Can I thank the forum for all the advice but now I have to decide between the K-X and the K-R. Both are available for £479.95 but that includes the 55-300mm with the K-X. The K-R has £70 cashback and has AF indication and 3" screen,so its a very hard decision.
Can I ask one more question about the K-X, I remember reading several threads on dpreview about a battery issue when the K-X was launched, what was the issue ?

Whilst I would agree with you, its not always the case. Even here we have some who have come to Pentax from Nikon, and I am sure that there will be those who will leave Pentax after trying a K-R.
New models such as the K-R impact in several ways such as twin lens offers on the run out model, along with enticing others to jump ship because of a new feature set.

When I ask about other makes I fully expect to get Pentax recommendations but I am also looking for responses from users who have looked at other makes, and why they chose one model over another. That sort of information is invaluable and on other forums some users can give valuable advice because after making their choice they discovered that the model they chose was not for them.

Is a forum still a place to ask for advice ? and no I will not be asking about a Canon or a Sony. I am now torn between a K-X and K-R, right now the K-X package seems to good to miss.

I have read through this and would now buy the Pentax over the D3000, now however I have discovered another option in the form of the Olympus E-PL1 available for £519 with 14-42 and 40-150mm lenses.
So off we go again, and please be patient with me, forget the D3000, but how does the E-PL1 look to you guys.

So far in reviews the IQ is acknowledged to be very high and above all but the top end dlsr's according to the reviews I have seen.

One review did raise an issue relating to lens wobble which meant images taken at shutter speeds less than 1/200 showed blurring, mega alarming !!

I know that this is a Pentax forum but I have always found that whilst replies to this type of query back Pentax, the reason for doing so is always given and is constructive.
any thoughts on the E-PL1 ?

Interesting responses,many thanks to all who took the time.

Does the 18-55 take the standard 52mm lens hood that comes supplied with the other 18-55 Pentax kit lenses ?

I assume that there is no difference in IQ with the other kit lenses, eg 18-55mm Mk11 and the WR version ?

I find that he can be way off the mark and I honestly believe he is exactly that with his analysis of the D3000. It is basically an evolved D40 which he raves about, and has a 3" screen,and 11 point AF as its main improvements over the D40. I enjoy Rockwell but on this occasion I think he is way off.

Anyone know how the Pentax 18-55 performs against the Nikon 18-55 ?

Many thanks for the replies. I had a D3000, briefly, in the past and a K200D before it. The D3000 with the 18-55mm VR was sharp,noticeably more so than the K200D,and I think they may have had the same sensor.

I have a slight reservation on the Pentax for IQ compared to the Nikon but as one reply above points out its pretty nuts to be looking at two dslrs one with an 18-105 and the other with 18-55 and 55-300 and the difference to be only £25.How is the IQ of the AL lenses ?
I found the Nikon well built and easy to use but changing settings did involve some menu delving.

I am looking at getting back into dslr and was intending to buy a Nikon D3000 with the 18-105mm VR which is available for £459,98. I have also found the Pentax K-X with the 18-55mm and 55-300mm AL lenses for £484.95.
Is this a no brainer ?
I would value the forums help and advice with the following,how good is the K-X and is the AF viewfinder thing an issue for doing landscape at base ISO 95% of the time /
does the 18-55mm come with a lens hood ?

I know the 55-300mm does not but that one from the ED version can be bought for about £10

All the best, thanks for kind comments.