Thread: How good is this....

Pentax continue to offer the best features for your $. The K-7 is the cheapest, full featured DSLR all weather system on the market, the K-X is the cheapest high ISO shooter on the market and the 645D is the cheapest medium format on the market.

Anyone who hasn't invested a lot in other brands would be silly not to look closely at Pentax's offerings.

Originally Posted by Armadillo

On DPReview...

Pentax unveils 40MP 645D medium format DSLR: Digital Photography Review

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I'm actually leaning towards a Pentax K7 ATM as the replacement for my Minolta gear. Was looking at the Nikon 300s, but have been impressed by the Pentax performance in reviews etc.

Whoa there !! Check the small print. I use Pentax ( K20D ) and there have been a lot of individuals trying to adapt the old film larger format lenses to use on the smaller gear. The big draw back was always weight. Most of the larger format lenses are big heavy mothers.

If you read towards the bottom of the specs, this new release is almost 1.5kg without a lens. That is a massive difference to a D300 or a K7. It would be interesting to see the weight including a lens. Kinda limits the use to tripod studio applications.

I would not fancy lugging that around on an outback hike.

Originally Posted by ADMIRAL

Most of the larger format lenses are big heavy mothers.

If you read towards the bottom of the specs, this new release is almost 1.5kg without a lens.

For comparison, a Nikon D3 weigh's 1.42kg incl battery. More weight, less shake.

Why are you comparing Apples and Oranges

The new Pentax is an MF camera, like a Hasselblad but a tad cheaper. Pentax have made some good MF gear over the years.

The D300s is also a different niche to the Pentax with a much more robust and ergonomically superior body. Not to detract from the Pentax models which are well made and well featured and cost less. In the Nikon range though they are the D3000, D5000, D90 equivalent and IMO much better on par with the D90.

Originally Posted by Armadillo

I'm actually leaning towards a Pentax K7 ATM as the replacement for my Minolta gear. Was looking at the Nikon 300s, but have been impressed by the Pentax performance in reviews etc.

When I bought a DSLR, I went Pentax as my existing Pentax AF lenses and my Pentax electronic flash worked with the DSLR.

However, from all the reviews I've read since, if I was starting from scratch, I doubt I'd buy Pentax. Canon and Nikon seem to outperform the Pentax in most things - except weight.

Originally Posted by p38arover

Canon and Nikon seem to outperform the Pentax in most things - except weight.

As well as that other important factor - price.

Yep Dollar for dollar (even with recent price increases) there isnt much that can touch them. This is even more so with the KX as by all accounts its a stunning camera (but too small and no grip for me and my clunky hands ... i like my k20 + grip + big lens )

The K7 is a good camera but it really needed the kx's sensor as the improvement imagewise over the k20 is almost nil... obviously focus improvements and everything else make it a worthy upgrade tho....

A MF camera is quite surprising to me... although everyone knew it was coming... just with the current climate.....

Steve

Originally Posted by p38arover

When I bought a DSLR, I went Pentax as my existing Pentax AF lenses and my Pentax electronic flash worked with the DSLR.

However, from all the reviews I've read since, if I was starting from scratch, I doubt I'd buy Pentax. Canon and Nikon seem to outperform the Pentax in most things - except weight.

Pentax seem to be leading the pack though in developing good lenses.