Purchase dilemma - KP or new APS-C flagship?

NotMyFatDog · 12-02-2019, 01:08 PM

Sorry if this is in the wrong forum...

Please help me make a decision. I currently have the K7 and have been looking to move up for a while now.

I generally shoot sports, nature, and night/astro with some candid portrait and landscape thrown in. I never video, and I'm happy with any improvement on burst rate. I'm planning to go to Europe this upcoming spring, hopefully, and definitely have some bigger photo opportunities coming up aside from that which I'd like a new camera to capitalize on.

I'm considering the black Friday deal on the KP, but am worried about the battery life considering I do take longer exposures, burst, cold weather shots. I'm also worried about the release of the new one, namely price and date of release. I don't want to invest in a camera only to have a new release follow shortly after with improvements. I also don't want to wait too long and find out the new flagship is way out of my budget or will be out very late next year, and thus miss a good deal.

So, convince me how to spend my money.

FF is out of my budget.
I cannot find a reasonably priced used K3ii (currently none available locally, and eBay has them at $1200+). The gain in burst rate isn't enough to pull me away from the KP unless the price is lower than the KP.
I'm very interested in the sensitivity offered by the KP.

So, what are your thoughts, would you wait or would you get the deal now?

Thanks!

MrNPhoto · 12-02-2019, 01:14 PM - **3 Likes**

Considering we know nothing of the specs or release date of the new APS-C camera, and the awesome price on the KP now, if the KP can do what you need, then you should get it.
If you like the new APS-C camera when it comes out, you can sell your KP here, and upgrade to the new camera.
If you don't like the features or price of the new APS-C camera, then hey! you've already got a new KP at an awesome price.

**whammerhead** · 12-02-2019, 01:22 PM

I also was thinking of getting the KP but decided to hold out and set money aside each month in anticipation of a release of K-New June-Aug(?). There's also the possibly that the price of the KP falls as a result of the new release. I have the K-70 so not in a hurry to upgrade

Adam · 12-02-2019, 01:29 PM - **2 Likes**

I'd be willing to bet that the new flagship will cost about twice what the KP is on sale. If you're fine with that, then maybe it's worth waiting.

That said, the KP is already a massive upgrade over the K-7. Given its rock-bottom price right now, even if you later decide to upgrade to the new flagship, you'll be able to get most of your investment back when you sell the KP. Personally, I would just upgrade now.

Adam
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**sergysergy** · 12-02-2019, 01:33 PM - **1 Like**

If you can afford it wait for something new. If budget is tight the KP already is a great camera for 'cheap'.

kevinWE · 12-02-2019, 01:35 PM

I was tired of waiting so I pulled the trigger on a KP. If you do not mind waiting, perhaps the new flagship may be the way to go.

Not a Number · 12-02-2019, 01:41 PM - **1 Like**

If you need to upgrade now, get the KP. If battery life is a concern add the battery grip. Use it for a year or two and if the APS-Cs specs are tempting sell the KP and buy the new APS-C after the price has come down.

**FozzFoster** · 12-02-2019, 01:43 PM

I have both a K-S2 and a K-5 (both don't nearly compare to the likes of a KP) and I am beside myself in anticipation waiting for the new APS-C.
I will definitely have it pre-ordered when available

cport · 12-02-2019, 01:46 PM

If FF is out of your budget, then the new APS-C flagship will be out of your budget too. Moreover, the new camera will not be here in a couple of weeks. I would take the KP. It is a bargain now and it would be a huge upgrade of your K-7

**Madaboutpix** · 12-02-2019, 01:56 PM

Only you can decide what is more important to you -- experiencing Europe with a new camera in front of your eye, or waiting for the latest and greatest? The KP would be a massive upgrade over the K-7 (which I used to shoot before upgrading to my K-3), although you should perhaps make sure that you like the somewhat different, less-built-into-the-hand ergonomics of it. As for the battery life issue, that can be mitigated by carrying one or two spares. You're getting a supercompact body in return. Also, consider if the K-new is realistically within your budget since a camera you can't afford will do zero for your photography. And I doubt the K-new would be even available for preorder before you're travelling to Europe.

