Upgrading to K-70 or KP

kevinWE · 08-14-2019, 02:58 PM

Well ADORAMA just gave me a credit line! They must give anyone credit...:-)

I'm thinking of biting the bullet and upgrading now. I'm sticking to APS-C, so my options are K70 or KP.

I'm leaning towards the KP, but that battery just drive me NUTS!
I'm concerned about the K70 and the aperture block failure from past models, notably K30 and K50. I know the K70 hasn't seemed to display this problem on a large scale, but it worries me.

The KP has a bit better AF and stabilization but the lack of a fully articulating LCD screen drives me NUT's again.

Overall, I think the KP wins out over the K70, so....

bobmaxja · 08-14-2019, 03:10 PM - **1 Like**

KP is a big winner

Adam · 08-14-2019, 06:57 PM - **1 Like**

If you don't mind paying extra for the KP, then definitely go for it IMO.

kevinWE · 08-14-2019, 07:19 PM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by Adam

If you don't mind paying extra for the KP, then definitely go for it IMO.

Placed the order about 30 minutes ago.

kevinWE · 08-15-2019, 03:56 AM

Originally posted by bobmaxja

KP is a big winner

Not so big, but marginal.

The image quality will be the same.

If I didn't have concerns about possible aperture block failure, I would have chosen the K70.

steve_k · 08-15-2019, 04:01 AM

I’d have waited to see what the new flagship may hold.

jgnfld · 08-15-2019, 07:58 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by kevinWE

Not so big, but marginal.

The image quality will be the same.

If I didn't have concerns about possible aperture block failure, I would have chosen the K70.

A while back when the price difference was much greater, the K-70 together with a 55-300 PLM was a great choice for a moderate budget. With the prices closer and lower now (K-70 from $650 in spring 2017 -> $600 now, KP $1100 spring 2017 -> $800 now), the KP looks much better on about the same budget as I had then.

kevinWE · 08-15-2019, 12:50 PM

Originally posted by steve_k

I’d have waited to see what the new flagship may hold.

I have credit at ADORAMA.

I couldn't wait any longer to upgrade. I held out much too long and I do believe the KP will be enough for me right now regardless of what Pentax is releasing in the APS-c format. My next upgrade will be straight to full frame, so maybe something is on the backburner in that area also.

**Des** · 08-15-2019, 02:58 PM - **1 Like**

Congratulations on the KP Kevin. It's a fine camera.

Originally posted by kevinWE

I'm leaning towards the KP, but that battery just drive me NUTS!

It's not that bad. Just carry a spare. If you are a really heavy user, buy a battery grip.

Originally posted by kevinWE

The KP has a bit better AF and stabilization but the lack of a fully articulating LCD screen drives me NUT's again.

Then you won't be wanting a K-1 series camera either!

I've got a K-3 (fixed screen), K-S2 (flippy screen) and KP (tilting screen). I like the flippy screen best, especially for high or low use in portrait orientation. But when using in landscape orientation, the tilting screen is fine and quicker to deploy. It will probably prove more durable in the long run. Either kind of moveable screen is a useful feature for LiveView shooting, but more often than not I'm shooting handheld so the difference doesn't matter.

I wouldn't say anything about the KP "drives me nuts" (I'm probably there already), although the ergonomics are what I like least about it. But the compact size, rich feature set and (above all) excellent image quality more than compensate.

bobmaxja · 08-15-2019, 05:55 PM - **1 Like**

Great choice and get the 55-300 PLM, you will love it.

ZombieArmy · 08-17-2019, 01:44 PM - **1 Like**

The aperture block failure was a conspiracy to get people to get the upmarket cameras in fear

gm4life · 08-17-2019, 09:20 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by kevinWE

Placed the order about 30 minutes ago.

Awesome choice. The KP is an awesome camera. As I have said before, if I needed to sell most of my kit the last body to go would be my KP. (Yes, I would give up my K1-II and K3-II before the KP)

**mikesbike** · 08-18-2019, 02:08 PM

Congrats on your decision in getting the KP. An outstanding and unique camera. I love mine. As to battery life, I always carry a spare. But then compared to the K-70, with the KP you can later decide to acquire the optional battery grip, with which you can shoot away with gobs of battery life and power without needing to change, and yet at about the same weight as the K-3 II alone.

Each of the two rear screen designs has its advantages. The tilt-out KP screen does not require pulling out to the side, so it takes up less room, staying the same width as the camera.

timb64 · 08-18-2019, 03:50 PM

You never said what you were upgrading from?!

**Des** · 08-18-2019, 04:30 PM

Originally posted by timb64

You never said what you were upgrading from?!

Profile says K10D. Kevin has also posted recent images with that camera.

08-14-2019, 02:58 PM	#1
kevinWE Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Illinois, USA Posts: 497	Upgrading to K-70 or KP Well ADORAMA just gave me a credit line! They must give anyone credit...:-) I'm thinking of biting the bullet and upgrading now. I'm sticking to APS-C, so my options are K70 or KP. I'm leaning towards the KP, but that battery just drive me NUTS! I'm concerned about the K70 and the aperture block failure from past models, notably K30 and K50. I know the K70 hasn't seemed to display this problem on a large scale, but it worries me. The KP has a bit better AF and stabilization but the lack of a fully articulating LCD screen drives me NUT's again. Overall, I think the KP wins out over the K70, so....

