K-X or K-R

I am looking for a new dslr and am torn between these.My previous Pentax dslr was a K200D and I wonder if these are an improvement?.

The K-X seems to have the same sensor as the Nikon D5000 which has a very good reputation but there is the issue of AF points. I do not think this will be an issue for me though as I believe it can be set to the centre points which is the same as my previous dslr,a Nikon D40.

I shoot landscape mostly and 95% of my shots are at base ISO, would the K-X be ok or is there an advantage in the K-R?.
I assume the IQ will be the same in both at base ISO.
My ideal lenses are the 16-45 and 18-250 and of course a K-X would mean more of my budget could be available for lenses.
Having said all that K-R prices are dropping on the auction site and here. I would value any input to help choose.

All these are nice cameras and will give excellent results. A K-r plus lenses would be my choice if keeping costs down. It's an superb camera.

vote for K-r if i was going to replace my K-r it would be with another K-r

I replaced a KX with a KR in April. I love it!

It's a better camera all round. Better LCD, much faster frame rate and autofocus, better metering, better battery options and very much nicer to handle.

For a budget camera the only thing I'd like added would be a pentaprism. Shame they seem to add so much to the cost

I note K5's are coming down in price but still too dear for me, shame!

Just wondering why so few people consider the K-7? Yes it's not great at high ISO/noise but besides that I find it a beast of a camera. The top panel lcd screen is very helpful, the extra external buttons also great for quick changes....
And it's cheap.

As someone who hates flash, being able to use high ISO does matter. I generally find two presses for changes on my cheap KR that would be sometimes one on the semi pro models.

KR's are about £400 new

K5's are now sub £800 new

How much would a K7 cost new or as new?

dont' know new but there's one 2nd hand in this site for £380.

I sold my 18 months old Kx kit here about 6 months ago for £250 (Kx+ 18-55, 8 Sanyo eneloops and charger, and 4GB SD card); both buyer and seller happy with the deal.

Invest your cash in a similar deal for a Kx, and invest the rest of your hard earned in glass to use with a great body.

Regards
Adrian

Kr is better option IMO,although body is inferior but noise quality is far better than K7, another thing is that i found my friend's K7 a bit heavy this makes difference esp. if u are going on a long trip, i am surpised that Pentax puts so many quality features in this camera.I love my Kr

How much of an issue is highlight clipping ? dpreview suggest that it is an issue on both k-x and k-r but I would value users views.
My D40 had flawed matrix metering which had to have -1/3 applied for contrasty shots, is this true for the k-x and k-r?

K-r would get my vote. I pondered long and hard before buying my K-r. I did ponder between the two before buying, but there really only seemed one choice.

Hi,

I can only say that the dynamic range and ability to cope with the extremes (brilliant shadow correction in camera for example) is the greatest I've had in a camera to date. Indeed it's the main reason I switched from my Minolta A200 and Canon G9's. All small sensors seem to have very limited dynamic range and poor ability to avoid clipped highlights.

As a photographer I've always made a judgement on say skies versus landscape and spot metered white flowers etc. All my photos in my portfolio on here are KX until this April and then KR to date.

I'm happy but I'd be interested to learn what camera is better for the money for now. DP Review seem very Canoncentric. Are they owned by them does anyone know?

Bill raises a good point there, most of the camera mags are very Cannon and Nikon focused....more fool them I say!

Isn't that a reflection of the market in general though, a consumer photography magazine that was to write about Pentax wouldn't have much to write about on a month by month basis would it??

Anyhow back to the OP, having owned most models I wouldn't hesitate in recommending the k-r, superbly built & just so responsive when compared to the k-x, the k-x is good but that little k-r is a pocket rocket...

They could always write about photography and how to use kit in general. Magazines don't have to favour any particular make. They never used to to the same degree, but then at one time there was a lot more choice.