MT Shooter Loc: Montana

I feel that the consumer DSLRs of today have reached parity across the market. Nikon, Canon, Sony, Pentax, Sigma, Olympus, they all make very comparable bodies. The differences in them comes mostly in lens selection and each manufacturers support structure.
Once you get into the Pro model line-ups, its really a 2 camera market, and has been for decades if you just look at the 35mm type of SLR (DSLR) bodies.

molsonice Loc: Grand Blanc, MI

I have a friend who shoots with a Pentax and here only complaint is getting lenses for the camera that are not Pentax lenses is the only draw back.

sailorsmom Loc: Souderton, PA

Wonderful shots, Kim! Thanks for everyone's input.

Gimmer Loc: Leeds, UK

Have to report that service for my Pentax medium format camera was dire, but maybe times have changed ?

Nevada Chuck

VERY nice eagle shots. Other than availability of a forest full of lenses, I can't see any reason to change horses in mid stream, and certainly not on the basis of technical quality.

ALYN Loc: Lebanon, Indiana

I am 80-years young. Time was when Nikon and Canon were almost as good as Pentax--but thats before most of you were born. ALYN

derekmadge Loc: Waterloo, Ontario,Canada

I've had a Pentax K5 for about a year. Overall I am more than pleased with it. (As an old film guy who left the hobby until about 2 years ago, I was overwhelmed by all the things the K5 could do.) With an adapter, I can even use my old Pentax screw mount lenses, (manual aperture/focus only) which was one factor in choosing Pentax. Pentax's lens lineup is not as fleshed out as some others.

Ricoh, a camera competitor decades ago and currently a big photocopier company, recently bought Pentax from Hoya (the filter people). This has generally been seen as a positive thing- as noted above, marketing has been poor. Anticipated is a larger line-up of lenses and wider marketing.

Last week, Ricoh ruffled a lot of Pentax owners feathers - though many others understood and support the move - by directing dealers that they cannot advertise lower than MSRP. (I believe it is illegal in many jurisdictions to command a selling price, but apparently advertised pricing is fair game.) Some lens's advertised price jumped from 20 to 90% overnight! However, that is, apparently, the same policy as Canon & Nikon and others have in place already. The feeling -though Ricoh is pretty closed mouth about it -is that this is to position the Pentax as a serious contender to Canon/Nikon and therefore not devalue the brand by devaluing the product price.

There is also some debate over problems some lenses had with "hunting" for focus. If you end up researching particular lenses, look for problems as well, in independent reviews. My particular zoom lens has had no problem and I will be taking delivery of a nice prime lens today!

You should also be aware that a full frame DSLR is in the works according to rumour though not expected to be cheap. The K5 was built on the K1 but has improved low light performance.

So, overall, I can recommend the Pentax DSLRs but take your time and research all brands, see what kind of support your dealer can give you. I expect Pentax will either be the 3rd major brand or extinct, in about 5 years, depending on how Ricoh's marketing works out. I believe the product is solid and am optimistic.

saycheese Loc: By the Big Lake in West Michigan

I have a 2000k.It takes amazing pictures,with all kinds of lenses. If you are considering getting one,I would go with a 5 or a 7.Both are a step above the 2000k,and the reviews are stellar.I am saving for a 7 or a 5.I got the 2000k because I could afford it. I want an extra body and will definitely choose another Pentax.I have a lot of lenses already.

billybob40

Back in the 50s Pentax was the bast none better. Today I go for the Canon becaus of the lens. Its what feels good to you, and works.

JerrysPhotos Loc: Arkansas

Yes it is.

I have been using Pentax since 1970 and they are great cameras. Canon and Nikon do alot more marketing so their names are better known, but if you take the same photo using comparable (pricing) Canon, Nikon and Pentax, I don't think you will see any difference in the quality. While Pentax may not have the variety of lens that Canon and Nikon does, you can get other lens that are of just as good. I have two Sigma lens and both of them are very sharp. They also cost less than a comparable Canon, Nikon or Pentax lens. I am currently using a K20 and a K5. Both of these have IS built into the body so it works will any lens I put on them.

Check out my Flickr site, all of the photos there were taken using Pentax cameras.

Kestrel1029 Loc: Philadelphia, PA

Your old lens will fit on and Pentax DSLR. That is one of the pros for Pentax. The only thing in question is how much functionality that you'll have with it. Metering may not work, autofocus may not work, but it will be usable with the body.

I shoot with a K20D, have now for a few years. I really like it. As others have mentioned Pentax does not have that many lenses for it as compared to Nikon and Canon. I think in total for all of the manufacturers there is about 109 lenses to choose from. Hope this helps.

Cheers,
Tim

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

Very well put. Lens selection is king here.

Pepper Loc: Planet Earth Country USA

That's funny!

Ched49 Loc: Pittsburgh, Pa.

Depends on what brand you started out with in digital photography, that's usually the brand you'll stick with. I started out with a Nikon bridge camera years ago, my DSLR was a Nikon. Not beacuse I think Nikon is better than Canon, Pentax, Sony ect. It's just that I'm familier with Nikon's menu set up. For general photography, one brand is as good as the other.

Semprasectum

Is the YUGO as good as a Mercedes?

Nikon and Canon are generations ahead of Pentax. . . from the professional grade DSRL. . .D3s/D4 . . . as for the non professional, I guess you could make an arguments they are all pretty much the same, but why would anyone purchase a Pentax when they could get the same quality Nikon/Canon. . .?