Looking for new DSLR.

[disneyfanUSA]

Hi guys I currently have a Pentax KX and love it! Now my mom is looking for a DSLR of her own and wants me to pick her one out. I was just going to get her a KX as well because she knows how to use my camera already. Do you guys recommend a different newer model of a Pentax or perhaps different brand of DSLR that I should I get instead? I can get KX pretty cheap now so that is also a factor. Thanks for any advice.

 

[elmoandzoey]

In our family we all use the same system. It makes borrowing equipment (especially lenses) quite easy. I don't know how invested you are in your Pentax that your mother could benefit from your equipment though.

On entry level all DSLR are pretty much of the same quality. They just different in operation and look. If your mother knows her way around Pentax, I don't see a reason why she should change system. If you are decided to upgrade down the line though, you should look further if Pentax is going to offer you the upgrades you might possibly want. I am not very familiar with the Pentax line to give you specifics on that though. From what I read the Kx is 6 years old already. Newer models usually bring a better sensor with them.

The other question would be - does your mother really need a DSLR? Will she take advantage of the custom settings and swapping lenses or is she just going to get one kit lens and use auto mode. If it's the latter, she may not even need a DSLR. There are cameras (bridge or micro 4/3) that produce better quality pictures than entry level DSLR are at about the same price.

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

First, I am a Pentax shooter. In terms of the camera world, the Kx is a really old camera, now. You would have to buy used. The current entry level Pentax DSLR is the K-S2. With an 18-55 wr kit lens its about $700 at B & H. The real steal right now is the camera that the K-S2 replaced and that is the K-50. It is completely WR (weather resistant) and with the 18-55 wr lens is $378 at B & H. I only buy new equipment online from three vendors, B & H, Adorama and Amazon. The K-50 is an excellent camera and uses the venerable 16 mp sensor. That sensor has very good lowlight capabilities and has been a staple in Pentax, Nikon and Sony cameras over the past five years. It has only recently been replaced with higher megapixel sensors in their newer cameras.

 

[havoc315]

The differences across brands of dSLRs are mostly subtle... A few different strengths and weaknesses, but the differences aren't ground breaking in most cases.
If you're happy with the Pentax system, there really is no reason to switch. If you are looking for something specific -- a specific feature, a smaller body, etc.. Then there may be other brands and models that would fit better.

 

[jec6613]

The K-50 is an excellent camera and uses the venerable 16 mp sensor. That sensor has very good lowlight capabilities and has been a staple in Pentax, Nikon and Sony cameras over the past five years. It has only recently been replaced with higher megapixel sensors in their newer cameras.

"Recent," is a relative term, it's now a five year old sensor and does show its age. That said, it's *still* a good sensor, and the prices that the camera bodies that use it make it an excellent value and I still recommend it if you're at all cost sensitive. Low light performance is still better than any Canon crop sensor (it scores better than the 7D Mk II in low light according to DXO), color depth is good, and 16 MP is a nice number that offers you most of the detail of the newer sensors without the associated large files. Oh, and it has 1080p, too!

The newer 24 MP Sony and Toshiba sensors are noticeably better, particularly the latest generation in the K3-II and D7200; but you need a good lens in front of them to really see that performance. The cheapest way up is probably a Nikon D3200 or D3300 two lens bundle, starting at $500, and prices only go up from there.

In terms of sticking with Pentax versus going to Canon or Nikon, the lens interchangeability isn't going to be that big of an issue if you only use kit lenses (if you have more expensive glass, it becomes a bigger deal). However, the ability to use either camera because the interface is similar is a pretty big deal, and it means that you can pick up each other's camera and not have to worry about how to use it, while if you went to another maker's body you'd have several minutes of re-learning, and usually 20-30 minutes to get something approaching the results you're used to getting with your own camera.

For this, the K-50 seems a really good price point and excellent camera for what you're getting. Another choice would be to give her your Kx and pick up something new for yourself - not necessarily how you'll want to go but it's usually worth at least spending 30 seconds thinking about.

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

I think I said it uses the venerable 16mp sensor and has "recently" been "replaced" in the newer cameras. The K-S2 uses the newer 20mp sensor and the K3 series uses a 24mp sensor. Right now the K-50 (in black) with a bundled two kit lens package (18-55 & 50-200, both WR lenses) is $469 and in my opinion is a better camera than the entry level Nikons.. Although the 50-200 is not as highly regarded as the 55-300, I have a 50-200 and use it frequently when I want to lighten the load and lowlight is not an issue. I found it to be an excellent bargain. I have the predecessor to the k-50, the K-30 (amongst others), and the only downside is the smaller capacity battery that is used versus the K5 and K3 series battery that is used. I have the AA converter for the K-30 (just in case). And as others have said, in families, it is much easier to stay in the brand line. As far as the controls, you will find the K-50 is menu driven similar to the Kx versus button driven K5/K3 series cameras.

