that can make a big difference. I have the Samsung GX10, which is a re-branded K10D, and like it so much that I just bought a second one (waiting for that to arrive in the next day or two). It's a very solidly built camera, with really lovely image quality at ISO 100 to 800 and quite usable at ISO 1600 if the scene doesn't contain too many black or shadow areas.

06-24-2017, 07:10 AM - 1 Like	#5
sibyrnes Site Supporter Join Date: May 2016 Location: Pittsburgh, Pa. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 447	The K200 will deliver the same IQ in a smaller and lighter package.

06-24-2017, 07:11 AM - 1 Like	#6
Mike Gezing Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Arlington Hts. IL Photos: Gallery Posts: 45	I have both the K10D and K200D. I prefer the image IQ of the K200D. My FA 16-45mm zoom will also focus faster and not hunt, at the wide end, on the K200D.

06-24-2017, 08:15 AM	#7
E-man Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 678	I've never used a K200D but I love my K10D. It's definitely a lot of camera for the money.

06-24-2017, 08:41 AM - 1 Like	#8
stillshot2 Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Phoenix, AZ Photos: Albums Posts: 1,070	I prefer the K200D. After using both cameras I concluded the K10D was too big and heavy and its auto focus was obviously much slower and inaccurate compared to the K200D, so away it went. The K200D is still around.

06-25-2017, 12:38 PM	#10
stillshot2 Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Phoenix, AZ Photos: Albums Posts: 1,070	Originally posted by BigMackCam Did you fine tune the AF offset in the service menu? I don't remember if I extensively tried to calibrate the focus or not, but that on top of how much larger and heavier than it was compared to my K30 caused me to send it back. My K200D focuses nearly as accurate as my K30 so maybe the K10D defective or had been dropped since I bought it used.

06-26-2017, 01:34 AM	#11
Jome Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2016 Photos: Albums Posts: 784 Original Poster	Thank You all, As far as I can see, here are the Pro / Cons: K200D: Light + AA battery + don't know if I can convert SDM to screwdrive, 90-100$ shipped K10D: controls (2 wheels) + Tethering + can do the SDM to screwdrive conversion, 80-120$ shipped I have also seen a K-S1 for less than 250$... Please help me again...

06-26-2017, 02:07 AM	#13
Jome Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2016 Photos: Albums Posts: 784 Original Poster	Originally posted by BigMackCam It really depends on what you want out of the camera. The CCD sensors on the older models can produce lovely-looking images at lower ISOs, but they're not great for low light situations unless you're photographing static subjects (in which case you can select a low ISO and longer shutter speed, but will need to use a tripod). The K10D and K200D are weather-resistant, which might be useful depending on the situations in which you shoot. The K-S1 is a much more capable camera in terms of sensor resolution, dynamic range, high ISO performance and general speed of operation - plus, it's compact and light, though not weather-resistant, and - like the K200D - only has one control wheel. Once you start looking at a budget of $200 - $250, you have a pretty wide choice available, including higher-end cameras like the K-5... Thanks Mike, A K5 would be perfect but they are around 300$ in my area. I also have to be sure that I can convert any concerned SDM lenses to screwdrive. Joël

06-26-2017, 02:17 AM	#14
BigMackCam Digitiser of Film Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: North East of England Posts: 20,704	Originally posted by Jome A K5 would be perfect but they are around 300$ in my area. I also have to be sure that I can convert any concerned SDM lenses to screwdrive. Do check out our Marketplace if you haven't already, Joël. K-5's come up there from time to time at around $250, sometimes a little less if the shutter count is a bit higher than average or the cosmetics are less than perfect (neither of which should matter too much if you're just looking for a low-cost backup body). There was one sold recently with just 3600 shutter actuations for $235 + shipping.

06-26-2017, 04:16 AM	#15
Igor123 Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Sweden Photos: Gallery Posts: 183	I don't have a great knowledge about that part of the market, and may be a little bit OT, but shouldn't at least a K20 be posible to find for about $100? (Getting the best of both K10 and K200)

For 100$ K10D or K200D?

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