**simple1** · 12-02-2019, 01:57 PM

Having done the same upgrade a while back my vote would be to buy the KP.
As Adam said it is already a massive upgrade. Crazy high (usable) ISO, much better AF, better IQ, etc.

timb64 · 12-02-2019, 02:09 PM

Having just upgraded from the K5ii to the KP I would say go for it,enjoy the massive upgrade and get out and use it!

noelpolar · 12-02-2019, 02:13 PM - **1 Like**

If the new camera is 6 months away..... that is over 18,000,000 heart beats that you could have used playing with your new KP...... never ever waste heart beats is my advice.

NotMyFatDog · 12-02-2019, 02:19 PM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by noelpolar

If the new camera is 6 months away..... that is over 18,000,000 heart beats that you could have used playing with your new KP...... never ever waste heart beats is my advice.

That's deep. ❤️ You raise a very good perspective.

It appears overwhelmingly in support of getting the KP. Great idea of selling it on if it comes to that.

Thank you, ordering one now... With an extra battery, for now.

You guys are really a great forum!

**Apet-Sure** · 12-02-2019, 02:26 PM

I would take advantage of the great price on the well-established and highly respected KP. There's always something newer coming down the road, whether it's cameras, cell phones, computers, etc. The K-new may indeed be awesome when it gets here, or it may be an incremental improvement. Who's to say? Like Adam said, you can know for certain that the KP will be a major upgrade from your K-7. Go for the sure thing now, and spend time upgrading the photographer behind the viewfinder. By the time your spring trip to Europe comes round, you'll have experience with the KP that will be invaluable. If in the future you think the K-new has enough improvements over the KP to warrant the price, you'll have options at that time. Or after reading its reviews, you may decide to hold out for the K-new II.

12-02-2019, 01:08 PM	#1
NotMyFatDog Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2019 Photos: Albums Posts: 44	Purchase dilemma - KP or new APS-C flagship? Sorry if this is in the wrong forum... Please help me make a decision. I currently have the K7 and have been looking to move up for a while now. I generally shoot sports, nature, and night/astro with some candid portrait and landscape thrown in. I never video, and I'm happy with any improvement on burst rate. I'm planning to go to Europe this upcoming spring, hopefully, and definitely have some bigger photo opportunities coming up aside from that which I'd like a new camera to capitalize on. I'm considering the black Friday deal on the KP, but am worried about the battery life considering I do take longer exposures, burst, cold weather shots. I'm also worried about the release of the new one, namely price and date of release. I don't want to invest in a camera only to have a new release follow shortly after with improvements. I also don't want to wait too long and find out the new flagship is way out of my budget or will be out very late next year, and thus miss a good deal. So, convince me how to spend my money. FF is out of my budget. I cannot find a reasonably priced used K3ii (currently none available locally, and eBay has them at $1200+). The gain in burst rate isn't enough to pull me away from the KP unless the price is lower than the KP. I'm very interested in the sensitivity offered by the KP. So, what are your thoughts, would you wait or would you get the deal now? Thanks!

12-02-2019, 01:46 PM	#9
cport Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 151	... If FF is out of your budget, then the new APS-C flagship will be out of your budget too. Moreover, the new camera will not be here in a couple of weeks. I would take the KP. It is a bargain now and it would be a huge upgrade of your K-7

12-02-2019, 01:56 PM	#10
Madaboutpix Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: North-Rhine Westphalia Photos: Gallery Posts: 705	Only you can decide what is more important to you -- experiencing Europe with a new camera in front of your eye, or waiting for the latest and greatest? The KP would be a massive upgrade over the K-7 (which I used to shoot before upgrading to my K-3), although you should perhaps make sure that you like the somewhat different, less-built-into-the-hand ergonomics of it. As for the battery life issue, that can be mitigated by carrying one or two spares. You're getting a supercompact body in return. Also, consider if the K-new is realistically within your budget since a camera you can't afford will do zero for your photography. And I doubt the K-new would be even available for preorder before you're travelling to Europe. Last edited by Madaboutpix; 12-02-2019 at 02:03 PM. Reason: Grammar

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12-02-2019, 01:14 PM - 3 Likes	#2
MrNPhoto Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Boston Posts: 129	Considering we know nothing of the specs or release date of the new APS-C camera, and the awesome price on the KP now, if the KP can do what you need, then you should get it. If you like the new APS-C camera when it comes out, you can sell your KP here, and upgrade to the new camera. If you don't like the features or price of the new APS-C camera, then hey! you've already got a new KP at an awesome price.

