Should I wait for a swivel screen camera from Pentax?

In 2006 my fray into the DSLR world ended with the purchase of a K10D for which I acquired three lens:

Sigma 17-70 mm
Sigma 50-500 mm and
Tamron 18-250 mm

We're nearing the end of 2012 and I feel that I'm missing on a lot of useful innovations. My big dilemma is: should I stay with Pentax or sell the whole kit (a tremendous loss) and start all over again with another camera maker. The one thing that I absolutely want on my next camera is a swivel screen (or at least a tiltable one) and live view (pretty standard nowadays).

I find that in recent years Sony has taken the lead in digital camera innovation and their recent products (Alpha and NEX series) are very tempting. The SLT-A65 is a model offering most of the features that I consider important for replacing my K10D:

• swivel screen
• in camera stabilization (like Pentax)
• first class video
• GPS
• sweep panorama
• HDR

Here is my question : Will Pentax ever see the light in a foreseeable future and deliver a DSLR with a swivel screen?

Had they done so with the K30 I would not be writing this thread.

If nothing of the sort is advertised by Pentax before Christmas time I'll sadly change camp and hopefully look for the replacement of the SLT-65 which at this time could well offer the advance features of the NEX-5R (hybrid autofocus and Wi-Fi).

Thanks for for your advice!

The Sony cameras these days do have awesome tilt screens. The K-5 replacement could possibly have a tilting screen. Just see what happens at photokina.
--
Richard M.
http://richardphoto.webs.com/ - See my new website!

Sorry, no help on your question, I'd just say that I want a swivel screen very much too. Hopefully on the K5 replacement. I too would have bought the K30 in a heartbeat if it had a swivel/tilt LCD.

Wish us luck, and Cheers. Ernie

ive been shooting pentax for a while. and brought a lumix fz150 wich has a swivel screen. what a blast it is. never usualy use lcd screens but it is so nice to use for different perspectives.

cheers don

Photokina is near, it makes no sense to jump ship before seeing what they'll have there.

Alex

The new X-5 superzoom at least has a tiltable screen, so there's a little bit of hope there I suppose. It's certainly something the K30 should have had really. Perhaps it's hard to weather seal so they left it out? Pity. I'd take an articulated screen over weather sealing myself.

I am still waiting for basic tethering! Pentax doesn't seem to have much interest in the 'incidentals'. I don't hold out much hope for tilt screen, panorama, etc.

If I were to edge a bet, I think you'll be disappointed by the coming Photokina.

--
Roger

Yes, it is very troubling that they do not put effort into these little niggling type issues that are relatively easy to implement and really add to the product. With the miniaturization of circuits today and the software, adding tethering would be very simple and no brainer. And the articulated screen would be wonderful. My best friend just sold all their stuff because of the Sony articulated screen he uses for his kid pics to get down to their level etc.

And I have no idea why they have not addressed their serious deficient flash issue and lack of a complete "system" such as Nikons etc.....or better. Wifi should be on the horizon also, and some type of compatibility with radio triggers etc. That's all software and a couple of electrical contacts etc. Not a major research as optics are etc. Besides Pentax already has great optics...just need to refine the useablity and add-ons.

Thank you all for pitching in.

I also have a LX3 and a FZ30 from Panasonic. I love both cameras (in fact the old FZ30 is the last camera I would sell). You're right Donald, the FZ150 and the new FZ200 seem to fit the bill. Also, most new buyers of the FZ200 seem very satisfied with it. This last weekend I came very close to buying the FZ200. Having four little children and loving to take pictures on family occasions, I had to remind myself that a DSLR is a DSLR... the large sensor has a definite advantage in low light conditions such as indoor lighting at home.

So, as some of you suggested, I'll wait for Photokina and hope for a miracle.

But i think Sony already has what you want...

Yvan/G2 said:

In 2006 my fray into the DSLR world ended with the purchase of a K10D for which I acquired three lens:

Sigma 17-70 mm
Sigma 50-500 mm and
Tamron 18-250 mm

We're nearing the end of 2012 and I feel that I'm missing on a lot of useful innovations. My big dilemma is: should I stay with Pentax or sell the whole kit (a tremendous loss) and start all over again with another camera maker. The one thing that I absolutely want on my next camera is a swivel screen (or at least a tiltable one) and live view (pretty standard nowadays).

I find that in recent years Sony has taken the lead in digital camera innovation and their recent products (Alpha and NEX series) are very tempting. The SLT-A65 is a model offering most of the features that I consider important for replacing my K10D:

• swivel screen
• in camera stabilization (like Pentax)
• first class video
• GPS
• sweep panorama
• HDR

Here is my question : Will Pentax ever see the light in a foreseeable future and deliver a DSLR with a swivel screen?

Had they done so with the K30 I would not be writing this thread.

If nothing of the sort is advertised by Pentax before Christmas time I'll sadly change camp and hopefully look for the replacement of the SLT-65 which at this time could well offer the advance features of the NEX-5R (hybrid autofocus and Wi-Fi).

Thanks for for your advice!

Click to expand...

--
-----------------------------------------------
Miles Green
Pentaxian with chronic LBA
Corfu, Greece

miles green said:

But i think Sony already has what you want...

