[lesmore49]

I'm thinking of getting another camera. I have a K10D with the battery grip and it's one big, heavy camera, although the pictures are wonderful.

I want something lighter than the K10D , just to have a daily carry about camera....so I'm always ready to take a picture while I'm out and about.

I want:

* relatively light weight...lighter than my K10D, 16-45 Pentax Zoom, battery grip
* something cheaper than the K10D, that I won't worry about schlepping around on a daily basis...around my neck, belted in on the car seat...always ready for a quick photo
* rugged....not huge as K10D and battery grip
* something capable of taking pictures that approach the K10D...thinking of

Originally I was looking at the Canon G10, but the more I looked into it, the more I read that the pictures suffer over 200 ISO. I looked at some comparison pictures between a Pentax K200D and the G10...frankly no contest , IMO...the decision goes to the DSLR.

Not earth shaking news...I know the G10 may have multi MP's but it has a small sensor.

So back to square 1. I'm now thinking of getting a KM (K2000) with the kit 18-55...should be light ...rugged....easy to carry around and not horribly expensive...but still capable of taking top notch DSLR quality pictures.

So....what do you think ?

[zplus]

Its not cheaper than a k10d but:
This should work

I heard from someone its pretty good

[monochrome]

I want something lighter than the K10D , just to have a daily carry about camera....so I'm always ready to take a picture while I'm out and about.

[jct us101]

Now that's a pancake...

Also if you don't want to spend that much, look at the *ist DS. One of Pentax's smallest and best cameras.

[alderfall]

Yeah, I have to suggest that you at least check into the K2000. I own the K200D, and highly suggest that you look into that as well, but it surely is not significantly lighter. If you can stick with a Pentax DSLR body, you can use the same lenses, etc. of course.

[dugrant153]

I'd take off the battery grip and use the Pentax DA 40 Ltd lens on your K10D. You get a great lens and a super lightweight (yet compact) setup. I do that with my K100D if I'm not really in the mood to carry a "big" camera.

I went the compact route and didn't like it as much.

[nostatic]

Leica D-Lux4

Seriously. Or save money and get the Panasonic LX-3. Another choice would be Ricoh GX-200 or GRD-2 (if you can live with fixed 28mm). I just bought (and now sold) a Km/K2000. It is a *great* body with excellent IQ, improved AF, and with my 43ltd lens up front is was much smaller/lighter than my K20d. But in my hands (which are rather large), it actually wasn't very comfortable to use as it was just too small. Same issue with the G1. I have decided that if I'm want something smaller than my K20d with a ltd prime, it is my DLux4. The middle ground of a tiny dSLR just doesn't work for me. Too big to fit in a pocket, too small to fit well in my hand for long-term carry. But ymmv.

[PentaxPoke]

Another view of that nifty kit (from Digitalcamerareview)

[pw-pix]

Panasonix LX3

[quattro]

A *ist DS2 or one of the other DSs or Samsung clones work well for travel/daily carry cameras. With a 50mm prime the kit is almost the size of the G10.

[johnsherwood]

K100D or K100D super..........if you can find someone willing to part with one.......best time right after a big Pentax announcement........the LBA kicks in and anything is possible.

Great shoot from the hip no muss no fuss camera.

Makes me really think hard about bringing the K20 out!

John

[Jewelltrail]

If you can live with 6mp and like to shoot in low light--higher ISO IQ being important to you, then the Fujifilm Finepix F31fd is a good choice. There are still some around. Hard to beat it for its compactness. For a few less bucks, if you can find someone who will part with it, the F30 is great too. Not very wide, if you can live with that. Just another suggestion


Here is a link to an ISO 800 shot with the Fuji--amazing for a P & S

http://a.img-dpreview.com/reviews/FujifilmF31fd/Samples/Comparedto/Fuji_F31fd_ISO800.JPG

[mike.hiran]

or for under $400, you could get a lightly used k10d which you are already familiar with. and without the grip on it, it'll feel light...

[BBear]

Hi Lesmore,


I was in the same situation in december last year, and I bought a *Ist DL that i planned on using on a vacation trip then selling it again.... let's say the kit works so well with my K10D that i am keeping it!


And not only the thing is small and light, but it also has better ISO than my K10D!

[HermanLee]

If you want RAW , good HIGH ISO quality, ultra wide - short zoom = Panasonic LX3/Leica counterpart

If you like JPEG, good HIGH ISO quality, wide - long zoom = Fuji F100fd (very cheap right now) or wait for F200fd exr.

I have the F100fd that I bought last year with rebate, amazing little p&s camera.
My friend thought I used my DSLR when actually it's from my F100fd.