PF Holiday Loyal Site Supporter Special | December Pentax Lens Tournament

houstonmacgregor · 03-03-2010, 01:30 PM

Getting my new K7 tomorrow. Have a K20 and K10, one as back up for the other. Am getting into some " paid for services photography" - ie casual weddings and need to decide to sell the K20 or the K10 and keep the other as backup. Obviously will get more $$ for the K20 but as a back up will I need the difference inquality.

Thoughts welcomed.

Pentaxians forever

**jbinpg** · 03-03-2010, 02:15 PM

K20 gives you various goodies over the K10 but the real advantage for me is the ability to adjust autofocus for individual lenses. This is a feature worth its weight in gold.

dreilly · 03-03-2010, 02:41 PM

I just went through the same process, kinda. I needed a backup for my k-x, which I decided was better for me than the K7 because of the size and high-iso quality. I choose a k10d (well, actually, a gx-10...the price was right). You can adjust the focus on that by going into debug mode, there are instructions on this forum to do that. Only one lens, but I figure my backup camera would only need one lens on it anyway as it's only for emergencies. I'll probably calibrate it for me 24-60mm and see if it works well with the 30mm and 14mm.

I just got the GX-10 today. It's big! Compared to a K7 and to the K-X. But it handles nicely. My goal was to have something to fall back on in emergencies, and I also wanted a weather proof body to use as a beater in the elements. And my last goal was to spend as little as possible!

sterretje · 03-03-2010, 09:10 PM

Originally posted by jbinpg

K20 gives you various goodies over the K10 but the real advantage for me is the ability to adjust autofocus for individual lenses. This is a feature worth its weight in gold.

I'll second that.

Coming from an SLR where where there was no need for this (some people don't agree with this statement), I did not know better and I bought the K10D instead of the K20D. I did not miss the feature till I bought a FA31 and the camera misfocused with it. Took it in for calibartion and it's a lot better now.

You can use debug mode, but that requires a software version of the firmware that officially is not supported by Pentax.

CWyatt · 03-03-2010, 09:51 PM

Originally posted by houstonmacgregor

Am getting into some " paid for services photography" - ie casual weddings and need to decide to sell the K20 or the K10 and keep the other as backup

I'd keep the K20D. You want the best gear available if you need to fall back on it. I wouldn't imagine the 2nd hand sale price is too much of a difference between these cameras?

The K20D, being a very similar camera, has no disadvantages that I know of compared to the K10D. It means you've got ISO 3200 if you need it in a wedding situation.

Ash · 03-03-2010, 10:38 PM

I have both, the K20D and K10D - both being robust, reliable and similarly functioning bodies. I wouldn't give either of them away even if I never do a wedding again.

Advantages of K20D have been mentioned, and there's no doubt it's well worth investing your extra $ in - the K20D is very cheap for an advanced dSLR.

As for the K10D, its long exposure performance just couldn't be beat. The K20D just cannot compete even for exposures as long as 30sec. But for everything else, it's K20D all the way...

Gimbal · 03-04-2010, 12:37 AM

Originally posted by sterretje

You can use debug mode, but that requires a software version of the firmware that officially is not supported by Pentax.

One can use the official 1.30 firmware with this "new" and easier way to access debug mode.

see
Easy way to toggle Debug mode on K10D with 1.30 FW: Pentax SLR Talk Forum: Digital Photography Review

edl · 03-04-2010, 05:49 PM

Originally posted by houstonmacgregor

Getting my new K7 tomorrow. Have a K20 and K10, one as back up for the other. Am getting into some " paid for services photography" - ie casual weddings and need to decide to sell the K20 or the K10 and keep the other as backup. Obviously will get more $$ for the K20 but as a back up will I need the difference inquality.

Thoughts welcomed.

