Need a little help deciding which Pentax DSLR

Schmutzie wrote:

Hi all,

I am looking for a new Pentax DSLR, my K-30 was stolen a few months ago (along with my 18-135) and I have gone without a camera long enough! Prior to the K-30 I had an *ist DS, and an K-200. While I loved the K-30's auto focus and high ISO performance, my favorite by far was the K-200.

I am trying to decide between a K-70, a K-3, or a K-3ii. I think the K-3 and K3ii will give me the heft and 'feel' that I liked with the k-200 along with the top LCD, while the K-70 will have somewhat newer/better technology. Price are $599 for the K-70 body only and $896 for the K-70 with the 18-135 and the K-3 and K-3ii bodies only are $799 and $835 respectively.

The K-3 option for $800 is at a local shop which is nice, but I am not opposed to Amazon or any other place online.

Does anyone have experience with moving from a K-30 (or K-50) to the K-70, K-3, or K-3ii?

I would really appreciate any input that helps me make a decision!!!

thanks!

-Schmutzie

I bought a K30 3 years ago and a K3 a year ago. K30 is now my backup camera, and also for hiking when I need to go light.

My son had previously upgraded from K5 to K3 and what decided us in both cases was the K3 much improved AF over K5 or K30.

K30 AF-S is OK for static subjects, but only the central point is really efficient.

When using any of the other 8 cross points, in a busy scene, you never know what the camera will focus at.

K3 has 25 cross points, each much smaller and precise. It locks focus faster and more accurately.

K30 AF-C is poor and unreliable.

K3 AF-C is reliable in the Z axis, we use it on moving targets with single point AF (any of the 25 cross points). It works! We both get most reliable results using back button AF after didabling shutter half press AF.

Being able to trust the camera AF even at f2/2.8 on moving targets does make a huge difference in our photography.

But beware we never managed to get reliable results in using AF-C tracking in the X and Y axis (= SEL9 and SEL 25 settings)

IMO, the difference between K3 and K3-II is only as regards some additional features you may be interested in or not. I went for K3 for the built-in flash, and also a 300 € price difference in my country. I was not interested in astrotracer, pixel shift or built in GPS.

K70 AF engine looks very close to that of K30/K5. I never used a K70 but I fear its AF performance would not be much better than K30. And I would also fear that the aperture motor might be the same as in K30/K50, which have had reliability issues.

IMO the most interesting feature in K70 is the swivel LCD if you often shoot on tripod, or at odd angles. But if you dont, I think K3/K3-II is a better choice, as long as you dont mind the extra weight.