Originally posted by StarTroop If you've been comfortable with the K-50's feature set and ergonomics, then perhaps a K70 would be the safest choice for you. Really, if there's nothing about the KP or K1 variants that jumps out at you as being "necessary", then don't bother spending the money. At least, that's how I see things when my budget is so limited. I was seriously considering the K70, but I jumped on the KP (on sale) because I fell in love with it the first moment I saw it. I would have been happy with the K70, but there always would have been the feeling of missing the few things I liked most about the KP. If you haven't had that feeling yet, then I suggest holding out until your K50 really doesn't do it for you anymore, or at least wait for the new flagship to come out to reconsider. Maybe the release will bring along some further price drops for existing models that will make them more enticing, although the K70 currently seems to be at it's lowest price ever so maybe it's to to take that leap.
One thing to consider on the subject of APS-C vs full-frame is that although the K1 may have a big comfortable grip, it will also be significantly heavier (exponentially so when you consider the general incompatibility of DA lenses). The KP is the only APS-C DSLR that many would consider to have an insubstantial grip, though you may not mind it if you happen to need the battery grip anyway.
I do enjoy my K-50, but there are a few things I really am not a fan of:
- The build quality is
fine, but I'd say it's just fine. It's held up well so I can't complain, but after using the KP for a few days and going back it almost feels like a toy.
- The shutter is
loud. I hate using my camera in settings where I don't want to disturb others, I feel like the sound just reverberates in empty rooms.
- The lack of an articulating screen didn't bother me much... That is, again, until I used the KP. It came in handy much more than I originally thought it would. I find myself really struggling to get those low-down shots.
- The ergonomics and size are fine, I don't find myself thinking about it when I shoot at all really. But after I held my friend's Nikon D7300... Man, that thing felt good. It is a bit closer to the size of the K-1, but it just felt so good in the hand. I didn't shoot extensively with it, so I don't know how the size would feel after a few hours, but it just felt so much better than my entry level.
In all honesty, though, I just want a new camera. I know I don't need one, but I'm making money right now and want to treat myself. A big reason why I'm considering the K-1 is because I want to buy this to last another four years or so. I worry that if I go APSC, I'll start getting full frame envy and get that itch to buy another camera after not too long.
You make good points, though. Thank you! I will continue to remind myself that I really don't need to upgrade, but I haven't really treated myself to something that I really wanted since I got my DA* 50-135mm f/2.8 a bit over a year ago (and it was a steal at $300).
---------- Post added 10-03-19 at 06:42 PM ----------
Originally posted by jatrax I have both K-3II and K-1II. Different cameras for different purposes and I use both about evenly. For casual use or travel I usually take the K-3II. The K-1II is for paid gigs, astro and fine landscape.
For my hands the K-1 is just about a perfect fit Despite the higher weight I can carry it longer without strain than the K-3II because the grip fits me better. YMMV of course. Both are excellent ergonomically, much better (IMHO) than cameras by other makers.
It seems sometimes that every other post on this forum bemoans the Pentax auto-focus but my "in focus" percentage with either camera is well over 90%, close to 100% to be honest. Of course I don't shoot birds in flight or other challenging subjects. For what I shoot however I really do not see how the AF can be better.
If I had to pick only one I suppose I would go with the K-3II but I really appreciate having both bodies and using the one best fitted to a particular job.
Thanks for the input! I think I would be of the same mindset as you: the weight is worth the great ergonomics. Sure, I would probably rather go on a seven mile hike with my K-50 and 50-135 than a K-1 and 70-200, but in general I don't think the weight would bother me terribly much.