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Going to get a Pentax K20D instead of K-X

M

metalmania

Platinum Member
The new K-X body and used K20D body have the similar price around $400. I am quite familiar with the good old K100D. For now I am debating to get K20D or K-X. The video function is no use to me. I prefer the Canon HD camcorder I have.

$400: K20D, big, heavy, weather proof

$440: K-X, small, light, toylike

What do you suggest? Thanks!
 
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K-x has a much better sensor, especially for lowlight/high-ISO images. But it certainly is an entry level body vs the K20D's prosumer build.
 
metalmania said:
ISO 800 or 1600, is K-X much better than K20D?
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yes, when Pentax switched to sony for sensors, they gained a big jump in high ISO. The k-x edges out the k-7 even (tho, the k-7 is unbelievably rugged and compact, someone needs to follow this lead).

One thing I do not like about the K-x is the fact it's geared toward first timers. not that it's bad thing, but the focus points don't line up. You have to pull your eye from the viewfinder and check which point is active. may not be an issue for you, but it certainly would be a huge factor to consider for me.
 
metalmania said:
ISO 800 or 1600, is K-X much better than K20D?
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K20D is a pretty old camera, and even back in its heyday it was worse than the Canon/Nikon counterparts at high ISO.

If you shoot at 800 or 1600 ISO more than occassionally, I would get the K-X. Sure, build quality is important, but keep in mind that a weather-sealed body means very little if you don't have a weather-sealed lens to complete the sealing on the body.
 
I shoot at ISO 200 or 400 most of the times. Only in rare conditions I shoot in high ISO mode. I like the 11 points focus on K20D. I can use the Metz flash for dark scenes. I have been using the K100D for 4 years, so maybe K20D is a better choice for me. I like heavy gears. If go portable, I will just get a Panasonic GF1 with 20/1.7 as backup.
 
996GT2 said:
K20D is a pretty old camera, and even back in its heyday it was worse than the Canon/Nikon counterparts at high ISO.

If you shoot at 800 or 1600 ISO more than occassionally, I would get the K-X. Sure, build quality is important, but keep in mind that a weather-sealed body means very little if you don't have a weather-sealed lens to complete the sealing on the body.
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I'm not so sure there, especially with saying that K-20 back worse than its Canon/Nikon counterparts at high iso. I have a K100 and a K20, and I prefer the K-20 at all iso levels. I've never seen it noticably worse than the competition. Slower? Yes. But Worse IQ? Depends what you want and what you look for because I think its more subjective, especially when you are comparing to cameras during its time.
For me the K-20 images appeared slightly softer compared to the K-x, but I attribute part of that to the fact that it demands more out of a lens in terms of resolving power (14 MP sensor vs 6 MP sensor). You sharpen up images anyways.

I think a weather sealed system is a much more powerful argument with pentax now vs a while back because there are two entry level lenses at entry level prices. If I was going Pentax, I can't imagine not wanting to take advantage of weather sealing.


Imo I'm glad you went with a K-20. I can't ever imagine going back to a consumer slr in terms of controls. Its clearly inferior and I love accessing everything using buttons. My friends has a K-x that I use, and while I like the high iso (which is better than the K20), I just can't part with all the buttons and two wheels.
 
Mmm weatherproofing. Pic is taken with a K10D and DA* 16-50mm. You're looking at me with a K200D and DA* 50-135mm.

pentax.jpg
 
randomlinh said:
yes, when Pentax switched to sony for sensors, they gained a big jump in high ISO. The k-x edges out the k-7 even (tho, the k-7 is unbelievably rugged and compact, someone needs to follow this lead).
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I'm eager for the "official" reviews of the k-5, though from what I've seen at dpreview and pentaxforums, it's pretty goddamn awesome with the added benefits of much improved AF.
 
metalmania said:
I need to get a DA* lens later for weathproofing. Any good deals?
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There are also the couple/few WR lenses, for a less expensive entry in to weather-sealed lenses. I can vouch they work well. I took my K7 + 50-200WR out in a couple downpours this last year.

IQ won't touch the DA* though....wish I had some disposable funds 🙁
 
Gooberlx2 said:
There are also the couple/few WR lenses, for a less expensive entry in to weather-sealed lenses. I can vouch they work well. I took my K7 + 50-200WR out in a couple downpours this last year.

IQ won't touch the DA* though....wish I had some disposable funds 🙁
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Thanks! I will just get the normal WR lens. Amazon has the 50-200WR for $190, Newegg has the 18-55WR for $150. Maybe the 50-200WR is better for outdoor.
 
metalmania said:
Thanks! I will just get the normal WR lens. Amazon has the 50-200WR for $190, Newegg has the 18-55WR for $150. Maybe the 50-200WR is better for outdoor.
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Honestly, the IQ on the 50-200 is just OK. 18-55WR and the 55-300 (non WR) are both better. There's also a new 18-135WR lens, but I haven't seen any reviews yet.

That said, I'm not 'unhappy' with my 50-200. I can only expect so much from a entry level line of lenses anyway and the weather resistance certainly is awesome.
 
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Gooberlx2 said:
Honestly, the IQ on the 50-200 is just OK. 18-55WR and the 55-300 (non WR) are both better. There's also a new 18-135WR lens, but I haven't seen any reviews yet.

That said, I'm not 'unhappy' with my 50-200. I can only expect so much from a entry level line of lenses anyway and the weather resistance certainly is awesome.
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Good to know. I will wait for the 18-135WR. Try to avoid extreme weather for now. 🙂
 
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