K200D (Yes not very interesting to you all but need some advice!)

Hi,

I'm in the process of receiving a rather nice rebate from Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs and am in the position where I can upgrade one of two things. Computer or Camera. I am running a 13" Macbook that's about 3 years old and a desktop tht is falling apart. A larger screen would be major plus for all sorts of reasons and I have my eye on a refurb iMac as an ideal replacement.

My DSLR is a Pentax K200D owned from new and it has been a good camera. I have never owned or used any other DSLR so have no experience of any other Pentax models or models from other manufacturers to compare and contrast with. I also have seen very little posting about the K200 and it seems to be either unpopular or simply unusual?

I got it largely as it had weather sealing at an affordable price point that doesn't exist now and if I want to have weather sealing I'd need a K5. However, a better computer for image processing and viewing may give the K200 a new lease of life? I also have the two DA WR lenses.

So essentially, is the K200 worth keeping or selling on and upgrading to K5/Kr at the expense of a more capable computing system? Or how does this camera compare to the competition and other older Pentaxes?

Cameras always come first!

Although the K200D is a great little camera, and has always had a loyal following. It is unique as a weathersealed 'entry level' camera. No video though, if that's a feature you would like, and not a high ISO wonder like the K-5.

You could go halfway on both. Get a decent refurb computer, and a new K-r (no weathersealing, but has video, high fps, and excellent high ISO performance) or a second hand K-7 (weathersealing, video, high fps, but not an earth-shattering step up from the K200D in terms of ISO performance). Either of those combos would be well under a grand.

If you don't want video I'd probably err on the side of keeping the K200D or upgrading to something like the K20D second hand.

Do you "need" the extra facilities a K5 would give you?
If not get the computer.
If you do really "need" the extra speed,high ISO, and live view the K5 will give you, wait 6 months anyway, for the price to fall then get the computer as well.

Davex.

I'd really want weather sealing.... I will admit that video isn't something I'd be terribly interested in! Fine for the compacts but I simply wouldn't use it...... The high ISO would interest me.....

I hate these hard decisions! (Could sell a guitar...... )

Final excellent image quality with character is what I aspire to, like I said I haven't used or held another DSLR........

Have you not considered a K7, stocks will still be available and at a more desirable price, yes it has video but you dont have to use it. you may then have more money towards the PC.

A new lens it is, then!

Now THAT is a whole area that terrifies me!!!!

I still find Spotmatics have character....!

So, the K200 is considered a good Pentax? I'm wondering how the images would fare on a 27" screen......

Don't bin the K200 yet, I, and a lot of other members have them.The image on a 32" TV is superb, assuming it's a decent subject.

They're a little gem of a camera and when paired with WR lenses they'll take everything nature throws at them!

Moving to a Kr will be a backward move, nice though they are, the way forward would be, as 'spider says, looking at the K-7, they should start dropping in price now the K-5 is available.

K200D is a very good day time camera.the CCD in K200D produces fabulous pictures in low ISO, even better than the CMOS in K7, but the high ISO performance is really unacceptable. I am thinking about the new K5 too, but I wont bin the K200D.
I think it gonna be a good way to let my gilfriend interested in photogaraphy by giving her my K200D.

I've never dared take the K200 above ISO 400........ It does like bright days, the poorer light really doesn't help it at all. Another idea is a Kx for dark times? Try and pick up a decent 2nd hand one?

it depends on how much your budget is, not doubt the new K5 is a great camera, the high ISO performance is unbelievable.