Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
10-05-2013, 10:17 AM
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Welcome to the Forum!!!
Racer posted a great comparison link, and you come to the forum at a very interesting time. Pentax is in the process of rolling out some new camera models, where by they discount the current models. Also, your selection options are somewhat based on how you expect to use the camera.- K30 - It is going out of stock, based on the K5 with in some sense a couple fewer features, but if you plan to do any video, is a somewhat better selection. For folks with manual lenses, it has focus peaking that will help you obtain better manual focus a bit easier. if you are budget constrained and if you are going to ONLY use your manual lenses (focus peaking). A quick look shows you can get one for around $550 with a kit 18-55 lens
- K5 - It has gone out of stock (replaced by the K5II and K5IIs) and is essentially the basis for this entire camera family. Pentax did a wonderful job on this body and it is a classic. Has a couple of more technical qualities than the K30. Price wise the K30 and K5 are going to be the best bang for the buck. It looks like you can pick up a body only (no lens) for $640
- K5II and K5IIs - These have been out a bit over a year now, and add a couple of fixes to the K5 - only if you use auto focus lenses. Their pricing is currently dropping in anticipation of the announcement of the K3 - perhaps as soon as next week. You can pick up a K5II for about $810 with a kit 18-55 lens.
So what should you do and how do you choose - other than by budget.
I think that the K30 would be the best all around choice. It comes with a kit lens so that you can use both auto focusing and manual focusing lenses to their best advantage. The price is also extremely good.
The K5II is excellent too. What you get with it is the ability to auto focus in near dark conditions. That is the plus, the downside is that it does not have focus peaking and you would be up to your eyes to do the manual focusing.
Personally, I would go with the K30, and also pick up a Pentax 2 year extended warranty (total of 3 years) for an extra $20. Save what additional funds for a trip with the camera to take pictures somewhere.....
:cool:
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