Originally posted by Takker Currently Pentax is way behind the rest of the market and the KP far from being the body that would bring the mid range back up to speed with the rest of the market,it has in fact shown that Pentax is still at least one generation if not 2 generations behind. Where is the touchscreen based auto focus, the battery grip is a great move but why change the screen so that you cannot fold it out when using the battery grip? It is poorly thought out and badly executed and low to mid range DSLR's in this era should have good video capabilities and use the 24Mp sensor to give 4K video capabilities. Ricoh/Pentax are way behind the rest on this. I love my Pentax gear I own 5 bodies and I don't know how many lenses but right now I am considering buying my first Nikon Body with dual lens kit and a 50mm prime to match because I need to shoot video and none of my Pentax gear will cut the mustard. It makes me very sad. If we compare the K70 to the Nikon D5600 there is no comparison the K70 seems 3+ years behind. I remember Pentax being ahead of the curve in the early period of DSLR development but that time is long gone...
So I ask when will we see Pentax catch up or is Ricoh planning on killing Pentax off altogether?
I wil not assume this to be trolling. I will go right to the meat of what is stated here. Despite your owning 5 Pentax bodies and numerous lenses, your assessments lead me to wonder about your experience in photography. Or maybe since you've always been shooting with Pentax DSLR cameras, you have not experienced using inferior equipment. I am not trying to make any disparaging remark, it is just that experience in using an SLR type of camera would negate much of your stated position here, and nearly all of your comparisons between Pentax and Nikon, in particular the D5600, which is not even up to the K-70's knees as a tool for photography.
I do not know where you got the disinformation about the KP's rear screen. It works the same with or without the battery grip.
I do understand your offering criticism regarding video. It is not that video from the Pentax lineup is not usable, the Nikon offerings are simply better. But the choice in developing and manufacturing with just so much to put into a product makes it necessary to make choices. For me, if I want truly good video performance, I will buy a dedicated video camera. I think its very nice to be able to include video clips, but this is not anywhere near the reason why one chooses to buy a DSLR. I hope prospective Pentax customers are reading.
Pentax has chosen to put their resources into offering the finest DSLR cameras for the price, that address the reasons for choosing a DSLR. Actually, it is very illustrative that you bring up the Nikon D5600 for comparison. Here we go-
First and fundamentally, an SLR or DSLR camera provides a viewfinder with which you are viewing reality right through the lens you are using instead of through another device, and/or an electronic re-creation of that reality.
Pentax K-70's VF: Professional-level glass pentaprism- (1) Heavier, brighter-viewing, and quite expensive. (2) Magnification: .95x
(3) Frame coverage: 100%
Nikon D5600's VF: Amateur-oriented pentamirror- (1) Lighter, dimmer, cheaper. (2) magnification: .82x (3) frame coverage: 95%
Pentax K-70 build quality: High-grade polycarbonate over metal frame, WR construction.
Nikon D5600 build quality. Good-grade polycarbonate, no WR construction. WR is only available in much more expensive Nikon models.
Pentax K-70 controls and operational features: Thumb and finger e-dials for speedy adjustments and selectivity in implementing various changes. Such a design is only available in Nikon's much more expensive models. This e-dial setup also avails the user of the exclusive Pentax Hyper Program System, which allows instant changes of aperture or shutter speed, switching to Av or Tv operation instantly without having to first change settings on the mode dial. The green button instantly restores "P" operation. Very fast and efficient for effectuating preferential changes on the fly.
In "M" mode, the green button allows instant setting of correct metered exposure without having to twirl the e-dials.
There are useful and innovative operational modes available, selectable via the mode dial, such as as Tav and Sv.
As others have indicated, there are advanced features available such as pixel-shift and enhancements for astro photography.
Nikon D5600 controls: Just one rear e-dial. In "M" mode, one must set the aperture and shutter speed individually, and simultaneously hold down a dual-purpose button to switch the e-dial between shutter speed and aperture adjustment- an inconvenience, especially when dealing with changing situations while shooting in "M" mode.
Pentax K-70 availability of usable lenses: AF is available for all AF lenses for Pentax, current and legacy. MF legacy glass for Pentax are also usable. Currently there are many Pentax lenses available with WR construction, including kit lenses. Since SR is built into the camera body, SR is available for all usable lenses, even MF legacy. In the US, for less than $800 one can get the K-70 plus the exceptionally well-built, but compact DA 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 DC WR lens. For not much more, one can choose the K-70 with a Pentax 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 WR lens plus choose the DA HD 55-300mm f/4-5.8 WR lens, which has been shown as having very good to excellent image quality even all the way out to 300mm.
Nikon D5600 availability of usable lenses: Will not AF with any AF lenses not having their own built-in AF motor. With the non-WR 2-lens kit offered with the D5600, there is a 15mm gap between the 18-55mm and the 70-300mm lenses. For lenses having WR, you can start fishing in the $1,000 waters.