Pentaxians forever

If you're getting paid for your work you should keep the K20. The extra stop of usable ISO and (for lack of a better term) "smoother output" makes it more desirable in my mind.

sterretje · 03-04-2010, 09:04 PM

Originally posted by Gimbal

One can use the official 1.30 firmware with this "new" and easier way to access debug mode.

see
Easy way to toggle Debug mode on K10D with 1.30 FW: Pentax SLR Talk Forum: Digital Photography Review

Great; I was wondering about that as I read that thread but was not quite sure. Something to try this weekend.

CWyatt · 03-04-2010, 09:26 PM

K20D also has an x-sync socket, which K10D lacks...

houstonmacgregor · 03-05-2010, 08:11 AM

Thanks, guess I will have a k-10 for sale if I don't give to my niece.

Pentaxians rule

mithrandir · 03-05-2010, 11:09 AM

At lowest ISO, the K10D beats the K20D and the K7 for Dynamic Range. I also think the CCD in the K10D gives better color rendition over the CMOS in the other two.

edl · 03-06-2010, 10:06 AM

Originally posted by mithrandir

At lowest ISO, the K10D beats the K20D and the K7 for Dynamic Range. I also think the CCD in the K10D gives better color rendition over the CMOS in the other two.

Having had both the K10 and K20 I completely agree with you. But the OP is getting paid for casual weddings. In that case the K20 is better, since ISO1600 is usable. Even with flash, you can use less for faster recycle times, and better balance between fill and ambient.

jlaubza · 03-06-2010, 10:37 AM

In my case, I'd get rid of the GX10. I have one - lots of VPN from 400 iso up on low light shots and noisy even at 200iso (e.g. noise details sometimes seen in clear blue sky) and a strange habit of sometimes varying the colour balance across two succesive shots. I suspect I got a Monday camera - had it in for checking but nothing done to it - I guess a new sensor might be the answer.

In terms of useful features, the K20 is the better camera.

03-03-2010, 01:30 PM	#1
houstonmacgregor Forum Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 97	k10 or k20 Getting my new K7 tomorrow. Have a K20 and K10, one as back up for the other. Am getting into some " paid for services photography" - ie casual weddings and need to decide to sell the K20 or the K10 and keep the other as backup. Obviously will get more $$ for the K20 but as a back up will I need the difference inquality. Thoughts welcomed. Pentaxians forever

03-04-2010, 09:04 PM	#9
sterretje Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Roodepoort, South Africa Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,561	Originally posted by Gimbal One can use the official 1.30 firmware with this "new" and easier way to access debug mode. see Easy way to toggle Debug mode on K10D with 1.30 FW: Pentax SLR Talk Forum: Digital Photography Review Great; I was wondering about that as I read that thread but was not quite sure. Something to try this weekend. Last edited by sterretje; 03-04-2010 at 09:11 PM.

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03-03-2010, 02:15 PM	#2
jbinpg Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Prince George, BC Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,127	K20 gives you various goodies over the K10 but the real advantage for me is the ability to adjust autofocus for individual lenses. This is a feature worth its weight in gold.

03-03-2010, 02:41 PM	#3
dreilly Inactive Account Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Geneva, NY Posts: 72	I just went through the same process, kinda. I needed a backup for my k-x, which I decided was better for me than the K7 because of the size and high-iso quality. I choose a k10d (well, actually, a gx-10...the price was right). You can adjust the focus on that by going into debug mode, there are instructions on this forum to do that. Only one lens, but I figure my backup camera would only need one lens on it anyway as it's only for emergencies. I'll probably calibrate it for me 24-60mm and see if it works well with the 30mm and 14mm. I just got the GX-10 today. It's big! Compared to a K7 and to the K-X. But it handles nicely. My goal was to have something to fall back on in emergencies, and I also wanted a weather proof body to use as a beater in the elements. And my last goal was to spend as little as possible!

03-03-2010, 09:10 PM	#4
sterretje Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Roodepoort, South Africa Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,561	Originally posted by jbinpg K20 gives you various goodies over the K10 but the real advantage for me is the ability to adjust autofocus for individual lenses. This is a feature worth its weight in gold. I'll second that. Coming from an SLR where where there was no need for this (some people don't agree with this statement), I did not know better and I bought the K10D instead of the K20D. I did not miss the feature till I bought a FA31 and the camera misfocused with it. Took it in for calibartion and it's a lot better now. You can use debug mode, but that requires a software version of the firmware that officially is not supported by Pentax.

