Suggestions for a choice

sophotec · 02-20-2010, 04:22 AM

Hi all
I'm an old pentax fan that still owns a MZ5n and several good quality lenses, all for 35mm.
I was away from photos from several years due to family reasons (kids...) and used a small compact fuji camera for family/kids photos... but now it's time to restart my hobby: hiking and shooting or traveling and shooting.
I'm quite undecided among Pentax Kx and Pentax K7: at first glance K7 seems to fit much more what I want: not too much small, sealed, seems more power-user oriented but it has also some weakness... from what I read around it is weak at high ISOs while Kx has a much better high ISO quality and a significant lower price...

considering also that I want to use my 35mm lenses that ranges from 16mm to 210mm (~ 25-300)

I would like to hear your experiences and suggestions...

Do you think that buying body + 2 lenses worths the additional price ?

Oggy · 02-20-2010, 03:27 PM

If you get a decent deal on the two lens kit, you can usually get at least as much for the lenses as you paid, if you decide not to keep them.

stanleyk · 02-20-2010, 04:35 PM

I have both. If I could only have one I would choose the K7. That said I don't ever shoot JPEGS. For hiking the K7 is great because it's so sturdy.

fccwpe · 02-20-2010, 09:33 PM

Originally posted by sophotec

Hi all
I'm an old pentax fan that still owns a MZ5n and several good quality lenses, all for 35mm.
I was away from photos from several years due to family reasons (kids...) and used a small compact fuji camera for family/kids photos... but now it's time to restart my hobby: hiking and shooting or traveling and shooting.
I'm quite undecided among Pentax Kx and Pentax K7: at first glance K7 seems to fit much more what I want: not too much small, sealed, seems more power-user oriented but it has also some weakness... from what I read around it is weak at high ISOs while Kx has a much better high ISO quality and a significant lower price...

considering also that I want to use my 35mm lenses that ranges from 16mm to 210mm (~ 25-300)

I would like to hear your experiences and suggestions...

Do you think that buying body + 2 lenses worths the additional price ?

I have the K20d and the Kx. I use the K20D for serious telephoto and wildlife shots and the Kx for landscape, indoor and people/portraits. Don't discount the K20d or K10D as they are GREAT cameras. Right now you can get them at a really good price.

sophotec · 02-21-2010, 02:21 AM

Originally posted by stanleyk

I have both. If I could only have one I would choose the K7. That said I don't ever shoot JPEGS. For hiking the K7 is great because it's so sturdy.

The main reason that drive me to K7 over Kx is the build quality and solidity...
May I ask you which are the main reason why you prefer K7 ?

After all seems that Image quality of Kx is better...

benjikan · 02-21-2010, 04:45 AM

I would suggest the K-x. In most cases it would do the trick for now.

sophotec · 02-21-2010, 07:09 AM

Originally posted by fccwpe

I have the K20d and the Kx. I use the K20D for serious telephoto and wildlife shots and the Kx for landscape, indoor and people/portraits. Don't discount the K20d or K10D as they are GREAT cameras. Right now you can get them at a really good price.

I've read reviews at Digital Camera Reviews and News: Digital Photography Review: Forums, Glossary, FAQ : seems that K7 has not much more that K20, at least for my needs, image output at RAW is indistinguishable... so probably K20 may be a more valuable solution considering the the price is significantly lower, closer to the Kx...

Thanks for the suggestion.

Ben_Edict · 02-21-2010, 07:50 AM

Originally posted by sophotec

I've read reviews at Digital Camera Reviews and News: Digital Photography Review: Forums, Glossary, FAQ : seems that K7 has not much more that K20, at least for my needs, image output at RAW is indistinguishable... so probably K20 may be a more valuable solution considering the the price is significantly lower, closer to the Kx...

Thanks for the suggestion.

It very much depends, whether you need high ISO for your shots. The K20 is good up to ISO 1250 in my opinion. Beyond that, it cannot stand up against the K-x. But all in all the K20 is still my camera of choice, even over the K7. The K7 has some nice advantages (higher shooting rate, 100% viewfinder, much less noisy, perhaps better AF), but the images are not superior in quality to the K20 - and I doubt, that at standard ISO settings (100,200) the K20 can be bettered by much more expensive APS-C cameras.

