Congratulation on choosing a really good brand of cameras – Pentax DSLR. Now you need to decide which Pentax body you want.Let me help you decide.
Have a look at the table below, and then read my thoughts about it.
|
Body
|
Image Sensor
|
Shake
Reduc- tion
|
Dust
Removal
|
Orien- tation
Sensor
|
Battery 4x AA vs. D-LI50
|
Continuous
Shooting
(fps)
|
Weight
(g)
|
In Pro- duction
|
|
K20D
|
14.6 MP, CMOS, 1.54x
|
√
|
√
|
√
|
D-LI50
|
2.8
|
715
|
√
|
|
K10D
|
10.2 MP, CCD, 1.53x
|
√
|
√
|
√
|
D-LI50
|
3
|
710
|
|
|
K200D
|
10.2 MP, CCD, 1.53x
|
√
|
√
|
|
4x AA
|
2.8
|
630
|
√
|
|
K100D Super
|
6.1 MP, CCD, 1.53x
|
√
|
√
|
|
4x AA
|
2.8
|
570
|
√
|
|
K100D
|
6.1 MP, CCD, 1.53x
|
√
|
|
|
4x AA
|
2.8
|
560
|
|
|
K110D
|
6.1 MP, CCD, 1.53x
|
|
|
|
4x AA
|
2.8
|
485
|
√
|
|
K-m / K2000
|
10.2 MP, CCD, 1.53x
|
√
|
√
|
|
4x AA
|
3.5
|
525
|
√
|
These are the features you need to consider:
1. Image sensor – if your budget is a concern, 6MP is really enough, especially for party snaps. To make use of more mega pixels, you need to have a good lens, anyway, so if you only want the kit lens only (which is a good one; Pentax kit lens is much better than competition), don’t think that 10 MP will make a big difference – it will not. However, if you can afford it, go for 10 MP.
2. Shake reduction – very important. You will want to take a lot of photos in low light (indoors, cloudy day), so extra stability with every lens for free is a real McCoy (built in the camera with all new Pentax DSLR bodies).
3. Orientation sensor – really useful. Saves a lot of time of rotating those photos left and right. With orientation sensor your photo browser will rotate it for you automatically.
4. Continuous shooting – the difference between 2.8 and 3.5 fps is insignificant, so it should not be the main factor while deciding. For sport photography look for cameras with 5-10 fps. Remember, that you can’t use flash in this mode as there is no flash that can charge 3 times a second, so good lighting is required (strong sunshine preferably).
5. Battery - AA batteries are good thing, especially if you run out of power, it’s easy to buy a top up. However, I have not been very happy with rechargeable AA’s performance, which I used with my compact camera. I use Lithium-ion battery with my K10D, and I’m really happy – 300-400 photos with one charge, and flash does not seem to decrease the battery life so much. Also, it charges in around 2 seconds all through the battery cycle. I have bought 2 spares, but I only needed one so far (taking more than 300 photos takes a long enough time to charge the other battery).
Optionally, you can buy a battery grip, which gives you additional battery in a slick looking add on, but also makes your camera look more professional and gives you a second release button, which is useful for vertical shots.
6.Price - as much as you can afford, but it’s better to invest in a better lens as you are likely to buy a new camera after 2-3 years, while lenses last for 5-10 years at least.
Now make your choice!
If price is not a concern, go for K20D or K200D. However, with prices that low you should try to go for K20D – you’re not buying disposables – this will serve you for at least 3 years. If your budget is low, go for K100D with either a kit lens or with Tamron 18-250mm (for help with lens choice, please check my blog www.pentaxbody.com).
Please, do not hesitate to ask me questions on my blog.
Enjoy your Pentax experience.
Please, support me and buy from my affiliates.
Thank you
Kamil Wawrzyszko
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