Pentax or Samsung?

I hope this isn't considered a sacrilegious question, but can anyone tell me why I shouldn't upgrade to a Samsung GX20 instead of a Pentax K20D?

They are apparently technically identical, but the Samsung is cheaper.

None I know of, though I have heard that the Samsung has its own JPG processing which may give different results when shooting in JPG.

Personally, I would go for the Pentax version, but wait for the price to drop, which it will. Then I am a loyal pentax user!

Is the Samsung actually available yet? I have seen nothing at all on it in the shops in Holland, but there again we still don't have the K20D

I went the Samsung route with the GX10, because it was cheaper anyway, but at the time I bought mine Samsung were also offering £100 cashback

The Pentax will likely have a higher resale value simply due to the badge, but if you're not too fussed about that I don't see why you shouldn't take advantage of Samsungs competitive pricing (to try to build a name for themselves) for what is the same camera.

The firmware is not identical; the Samsung doesn't provide the option of PEF (smaller) RAW files.

Check the grip is indentical (I'm not sure).

The Pentax price will fall. Also consider the resale value if you intend to sell after a while.

I wonder what would be the answer to this question . . . if it was asked on a Samsung User forum ! ! !

I would hope that a Pentax fan could have only one recommendation.

I bought the GX10 instead of the K10D because it was so much cheaper than the K10D and was just getting back into SLR photography.

I bought the K20D instead of the GX20 because I wanted to do my bit to support the Pentax brand because I'd come to respect it after reading so much about the history and focus of the company.

If you are happy to buy a camera as a kit with the 18-55 only or the two-lens bundle then the Samsung is hard to resist..

But if you are like the majority to have a Pentax branded camera then I think the scope for buying a camera without the lens, or with something more exotic than the kit lens (ie 16-45, 17-70 or 16-50) is better with Pentax...

As Corwynt is upgrading from the DL (I assume) the grip question is not relevant, but there again, I think Pentax accessories are more widely available....(the grips are not interchangeable, because the bodies are differently shaped)

Pentax are also quicker off the mark with firmware upgrades....

Amazon are selling them in the UK although I'm not sure if they have them in stock.

I have used Pentax cameras for over 30 years and am happy to continue to do so. However, it's a tough old world out there.

I'm glad that Samsung are in the frame - it will help to keep Pentax prices under control, and loyalty is becoming an old-fashioned concept these days.

I would prefer to retain the Pentax logo on the front of my kit, however if Samsung can produce the same kit for less then it's got to be good for the market.

Loyalty is an old fashioned sentiment, one that I happen to uphold.

Old fashioned does not equal abandoned.

I dont think the Samsung has a pc socket

The specifications and manual are on the Samsung UK web site:

Specifications:

http://www.samsungcamera.com/uk/product/pro_view.asp?prol_uid=4247&cat_uid=6...

Manual:

http://www.samsungcamera.com/uk/customer/download/cus_down_main.asp

Glyn

Good link Glyn, thanks.

Thanks for the link Glyn. Interesting to be able to compare them side by side. At a quick glance I see the Samsung is 12g heavier than the Pentax.
The minimal difference in price between the Samsung body only offered by Amazon and the Pentax at SRS makes the Pentax more attractive to me.
Plus SRS has some in stock whereas Amazon don't yet have the Samsung.