Best old Pentax body to get in 2021?

What do experienced Pentax shooters think might be the best older Pentax digital body to get now as a basic value? say something older than the K-3 or K-50, so fron the K-5ii and further back?

I've owned as old as a K-01, but not before that. I would think a K-30 would be maybe to of the list as the most modern, but I know from other brands that sometimes the even older CCD and <10MP cameras have their own charms. And of course one has to factor in the negatives, like maybe old card formats or batteries that are hard to find, although I don't know if that's a problem with Pentaxes.

And are the Samsung/Pentax variants any better eg than the Hoya/Pentax models?

IOW, if you were to discover a circa 2011 or older Pentax on the table at an estate sale, what model would you like to see sitting there?

The K-5IIs comes to mind. It's built like a tank & has great image quality from its 16MP AA filter free sensor. The only downside is the lack of KAF4 support for some of the recent Pentax lenses. You can use them, but they'll only shoot wide open, since the body can't control the lens' built in aperture motor.

The K-50 is also nice, but there's that 50/50 chance of a solenoid failure & the AF kind of sucks for moving subjects, but it has great image quality & it can use KAF4 lenses with the latest firmware.

The K-30 doesn't have KAF4 support, but there is a hacked K-50 firmware available for it that will enable KAF4 support, but install at your own risk kind of thing. It's also prone to that 50/50 solenoid failure.

The K-3 is a bit cheaper now, but speaking for myself, I'd rather get the K-3II. It has slightly better AF performance & IBIS. It's still rather pricey on eBay, though. You can almost get a new KP for about the price of a used K-3II.

The K-5 or K-5ii — among the best sensors to this day. Great dynamic range and low noise in a relatively small body.

The Squirrel Mafia wrote:

The K-5IIs comes to mind. It's built like a tank & has great image quality from its 16MP AA filter free sensor. The only downside is the lack of KAF4 support for some of the recent Pentax lenses. You can use them, but they'll only shoot wide open, since the body can't control the lens' built in aperture motor.

The K-50 is also nice, but there's that 50/50 chance of a solenoid failure & the AF kind of sucks for moving subjects, but it has great image quality & it can use KAF4 lenses with the latest firmware.

The K-30 doesn't have KAF4 support, but there is a hacked K-50 firmware available for it that will enable KAF4 support, but install at your own risk kind of thing. It's also prone to that 50/50 solenoid failure.

The K-3 is a bit cheaper now, but speaking for myself, I'd rather get the K-3II. It has slightly better AF performance & IBIS. It's still rather pricey on eBay, though. You can almost get a new KP for about the price of a used K-3II.

I had both a a K-50 and a K-3ii back in the day. Both great. Especially the K-3ii; one of the best APS-Cs for landscape and such. Still.

Schleiermacher wrote:

The K-5 or K-5ii — among the best sensors to this day. Great dynamic range and low noise in a relatively small body.

And what a body. A Pentax classic. In form and function.

The K-7 was the first of that kind body but the sensor is so much better in the latter models  . I can’t recommend it for the small cost difference.   The K20D is a perfectly fine camera but the K-5s are much more modern and capable in all ways. Considering what they go for used the K-5, K-5II or K-5IIs are great used cameras. I’m sure others have their favs 

I vote for the K5IIS.  Great solid feel in the hand.  Good image quality.

It is the best Pentax dslr I have owned.

Well, since you mention K-5II and back, I'd have to say K-5. It's ever so slightly better in high ISO. But either the K-5 or K-5 II would be the must haves. Phenomenal cameras.

K3 or K3 II for compatibility with the newer lenses.

Bob

Rahto wrote:

K3 or K3 II for compatibility with the newer lenses.

Bob

They want OLDER... K-5 II and older.

My K-5 continues to serve admirably, but it's image quality, at "normal" exposures and without cropping, is much the same as my other newer CMOS-sensor cameras.

For something "just a little bit different" I'd suggest one of the older 6 or 10 megapixel CCD-sensor bodies. I still use my *istDS and *istDL2but recognise that something like the K200D is probably superior, just haven't found one at a price I can justify

kypfer wrote:

My K-5 continues to serve admirably, but it's image quality, at "normal" exposures and without cropping, is much the same as my other newer CMOS-sensor cameras.

For something "just a little bit different" I'd suggest one of the older 6 or 10 megapixel CCD-sensor bodies. I still use my *istDS and *istDL2but recognise that something like the K200D is probably superior, just haven't found one at a price I can justify

Or the K10D.  Same sensor as the K200D but a sturdier, two control wheel body.  Bigger though.

Doug

DougOB wrote:

kypfer wrote:

My K-5 continues to serve admirably, but it's image quality, at "normal" exposures and without cropping, is much the same as my other newer CMOS-sensor cameras.

For something "just a little bit different" I'd suggest one of the older 6 or 10 megapixel CCD-sensor bodies. I still use my *istDS and *istDL2but recognise that something like the K200D is probably superior, just haven't found one at a price I can justify

Or the K10D. Same sensor as the K200D but a sturdier, two control wheel body. Bigger though.

Doug

My only reservation about the K10D is it's "different" battery and associated charger. All the other Pentax CCD-sensor DSLRs use 4x AA cells.

robgendreau wrote:

What do experienced Pentax shooters think might be the best older Pentax digital body to get now as a basic value? say something older than the K-3 or K-50, so fron the K-5ii and further back?

I've owned as old as a K-01, but not before that. I would think a K-30 would be maybe to of the list as the most modern, but I know from other brands that sometimes the even older CCD and <10MP cameras have their own charms. And of course one has to factor in the negatives, like maybe old card formats or batteries that are hard to find, although I don't know if that's a problem with Pentaxes.

And are the Samsung/Pentax variants any better eg than the Hoya/Pentax models?

IOW, if you were to discover a circa 2011 or older Pentax on the table at an estate sale, what model would you like to see sitting there?

K70

Jhaakas wrote:

robgendreau wrote:

What do experienced Pentax shooters think might be the best older Pentax digital body to get now as a basic value? say something older than the K-3 or K-50, so fron the K-5ii and further back?

I've owned as old as a K-01, but not before that. I would think a K-30 would be maybe to of the list as the most modern, but I know from other brands that sometimes the even older CCD and <10MP cameras have their own charms. And of course one has to factor in the negatives, like maybe old card formats or batteries that are hard to find, although I don't know if that's a problem with Pentaxes.

And are the Samsung/Pentax variants any better eg than the Hoya/Pentax models?

IOW, if you were to discover a circa 2011 or older Pentax on the table at an estate sale, what model would you like to see sitting there?

K70

"from the K-5ii and further back" as requested

robgendreau wrote:

IOW, if you were to discover a circa 2011 or older Pentax on the table at an estate sale, what model would you like to see sitting there?

Pentax bodies have generally done nothing but get better, so not the answer you're looking for, but I'd ignore the body and look to see what lenses were on the table. Bodies aren't a matter of nostalgia for me.

K5ii - Hands down the best.