12-02-2019, 01:22 PM	#3
whammerhead Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2019 Location: Belfast Posts: 107	I also was thinking of getting the KP but decided to hold out and set money aside each month in anticipation of a release of K-New June-Aug(?). There's also the possibly that the price of the KP falls as a result of the new release. I have the K-70 so not in a hurry to upgrade

12-02-2019, 01:29 PM - 2 Likes	#4
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 49,082	I'd be willing to bet that the new flagship will cost about twice what the KP is on sale. If you're fine with that, then maybe it's worth waiting. That said, the KP is already a massive upgrade over the K-7. Given its rock-bottom price right now, even if you later decide to upgrade to the new flagship, you'll be able to get most of your investment back when you sell the KP. Personally, I would just upgrade now. 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, 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:

12-02-2019, 01:33 PM - 1 Like	#5
sergysergy Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 3,481	If you can afford it wait for something new. If budget is tight the KP already is a great camera for 'cheap'.

12-02-2019, 01:35 PM	#6
kevinWE Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Fox lake, Il. USA Posts: 357	I was tired of waiting so I pulled the trigger on a KP. If you do not mind waiting, perhaps the new flagship may be the way to go.

12-02-2019, 01:41 PM - 1 Like	#7
Not a Number Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 6,542	If you need to upgrade now, get the KP. If battery life is a concern add the battery grip. Use it for a year or two and if the APS-Cs specs are tempting sell the KP and buy the new APS-C after the price has come down.

12-02-2019, 01:43 PM	#8
FozzFoster Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Alberta Photos: Albums Posts: 4,362	I have both a K-S2 and a K-5 (both don't nearly compare to the likes of a KP) and I am beside myself in anticipation waiting for the new APS-C. I will definitely have it pre-ordered when available

12-02-2019, 01:57 PM	#11
simple1 Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: In the Florida swamps Posts: 318	Having done the same upgrade a while back my vote would be to buy the KP. As Adam said it is already a massive upgrade. Crazy high (usable) ISO, much better AF, better IQ, etc.

12-02-2019, 02:09 PM	#12
timb64 Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Here, there and everywhere. Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,847	Having just upgraded from the K5ii to the KP I would say go for it,enjoy the massive upgrade and get out and use it!

12-02-2019, 02:13 PM - 1 Like	#13
noelpolar Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Goolwa, SA Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,303	If the new camera is 6 months away..... that is over 18,000,000 heart beats that you could have used playing with your new KP...... never ever waste heart beats is my advice.

12-02-2019, 02:19 PM - 2 Likes	#14
NotMyFatDog Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2019 Photos: Albums Posts: 44 Original Poster	Originally posted by noelpolar If the new camera is 6 months away..... that is over 18,000,000 heart beats that you could have used playing with your new KP...... never ever waste heart beats is my advice. That's deep. ❤️ You raise a very good perspective. It appears overwhelmingly in support of getting the KP. Great idea of selling it on if it comes to that. Thank you, ordering one now... With an extra battery, for now. You guys are really a great forum!

12-02-2019, 02:26 PM	#15
Apet-Sure Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Goldsboro North Carolina Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 710	I would take advantage of the great price on the well-established and highly respected KP. There's always something newer coming down the road, whether it's cameras, cell phones, computers, etc. The K-new may indeed be awesome when it gets here, or it may be an incremental improvement. Who's to say? Like Adam said, you can know for certain that the KP will be a major upgrade from your K-7. Go for the sure thing now, and spend time upgrading the photographer behind the viewfinder. By the time your spring trip to Europe comes round, you'll have experience with the KP that will be invaluable. If in the future you think the K-new has enough improvements over the KP to warrant the price, you'll have options at that time. Or after reading its reviews, you may decide to hold out for the K-new II.

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