Click to expand...

Yes, Sony has the camera but I have a 3 lens investment with Pentax mounts (close to $3000 CDN) that I would rather keep using with a new Pentax camera than having to sell the whole kit at a substantial loss and start anew.

This is not a thread intended to derate Pentax products. Through the years I really enjoyed and liked the photos from the K10D with the above lenses. Nothing new here, it's just that I may have to pay the price for having bet on the wrong horse (who in 2006 would have thought that Sony would become such a preeminent force in the digital arena).

After a certain point, when a manufacturer doesn't offer a certain feature that could really improve the product, you wonder if they can. The K-30 was a camera that begged for a versatile tilt screen (that could also allow holding the camera like the old waist level finder days) given it had no eye-level OVF or EVF.

Yvan/G2 said:

In 2006 my fray into the DSLR world ended with the purchase of a K10D for which I acquired three lens:

Sigma 17-70 mm
Sigma 50-500 mm and
Tamron 18-250 mm

We're nearing the end of 2012 and I feel that I'm missing on a lot of useful innovations. My big dilemma is: should I stay with Pentax or sell the whole kit (a tremendous loss) and start all over again with another camera maker. The one thing that I absolutely want on my next camera is a swivel screen (or at least a tiltable one) and live view (pretty standard nowadays).

I find that in recent years Sony has taken the lead in digital camera innovation and their recent products (Alpha and NEX series) are very tempting. The SLT-A65 is a model offering most of the features that I consider important for replacing my K10D:

• swivel screen
• in camera stabilization (like Pentax)
• first class video
• GPS
• sweep panorama
• HDR

Here is my question : Will Pentax ever see the light in a foreseeable future and deliver a DSLR with a swivel screen?

Had they done so with the K30 I would not be writing this thread.

If nothing of the sort is advertised by Pentax before Christmas time I'll sadly change camp and hopefully look for the replacement of the SLT-65 which at this time could well offer the advance features of the NEX-5R (hybrid autofocus and Wi-Fi).

Thanks for for your advice!

Click to expand...

Wait!!!End of next week you will see it

Best regards ;-)

I am in the exact same situation as you. In 2006 the Pentax K10D was state of the art...the best bang for the buck. I was the first person to own one on my block (got mine first week of November 2006) and still use it. I jumped ship from Nikon to Pentax and bought into a system. Not camera body...but system. Got the K20, KX and K5. The system had never fully developed as promised and road-mapped. Waited and waited for long lenses...had to buy 3rd party for Pentax mount. And I bought a-lot of 3rd party. I need that swivel screen. I would like a Canon 60d size body with a swivel screen that swings out of the way like Canon does, but with the Sony screen technology and output plus sony's video power. I would like the auto-focus technology and flash system of a Nikon in Pentax mount. I got a feeling that Pentax can not get around the patents that the companies hold on the swivel screens...if so purchase a license and move on. Pentax is still second rate on auto focus, video, articulated screen mount, flash and modes. I keep waiting and wanting these standard items for a state of the art camera body. I like the sony a65 but i am not convinced on the IQ of SLT technology (The jpegs are awful). I am too deep into Pentax mount lenses to dump them. My only option is to run with multiple systems. If the Nikon rumor is true of a FF D600 for around $1600...I am getting that as well and hope that Pentax develops a body with an articulated screen and just run with multiple systems. I want that screen for macro and video work and it would have been perfect if they put that on the K30 or the replacement of the k5.

Pentax values compactness and weathersealing. I think a swivel screen runs counter to those two design goals. Therefore I don't think a Pentax DSLR with swivel screen is likely. That said, do wait for Photokina before deciding, it's just a few days from now.

Regards,
--Anders.

IMO, generally you shouldn't wait for anything. You should get whatever system that gives you the best balance of what you need. It doesn't make sense to me when brand loyalty gets in the way of photography. However, photokina is just around the corner, I would wait for that and then if Pentax doesn't deliver what you need it's time you switch to Sony. You are not even using any Pentax lenses, it's a no brainer.
--

http://www.pentaxphotogallery.com/home#section=ARTIST&subSection=2323984&subSubSection=0&language=EN]MY PPG[ url]
K10D, K-7

Pentax: DA15/4, DA21/3.2, FA31/1.8, FA43/1.9, FA77/1.8, F135/2.8, FA*28-70/2.8, FA*80-200/2.8
Sigma Zooms: Sigma 100-300 F4

'Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming... 'Wow! What a ride!'

Give that none of your lenses are proprietary to the Pentax mount then there would be no disadvantages in changing brands. IMO. there are no advantages in brand loyalty these days. ie. find what matters most to you and shoot with it. Otherwise, your just prolonging the inevitable.

asp1880 said:

Pentax values compactness and weathersealing. I think a swivel screen runs counter to those two design goals. Therefore I don't think a Pentax DSLR with swivel screen is likely. That said, do wait for Photokina before deciding, it's just a few days from now.

Regards,
--Anders.

Click to expand...

Olympus OM-D says otherwise.

like all who wait for FF, why wait? you should get a camera with swivel screen. Life is too short to wait.