Should I go for the GX10?

Hi- I've had the K100D for a couple of years and been happy with it, but was wondering if I should upgrade to the GX10- it's so cheap at Park Cameras. Is it worth doing? Yes, I know the K20D is much better but guess what? Money's tight. I would miss ISO3200 which I sometimes use at festivals, and I have to say, the AA batteries. (Yes, that old chestnut). Any advice? Thanks

It would be an enjoyable upgrade, and you wouldn't mind the battery once you had a couple of spares.

Second-hand Pentax K10Ds go for about the same price on eBay, by the way. Advantages include familiar Pentax menus, and PEF as well as DNG.

I moved from a K100D to K10D and never regretted it for a moment - it's a much more usable camera.

Mike

I'd rather a new Samsung than a second-hand Pentax

But could I still call myself a Pentaxian, or would I be a Samsungite:

Hi Niles, You wont be disappointed with the GX10, its a great camera, had mine about fourteen months now and I still cant put the thing down

£319 for the body is a cracking price considering the build quality and spec, well worth a dabble

Thanks for the advice. I'm tempted

I also upgraded from the k100 D to the k10 a referbished camera from SRS and never regreted the move. A referbished camera cost me £300.
Ian

Oh dear. Just when I thought I was settled on a K200D I see this..£399 for the twin lens kit, and what is effectively a K10D badged as a Samsung. Would it be compatible with older Pentax lenses though? Seems incredible value for what is essentially Pentax kit...but without the Pentax branding. More research now required!

niles, ive bought the gx 10 from park cameras about three weeks ago. It is my first dslr and i am very pleased with it, but still getting to grips with the non auto use. Can anyone suggest my best route for taking blur free pictures of kids running, is it is0 800 in auto with the anti blur on? or are there other settings i should try. However back to the purchase niles, i paid £349 for the gx 10 with the 18-55 and the 50-200 stock lenses, i notice the price has gone up it may be worth a haglle there is a credit crunch on !

Msuds,

The anti-shake mechanism does just that - it reduces picture blur caused by an unsteadily-held camera. It won't do anything for blur caused by a fast-moving subject. For that, only a fast shutter speed will do.

For a fast shutter speed you will need highish ISO unless it's a bright day.

G

Yes, to the same extent as with all the Pentax dSLRs. You can use any lens that can be used on a Pentax 35mm film camera. The older ones with no electrical contacts (or no "A" setting on the aperture ring) require Manual mode and stop-down metering.

The Samsung is almost effectively a rebadged Pentax, but note that the firmware is not exactly the same. Of course it is very good value for money, but remember that it's not exactly the same camera.

Pan with the kids when you can, and take lots and lots of pictures. It doesn't matter what proportion of them are no good as long as you get some good ones.

Experiment with High Speed Program, Av, Tv and TAv modes to find what is most suitable for the situation + light level + your preference.

I have a K10D that I don't use any more. Fully serviced, updated and calibrated by Pentax UK in November. I'm open to reasonable offers around £240-£260, but not to being mugged!

I shall put it up with photos on the Classified section later today.

Just taken delivery of my GX10. Got it from Park- they honoured the old price of £289

Just one thing- the 4-way controller seems loose compared to my K100D and partner's K-m. Is this normal?

Thanks

Hi, Nilecrane,

The four-way controller on my GX10 (also from Park) seems fine, with no excessive play, although I can't compare it with Pentax models. Might be worth asking Park to have a look at it or finding another GX10 to make a comparison.

Al