03-03-2010, 09:51 PM	#5
CWyatt Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 1,291	Originally posted by houstonmacgregor Am getting into some " paid for services photography" - ie casual weddings and need to decide to sell the K20 or the K10 and keep the other as backup I'd keep the K20D. You want the best gear available if you need to fall back on it. I wouldn't imagine the 2nd hand sale price is too much of a difference between these cameras? The K20D, being a very similar camera, has no disadvantages that I know of compared to the K10D. It means you've got ISO 3200 if you need it in a wedding situation.

03-03-2010, 10:38 PM	#6
Ash Community Manager Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toowoomba, Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,681	I have both, the K20D and K10D - both being robust, reliable and similarly functioning bodies. I wouldn't give either of them away even if I never do a wedding again. Advantages of K20D have been mentioned, and there's no doubt it's well worth investing your extra $ in - the K20D is very cheap for an advanced dSLR. As for the K10D, its long exposure performance just couldn't be beat. The K20D just cannot compete even for exposures as long as 30sec. But for everything else, it's K20D all the way...

03-04-2010, 12:37 AM	#7
Gimbal Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Sweden Posts: 2,102	Originally posted by sterretje You can use debug mode, but that requires a software version of the firmware that officially is not supported by Pentax. One can use the official 1.30 firmware with this "new" and easier way to access debug mode. see Easy way to toggle Debug mode on K10D with 1.30 FW: Pentax SLR Talk Forum: Digital Photography Review

03-04-2010, 05:49 PM	#8
edl Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: San Francisco Posts: 457	Originally posted by houstonmacgregor Getting my new K7 tomorrow. Have a K20 and K10, one as back up for the other. Am getting into some " paid for services photography" - ie casual weddings and need to decide to sell the K20 or the K10 and keep the other as backup. Obviously will get more $$ for the K20 but as a back up will I need the difference inquality. Thoughts welcomed. Pentaxians forever If you're getting paid for your work you should keep the K20. The extra stop of usable ISO and (for lack of a better term) "smoother output" makes it more desirable in my mind.

03-04-2010, 09:26 PM	#10
CWyatt Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 1,291	K20D also has an x-sync socket, which K10D lacks...

03-05-2010, 08:11 AM	#11
houstonmacgregor Forum Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 97 Original Poster	Thanks, guess I will have a k-10 for sale if I don't give to my niece. Pentaxians rule

03-05-2010, 11:09 AM	#12
mithrandir Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Maryland Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,895	At lowest ISO, the K10D beats the K20D and the K7 for Dynamic Range. I also think the CCD in the K10D gives better color rendition over the CMOS in the other two.

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03-06-2010, 10:06 AM	#13
edl Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: San Francisco Posts: 457	Originally posted by mithrandir At lowest ISO, the K10D beats the K20D and the K7 for Dynamic Range. I also think the CCD in the K10D gives better color rendition over the CMOS in the other two. Having had both the K10 and K20 I completely agree with you. But the OP is getting paid for casual weddings. In that case the K20 is better, since ISO1600 is usable. Even with flash, you can use less for faster recycle times, and better balance between fill and ambient.

03-06-2010, 10:37 AM	#14
jlaubza Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: south africa, johannesburg Photos: Gallery Posts: 228	In my case, I'd get rid of the GX10. I have one - lots of VPN from 400 iso up on low light shots and noisy even at 200iso (e.g. noise details sometimes seen in clear blue sky) and a strange habit of sometimes varying the colour balance across two succesive shots. I suspect I got a Monday camera - had it in for checking but nothing done to it - I guess a new sensor might be the answer. In terms of useful features, the K20 is the better camera.

k10 or k20

PF Holiday Loyal Site Supporter Special | December Pentax Lens Tournament