K20D to K-R?

Hi, just a quick question to anyone who has gone from a K20D to a K-r or has both. Would you consider it a step forwards, backwards or sideways and how does the image quality compare? I was considering selling my K20D and not buying another camera until the end of the year but now I am being tempted by K-R as I wouldn't need to put much extra towards one if I sold the K20D (credit card can wait!). I would like a better live view and as much as I like the size of the K20D it does seem to feel a lot heavier after a few hours of lugging it around even for a lump like me.

Thanks

Lee

The K-r is a wonderful camera, click on the reviews tab and see our review.

You are going to lose weather sealing, and the top screen. You will gain high ISO ability and performance, a lighter camera and better images. But, in effect, you are thinking of moving from what I guess is termed an "Enthusiast" DSLR {albeit an old one} to an entry level model, albeit one that has very good specs. If the weather sealing and the top screen don't matter, then it's probably a very good move. If they do, then a K5 would be a better choice, though much more expensive. And it's 40g lighter with the battery than your K20D, but nowhere near as light as the Kr.

Don't forget the smaller darker viewfinder

Pentax should bring out a mid of the road option I think. I understand that their market share might not really be able to sustain three models but there is a fairly big gap between the K-5 and the K-r.

What about the K7?

Well it is not in between really it is just a k-5 with a worse sensor. Having said that I almost despise the crammed product lineups of other manufacturers. At least with Pentax things are clear, the K-5 is a serious step up to the K-r simple, however the K-r retains plenty of the main characteristics of the Pentax line up to be a very viable alternative.

I was initially going to ignore the kr as a lessor deal than the kx... but your review stuck in my mind, and a one day sale that had the kr priced the same as the kx clinched it for me... had to buy it.

must say it really is a great camera.

I cannot compare to the 20d, but to the k10. inside the studio... I prefer the k10. in bad weather conditions, the k10. Everywhere else, the kr.

Gerri loves the kr period, prefers it over the k10 all around.

I had the K20D. Loved the camera, but as someone above stated "an enthusiasts camera"

I bought a KR and sold the K20D just about an even swap in Dollar terms.

Am really happy with the KR, Big LCD, good sharp pictures in any mode, quick to use (I dont have to consider all of the options as I did on the K20D each time I took it out of the bag. Video was what I was really after. My thoughts were that if I got the KR and was limited by anything, I could then later get the new "K3", when that comes out. So at first it was a transitional camera, but now I will stick with it in the forseeable future. Top LCD, who needs it. The info is there on the back LCD whenever you need it. Seems to be the way a lot of manufacturers are going anyway. Built in flash has a good amount of power.

I have only used the KR with pentax lenses though. Dont know how it would perform with other brands.

So far have had no problems with ff issues, or E-Dial problems. But on another forum, Pentax seems to have made some changes to models after
SN 400....

They call the KR entry level, maybe not as good as the K20D, but I believe surpasses all previous older Pentax DSLRs.

The Kr is no doubt a little gem of a camera but its not a top spec model and will not have two command dials, you need to handle one first and make sure you will be comfortable with it.
At my camera club just last night, I had the opportunity to handle both a Canon 350D and Nikon D90, my forefinger went straight for the front command dial, which obviously wasnt there, losing the front command dial will be like losing a limb

Having said all that it all depends on how you used the K20D

Then it wasn't a D90

Sorry Stefan, I should have been clearer, it didnt do what it should have done (had it been a Pentax)

And incidently, it had a VR70-300 attached and the focus didnt seem any quicker than either my 16-50 or 50-135

No, it did what the owner programmed it to do. Both my Nikons have the same wheel functions as my K7, as that's how I've set them. They are programmable.

Best regards

Interesting about the two command dials. Having just got my Kr, I have only tried it out briefly and not in all situations. Will have to work out how to change apeture and shutter speed with one dial. Is it possible.

it is ridiculously complicated...
choose Either av or tv, and the edial will switch the aperture or shutter, respectively.
choose m mode and the av button will switch the edial to whatever you choose....