[Bui]

I have too many cameras! It's so nice to have all of them, but I don't use them that much, the locker is getting tight, and the wife is getting more suspicious. I have had a KP for 2 years, which is main camera. Bought an used K5ii some months ago, due to very good offer, and I had always wanted to try a "pro-design" camera of K3, K5 class, the K5ii becomes my backup camera, and also for when I am asked to do some event photos, 2 cameras are just nicer. Recently I bought an used K200D, under 7000 shutters, the price is next to nothing, and the CCD discussions, you know, made me very curious. Have got proper time yet to do some proper walking around with it.

And this week, I was given a K10D, also in great condition (a bit more used than the K200D, 2700 actuations). From what I know, they're using the same 10M CCD sensor, so very similar image quality. K10D is a bit more "pro": a bit heavier, more control, better viewfinder, better burst rate. K200D is more casual: smaller and lighter, less control, slightly better LCD. And oh, they're both as noisy (shutter sound) as anything.

I like them both but it doesn't not make a lot of sense keeping them both, I can't decide which to let go. Could you help me?

[stillshot2]

I'd say play around with them and see what you think. I bet you will end up selling them both to people who could benefit from them. As a previous K200D owner it just wasn't worth keeping it around since my K3 and even K30 delivered such noticeably better results that I felt like by using the K200D I was purposely handicapping myself from getting as many keepers. Sometimes you only get one shot at a photo and it might as well be taken with the best gear you have.

[BigMackCam]

I use the GX-10 (K10D) as my main camera, and have the K-3 for when I really need the extra features / resolution / performance - and as a backup

[Fogel70]

I personally would keep K10D because of the better OVF and dual control wheels and more advanced features.
It is probably a little easier to switch between K5II and K10D, as more of the controls are similar.

[Bui]

I forgot to ask, what is the realistic price I can ask for them? The K200D comes with grip, no box, while the K10 has original box and accessories, but no grip. The final decision may down to price. As stillshot2 said, I might end up selling both of them, but it's not happening now, I will for sure keep one to play with (until I don't find me using it anymore). Thank you.

[ChristianRock]

Do you use manual focus lenses? If so keep the K10D.

[Jan178]

I would keep the K200D, it is very nice bright weather walk-around camera. I don´t own the K10D, but putting the K200D against my paperweight K20D it´s small, quite light, sturdy and it has good ergonomics. IQ is pleasing of course and manual focusing is surprisingly easy even with pentamirror. Also i feel that the K200D is starting to be a rarity these days (or maybe it was even 10 years ago).
And the B/W files are nice!

edit: reasonable prices seems to be about 80-150€/$ on both at *bay

[volley]

I doubt that you will see any difference in IQ between the K10 and K200. K10 has a better OVF (though I never had an issue with manual focus on my K200) but because of the grip I would keep the K200. I find the grip is the best I've ever used on a Pentax DSLR (and I've used K200/K5/K3/K1 all with grip).
From the day I received my K1 I have never used the K3 again. But the K200 still get regular use ...

[stillshot2]

I forgot to ask, what is the realistic price I can ask for them?

My K200D had a grip and was like new with about 3k shutter count, think I sold it about a year ago for $145 including shipping on feebay. I remember I once bought a K10D from KEH and sent it back because it had serious autofocus issues, but regardless was much bigger and heavier than the K200D which was amazingly comfortable to hold even without the grip attached.

[Wasp]

I have a K200D that sees regular use. My K10D expired a year or so ago. I still miss it. RIP...

My preference would be for the K10D. The additional advanced features that are just a control away instead of being hidden in a menu is just better.

The K10D's control layout being closer to that on the K5 II is an added bonus.

[Senko]

Another vote for the K10D - still shoot mine regularly. Love the ergo's and controls, so comfortable to shoot.

[Wasp]

Sorry for reviving an old(ish) thread, but it would be interesting to know what the outcome was.

[stillshot2]

Sorry for reviving an old(ish) thread, but it would be interesting to know what the outcome was.

Oh yeah me too

[dbs]

Its only been 4 months...if it were me I would'nt be past stage 1 of testing...........but I'm just slow

Yes the answer would be interesting.


Dave

[mikesbike]

My K200D had a grip and was like new with about 3k shutter count, think I sold it about a year ago for $145 including shipping on feebay. I remember I once bought a K10D from KEH and sent it back because it had serious autofocus issues, but regardless was much bigger and heavier than the K200D which was amazingly comfortable to hold even without the grip attached.

Interesting. I rather feel the same way. Another factor that makes it good as a backup body is its use of widely-available AA batteries in case you've neglected to keep up with battery charging.

---------- Post added 01-26-20 at 06:26 PM ----------

I doubt that you will see any difference in IQ between the K10 and K200. K10 has a better OVF (though I never had an issue with manual focus on my K200) but because of the grip I would keep the K200. I find the grip is the best I've ever used on a Pentax DSLR (and I've used K200/K5/K3/K1 all with grip).
From the day I received my K1 I have never used the K3 again. But the K200 still get regular use ...

Also interesting.

---------- Post added 01-26-20 at 06:27 PM ----------

Apparently, this issue has not been resolved yet. I never responded, despite having a K200D and a K20D (designed like the K10D but with updated features and controls). So here goes.

If you want a 3rd "beater" camera, as well as the AA battery backup, the K200D is a good candidate. For more casual work, but where you still want the control benefits of a DSLR, like social gatherings, etc. the K200D is lightweight, yet has WR, a top LCD, and as far as I know, never had the aperture block problem found in subsequent non-flagship models. Easy to take around with a compact lens, prime or zoom. I found Pentax DSLRs from this era tend to under-expose some, in this case around 1/2-2/3 stop. In many instances not a bad thing, and can also be easily compensated for. The K200D was designed after the K10D.

I found the K200D is very good for either indoor or fill-flash, even with the built-in unit. Does not tend to overdo and give such a "flashy" look. If just shooting JPEGs from the camera, its processing engine does a good job, better than tested reports of the K10D. Just be sure to implement "Fine Sharpening" in the Custom Image menus. Dpreview loved the K10D when it was tested, but found it was not a good JPEG shooter. JPEGs came out rather soft, and its in-camera sharpness adjustments were inadequate. So it essentially is designed for post processing.

The K200D's low light performance is not bad for the era, including its top ISO of 1600.

It has some other additional adjustment features, such as a highlight protection adjustment, in case of clipping.

The OP already has the K5 II with its full array of controls, 100% VF, many more updates, yet is more compact than the K10D, so letting the K10D go and keeping the K200D, which is even lighter than the K-5, to me makes more sense.