Thanks Ian but no I want the APS-C sensor and to be able to use all the lovely lenses I have

Pentaxophile, Robin, Gwyn : maybe you are right and it is a case of CBA However the fact remains that I do need a back-up camera (since I sold the K7 I feel quite naked !) and although the K100 Super originally caught my eye when I saw how much this Nex C3 was selling for (I don't know why but I had the impression it was more expensive than the Q) I was shocked and after checking it out it looks like a really decent option.

Does it offer something different ? Is it a good option as back-up ? Certainly it will easily fit in my pocket with a couple of primes from my sig. or a simple day backpack with 3 or 4 primes.

I would still like to hear pros / cons / opinions from posters re. Nex vs. Kr / K10D / K100 super in case there is something I have missed or some critical point(s) against the Nex. I know I am going to go and get my hands on all of them to see if ergonomically they are a fit to my hands.

Robin - I considered but eventually gave up the idea of buying another K5 because I am saving for a dual system D700 (to add to my K5) when the prices come down. Since that won't be until next year then I can squeeze something in mid-term and get rid when the time is right.

Stefan - as I said above there is an adapter for virtually every manufacturer (EOS / Nikon / MD / PK / Ricoh / M42 / CY / Leica and so on and so on).

Every lens I've got and virtually every other lens out there can fit the Nex with adapters - not different to using M42s or Zeiss MM / Leica R on PK mounts.

Having recently sold my K7 for a good price I'm now considering a back-up camera to my K5 for an unexpected but very welcome 10 day trip to Aus in Nov. and if I like it or it does the job well then I'll keep it for my 4/5 week visit to my sister in NZ next Jan/Feb.

Those in the running (or were) at the moment (other suggestions welcome - I love this part of debating/researching options before actually buying a camera/lens !) are :

D100 super, Q (now not under consideration), D10D, Kr, Nex C3 or, if out in time (and not too expensive), the Nex 7.

I figure with any of these if I buy and resell then I'm not going to lose much (anything) except in the case of a new Kr or a new Nex and if I don't like whichever of those I buy then I'll give it to my daughter with a couple of lenses.

The Nex may seem rather strange to throw into the mix but the C3 (and later the 24MP Nex 7) has an APS-C sensor (same as the K5 but 'tweaked' in a different direction) so the 1.5 crop is the same as my K5, and has DxO figures that are the same or better than the Kr and close to those of the K5 in some areas. I can also buy lenses from virtually ANY manufacturer and they will fit with the aid of the ready available adapters (which means ALL my M42 and PK lenses will play very nicely on the Nex). I don't mind MF at all for non-sport / birding applications.

Here are some clips from my research (if the clips are not permitted here for any reason then I've given the links below them) :

The full spec comparison is here :DxOMark - Compare cameras side by side]link

Nex C3 vs. Kr vs. K5
[IMG]http://i55.tinypic.com/2yw90ue.jpg[/IMG]

Here's the link : http://www.dxomark.com/index.php/Cameras/Compare-Camera-Sensors/Compare-cameras-side-by-side/(appareil1)/715%7C0/(appareil2)/672%7C0/(appareil3)/676%7C0/(onglet)/0/(brand)/Sony/(brand2)/Pentax/(brand3)/Pentax]link

Pentax Q vs Nex C3
[IMG]http://i56.tinypic.com/ev85yb.jpg[/IMG]

Here's the link : http://thenewcamera.com/?p=5642]link

I know one of the big cons is that the Nex doesn't have an EVF (maybe the Nex 7 will have) but this seems like a good alternative way to view the screen: http://www.clearviewer.com/Products.html

From Amateur Photographer : With a total of ten NEX lenses available by the end of next year, a new more powerful flashgun and Sony embracing third-party lenses and adapters, NEX cameras have real potential to become a secondary system for most photographers. If only they would add a couple more buttons and an EVF. They are also reporting that the in-lens SR for the NEX lenses is easily as good as Nikon's or Canon's but at vastly lower prices ($100 - 300 per lens).

I'd love some debate on these and also on all of the cameras I'm considering as a back-up so please fell free to throw your opinion, on any aspect of these cameras, into the ring ! Thank you.

I am looking at a back up to my K5 for a short trip to Australia in November (since I recently sold my K7). The Q is one camera I was looking at (along with the Kr, K100 Super, K10D, Nex C3 and as yet unreleased Nex 7).

However TBH the C3 blows it out of the water, smaller, same sensor as the K5 so better noise levels at high ISO, 16 MPs and adapters for almost every lens from Leica & Zeiss to Nikon, Canon & M42 and if that is not enough then it has a Peaking Function (see description from DPR below) that is brilliant for the lenses fitted via adapters that will become MF lenses of course. DxO gives it a DR just below that of the Kr (12.2, 12.4 Kr and 14.1 K5), high ISO noise close to the K5 (1083, 755 Kr, 1162 K5) and great colour depth (22.7, 22.9 Kr and 23.7 K5). All at ca. US$300 below the price of the Q / Kr.

The new Nex 7 will be even further ahead with the 24 MP sensor etc. etc. The Q has a long way to go to even get on the same page (at that price) - and it needs adaptors like yesterday.

Peaking function. One of the more valuable features for the enthusiasts likely to be attracted to the Sony NEX-C3 is the Peaking function, where the sharpest, high-contrast areas of the frame appear colorized, indicating the band or area of sharpest focus. You can choose among red, yellow, and white colors, and the range of focused areas that it affects. It seems to be that the Low setting offers the narrowest band, while High has a tendency to be more forgiving, marking areas that are noticeably out of focus in the final shot as in-focus. Many older digital cameras used to hyper-sharpen in-focus areas on the LCD to help verify focus, but this goes quite a bit further, invoking a technique also used in Canon and Sony's higher-end HD camcorders, as well as a few high-end HD monitors for video-capable SLRs.
Peaking is usable with Sony's autofocus E-mount lenses, but its true value is seen when using third-party manual-focus lenses, making for a quick and easy way to verify focus rather than zooming in to check with every exposure. Another benefit is that you see the peaking at the actual aperture, for a better representation of the available depth of field.

The Big Man has just given you a huge hint

As Gwyn said. And the BBC were promoting this (so hope they did their background checks on it too) !

I would think that for anyone selling their images, or maybe amateurs with unique or rare photos, that this sort of check would be great. It is their livelihood after all and I know pros do spend a lot of time trying to ensure their work is safe from misuse. After these revelations from the Daily Mail et al. I'd think this program a Godsend for some.

Are there any other programs like it out there ?

Split Screen - can't say I've noticed it affecting metering (I find even the standard screen is off on the K5 so I pretty much have -1/3 to -1 EV on all shots depending on the lens and situation I'm shooting in).

When manually focusing you need to be aware that there is a 'zone' of 'in-focus' when the green hexagon lights up. I've found by habit I usually focus from near to infinity and the green hexagon will come on when I enter the 'zone' - however in actuality as I enter the 'zone' the shot isn't in focus. Therefore I've now trained myself to start focussing from infinity to near and then when the green hexagon comes on it IS in focus. Obviously this matters much more with low DoF shots.

N.B. Every lens is different. The infinity to near works accurately on 90% of my lenses but with a few of them it's vice versa and actual focus is reached when entering the 'zone' from near to infinity.

I've got a Cosina f1.2 in the post so we'll see if it works at that DoF !

Maybe some of you would like to try this out :

link

A reverse image check to find out exactly where on the net your images are being used.