In its Consumer DSLR Roundup 2014 it praised the K50:-
"(Bargain) Coupled with its very affordable price tag make this camera incredibly appealing. For starters, it is the only fully weather-sealed body in this roundup. Its 100% coverage viewfinder, front and rear control dials and 6fps burst also help set it apart from comparably-priced bodies like the Nikon D3330. And offerings like in-camera Shake Reduction and a solid build-quality, make this camera a really good option for any photographer on a budget. "
Not enough of course to put in front of the Nikon or the Canon 100D whose main benefit in the summary seemed to trump the above with " it is small and has a quiet shutter and good AF in live view"
Then in with the KS1 considerations it has in the "against" column "not waterproof". DIdn't seem to matter for the Canon and Nikon though.

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I've got the Lensmaster one and it is fantastic. Once you've used one you'll love it. The benefit is it instantly moves from any position to any other without having to touch any control knobs or levers. It just stays put where you put it. It is really for shots where you are constantly re-positioning the camera rapidly, like wildlife shots in particular but I see no reason why it wouldn't be good for other types of shot. Downside against other heads are it is heavy and bulky and my version requires a rotating lens clamp to side mount it , but not all do.
Dave

The best software is the one you are used to using - as you can tell from the above comments. I am a PS Elements User and have tried Lightroom and found it a complete nightmare, always wanting to do more than just opening a single image and allowing me to edit it. Wanted to catalog every image on my PC and all sorts. Now before all the Lightroom fans have a go at me I am absolutely sure it is me. Not bothering to learn to use it properly and I know it is brilliant from the number of people who swear by it. I am just illustrating the point that it will always be horses for courses and people tend to stick with what they know how to use even if it is inferior. Best take free trials and use what suits you.
Dave

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Sorry, was raw.

I'm not sure what it all means in the real world. My friend's Canon 700D never seems to have much noise in blue skies. My K30 was pretty good but my K3 doesn't seem to like blue skies much. This is a 100% crop, raw unaltered no NR, ISO 200. Comments? - would the high 1/3200 have an effect?

If I'm quoted three months for the repair I will be a Nikon owner by then!!

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Agreed. There seems to be plenty of overlap at this bottom end. Notwithstanding everyone has their own interests Pentax only have one high quality affordable longish telephoto suitable for wildlife photography - the DA*300 mm. They need to get that 100-400mm (or whatever it is on the roadmap)out PDQ especiallly with Tamron and Sigma not seeming to support K-mount in their new long lenses.

Ricoh announces weather-resistant HD Pentax-DA 16-85mm F3.5-5.6.
http://www.dpreview.com/articles/5731192001/ricoh-announces-weather-resistant-hd...

It doesn't bode well - for me anyway. It's been to PJC (used by SRS) and apparently the problems I have been having with my DA*300mm are that the SDM motor is failing and it has to have a matching circuit board. This might mean it has to be sent off to Pentax Europe which may be expensive. I'm not happy - I've already been without it for two weeks to find this out. It's just two years old. You'd expect more from a lens at the price of the DA*300.
Dave

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Indeed, as they used to say to me on these stupid americanised management courses - it's not a problem it's a challenge