Pentax KP or K-70 for a first DSLR

**monochrome** · 07-24-2018, 02:56 PM

IMO there isn’t a bad choice in your decision set (though I favor the KP options personally). At a point you just have to choose one, pull the trigger and start shooting* - and don’t look back.

Down the road, as you learn, you can add and subtract lenses, replace the camera body, add useful accessories or whatever. The Marketplace here is a wonderful source of gently used lenses and bodies.

* unfortunate combination of vernacular usage

Last edited by monochrome; 07-27-2018 at 09:44 PM.

**Des** · 07-24-2018, 04:21 PM

Originally posted by mikesbike

he DA 18-135mm, however has a far superior build quality. It is amazingly compact for its zoom range. it is capable of fine image quality over a much greater range, and I think its AF is even a bit better than the 18-50mm. In fact, its AF performs at the highest level among all Pentax lenses I have experienced, including some of the most expensive.

The AF on the 18-135 is second only to the DA 55-300 PLM of the lenses I've used.

icegirl · 07-24-2018, 11:11 PM

Thank you very much all.
Your opinions are really helpful.

In regards to what I will be using it for, well, I am currently interested in landscapes, street, macro.
As much I get into this - portraits become more and more interesting for me.
Not interested in sports or wildlife at this point.

parinya-ekparinya · 07-27-2018, 08:01 PM

Apart from reading the reviews, I would say go and try the real things. In my opinion, ergonomic is one important feature and you cannot change that aspect of the camera (well... you can change the grip in case of KP, actually). Note that KP has 3 control dials; it may become useful for many occasions. But you may memorise functions and customise controls as the time goes by with either choice.

One more noteworthy is the screen; articulating screen on K-70 might become useful if you want to go for VLOG and such.

If you have just started shooting with DSLR, I would also suggest to go with a cheaper body first, K-70 in this case, and save the rest of the budget for lenses. Based on what you said, you may think about one macro lens and also a wide-aperture lens for portraiture.

LightBug · 07-28-2018, 01:55 AM

Both are great cameras, if budget allows, Kp would be my choice, if not K70 is very capable and should not be limiting you for at least few more years, if ever.

07-27-2018, 08:01 PM	#79
parinya-ekparinya Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Bangkok Photos: Gallery Posts: 114	Have you tried both in your hand? Apart from reading the reviews, I would say go and try the real things. In my opinion, ergonomic is one important feature and you cannot change that aspect of the camera (well... you can change the grip in case of KP, actually). Note that KP has 3 control dials; it may become useful for many occasions. But you may memorise functions and customise controls as the time goes by with either choice. One more noteworthy is the screen; articulating screen on K-70 might become useful if you want to go for VLOG and such. If you have just started shooting with DSLR, I would also suggest to go with a cheaper body first, K-70 in this case, and save the rest of the budget for lenses. Based on what you said, you may think about one macro lens and also a wide-aperture lens for portraiture.

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07-24-2018, 02:56 PM	#76
monochrome Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Working From Home Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 26,276	IMO there isn’t a bad choice in your decision set (though I favor the KP options personally). At a point you just have to choose one, pull the trigger and start shooting* - and don’t look back. Down the road, as you learn, you can add and subtract lenses, replace the camera body, add useful accessories or whatever. The Marketplace here is a wonderful source of gently used lenses and bodies. * unfortunate combination of vernacular usage Last edited by monochrome; 07-27-2018 at 09:44 PM.

07-24-2018, 04:21 PM	#77
Des Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Victoria Australia Photos: Albums Posts: 6,424	Originally posted by mikesbike he DA 18-135mm, however has a far superior build quality. It is amazingly compact for its zoom range. it is capable of fine image quality over a much greater range, and I think its AF is even a bit better than the 18-50mm. In fact, its AF performs at the highest level among all Pentax lenses I have experienced, including some of the most expensive. The AF on the 18-135 is second only to the DA 55-300 PLM of the lenses I've used.

07-24-2018, 11:11 PM	#78
icegirl Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2018 Posts: 68 Original Poster	Thank you very much all. Your opinions are really helpful. In regards to what I will be using it for, well, I am currently interested in landscapes, street, macro. As much I get into this - portraits become more and more interesting for me. Not interested in sports or wildlife at this point.

07-28-2018, 01:55 AM	#80
LightBug Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: OC, CA, USA Posts: 506	Both are great cameras, if budget allows, Kp would be my choice, if not K70 is very capable and should not be limiting you for at least few more years, if ever.