Pentax K-5 16.2MP Weatherproof DSLR Camera w/ 1080p Video (Body Only) $725 + Free shipping

Quote from nick05 : Edit: Is this an authorized seller?

If you read the product page:

New Authorized Dealer

Buydig is definitely a reputable, authorized shop. This is a great price for the camera. If you're considering an SLR, consider giving Pentax a try. Pentax and Sony are just as good as Nikon and Canon, but since they don't pay the big bucks to stores like Best Buy and Target, or pay celebrities like Ashton Kutcher, they get overlooked because of people getting swayed by advertisements. Pentax also has some pretty solid lenses that Canon and Nikon haven't worried about bringing to its users (Thom Hogan, a well-known Nikon photographer at his website bythom.com, is currently on a month-long rant about Nikon ignoring its non-full-frame users, not giving them the lens lineup they need).

Someone talked about K-30. I am going to buy one this weekend from Hunts Photo Video who will have a smallish sale. I hope to get it for $1050 with the 18-135 mm lens and there is a $100 mail-in rebate for the expected price of $950. A good deal, IMHO.

Quote from Parachute07 : I shoot a Pentax K10D. Let me just chime in for anyone who isn't already a DSLR owner -- if you aren't yet invested in Pentax lenses, consider what lenses you're going to want to get before you dive in. There are constantly deals for lenses for Canon and Nikon DSLR's -- and there is an endless supply of used equipment for them -- but you're not going to find it nearly as easy for Pentax cameras. I still bought mine because I got a killer deal and didn't mind buying some older, manual-focus glass......but if you're going to be the type who wants to get a lens or two to go with it, consider how much those will cost you.

Errr... where have you seen constant deals for Nikon lenses again? I must be missing a large set of deals somewhere, because I haven't seen anything for Nikon lenses in a while...

One way or the other, I feel like this is a top of the line crop body for a great price. It sits at an odd point in the market, where most people entering the market without lenses are going to go for a lower end camera than this, and most people who are looking to upgrade from a lower end camera have investment in glass (typically Canon or Nikon). So it's sort of a narrow target audience!

Quote from vip00 : Errr... where have you seen constant deals for Nikon lenses again? I must be missing a large set of deals somewhere, because I haven't seen anything for Nikon lenses in a while...

I agree, once you start stepping up out of the intro-level gear (18-55mm, 55-200mm, etc) then you don't see any deals, or much different prices from any other manufacturer. For example, the Nikon 16-85mm or the Pentax 17-70mm. Always the same price. Same goes for the higher quality primes.

If you want real culture shock, go try to price the Nikon 17-55mm f/2.8. It's ridiculous, and it's about as large as a full frame lens. Completely unreasonable. That lens alone is what has kept me on the cusp of jumping ship and going to Sony, who have a reasonably priced midrange zoom (the 16-50mm f/2.8).

Quote from vip00 : Errr... where have you seen constant deals for Nikon lenses again? I must be missing a large set of deals somewhere, because I haven't seen anything for Nikon lenses in a while...

I'm pretty sure he's talking about places like Craiglist.

It's true about Pentax. You don't find a ton of old equipment being sold. On used Pentax stuff, it's mostly people who have given up trying to learn on an expert level DSLR and have decided to sell their whole setup (only to purchase a Nikon or Canon that still have their beloved beginner "scene modes"). It's rare to find nice, newer lenses on sale. I can't speak for Nikon or Canon, but I would think there's a little more out there on the used market.

That said, the Pentax gear is usually a better deal in the first place.

Fantastic bang for the buck and one of the best performing dSLRs on the market today!

Forgot to mention pentaxforums.com is a great resource and they have a lively marketplace

I personally think that Nikon, Canon, Pentax, Sony are all great cameras - worry less and take more pictures. For most of us, we are the limiting factor, not the equipment. We need to improve. The last 10% differences in camera/lenses doesn't make much difference at all. There is really no point arguing which is better or why. That is almost like arguing about religion or politics.

Pentax works for me since I want only 1 or 2 lenses and dont need the expensive glass from Nikon, Canon. But I do care for weather sealing of Pentax and their two dial operation. Pentax K-5 and K-30 has great reviews for still photography (not so much for video). If you are serious amateur consider these. If mostly casual then low-end Canon Nikon DSLR offer better value for money around $500 price point when bought with 18-55mm lens.

Just a heads up on the K-01 deal today. K5 image quality at half the price.

Quote from travfar : Just a heads up on the K-01 deal today. K5 image quality at half the price.

where ?

Quote from agaurav : I personally think that Nikon, Canon, Pentax, Sony are all great cameras - worry less and take more pictures. For most of us, we are the limiting factor, not the equipment. We need to improve. The last 10% differences in camera/lenses doesn't make much difference at all. There is really no point arguing which is better or why. That is almost like arguing about religion or politics.

I tend to agree, most people I know actually take WORSE photos with an SLR than with point and shoots. SLRs and advanced lenses do open up a whole new range of photography that is very rewarding once you achieve it. It requires a lot of practice though and most people will never achieve it in their life time.

OT, To those who jumped in on this deal, I highly recommend Pentax 2 year extended warranty(total of 3 years) for only $20. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/pro...y_for.html

Quote from sandwich : I tend to agree, most people I know actually take WORSE photos with an SLR than with point and shoots. SLRs and advanced lenses do open up a whole new range of photography that is very rewarding once you achieve it. It requires a lot of practice though and most people will never achieve it in their life time.

How can you really end up taking a worse photo with an SLR compared to a point and shoot? Just make sure your SLR is in auto mode and it just becomes a point and shoot with a much larger sensor.

Quote from tojo_m : How can you really end up taking a worse photo with an SLR compared to a point and shoot? Just make sure your SLR is in auto mode and it just becomes a point and shoot with a much larger sensor.

Primary reason is that people aren't used to the weight. They zoom mid shot release. They end up flipping the AF/MF switch accidentally. They don't know what the auto mode is. They always shoot at really high ISO. They touch the biggers lenses with their fingers and don't use the end caps. Another big problem is they shoot in RAW format and then end up screwing up the photo in the version Elements they get with the camera. These tend to be people who are pretty bad with a point and shoot but their problems are amplified by the advanced camera.