Ben

sterretje · 02-21-2010, 07:51 AM

Did you ever shoot ISO1600 or higher with your film body?

If not, why worry about it now? And the choice is easy in that case (K7/K20D). If you did shoot ISO1600, the choice might be more difficult.

I own a K10D (and K100D) and the biggest issue is that you can not 'calibrate' the combination of body and specific lens yourself if there is a focusing issue (backfocus/frontfocus)); you have to take it to a service center (or use a work around). This does apply to all models except K20D and K7. So I would get a K20D or K7 for this specific reason.

RioRico · 02-21-2010, 09:34 AM

I'll echo some of the above recommendations. The K20D probably gives more bang-for-the-buck than a K7 right now, if you need a rugged camera and can live with its ISO/noise constraints. If you need higher speed and don't need the ruggedization, and weight is a consideration, then the Kx is probably a better choice.

And I'll reiterate one of my criteria in analyzing a camera purchase -- what body will I be happy with longest? What body won't I feel impelled to 'upgrade' soon? That takes us back to the points above -- small size and better high-ISO performance (Kx) vs ruggedness and cost-effectiveness (K20D). A K7 is probably as sturdy as a K20D, but the price is a deterrent. To me, anyway.

My next purchase will probably be a DA 18-55 WR for my K20D. That combo won't be used underwater, but it can go just about anywhere else on the planet. (Yes, I've said elsewhere that I won't buy any more DA lenses, as I'm expecting a FF offering in the foreseeable future -- but for the DA 18-55 WR, I'll make an exception.)

sophotec · 05-06-2010, 12:35 PM

Just to let know you all that now I've a K7, since the K20 is out of stock here... anyway I like the camera... it is quite solid and impressive...
Thanks all for your tips.

hcc · 05-07-2010, 01:45 AM

Welcome to the K-7 Pentaxian community and congrat for your purchase. You will love the K-7. For outdoor shooting, it is a great, great camera.

02-20-2010, 04:22 AM	#1
sophotec New Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Marche / Center Italy Posts: 19	Suggestions for a choice Hi all I'm an old pentax fan that still owns a MZ5n and several good quality lenses, all for 35mm. I was away from photos from several years due to family reasons (kids...) and used a small compact fuji camera for family/kids photos... but now it's time to restart my hobby: hiking and shooting or traveling and shooting. I'm quite undecided among Pentax Kx and Pentax K7: at first glance K7 seems to fit much more what I want: not too much small, sealed, seems more power-user oriented but it has also some weakness... from what I read around it is weak at high ISOs while Kx has a much better high ISO quality and a significant lower price... considering also that I want to use my 35mm lenses that ranges from 16mm to 210mm (~ 25-300) I would like to hear your experiences and suggestions... Do you think that buying body + 2 lenses worths the additional price ?

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02-20-2010, 03:27 PM	#2
Oggy Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: West Sussex UK Posts: 235	If you get a decent deal on the two lens kit, you can usually get at least as much for the lenses as you paid, if you decide not to keep them.

02-20-2010, 04:35 PM	#3
stanleyk Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Taylor, Texas Posts: 1,018	I have both. If I could only have one I would choose the K7. That said I don't ever shoot JPEGS. For hiking the K7 is great because it's so sturdy.

02-20-2010, 09:33 PM	#4
fccwpe Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Perris, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 380	Originally posted by sophotec Hi all I'm an old pentax fan that still owns a MZ5n and several good quality lenses, all for 35mm. I was away from photos from several years due to family reasons (kids...) and used a small compact fuji camera for family/kids photos... but now it's time to restart my hobby: hiking and shooting or traveling and shooting. I'm quite undecided among Pentax Kx and Pentax K7: at first glance K7 seems to fit much more what I want: not too much small, sealed, seems more power-user oriented but it has also some weakness... from what I read around it is weak at high ISOs while Kx has a much better high ISO quality and a significant lower price... considering also that I want to use my 35mm lenses that ranges from 16mm to 210mm (~ 25-300) I would like to hear your experiences and suggestions... Do you think that buying body + 2 lenses worths the additional price ? I have the K20d and the Kx. I use the K20D for serious telephoto and wildlife shots and the Kx for landscape, indoor and people/portraits. Don't discount the K20d or K10D as they are GREAT cameras. Right now you can get them at a really good price.

