Possible New Pentax User

I've been having a look at the Pentax SLR system as a potential replacement for the 2x crop Olympis E620 which ai haven't really got on with.
I used to have a Sony but with the retirement of the A700 there isn't really a Son for me to goback to.
I've been suggested the K7 which looks like it would more than match my needs, my main photography is landscapes and architecture so weatherproofing would be nice!
Just wondering how the K7 compares to the other Pentax DSLRs the Kx and K20 I think?
Also what would be the lowest cost wide angle lensand general walkaround lens?
I note that there is a vast back catalogue of Pentax glass are there any old gems I should be looking out for?
Thanks
Chris

You can get a K20d for around £600 as they are being phased out i think but they are an excellent camera - the DA16-45 lens is excellent and is only around £230 new but I must admit the K7 looks very tempting.
As for older lenses you can use all the lenses bak to about 1960 odd i think the K moult will all fit and you need to make a few adjustments to enable manual shooting then get an m42 adaptor for arounf £20 for the m42 mount takumer lenses. I have too many manual lenses to speak of but in genetal terms there are lots of excellent, cheap pentax manual and autofocul lenses out there and its great fun getting the bargains on ebay. the DA18-55II lens supplied as the kit lens is also good for starting out in landscapes but i feel the 16-45 has the edge.

to sum up either the K20d or the K7 with just the 18-55 lens would be a great start and the 16-45 just adds a nice edge to you equipment

Go for the K20!........you wont be dissapointed!......

Ruddy hell Chris, your getting round a bit.
Talkphotography, Pentaxforums and now here.

Unless you specifically want video the K20 is the best option, unless money is no object of course, in which case you need a K7 and the 16-50DA*

EDIT: PS as for older lenses, if you want to retain as many of the bodies features as possible then stick to KA mount that has electrical contacts.
this link is a very useful website if your new to Pentax, a little daunting but full of information

And how on earth did you find that Mike?

Thanks folks, video isn't important at all to be honest, just looking to get a good quality SLR with a wide range of lenses and the weatherproofing on the K7 and K20 is an added bonus for my photography type!

Another vote for the K20 here. Honestly if money was no object then it would have been the K7, but it was an object so the K20 was bought. My only disappointment is the sensor noise reduction system which means it takes twice the exposure time to take a picture. only a problem for exposures longer than 30 seconds.

.......and another vote for the K20

Well I think I've narrowed my choice to three possible bodies, and two DSLR systems, Pentax or go back to Sony.
With Pentax I would see if I could stretch to the K7 although for around the same price or even less I could get a K20 and a couple of lenses that would probably more than do me for now.
It similar for Sony I could get the A550 and invest in a couple of lenses for around the £900 mark, decisions decisions!

AP said something very nice about Pentax in the new issue, due out tomorrow.

In the test of two Sony DSLRs they said that the resolution "was not in the same league as the Pentax K-7" and that was despite a very similar pixel count.

If, like me, you like high detail resolution, then you might be better off with the Pentax route.

Will grab a copy of that when I see it!, its really just price thats putting me off the K7, the body and a couple of lenses may be more than I can really justify right now, but I could easily justify the K20D at its price, does it have weatherproofing also?

Yes, if your considering using the camera in wet conditions you would be well advised to also use weathersealed lenses.

SRS currently have a K7 twin weather resistant lens kit for £1099 with the Current £100 cashback offer thats only £100 above what you were going to pay for the sony.

I may take a look at that would be a good offer, is there an older equivalent to the K7 that I could maybe try and pick up on the used market?

Yes - the K20D.

Try giving Chris @ SRS Microsystems a call to see if he is planning to get any more new K20D's.

Last week he had three, but they have now gone, not least because I bought one of them