Processors

As far as video goes I think the jury is out at present ... part of the new processing function of the newest cameras involves a move to 'Movie Shake' reduction, a type of processsed software based shake reduction, similar in some ways to how video editing software applies shake reduction. I'm not a user of any of these newer cameras, but there has been plenty of discussion, some recently, with some users feeling that they preferred the 'Sensor Shake' reduction (some call it 'mechanical') implemented on the earlier K5 / K7 models.

This type of SR technology, whilst possible on the latest models as they do have sensor shake reduction for photos, for some reason is not enabled on these latest cameras, the technicians having taken the view that the software (processed) type is preferable... as I said the jury's out ....

I can't comment on the Prime Processors relative capabilites, other than to say that these updates over time have generally been accepted as improvements, certainly in processing speed and allowing higher burst rates - so in general 'newer is better' applies I think.

I remember some testing that was done on the K511 / s question ....

Buts thats another matter - if you've got the money then get a K5II or s - the Autofocus is better. Any reason you've discounted the K50?

OK - the two models are targeted differently. The K5 series, like the K7 before it, was pitched quite highly at the 'serious enthusiest' market ... many of us here would fall comfortably into this decription. What does it mean? It means having had experience of photography and its fundamental techniques, that understanding of how to take control and what aspects of the technology will influence the final result, and how to optimise that.

This also involves personal preferences, and shooting styles, and thats where the custom settings come into it - personalising the camera for yourself or for different specific photographic situations. Do do that effectively requires the experience of what are the key issues to consider. The K5 ofers many more choices because your enthusiest will know more things that they can control.

And finally, the serious enthusiest will be thinking about each shot and wanting to take quick control over the camera - the physical levers, switches and buttons on the K5 series make this more direct and on hand.

There will not be scene modes on these 'enthusiest' models because your enthusiest will know how to optimise the settings themselves for best effect. The scene modes on the models targeted below this are designed to allow quick successful images (hopefully) where the photographer may not have instant knoweldge of how to set the aperture, ISO etc to optimise each particular type of image. But you can still learn and check the settings after, and the K50 still offers manual control and all the other 'Auto Exposure' modes (aperture priority etc etc) if you want to use them. And the K50 lacks so many direct controls, again because the designer assumes that the user will not be so proactively adapting and selecting things dynamically - but rather will let the camera's electronics get on with it ....

Hope this doesn't come over wrong, but scene modes on the Kxx cameras are for the more casual photographer who doesn't want to get overly involved in the workings of their camera - it's point and shoot with interchangeable lenses. That said, plenty of serious togs use them too and get great results, but that's not the market sector the cameras are pitched at, hence also the plethora of colours.

More fun snapping than serious making of photographs.