Pentax K-r or K-5 for first DSLR

Hi all, basically I've decided that with Pentax's value, it's well worth investing in the system for an amateur hobbyist. My budget is not unlimited though, and I've narrowed it down to either the K-r or the K-5. The price of the Pentax k-5 is £470 with a 18-55 WR II kit lens (I can get one for £400 body-only). The camera is in excellent condition, with only 2700 shutter actuations. Now, I can most likely get a Pentax k-r for £200-300 (depending on the lenses that come with it). Any thoughts? I'm a bit worried about overspending. I do have the money, but it isn't unlimited, and I realise I'll want more lenses. I realise how big an improvement the K-5 is though, and some of the features are particularly appealing, and I'd probably upgrade from the K-r after a short while anyway.

If you have the cash, then buying the right thing straight off will save you money in the long run.

The K-5 has enough benefits to make it the camera of choice, and coupled with a WR lens will give you real versatility to operate in all weathers and environments.

Go with the kr, if your starting out and buy better quailty glass (lenses)
good quailty lenses should last a very long time where as camera bodies get update every
few years.

I would go for the K5 and 18-55mm kit lens, or if your budget can stretch to it get the K5 and 18-135mm, you'll be pleased you did

Never having held a K5 in my hands, I honestly don't know if I'd personally benefit from the extra bells and whistles it has over the Kr (which I do own). I don't even know if my level of "competence" with a higher-spec camera would be beneficial to me, so I suppose the Kr suits my own "comfort-zone". Like Col55555ine says, it's easier to upgrade, than to downgrade, what with "missing" features of the Kr to what you are used to seeing in the K5.

Does that make any sense to you??...

No - me neither!!

I had a Kr as my first DSLR, great little camera. Once I felt competent enough I moved on to a K5.

I loved the auto functions on the Kr and they allowed me to play and learn, something you won't get with a K5.

That said, the K5 is such a superb camera and to be honest if you are a fast learner why wait?

I started with a K-x... Was great... Got me hooked... Now have a K5... It's a serious upgrade and deffo worthwhile if you can stump it...
Buying used with a 1 year warranty (from somewhere like SRS) may give you the option of having some funds for a prime lens as well as the kit-18-55 too...

Simple answer. K-5
I have had mine for over 2 years, over 30,000 shots and it feels like new.
Performance wise it is a major leap over my *istDs, K10D and K20D. Above all else, it is the first Pentax DSLR that I have been totally happy with, it does everything I want from it or even throw at it. So much so I don't really have a need to get the K5 IIs in the foreseeable future.

The K-r much as it is a great camera, I would feel that you would wish you had bought the K-5 in the first place.

I agree k5 i moved from gx 10 and 20 the k5 just felt so good right from start i wish i was as good as camera

Hey everyone, I really appreciate the feedback. The K-5 seems like a great camera, and that is reflected in the glowing reviews you all have for it. Now, I don't want to send you Pentaxians in uproar, but I think I might go for a mirrorless system before deciding on a DSLR. I feel that I'm better off getting a feel for photography before committing to a system. I barely use P&S, and a semi-pro DSLR would be a gigantic, scary leap. The camera I'm thinking of is a sony nex 5n. Being as honest and unbiased as can be, what do you think of my cautious decision? Thanks guys.

Do you seriously expect a crowd of Pentax users to comment on another make ?

OK some of our folk do use another make as well as Pentax in the horses for courses situation.

Let me throw another Pentax into the mix - the K30 - I love mine

K-01 perhaps?

Gives you the option of a fully fledged PKM-LBA with a view to upgrading to a DSLR body later...

K-30 makes a lot of sense, otherwise K-5 IMO.