From KP to something smaller?

boudou701 · 2026-01-23T08:59:44+0000

Hello, i haven't been active here for a very long time (!), i want to get back into photography, i have a KP, and many lenses (i don't remember which ones tbh). I will go on a 2.5 week trip to Mauritius with my 2 small kid (5 and 1 yo), i don't want to carry much gear, so i am looking for a very small/compact camera, ideally with a zoom covering 16-50mm (APS-C), that i can take landscapes and also portraits of the kids. I don't know if this exists? i dont mind if it's a DSLR or whatever the new technology is (i haven't paid much attention to the latest, it seems a lot of 'cool retro' looking with fixed lens, which probably won't work for me. thanks!

Pentax Digital Camera DiscussionPentax Digital Camer...

Add Comment

boudou701 boudou701

567 posts
16 years
Berlin

Posted 20/02/2026 - 08:52 Link

SSF1957 wrote:
For travel I tend to use either a KP or K3iii body paired with the 20-40mm Ltd, if the 20mm end is not quite wide enough the diminuitive Pentax 15mm Ltd delivers great results

yes it seems to be a good compromise size wise. I had a 15mm back in the days but it wasn't sharp enough for me, i never understood why this lens is so highly regarded.

gibis wrote:
If you can carry 2 lenses... your Pentax 10-17/Sigma 10-20, and Tamron 17-50 will do the trick. If you have more space then replace the Tamron with the 55-300 lens.
Rest can be taken by your camera phones perhaps....
Best wishes and have fun

Yes the 10-20 + 17-50 used to be my way to go, but with two kids and a wife who always takes too much, i can forget the 10-20. The 17-50 + KP still fit into my small camera bag, i might just go with just this, and still get a waterproof camera for the fun with kids in the water. I admit i haven't used the 17-50mm near the sea/sand, maybe it'll do fine (it's starting to be old anyway..)

Digital: KP, Film: KX, ME Super
Sigma 10-20mm f4-5.6, Tamron 17-50mm f2.8, Pentax 16-85mm, Pentax DA 20-40 ltd
Pentax 21mm f3.2 ltd, Sigma 24mm f2.8 macro, Pentax 28mm f2.8, Pentax 35mm f2.8 macro, Pentax 43mm f1.9 LTD, Pentax 50mm FA f1.7, Pentax A 50mm f1.7, Pentax K 55mm f1.8, Pentax DA* 55mm f1.4
Metz 36 AF-4

boudou701 boudou701

567 posts
16 years
Berlin

Posted 26/02/2026 - 16:02 Link

update: I've acquired a 16-85mm ("replacing" the 17-50mm), it fits in Tamrac Jazz bag (though it won't with a filter..), similar size/weight, but i gain 1mm wide angle and 35mm of zoom, losing the f2.8.. it's also water resistant, now my 17-50mm has no value anymore anyway so not that i would care. I think this will be good for the holidays.

I might buy a rugged TG7 if i find a decent price, the Pentax WG really have too many bad reviews and i think without RAW it might not make any sense.

thanks for all the advice/suggestions.