K20D vs K-X

A bit of a side note.
We now have the K-7 and the K-X, do you think pentax will put a camera in between them?

Probably something like the K200D (same size, top lcd, weather sealeed) but then with a Penta-prism would be nice and with the sensor of the K-X, I'm sure some would agree with me.

I think you might be making a mistake if you think the K-X much better meets the needs of a beginner than the K20D. However, the K-X is good for those who want a smaller and slightly more modern camera. Are they priorities for you?

A bit off topic I know, but It seems theres a lot of emphasis placed on what is and isn't suitable for a beginer when in actual fact everyone will have different needs regardless of their experience.

The basic mechanics of Photography aren't exactly Rocket Science and are relatively easy to learn, instead of reccomending entry level cameras to newbies maybe we should point them in the direction of some web based articles on aperture/shutter relationship and effect of aperture on the image, then anyone who feels up to it can jump straight in the deep end with a pro-spec DSLR without growing out of it in months to come.

Alrighty, I believe these are pretty good what do you think? link

I learnt photography from reading books and using a completely manual camera. The K20D is certainly much more beginner-friendly than that. Anyone who avoids this model mainly because they think it will be too difficult is making a big mistake - that is if they are interested in learning photography at all rather than just wanting a point-and-shoot.

Pete, several comments made that point already and some of them are mine.
I do believe however that the more advance cameras might look a bit daunting when you have only used P&S before.
It's quite a big leap going from P&S to DSLR and when looking at the specs the K-X looks more familiar then the K20D does for them.

If someone considering a DSLR could meet up with a member and shoot a day with the camera, they would have an idea what we're talking about.
Since all you actually need is Av, Tv and manual mode. The other ones are basicly just features which can be handy sometime though but not needed.

That is indeed a sensible suggestion - would that it would always be possible .

I am meeting someone soon to get a feel of a camera [ agreed not the Kx ] with lens attached [ smallish hands and problems with weight ] and will have another session before I buy the Kx .

I still , from my reading and the advice I have been given believe it is more than likely the right choice for me .

I belief there was a suggestion to make a list of members that would be willing to do 1:1 with other (beginning) members.

We could go on with that idea of course if there is ear to it but I'm sure that if you write a topic that you would want to meet up someone to help you, I don't think you need to wait long before you've an answer.


Angela, the camera you would try out will have Av, Tv and manual mode and really that would be all you need.
Read a bit on shutterspeed and aperture and try to get what you know about them in practice.
Av would be the mode to control aperture, the camera will do the rest so don't worry.
Tv would be for shutterpseed control.
When you get the hang of those you can give Manual a spin and then you see that all comes together and why a more advance camera might be easier since you've more direct controls.

If you want we can write some assignments that you might do to experience the effects.

I am looking forward to starting with this ' baby ' I do expect to be taking my first shot about an hour after getting it

After that it will get a lot of use

Cometh January - I'll be starting on that improvers course at the local FE College and that should help enormously . I gather the beginners course is really basic starting with " this is a camera " After the 10 weeks I understand they can take simple pics , download them to a Computer , do simple editing and then print their photos . I honestly believe I'm further on than that - hence the Improvers Course choice.

It depends on the course I believe.
I also did advance one and one did dropped out because she couldn't control the camera correctly.
They will assume you know how the camera work and you will not be using scene modes either, most used mode were Av and manual.

Also the focus was not on getting a correct exposure but to correctly compose the shot and play with the possibilities like using different lighting and such.

I remeber one day that we went pretty wild with water, the floor was completely soaked. During that day nothing has being told how we much do something. He sometimes suggested an idea but that was never about camera settings.
This is one of the shot from that day.



Please note this was my situation and course can be very different, I was free to follow a lesson to see if the course was for me. You could contact them and ask if it's alight to drop by.

Stefan - believe me - I've done my homework . This course is called Lifestyle - intended for folk like me - retired and wanting some knowledge . The Tutor will talk individually with us to see where we are and will take it from there

Splendid, no need to worry then.
Have loads of fun!

That is a very good way to learn photography, but it is far from the only way. Some people learn best from books, others learn best by doing or by watching.

All an experienced photographer needs is M and Av (or Tv, I've never seen the benefit of both). Someone learning photography will aspire to the stage where they need only those modes, but a DSLR isn't just about becoming a great photographer, it's about taking photographs.

If you give someone who has only used a P&S a K20D they will be disapointed with their results until they master Av mode. The K20D's "idiot mode" is not intended to be used frequently by the owner of the camera, it's there so you can give the camera to a non-photographer and say "take my picture would you?". It is not a useful learning tool.

The AP mode on the base level cameras makes a semi-intelegent decision about what you're doing based on light levels, zoom setting, focus setting etc. It picks a program line which is suitable for the subject at hand and gets it right about 90% of the time. This is useful to the beginner for two reasons

1. you get better pictures in automatic this way
2. you can watch what it's doing as a first step towards letting go of the automatics and doing it yourself.

The keen student will want to progress beyond using the automatics, but like a keen child learning to swim that doesn't mean they should be denied arm-bands in the beginning.

I accept that the K20D's "idiot" mode has limited use, however I don't think it's worth having a camera that will soon become less enjoyable to use just so you can spend a short while at the beginning learning from what settings its more intelligent auto mode selects (if anyone actually does that?).

I would only suggest the K-X to someone who wanted a smaller camera, or to someone who had no interest in ever using Av mode, etc.

The crucial factor is the WILLINGNESS to learn. If the person has that, the K20D is not too intimidating. It only takes a few days to have a reasonable understanding what the aperture and shutter is and to get pleasing results with Av mode.

I would take the K-x .. looks much more fun with its compact size, higher ISO, faster FPS, video mode and better AF.