I think it is most important to honestly asses your abilities as a photographer and determine what camera will get you on your way. It is easy to be swayed by the latest and greatest, and who doesn't want that? This camera had many features that were important to me, including rugged weather sealed construction, enough pixels at 16.3 to ensure a more than respectable picture and a price I can live with until I can determine if my interest and abilities warrant something more modern. The menu was a little daunting at first, and still is, but I am using it in auto mode while I figure it out.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
A great pro/advanced amateur DSLR that can of course use the full range of Pentax lenses ever made. The 18-135mm lens is capable, lightweight and has a large zoom range. Color rendition and central sharpness are excellent. To add to the other top of the line features, the whole setup has the Pentax WR (weather resistant) best in the business treatment. A great value in a solid camera.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
I chose this camera based on reviews on the internet from other buyers and in-depth comparisons to the competing Canon and Nikon models. So far, no surprises. The pictures look great. I think “image quality” is the most important criterion for a camera. Also, this camera can take pictures that would be difficult for other cameras to take. For example, it took a nice picture inside an art museum where photos are permitted but using a flash is not permitted. I had not learned much about the camera's features when I took that photo. There was not enough light for my wife’s camera to take a picture. I’m reading books from the public library to learn how to make better picture by understanding aperture, shutter speed and sensor sensitivity. If you enjoy reading books to understand technical details and don’t mind trying things out until they’re “perfect” then you could consider this camera. If you want pretty good results with not much effort or practice, then you may want to consider a more simple camera. This camera replaces a 35mm Pentax film SLR bought in 1999. The lenses I bought for that camera work on this new Pentax digital SLR camera. If you don’t have Pentax lenses then you should also consider the competing Canon and Nikon models which may cost less and may offer a broader choice of lenses and other gadgets. With a good-quality lens attached, this camera feels heavy. That is probably true for any competing camera as well. The LCD is important for choosing feature settings, but the LCD can be quite difficult to see in full sunlight.Read full review
This is a Pro camera at a prosumer price point! Pros: ·Excellent details ·Great dynamic range ·Exceptional high ISO low light performance! ·Shadow noise is extremely low ·Amazing build quality ·Fast bursts, even in RAW ·100% coverage VF ·1080p HD video ·Lots of built in editing features for stills as well as videos ·In depth controls over almost everything in the camera ·Extremely accurate white balance ·Maximum ISO of 51,200!! And actually usable upto 25,600!!! ·Excellent burst modes even in RAW format ·AF is fast in live view mode even being contrast detect style ·In body image stabilization ·Great ergonomics ·Ability to fine tune NR at every ISO level Cons: ·No AF during video ·No dedicated button for video(more of a nit pick then a con) ·Some rough edges on diagonal lines This camera really took high ISO low light imaging to a new level! It is truly almost class leading in this area in the 1.5x/1.6x crop sensor bodies, right there with the Pentax K-x and K-r really, even though they are the class leading bodies. This body can use ANY Pentax K, K/A, M42, etc. mount lens! So, any lens by any brand ever made for the Pentax cameras, including the M42 screwmount lenses(via a cheap $12 adapter) can be used on this body. Depending on the lens it may be MA(manual aperture) and MF (manual focus) only, AA(auto aperture) and MF, or AA and AF(auto focus). The kicker, EVERY SINGLE LENS used on this body WILL become an IS/OS/VR/SR (image stabilized) lens! So you will have NO need to spend $100's to $1000's extra per lens for IS/OS/VR/SR like you would with Canon or Nikon, this alone is worth its weight in gold! The IS/OS/VR/SR is every bit as good and equivelant to the in lens variants. I tested this side by side when I still had my Canon bodies and IS L glass. I tested the IS/OS/VR/SR in the K10D(nowhere near as refined and as good as the K-5) from 20mm to 1200mm and it worked flawlessly in that range! Even produced a useable hand held image using an M42 Novoflex 400mm f/5.6 + 3x Chinon Teleconverter for the 1200mm focal range! In price point it compares to the entry level offerings from Canon and Nikon. In build in compares to the D7000 and 60D, except that it is fully waterproof, dust proof, and weather resistant unlike the D7000 and 60D. Features and specifications it is somewhere between the Canon 60D and 1D series. It is a camera suitable for every one from an amateur level to a full old time Pro and everyone in between!Read full review
Looked on the net for three months before purchase. This shook out as the best bang for my buck. I am not disappointed. The body is compact but ergonomically brilliant. This camera has features not found on the "leaders" at three times the price. Since I'm still learning how to use my pony :-)) there are no pics to share yet. The quality is evident and the camera is perfect for the first step up from the point and shoot. I have been shooting 120 for several years; so my learning curve is becoming acclimated to this tech. I couldn't be more pleased with my choice.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
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