K20D or K7?

Hi all,

I am considering picking up a more advanced body... The K20D is in my sights of course, and so is the new K7. The K7 is the newest model with video, a lighter body etc., but costs more than twice as much as the K20D for which there are really nice deals available now on SRS. I am considering the K-7 + 18-55 versus K20D + 16-50.

Would you think it is worth going for the latest K7 over the bargain K20D? Better to save on the body and spend more on yet more glass?

I have a third option, of course, and that is to just keep on shooting with my K100D and only pick up a new body when it dies...

Cheers!

Get a secondhand K20D body of a forum member that has bought a K-7 and use that for a year till the K-7 price has gone down.
Seeing that you come from the K100D you will find the K20D a big step forward and that you need to learn some more.
The K20D will probable keep you busy for 2 years and probable longer till you get the fullest out of it.

Not a good option. My Spotmatic is still going strong after 36 years.

G

My Spotmatic Fs date from 1977 or thereabouts, my 645 and SFXs are from 1990ish; they all work perfectly after so many years of careful use and occasional abuse. The only camera that died a sudden death was an MX.

Please dont be drawn into any consumerist notions!

I am minded of the current daftness of the £2k car scrappage scheme: Ten year old 'clean' Renault Clios and the like with catalytic convertors are being binned to make way for cars whose manufacture will cause even more pollution.

I do confess to driving a car that some people might be horrified by but I do expect it to last a very long time, the manufacturer gives a thirty year warranty on bodywork and thirty years roadside breakdown assistance.

I would say the bargain K20 new from SRS.

I agree

Chris pointed out while I was there on Friday that the current K20D price will not last much longer as he is running out of stock

Gotta say that Anvh seems to have the best plan. There will be a fair few k20s floating around second hand. Pick one up and wait for the K7 reviews/the price to drop.

Thanks for all your comments so far. Indeed the K20D does look like a very good deal compared to the K-7. I was originally planning to go for the K20D + 16-50 deal on SRS but in the time it took me to assess my budget the offer has since gone.

I have looked at the prices for K20D bodies and they are quite close to new ones so if I decide to take up a new body it would be a new one. Given that my K100D's 18-55 probably isn't good enough for the K20D sensor I'm inclined to combine it with a 18-55 WR (the K7's kit lens); debating on whether I should pick the latter up from SRS also or just buy the body and buy the 18-55 WR from someone.

What I don't want to do is buy kit every year - I'd rather spend more on glass or travelling. The main attractions of the K20D/K7 for me are the weatherproofing and the pentaprism and SDM support... either I go for a K20D now or wait a year and look at the K7 again.

Ken if you have a 18-55 II then the optical specification is the same as the new 18-55 WR. Perhaps the 16-45 or 17-70 might be worth considering?

I've just bought the K20D and a 17-70mm SDM from SRS, a perfect combo for me, and the IQ is fantastic. I'll probaly think about a K7 when the K8 comes out.

It would be the k20 for me

The K-7 is not worth double the price of the K20D, buy a good lens instead.

The K20D was also almost double the price of the K10D when it came out I believe and see how many it got it.

I've also just bought the K20D from SRS - very impressed, great IQ & the image detail is impressive - big step-up from the GX10/K10D

To decided between the K7 & K20D you need to consider your usage, if you shoot lots of hand-held low light or sports then maybe the improved features of the K7 are what you need...if like me you shoot mainly landscapes I can't really see that the K7 would provide anything that the K20D doesn't.

Simon