If you mix three lens makes you have three different handling styles. I don't think this is conducive to smooth and seamless working practice.

I've said it many times, but the Pentax lenses are more compact, better made and better quality than the independents.

You could substutute the 16-45mm and save a fortune over the 16-50mm. OK, the aperture will be f4 instead of f2.8 but it will be much smaller and lighter and pretty well as good.

For maximum verstatility I would suggest:
SMC Pentax-DA 12-24mm
SMC Pentax-DA 16-45mm
SMC Pentax-DA 55-300mm
SMC Pentax-D FA 100mm Macro

which is slightly different to your schedule of lenses, but I think would cover every eventuality at the best possible cost/quality compromise. It is also within your budget.

I've just sent off two applications and I've just cut the entire barcode from the boxes.

People are confident, from previous experience, that any faulty lens will be exchanged quickly and without hassle.

In my opinion, yes.

The increased resolution will be useful, especially if images have to be cropped. The ergonomics have been improved, only slightly, but I noticed a few things straight away.

I've not seen anyone mention a new Premium JPEG setting, which should be interesting. Its file size is almost as much as RAW, so the amount of compression could be quite modest.

There's alsdo a range of image style settings accessible via the Fn button, so maybe the settings for portraits, vivid, etc., could be useful as well.

LIve View I'm not interested in, but the rest of the package has been enhanced and seems to be a meaningful upgrade that at the current price we could not refuse.

Indeed not, I'll tell her you mentioned it!

They aren't both for me, Sue takes possession of one of them!

The sad thing is her pictures will still be better....

Face detection software works fine on compact cameras where the image from the CCD is continuously displayed and analysed.

With a DSLR it wouldn't be possible via the normal optical pentaprism/pentamirror finder, so presumably would need to be a part of Live View.

For anyone who understands a bit about photography I don't see much advantage (well, not any advantage really) as it seems a "point and shoot" feature.

As for Live View in general, why would I want to use a relatively poor electronic screen when the proper view is available through the superb Pentax optical systems?

Well we finally did it and two new K20D cameras with the 18-55mm II lenses arrived this afternoon from SRS.

There are a few minor improvements over the K10D in the way of catches and small design tweaks, but of course it is basically the same beast.

Now one of our K10D cameras will be used for eBay images and the like and this means that soon the other Pentax K10D with MkI 18-55mm lens will be available and also a Fuji S9600.

You can't really complain about the curent Pentax prices. Fantastic value.

When I do weddings, usually having been emotionally blackmailed into doing so, I only use two lenses.

SMC Pentax-DA 16-45mm f4
SMC Pentax-FA 50mm f1.4

The first is fine for general use, the second for low light experimental shots at the evening reception.

Flash outdoors, the Pentax 360 is fine, but above all using it properly does need practice. And then more practice until it's all second nature.

I know you say you don't want much photography, but you might feel disappointed afterwards if you don't have it covered properly. It is a unique event.

IMO backup should be a second photographer (my wife assists me) and a second digital SLR. Mixing film and digital isn't a good plan IMO.

Perhaps you a being a little harsh on the camera manufacturers? After all, they want to sell lenses and not many people invest in Shift lenses, let alone technical cameras.

Do you have a technical camera? Is it an essential part of your photography?

Most of us only buy a few lenses, some don't buy any, so for the amateur the absence of a particular lens in a range can be largely academic. Even professionals don't buy those ultra-rare lenses, they hire them as required.

The original question here was Pentax or Sony and the realistic answer for me has to be Pentax. The pricing structure of many Carl Zeiss lenses would make that choice out of reach in any event and the difference in quality one way or the other will be insignificant.

I would pose a different question to a newcomer and that would be Pentax or Nikon?