02-21-2010, 02:21 AM	#5
sophotec New Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Marche / Center Italy Posts: 19 Original Poster	Originally posted by stanleyk I have both. If I could only have one I would choose the K7. That said I don't ever shoot JPEGS. For hiking the K7 is great because it's so sturdy. The main reason that drive me to K7 over Kx is the build quality and solidity... May I ask you which are the main reason why you prefer K7 ? After all seems that Image quality of Kx is better...

02-21-2010, 04:45 AM	#6
benjikan Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Paris, France Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,308	I would suggest the K-x. In most cases it would do the trick for now.

02-21-2010, 07:09 AM	#7
sophotec New Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Marche / Center Italy Posts: 19 Original Poster	Originally posted by fccwpe I have the K20d and the Kx. I use the K20D for serious telephoto and wildlife shots and the Kx for landscape, indoor and people/portraits. Don't discount the K20d or K10D as they are GREAT cameras. Right now you can get them at a really good price. I've read reviews at Digital Camera Reviews and News: Digital Photography Review: Forums, Glossary, FAQ : seems that K7 has not much more that K20, at least for my needs, image output at RAW is indistinguishable... so probably K20 may be a more valuable solution considering the the price is significantly lower, closer to the Kx... Thanks for the suggestion.

02-21-2010, 07:50 AM	#8
Ben_Edict Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: SouthWest "Regio" Photos: Albums Posts: 3,309	Originally posted by sophotec I've read reviews at Digital Camera Reviews and News: Digital Photography Review: Forums, Glossary, FAQ : seems that K7 has not much more that K20, at least for my needs, image output at RAW is indistinguishable... so probably K20 may be a more valuable solution considering the the price is significantly lower, closer to the Kx... Thanks for the suggestion. It very much depends, whether you need high ISO for your shots. The K20 is good up to ISO 1250 in my opinion. Beyond that, it cannot stand up against the K-x. But all in all the K20 is still my camera of choice, even over the K7. The K7 has some nice advantages (higher shooting rate, 100% viewfinder, much less noisy, perhaps better AF), but the images are not superior in quality to the K20 - and I doubt, that at standard ISO settings (100,200) the K20 can be bettered by much more expensive APS-C cameras. Ben

02-21-2010, 07:51 AM	#9
sterretje Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Roodepoort, South Africa Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,561	Did you ever shoot ISO1600 or higher with your film body? If not, why worry about it now? And the choice is easy in that case (K7/K20D). If you did shoot ISO1600, the choice might be more difficult. I own a K10D (and K100D) and the biggest issue is that you can not 'calibrate' the combination of body and specific lens yourself if there is a focusing issue (backfocus/frontfocus)); you have to take it to a service center (or use a work around). This does apply to all models except K20D and K7. So I would get a K20D or K7 for this specific reason.

02-21-2010, 09:34 AM	#10
RioRico Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Limbo, California Posts: 11,263	I'll echo some of the above recommendations. The K20D probably gives more bang-for-the-buck than a K7 right now, if you need a rugged camera and can live with its ISO/noise constraints. If you need higher speed and don't need the ruggedization, and weight is a consideration, then the Kx is probably a better choice. And I'll reiterate one of my criteria in analyzing a camera purchase -- what body will I be happy with longest? What body won't I feel impelled to 'upgrade' soon? That takes us back to the points above -- small size and better high-ISO performance (Kx) vs ruggedness and cost-effectiveness (K20D). A K7 is probably as sturdy as a K20D, but the price is a deterrent. To me, anyway. My next purchase will probably be a DA 18-55 WR for my K20D. That combo won't be used underwater, but it can go just about anywhere else on the planet. (Yes, I've said elsewhere that I won't buy any more DA lenses, as I'm expecting a FF offering in the foreseeable future -- but for the DA 18-55 WR, I'll make an exception.)

05-06-2010, 12:35 PM	#11
sophotec New Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Marche / Center Italy Posts: 19 Original Poster	Just to let know you all that now I've a K7, since the K20 is out of stock here... anyway I like the camera... it is quite solid and impressive... Thanks all for your tips.

05-07-2010, 01:45 AM	#12
hcc Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Brisbane, Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,002	Welcome to the K-7 Pentaxian community and congrat for your purchase. You will love the K-7. For outdoor shooting, it is a great, great camera.