BeerBelly,
I know exactly how you feel. Been there for quite some time. I just bit the bullet and bought a used Nikon D7000 with grip (in addition to my Pentax K-5 with grip), I have to say that Nikon offers a whole new experience in taking pictures. Or it could just be me geeking with new equipment
I have quite a selection of lenses for my Pentax and only a AF-S 35mm/1.8 prime, AF-S 18-200mm/3.5-5.6 VR and AF-S 70-200mm/2.8 VRII for the D7000. All used stuff by the way. I shoot absolutely everything, from Macro to Sports to Portraits, Animals, BIF, Landscape ..... All for the fun of it.
I am not a fanboy of any brand (was a Canon user before) and would like to point out, why I did it and what the experience was/is like.
The K-5 is a very special piece of kit, too hidden in today's camera jungle. We all know that, so no point repeating facts ....
The reason why I started looking over the fence is the AF performance and the lack of adequate zoom lenses to suit my requirements/expectations. I don't want a Superzoom f 6.7 thank you very much!
I started with a K20D and I think we all know what leap it was from that to the K-5 in terms of performance. It's nearly the same from the K-5 to the D7000 with regards to the AF only. When taking pics of moving objects with the K-5, I used the AF button and fired away until the buffer filled up. There usually were some in focus shots, which still is fine by me. Doesn't cost anything.
However, in AF-S mode I started to press the shutter and nothing happened as the lens was making micro adjustments in the last few milliseconds before acquiring focus. Desired moment passed ..... click. Very frustrating. Pressing the shutter button harder doesn't help either by the way ..
Switching to release priority is pointless as I want in focus pics. Call me picky ....
Also the (too big a) size of the AF areas for tracking birds or even portraits is very frustrating. Especially with kids. Sharp nose but not eyes. They never sit still!
I then had the opportunity to have a go at a Nikon D300 with a 18-300mm lens of a colleague and tried it on some birds and the AF was tracking away nicely. I had my K-5 next to me and it tracked zip! Not one bird in focus. Black birds ...
I then looked at decent used Pentax lenses online, but there aren't that many out there (I'm talking AF gentlemen!! Not interested in MF) and if there were any, they still went for more than the competition in similar condition, as they are fairly rare. The Pentax SDM AF isn't the fastest as we all know and the only other option would be Sigma as Tamron no longer considers Pentax mount for their new lenses (I got that reply in an email from Tamron last month).
To summarize: pay more for optically better lenses or new for slower AF lenses?
I then looked at and tried a D7000 which has the same sensor as the K-5 (don't really need more than 16MP, just fills up my computer) and all of a sudden I didn't have to plan and think that far ahead of what I wanted to achieve. Focus was quick and spot. I tested it with a Nikon 18-200mm and 35mm/1.8 lens.
Armed like that I went out with both cameras and had a go at all sorts and came back with the following thoughts (knowing that one system will have to go):
- The Nikon tends to blow highlights, whereas the Pentax preserves them
- The K-5's ergonomics are second to none
- Button placement on the K-5, especially ISO and dials, is much better
- Workflow on the Pentax is easier/faster (when it's not blocked during writing)
- Auto ISO on the Nikon is not really great and initially complicated to understand
- The Nikon is slightly bigger than the Pentax, especially with the grip (on both)
- The AF on the Nikon is very responsive (adjustable) and spot on (depends on lens though)
- The VR is good but a bit annoying using the AF button in AF-C (needs to be activated via the shutter release first)
- Buffer on Nikon fills up very quickly (7 frames)
- Two card slots is a gimmick I think (the K-5 holds one in the battery grip)
- Both have excellent battery life
- Great arrangement of AF points
- Love the grid lines in the viewfinder of the D7000
- Menus are more logical on the Pentax
- The Nikon doesn't "stop" working when writing pictures to the card
- The rear LCD screen doesn't automatically come on the D7000, much easier on the Pentax to quickly change settings
- Need a beep to tell me when the Nikon stopped focusing as I can't hear it anymore (is that good or bad???)
So what now????
I'm going to keep the Nikon and sell all my Pentax gear, that's what. Completely not in line with my thinking above, I know. But the reason for that is, I can work around all the little disadvantages of the Nikon but I can't work around the cost or limited availability of second hand gear and the AF performance. If/when a new Pentax comes out, I reckon, it will be well over 1000 pounds initially. Something I can't afford. Neither can I afford the Limiteds, which never come up for sale second hand anyway.
As it is the same sensor it doesn't really bother me what's written on the front, if I'm happy with the results. I was and am happy with the results of the Pentax (sensor) but there were just too many moments were the camera/lens combination were holding me back. I can get the same for much less with Nikon. I was looking at Canon but their zooms and bodies aren't for me.
To summarize: Go with whatever you feel happy with and test some stuff before you buy. The D7100 is even more advanced than the D7000 and the ergonomics are closer the the K-5 in IMHO.
I will probably make a loss on my Pentax gear but I bought the Nikon second hand from a reliable photographer, so I'll hopefully balance the new vs the old a bit. The perfect camera isn't out there but once you've started looking you're obviously not 100% happy with your gear any more. I wasn't. I was looking for nearly 1 year and as Pentax still hasn't announced a new camera or lens I bit the bullet and moved.
Will I be happy with that? Who knows?! I am at the moment. Would like to keep my Pentax gear but can't afford that.
It's the same with everything in life, isn't it? If you ask yourself whether you can afford it or should really do it or not, then you've already stalled the idea. No one else can make that decision for you. If you're not convincing yourself, no one else can.
That's what I keep telling my wife ...
Attached is my first ever attempt with my D7000 and Nikon 18-200mm lens. With my K-5 the tower was in focus 90% of the shots. None on the Nikon.