Originally posted by shardulm Nikon D3500 with 18-55 and 70-300 lens kit is selling for $500 at Costco that comes with a Bag, Extra battery, and a 32GB SD card. I agree its not nearly as good of a body as KP (D3500 is down right cheap feeling and it actually is) but it has possibly the same sensor as KP and that 24mp sony sensor is no slouch. So there are competing deals for noobes
What you said, with all due respect is not accurate....let's review: possible similar24mp sensor, but Pentax has it surrounded by HDR, pixel shift, optional GPS/Astrotracer, GB-7 grip, Weather sealed and cold proofed down to 14 degrees, all Magnesium exterior with steel chassis.....really? No difference? Big differences. Like saying a VW v6 is the same as a super-tuned Audi v6.....same engine block? Sure....but same performance? Hardly.
The KP is a serious pro-sumer camera, while the D3500 is glorified point and shoot....again with all due respect.