Pentax K100D v Nikon D40

[Davidp03]

Hi to all,

I'm needing to upgrade my current p/s camera,( my wife dropped it), and am looking at an dslr for the first time.

I will be using the camera for mainly photographing the kids at home or at sport of various descriptions, and believe that the dslr will better suit, as the old camera couldn't effectively do this.

I like the look of the Pentax K100D, and for the price the only one that comes close is the Nikon 40D, ( and that is $250 more expensive).

I believe that 6mp will be suficent as I have no need to print images at a large size, nor do I need to aggressively crop images.

Can anyone please tell me what I would get extra for the more expensive Nikon?

If I go for the Pentax, am I better to buy it with the two lens kit, or to buy say, a 18 -200 Sigma lens.

Should I wait for the K100D Super that is due next month?

I would grately appreciate your opinions, as I know very little about dslr's at this point in time( only what I have read since my old p/s died of unnatural causes!).

[coldrain]

What you get for the extra money with the D40 is:

A lot less compatibility with 3rd party lenses in interesting segments.
No exposure bracketing.
Only 3 AF points.
No Image stabilization in the body.
No mirror lock up.
No depth of field button.

And some other things.

The only thing I can think of as pro for the D40 compared to the K100D is that the nikon 18-55 kit lens is a bit more sharp and contrasty.

The Super will ensure lens compatibility of new lenses from Pentax like their 50-250 and 16-50.
If you can't see yourself spending money for expensive lenses in future, you do not have to wait on that Super version. If you think you may be interested in them, then you should wait.

[SpecialK]

The one drawback of the K100D that would perhaps affect your stated shooting preference is the tiny buffer which limits you to a quick burst of either 5 JPG or 3 RAW shots in a row.

If you are the type to squeeze the trigger like a drunk monkey and pick a good shot out of them, the Nikon would be the better choice, but only for that reason.

The Pentax has all the other features that Coldrain mentioned were missing with the D40.

If you can locate the K100D with kit lens (about $469) plus the Pentax 50-200mm zoom (about $239), you can get $150 in rebates in the USA, so you would have a great starter system for about $550.

The Super would be of no real use to you unless you want to buy Pentax weather-sealed lenses for $800+, in which case you should get the K10D body for $800 - and you would have a bigger buffer to allow you to fill your card much more quickly :-)

[Davidp03]

Thank you gentlemen,

You have confirmed for me that the K100D is the better camera for what I need.

I don't believe that the small buffer will be an issue, as I cant't see myself taking more than the 5 shots in a row.

The super is only a couple of weeks away so I'll wait for that one.

Unfortunately will miss out on the rebates (I'm from Australia), But still the better buy.

Thanks again.

[swgod98]

David,

I think the choice to go with the K100D Super is a good idea! I am really excited about that camera. However, please be very aware of coldrains EXTREMELY biased and lopsided opinion in this matter. Anyone who can't give a number of + sides to the D40 in comparison to the K100D obviously has a stick on their a$$ in regards to which camera is better.

It's just so annoying to me how unfair he is to potential buyers to not give an honest comparison between the camera's in question...

I could name a number of reasons the K100D is a good choice. However, since coldrain decided to play the "lets put the D40 down in the dirt" like he always does game, I'll play the same game...except this time, with the K100D...

The first and one of the most glaring issues I've come across with the K100D is it's focusing ability. It is not very fast and it's NOISY! There is not a lens you can purchase that is silent for it. Veeeeeeeeet, veeeeeeeet, veeeeeeeet, is all you're going to hear if your camera can't lock focus, or you use any sort of telephoto lens at all. The only times you might not notice it is when you have a shorter focal length lens and the lens snaps into focus perfectly the first time.

The K100D continuous autofocus system is not that great either. I had a lot of trouble tracking birds with it (w/ Sigma 70-300 lens) in comparison to a D80 (w/ Nikon 70-300 lens).

I can't imagine the D40 being worse in tracking...it is possible it's about equivalent.

The K100D is known for it's lack of ability to gather a good color balance indoors (without flash).

The Pentax system is much more difficult to buy/find items for. Go to any camera store and ask for their Pentax section...some places might even give you a funny look, like wha?

Sad, but true.

My friend was very happy with his K100D, but it's not perfect. And to point out the flaws of the D40 to push a buyer towards the K100D is just poor reasoning. Not to mention that many of the features coldrain listed aren't that important as it is:

A lot less compatibility with 3rd party lenses - this is perhaps the biggest concern. However, Nikon has some really good lens choices and are coming out with more. 3rd party manufacturers are also releasing more lenses that will be compatible with the D40 as well. The future (for Nikon) is AF-S, and that's what the D40 pushes people towards.

No exposure bracketing - Hardly something to be concerned about since one can emulate bracketing manually by changing settings anyways.

Only 3 AF points - Ask anyone how often they use a focusing point other than the center...Not very often. Also, if you're concerned about tracking, then the K100D is not any better anyways.

No Image stabilization in the body - This is a cost saver for sure! But, it's widely known that in lens stabilization is more effective anyways.

No mirror lock up - If this is something you think you need, then maybe it can sway a decision. But, most people don't use this feature much.

No depth of field button - I was concerned about this before I bought my camera. 10 months later I've realized it's useless. At least for me. If I want to see the DOF, I snap a shot and check the LCD. DOF button just makes it easier.

Personally, I would not buy the K100D over the D40.

I would, however, consider the K100D Super over the D40 because of the faults it fixes in the K100D (mainly it's focusing system).

[SpecialK]

Hi David:

I'm sure you'll enjoy your camera. Just don't autofocus in a library.
Veet! Veet!

[Davidp03]

Many thanks,

I believe that they are both fine cameras, and neither would disapoint ( are either camera drop proof?).

I will go for the Super when it is available, mainly because of the s/r feature and obviosly the price. I might start with the kit lens ( 18-55mm), and add either an 18-200 or 50-200 later in the piece. Will the 18-200 substitute for the 18-50, or is it better to go with the 18-55 and 50-200? (SpecialK mentioned this combination in an earlier reply)

Is there any noticable difference between Pentax and Sigma lenses?
(Which one has the quieter opperation, should I venture into a library?)