pentax k10 samsung gx 10

The thing that would put me off the Samsung would be the reduced level of 3rd party software support for it. For example, Capture One does not directly support the Samsung models, and DNG isn't quite the universal format that Adobe would have you believe.

Duncan

I didn't realise that PEF files are compressed DNG files - I assume this is a lossless compression like WINZIP?

At that sort of money I am very tempted by a GX10 - I think I am finding the 6 megapixels in the K100 a bit frustrating now.

I must see what I'd get for a year old K100D.

Mike

If both systems are saying there is space for 120 images on a card, then either the camera is stopping you at 120 PEFs, even though there is space on the card for more; or you are only going to be able to take say 80 DNGs before the card is full (not 120 as stated); or, as Tyr says (and I assume he is right), the camera allows you to shoot 180 PEFs despite saying you are only permitted 120.

G

PEFs are compressed, but they're not compressed DNGs. It's a different format. They both contain the same RAW data, and PEFs are compressed losslessly.

You could compress DNGs with software on your PC, but that would take up more time, and might not compress so tightly.

If you are the sort of person who goes out once or twice a week and takes 50 shots each time, then there is nothing wrong with a GX10.

If you are a studio photographer, shooting 200 pictures an hour, then the Pentax is the only sensible choice.

Which are you closer to?

G

Once or twice a week so the GX10 sounds fine to me.

Not sure I folow the logic though as I thought the cameras were all but identical and made in same factory?

Mike

You need to read the thread! The cameras are pretty much identical except that one produces bigger files than the other. If you take lots of pictures, those bigger files will cost you money and time.

G

You're right I should read more carefully and get a better memory too.

I consider almost all storage to be dirt cheap now so file size is immaterial to me but I take your point.

Mike

I agree memory is pretty cheap, but the time factor is still an issue if you shoot a lot.

G

Im a bit suprised at your comment re the K100 D I have had some lovely shots from the model I have. What frustrates you about the camera. If and when I do step up Im keeping mine as a back up.

I am becoming seduced by pixels - lots of them!

Mike

Have you been happy with the camera Mike I did have a problem with mine with vertical and horozontal planes not being plumb and they replaced the camera. Other than that as far as I can see image quality is great but Im no David Bailey LOL.

Quite happy - I'm not certain things are plumb but I am rarely plumb anyway so it's not an issue. Simply more pixels and more control.

Mike

Hope you get what your looking for, I think the offer ends on the samsung in July so keep this in mind good luck.

I really don't see the problem here. If time and storage space are such an issue, then buy a camera based on time-to-write and file size. But who would? For most people these are not big issues today.

The GX20 can write DNGs (23MB) quicker than the K20D can write PEFs (16MB) - compression seems to slow the K20D down. Memory is dirt cheap - eg a Transcend 8GB class 6 SDHC costs £15ish and it does 19MB/s write and 12MB/s read. A few years ago, we paid huge amounts of money for such a card... DVD writers and DVDs are dirt cheap.

Shooting DNG is no issue. Who sits around whilst the files are downloaded? Dual and Quad CPUs mean no problem to get on with processing whilst they download from a fast USB 2.0 reader. Having processed them (which takes no longer than for compressed, but don't they have to be uncompressed - a terrible time waste, they can be batched saved in compressed DNG via Lightroom or Photoshop or compressed via Adobe's DNG free program - so as to save on DVD space.

Between the two Samsung and Pentax since they are basically the same camera in a slightly different shell, I'd buy based on price and availability. And that is what I did. I got a Samsung GX20 + kit lens for a very good price.