K20d or K-r

My son is using a ist DL2 at the moment and is looking to upgrade he's been looking on srs website at the K20d and the K-r. I've used the K20d for years and love it which makes me a bit bias to it, but never had any dealings with the K-r so was wondering if anyone has any advice.

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K-3. K20D, Pentax 18-55mm AL II, Pentax DA 16-45 Pentax FA 50 F1.4, Pentax 18-135 wr, Pentax-AF 80-200, Pentax DA 55-300, DA 10-17, Metz 48

The advantage of the K-r would be the high ISO performance. If that is relatively unimportant, I would opt for the K20D.

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Pentax K10D + Vivitar 55/2.8 macro + Super Takumar 55/1.8 + SuperMultiCoated Takumar 85/1.8 + SuperMultiCoated Takumar 135/3.5 + SuperMultiCoated Takumar 200/4 + Super Takumar 300/4
Pentax K100D + DA18-55ALII + DA55-300
Pentax K5 + FA31Ltd + M50/1.7 + DFA100WR + M120/2.8 (+ DA18-55WR at occasion)

The Kr is a great little camera, check out this comparison: link

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Andrew

"I'm here because the whiskey is free" - Tyla

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The K20D is the sturdier camera, with WR and is built to the higher professional standards of its line. I'm still using one as a backup and as a studio camera and it doesn't look like it's going to give up soon.

The K-r actually IMHO handles better and is a bit faster with its more recent AF system. However, it belongs to the lower cost line and may not be so durable in heavy use. I've never run one of these to its end of life, so I can't be more specific than surmising.

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Best regards, John

I bought a K-r as a back up to my K20D and ended up selling the K20D and keeping the K-r as a back up to my (then) new K5.

As John says, the K-r does handle better than the K20D and also has the advantage of being smaller and lighter. The only downside to me as an avid user of grips is that it does not take one.

Mine has been back in it's box for over a year now as '2nd back up' to my K5 and K5IIs.

I had been considering selling it so if interested - pm me.

Carl

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No matter how many lenses I have owned - I have always needed just one more

as he is looking at srs why not go for the k7
which is the same price as the k-r but i think i would opt for the k20

stu

Thanks for advice think he is opting for the k20. After using mine for the past few days he like the handling of it. Thanks

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K-3. K20D, Pentax 18-55mm AL II, Pentax DA 16-45 Pentax FA 50 F1.4, Pentax 18-135 wr, Pentax-AF 80-200, Pentax DA 55-300, DA 10-17, Metz 48

Don't forget the GX20, the Samsung clone. I see there's still a splendid example complete with 18-55 WR Pentax lens languishing in the classified section

Latest seen ex display k5-II body £399 today going to have another look tomorrow bit more than he was looking at but worth it

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K-3. K20D, Pentax 18-55mm AL II, Pentax DA 16-45 Pentax FA 50 F1.4, Pentax 18-135 wr, Pentax-AF 80-200, Pentax DA 55-300, DA 10-17, Metz 48

Don't forget the K-30 - not much bigger/heavier (and the weather resistance!) than the K-r and pretty much on the IQ level of the K-5, and probably quite a bit cheaper than the K-5, and that's why I "traded-up" from the K-r to the K-30 for my "travel" body.

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K-3 II, K-3 and a K-70 from SRS (having now relegated the K-30 /"K-50" to a backup body), & some Sigma and Pentax lenses (and a lot of old 35mm gear!)

Picked up a k5-II body for £400 and 3 years guarantee for £30 from jessops in nottingham ex display they have a k5-IIs body ex display for £430 if anyone interested.

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K-3. K20D, Pentax 18-55mm AL II, Pentax DA 16-45 Pentax FA 50 F1.4, Pentax 18-135 wr, Pentax-AF 80-200, Pentax DA 55-300, DA 10-17, Metz 48