Pentax K50 vs Nikon D3300

TiagoMac wrote:

A bit of background info: I am trying to decide on a DSLR camera for my. I'm a beginner, but I have some knowledge on the manual controls (I had a "Bridge" for a while) although I shall admit, I'll probably be using the camera in Program mode most of the item. The reason of why I want a DSLR is because I want a camera with a good grip, a viewfinder, and a big sensor.

I'm not the "artistic type", whereas I only want to shoot buildings/architecture, persons, some landscapes, basically the touristic and social kind of guy.

I have done quite a bit of research into these cameras, however having never had a DSLR for an opinion. My budget is 500/550€ (tops with two kit lens). This means that I will stick to whatever the kit lens are. So no further 18-100 or improved 18-55 or anything like that.

I am between:

* Nikon D3300 (w/ 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 VRII Lens): 390€ Amazon ES

* Pentax K-50 (w/ 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL WR lens and 50-200mm f/4-5.6 ED WR lens): 510€ Amazon ES

I don't care about video capabilities/micro (Nikon) weather sealing of the Pentax doesn't make me blink twice. On other hand I truly enjoy the "real" viewfinder of the Pentax. I also know that the Pentax has considerable less battery, but I don't mind having a second battery on the pocket for longer trips. Almost forgot, pixels - the 24 mb against 16 mb - no larger photos, so that's not a biggie, I guess!

This is what concerns me:

* Weight - are the 650g of the Pentax going to bother me if I carry the camera for some hours?

* Noise - I enjoy taking pictures in the end of the day, which means, higher values of ISO. Which one handles this better? Note: I really would like to avoid RAW pictures and post processing work.

* Shutter speed - 1/6000 (pentax) vs 1/4000 (Nikon) - is this difference noticeable? I really would like to have that feeling where I can shoot multiple pictures fast.

I think the question can be summarized as this: rather than the additional battery life, less weight, and video capabilities, is Nikon ahead of the Pentax in any point (both using the kit lens)?

Any additional thoughts?

I shoot mainly jpegs and most of my shooting using zooms for convenience.

Pentax jpegs are much better than reviewers quote.

They usually only test the jpeg with factory settings, which is "bright". This setting is close to compact point and shoot settings, with a lot of saturation and sharpening. It gives pleasant pictures for viewing on a screen with no post processing. That is why they get over processed reds.

Pentax jpegs can be tuned to your taste: if you want more natural colours, choose the "natural" setting.

You may find it needs a little more sharpening when using kit zooms, just switch the sharpening a little higher.

To improve dynamic range when shooting jpegs, I recommand you set highlights and shadows protection to "auto".

And switching on the in-camera lens distorsion and CA correction improves the jpeg output with zooms, by stretching borders and corners.

AFAIK, Pentax cameras are the only ones that allow you to save the raw file just after taking the shot, if you find it necessary when reviewing, and raw files are easy to process in camera.