Thanks for the offer, but I think I'm going to proceed with the K-70. Thanks to everyone for your comments.

Thanks very much, I've not been looking too hard at the K-3II because of the lack of on-board flash, and the extra weight and cost. But I'll review it again.

No, I disagree, the pop up flash is not pretty much useless. The pop up flash is quite useful for some fill-in flash in bright sunlight, for example. I have a great AF360FGZ P-TTL flash, but I'm certainly not going to lug that around while I'm out and about in most cases. I'm not a professional who goes out just to take pictures, with a big bag of gear and maybe an assistant. Sometimes I go out just to take pictures for fun, sometimes I just grab the camera and bring it with me when we go out for a family trip, and sometimes it is something in-between (balancing "real life" activities and including some "just for photography sake" effort). Using all of your available tools in appropriate ways and at appropriate times is by no means an indication that someone is not "serious" about photography. There is not one way to take good pictures, nor just one type of equipment to use.

Yes, I'll look at both again.

That's a good point, and I did think about that. I think the k3 has a flash, right? I'll look at it again.

Thanks for the advice, but it is too late for my K-50. I sold the body and everything that came with it in the original box (except the 2 lenses, 18-50 and 50-210) to someone on ebay for $93. Maybe they can fix it. Oh, I also included the little AA adapter and the e-book that I bought. As for lenses I'll use, I'll use the two above plus a variety of other Pentax lenses that I have, from M42 to k mount MF to other autofocus lenses. The biggest and heaviest might be some 135 and 200 mm m42's and an autofocus 70-300mm.

I had convinced myself to get a K-70 to replace my failed K-50, which I really loved but it had the aperture issue and finally died. I just finished selling off what remained of the K-50 (body and accessories, less the lenses which I kept). However, now I'm wavering between the K-70 and the KP. For about the same cost, I could get the K-70 with the 18-135 lens (with the lens discounted as part of the kit, and it seems like a very nice lens) and the KP body only. Any thoughts? After reading many reviews, below are my key comparison points.

Plus and minus for the K-70:
+ Similar in handling to the K-50, which I really enjoyed for ergonomics
+ Overall value of the body, plus the value of the discount on the 18-135 when purchased with the kit.
+ More powerful built-in flash (GN12). I know many people dislike built-in flash, but I definitely want one and was always pleased with the K-50 flash which had equal power.
+ Better autofocus during video (I don't do much video, but this seemed like a good feature).
- On-board flash no longer serves as a wireless controller (I own a AF360FGZ flash, but I rarely used this wireless feature. But still, why take that away when the K-50 had it?)
- Less autofocus and exposure points (though I never had a problem with the 11 points on the K-50).
- Perhaps of more substantial concern - I just can't find a definitive answer to the question as to whether or not the K-70 might suffer from the same aperture solenoid issue as the K-50 as the units age in the marketplace.

Plus and minus for the KP:
+ Supposedly higher quality construction. I don't care too much about magnesium vs. plastic, but if this means the shutter won't have the aperture problem, that is a definite plus.
+ Better specs on autofocus, exposure points, and high ISO
+ Flash can server as wireless controller
+ Extra control wheel and more customization on controls. Though the two wheels and the green button on the K-50 were just fine for me.
- Rear screen not fully articulated (never had a camera that was fully articulated, so not sure how important this would be. Tilt is handy though.)
- Flash under powered at GN6. Though, with the higher ISO capability, maybe this is not a problem? Any opinions on this?
- Heavier. I do value light weight.
- Maybe the biggest: The "retro" look doesn't do much for me. And I'm quite concerned about the grips. Even the larges of the interchangeable grips is much smaller than the grip on the K-70. I loved the grip and handling of the K-50, and the K-70 is very similar. I'm afraid I won't like the KP nearly as much. And I've read many people suggesting you could switch out the grips depending on lens used, but I don't want to bother with that.

So my thinking has gone from K-70, to briefly deciding on the KP, then back again to the K-70. Should I change my mind again?