 

[jec6613]

I think I said it uses the venerable 16mp sensor and has "recently" been "replaced" in the newer cameras. The K-S2 uses the newer 20mp sensor and the K3 series uses a 24mp sensor. Right now the K-50 (in black) with a bundled two kit lens package (18-55 & 50-200, both WR lenses) is $469 and in my opinion is a better camera than the entry level Nikons.. Although the 50-200 is not as highly regarded as the 55-300, I have a 50-200 and use it frequently when I want to lighten the load and lowlight is not an issue. I found it to be an excellent bargain. I have the predecessor to the k-50, the K-30 (amongst others), and the only downside is the smaller capacity battery that is used versus the K5 and K3 series battery that is used. I have the AA converter for the K-30 (just in case). And as others have said, in families, it is much easier to stay in the brand line. As far as the controls, you will find the K-50 is menu driven similar to the Kx versus button driven K5/K3 series cameras.

For recently replaced, Sony stopped production in mid-2012 after two full years of producing it, and replaced it with the 24 MP models (the 20 MP in between that Pentax used isn't a Sony sensor).

From a technical image quality standpoint, a D3200 bundle will pretty soundly win over the K-50. More megapixels, better dynamic range, better high ISO performance, lower light AF, better metering, and so on, and the kit lenses have better resolving power (the D3300 extends this with the newest redesigned 55-200 optic being better still). The K-50 is weather sealed, and you have to move up to the D5x00 series Nikon to get weather sealing (though the lenses are sealed even at the base models); and to get a pentaprism viewfinder you need to move to the D7x00 series, but for technical image quality the bottom of the line Nikon is, for all intents and purposes, state of the art in crop sensors.

I'm in the somewhat (although not completely) unique position of shooting both the latest 24 MP sensor (D7200) next to the older 16 MP sensor (D5100), and there is a difference, and beyond the pure megapixels. On kit lenses and variable aperture zooms it's smaller, but particularly with high resolving power lenses (Micro-Nikkor and telephoto primes) it can sometimes really jump out at you. As an example: I took a picture of my dog, and you can see me reflected in his eye with the 24 MP sensor, while similar pictures on the 16 MP sensor the reflections are indistinct.

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

I'm not going to argue because that doesn't do the OP any good, I'm a fanboy of the Pentax brand and you are a fanboy of the Nikon brand. Lets leave it at that. Have a nice day.

 

[SkaGoat]

For recently replaced, Sony stopped production in mid-2012 after two full years of producing it, and replaced it with the 24 MP models (the 20 MP in between that Pentax used isn't a Sony sensor).

From a technical image quality standpoint, a D3200 bundle will pretty soundly win over the K-50. More megapixels, better dynamic range, better high ISO performance, lower light AF, better metering, and so on, and the kit lenses have better resolving power (the D3300 extends this with the newest redesigned 55-200 optic being better still). The K-50 is weather sealed, and you have to move up to the D5x00 series Nikon to get weather sealing (though the lenses are sealed even at the base models); and to get a pentaprism viewfinder you need to move to the D7x00 series, but for technical image quality the bottom of the line Nikon is, for all intents and purposes, state of the art in crop sensors.

I'm in the somewhat (although not completely) unique position of shooting both the latest 24 MP sensor (D7200) next to the older 16 MP sensor (D5100), and there is a difference, and beyond the pure megapixels. On kit lenses and variable aperture zooms it's smaller, but particularly with high resolving power lenses (Micro-Nikkor and telephoto primes) it can sometimes really jump out at you. As an example: I took a picture of my dog, and you can see me reflected in his eye with the 24 MP sensor, while similar pictures on the 16 MP sensor the reflections are indistinct.

But the Nikon does nothing for OP's mother. It would not be a great move to move her to a different system then he already uses, and is used to. Especially since the current crop of Pentax cameras aren't bad. I think that K-50 on sale is just what the doctor ordered in this case. I doubt his mother is pixel peeping, and cares if her sensor is 16 MP or 20 MP, or is made by Sony or not.

 

[jec6613]

I'm not going to argue because that doesn't do the OP any good, I'm a fanboy of the Pentax brand and you are a fanboy of the Nikon brand. Lets leave it at that. Have a nice day.

I will point out that the one thing we completely agreed on was that the K-50 seemed like a great camera for the OP.

 

[mousehockey37]

That's the problem with threads like this. It's an open-ended question. It's not just limited to this forum, but the ones where people say about picking resorts, planning ADR's, FP+'s, etc...

OP, I'd just take your mom out and go look at cameras. She knows yours, but what is SHE looking for in a camera? Does she want something like what you have or something different. Get some more info from her other than, just go pick one out, and make an informed decision WITH her.

For the record, I'm a Canon guy. I'm not gonna shove Canon at anyone, but the only way you figure out what works for you is by going out and holding them, trying them and seeing how it feels to you.

 

[nigelp]

I've been shooting with a Pentax since 2008 and my current model is the K30 (the K50 is the upgrade model on from this - just a few minor improvements). The K30 does everything I need it to do and I am not tempted to upgrade, despite usually wanting the latest model of any electronic device I own!