Do I meed a K5 ?

I need a little advice from the guys who have upgraded to the K5 Dslr. I have been learning photography now for twelve months. So I am by no means profficient. I own a K-x which I have enjoyed. Though I found that both it and myself had there limitations. After an accident the Kx is no more. So the question I am asking is... Do I upgrade to the Kr or take the plunge all the way and go for the K5. What are the main differences I would experience, bearing in mind that at present I possess only the Dal zoom lenses. What would you advise,,?

The K-r operates just the same way as the K-x, but is faster and has focus point indication in the viewfinder. It's a lovely camera and will slide seamlessly into your existing style.

Only buy the K-5 if you need weather resistance or the higher pixel count or the better low light performance. Bear in mind you may not have any WR lenses though.

I have a K-x and have upgraded to the K-5. It has obvious advantages such as weather sealing and faster AF which have benefited my wildlife/bird photography. ISO performance hasn't blown me away, as the K-x is very good in that dept anyway.

So, it depends very much on what you photograph, and what you want to photograph moving forward.

I'd rather get the K-r and another lens for the price difference on the K5.

Good point on the lens front.. I also like to photograph wildlife, and have found the autofocus a little unrealialbe on the kx. I also think £500 extra just to get weatherproofing. Would not excite me. I was wondering if there had been a distinct improvement in picture quality, since the upgrade. Bearing in mind to have kept the same glass..

It isn't just weatherproof though, you also get a magnesium body, brighter and better viewfinder, slightly better AF, 2 e-dails (more advance controls).
If you were happy with the Kx and don't need more then get the Kr but if you want more controll, then the K5 is the one to get.

Because i mostly shoot in manual i can't think about losing one of the e-dails

ps. isn't the SR also more advance with the K5 or not?

you may need a spill chucker

I didn't know you were a New Zealander, Mr Everitt?

I'd go with the K-r, if you're fairly new to photography. Take a million photos with it, and when you're just starting to feel comfortable with it, go and get yourself a K5, or K3 or whatever the top spec is at the time. That's how you learn, by jumping into deeper water and forcing yourself to adapt to challenges. I'm signing up for Rocket Science at the local tech college next week....
Regards

What were the limitations you ran into that the K5 could solve?
Can you work around them or otherwise live with them?

Well, then there's your answer.

What Stefan says!!!