Pentax K-01 16MP Digital SLR Camera w/ 1080p Video (Body Only) $347, or with 40mm F2.8 Lens $447 + Free shipping

Their flickr group photos look pretty good. http://www.flickr.com/groups/pent...830745910/

AWESOME!!! In for 1 white camera w/ the DA40xs f2.8 lens. I don't really need the lens since I have the DA40 2.8 limited, but I know it's worth more than $100, so that'll be a nice discount on the camera. I have a lot of manual lenses (like the K50 f1.2 and the Voigtlander Nokton 58 f1.4) where focus peaking will make things much easier! I can't believe it's so cheap!!! And don't forget about doing the firmware upgrade on the camera as autofocus performance has improved substantially!

Here's a link to the firmware upgrade:
k01 firmware upgrade [pentaximaging.com]

here are some comments about the firmware upgrade from K01 users:
k01 update thoughts [dpreview.com]

Here's a (talented) guy who took some shots w/ the k01 and the DA40xs lens... bokeh looks fantastic!

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/thread/3286756

Quote from shnitz : Same sensor, so same image quality. The difference is that this uses DSLR lenses, and the NEX uses E-mount lenses. We already discussed this, please read before posting questions that we already discussed.

Ohhhhhh Reallllyyyy??? So you stick the same sensor into a camera and it means the same image quality? Read the reviews and go look at photos before posting about how the sensors may be the same, but the "processing" and how the manufacturer uses the sensor is different.

Seems like relatively comparable to the Sony NEX-5N except this camera is bigger but can use more lenses. The 5N also has a higher burst rate 10fps vs 7fps, if that matters. I myself am in the market for a 5N and those are drying up ever since the introduction of the 5R. Does anybody have experience with both and what is your opinion on these? TIA

Quote from Progression : Ohhhhhh Reallllyyyy??? So you stick the same sensor into a camera and it means the same image quality? Read the reviews and go look at photos before posting about how the sensors may be the same, but the "processing" and how the manufacturer uses the sensor is different.

Essentially, yes, it's the same image quality. Those individual manufacturer choices affect the photos in a relatively meaningless way, and it really only applies to JPEG anyway. For example:
http://www.dxomark.com/index.php/...and2)/Sony

Pentax slightly pushes the sensor more in sensitivity, but up to ISO 1600 you couldn't differentiate the image quality in a lineup. I don't need to read the reviews, because I am quite involved in the world of photography, and I've taken enough science courses to form my own conclusions by looking at the data.

What are the main differences between this camera and Canon and Nikon DSLRs?

ETA: I guess I should be more specific... like the Nikon d5100 or Canon T3 or T2i

ETA: This is for a newbie that want's to start learning a little and take pictures of kiddos. I have an awful camera right now and want to try out something better, and learn a little online

Quote from mrspurplepeople : What are the main differences between this camera and Canon and Nikon DSLRs? ETA: I guess I should be more specific... like the Nikon d5100 or Canon T3 or T2i ETA: This is for a newbie that want's to start learning a little and take pictures of kiddos. I have an awful camera right now and want to try out something better, and learn a little online

K01 + 40mm kit vs the others you listed

Pros:
Best Image quality - all the other factor being the same
Terrific quality lens

Cons:
No viewfinder - could be a problem in very bright day light
CDAF only - AF could be slow in some cases
No zoom - you can choose the 18-50mm zoom lens instead.

Quote from mrspurplepeople : What are the main differences between this camera and Canon and Nikon DSLRs? ETA: I guess I should be more specific... like the Nikon d5100 or Canon T3 or T2i ETA: This is for a newbie that want's to start learning a little and take pictures of kiddos. I have an awful camera right now and want to try out something better, and learn a little online

Check out the comparison of at least the Canon T4i against Nikon 5100 and Pentax K-30 here http://www.pentaxforums.com/news/...eview.html

Dpreview has the K-01 review here: http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/pentax-k-01 - rated decent with some drawbacks. I have heard that the focus has been improved with the new firmware update. And the review was working with a price of $649 or so - the value proposition has improved tremendously with the latest price drop. (The 40 mm lens will cost you $250 by itself. I bought one this morning (by the time I thought about posting it on slickdeals, someone beat me to it). I have old great quality Pentax lens from the film days, so looking forward to using them with this camera. I think they will sell out very quickly at this price point.

Quote from shnitz : Essentially, yes, it's the same image quality. Those individual manufacturer choices affect the photos in a relatively meaningless way, and it really only applies to JPEG anyway. For example: http://www.dxomark.com/index.php/...and2)/Sony Pentax slightly pushes the sensor more in sensitivity, but up to ISO 1600 you couldn't differentiate the image quality in a lineup. I don't need to read the reviews, because I am quite involved in the world of photography, and I've taken enough science courses to form my own conclusions by looking at the data.

simply pwnt

25+ million pentax lenses? wow

So there's no VF option on this? Has anyone done AF speed comparison to a NEX-5n AFTER the Pentax firmware update? I think the AF speed is the biggest drawback of my 5n and I recently sold it and pre-ordered NEX-6 (I also wanted built-in EVF instead of my add-on).

Does this K1 have weather-seal? If it does, this would be a great deal, but again, not being able to add a VF to it is a big shortcoming IMO.

CNET review [cnet.com]

do you guys think this will be the new price point for these cameras? or do you think it will be more of a limited time thing?

(I know, I know, SD rule, if I want one, buy it quick, but I don't know if I really want this one yet, so...)