08-14-2019, 06:57 PM - 1 Like	#3
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,595	If you don't mind paying extra for the KP, then definitely go for it IMO. Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

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08-14-2019, 03:10 PM - 1 Like	#2
bobmaxja Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Laval, Quebec Canada Posts: 2,171	KP is a big winner

08-14-2019, 07:19 PM - 2 Likes	#4
kevinWE Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Illinois, USA Posts: 497 Original Poster	Originally posted by Adam If you don't mind paying extra for the KP, then definitely go for it IMO. Placed the order about 30 minutes ago.

08-15-2019, 03:56 AM	#5
kevinWE Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Illinois, USA Posts: 497 Original Poster	Originally posted by bobmaxja KP is a big winner Not so big, but marginal. The image quality will be the same. If I didn't have concerns about possible aperture block failure, I would have chosen the K70.

08-15-2019, 04:01 AM	#6
steve_k Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Shelton, CT Photos: Albums Posts: 708	I’d have waited to see what the new flagship may hold.

08-15-2019, 07:58 AM - 1 Like	#7
jgnfld Moderator Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Avalon Peninsula, Newfoundland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,789	Originally posted by kevinWE Not so big, but marginal. The image quality will be the same. If I didn't have concerns about possible aperture block failure, I would have chosen the K70. A while back when the price difference was much greater, the K-70 together with a 55-300 PLM was a great choice for a moderate budget. With the prices closer and lower now (K-70 from $650 in spring 2017 -> $600 now, KP $1100 spring 2017 -> $800 now), the KP looks much better on about the same budget as I had then.

08-15-2019, 12:50 PM	#8
kevinWE Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Illinois, USA Posts: 497 Original Poster	Originally posted by steve_k I’d have waited to see what the new flagship may hold. I have credit at ADORAMA. I couldn't wait any longer to upgrade. I held out much too long and I do believe the KP will be enough for me right now regardless of what Pentax is releasing in the APS-c format. My next upgrade will be straight to full frame, so maybe something is on the backburner in that area also.

08-15-2019, 02:58 PM - 1 Like	#9
Des Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Victoria Australia Photos: Albums Posts: 6,423	Congratulations on the KP Kevin. It's a fine camera. Originally posted by kevinWE I'm leaning towards the KP, but that battery just drive me NUTS! It's not that bad. Just carry a spare. If you are a really heavy user, buy a battery grip. Originally posted by kevinWE The KP has a bit better AF and stabilization but the lack of a fully articulating LCD screen drives me NUT's again. Then you won't be wanting a K-1 series camera either! I've got a K-3 (fixed screen), K-S2 (flippy screen) and KP (tilting screen). I like the flippy screen best, especially for high or low use in portrait orientation. But when using in landscape orientation, the tilting screen is fine and quicker to deploy. It will probably prove more durable in the long run. Either kind of moveable screen is a useful feature for LiveView shooting, but more often than not I'm shooting handheld so the difference doesn't matter. I wouldn't say anything about the KP "drives me nuts" (I'm probably there already), although the ergonomics are what I like least about it. But the compact size, rich feature set and (above all) excellent image quality more than compensate.

08-15-2019, 05:55 PM - 1 Like	#10
bobmaxja Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Laval, Quebec Canada Posts: 2,171	Great choice and get the 55-300 PLM, you will love it.

08-17-2019, 01:44 PM - 1 Like	#11
ZombieArmy Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Florida Posts: 3,210	The aperture block failure was a conspiracy to get people to get the upmarket cameras in fear

08-17-2019, 09:20 PM - 1 Like	#12
gm4life Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Posts: 602	Originally posted by kevinWE Placed the order about 30 minutes ago. Awesome choice. The KP is an awesome camera. As I have said before, if I needed to sell most of my kit the last body to go would be my KP. (Yes, I would give up my K1-II and K3-II before the KP)

08-18-2019, 02:08 PM	#13
mikesbike Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Southeastern Michigan Posts: 4,549	Congrats on your decision in getting the KP. An outstanding and unique camera. I love mine. As to battery life, I always carry a spare. But then compared to the K-70, with the KP you can later decide to acquire the optional battery grip, with which you can shoot away with gobs of battery life and power without needing to change, and yet at about the same weight as the K-3 II alone. Each of the two rear screen designs has its advantages. The tilt-out KP screen does not require pulling out to the side, so it takes up less room, staying the same width as the camera.

08-18-2019, 03:50 PM	#14
timb64 Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: /Situation : Doing my best to avoid idiots! Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,510	You never said what you were upgrading from?!

08-18-2019, 04:30 PM	#15
Des Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Victoria Australia Photos: Albums Posts: 6,423	Originally posted by timb64 You never said what you were upgrading from?! Profile says K10D. Kevin has also posted recent images with that camera.