Pentax K100D

[great_guns]

Hi,

I own a Panasonic Lumix FZ20 and am absolutely satisfied with it. I have though been a bit frustrated at times about the low light capabilities that it has. I have used other cameras and have come to a conclusion that an SLR is the only way I can get decent (notice, I do not say brilliant) photos even in low light.

I had been thinking of the Canon EOS 350D (Or the Rebel XT in USA) until I hit upon the Pentax K100D. The Pentax is a straight £100 = $200 cheaper.

Can anyone give me an opinion whether it would be a good buy?

Secondly, I might decide NOT to buy an SLR after all because it would be a pain to carry my FZ20 and an SLR everywhere and I know that any time I have a choice to carry just one of them, I'll pick up the FZ20 because I love the 12x optical zoom on it. The SLR would probably just remain in my closet and limited to indoor parties/events to which I go once in a while.

Considering this, how economically and logically viable would it be for me to go ahead with my purchase?

I would appreciate your opinions on this issue.

Thanks a lot.

-G

[ayhcheung]

If you're happy with the camera you already have, stop while you're ahead! If the FZ20 suits almost all of your purposes and you're only slightly frustrated with its low light performance, there's no reason at all to switch - especially if you're going to leave the DSLR behind in the closet all the time ("the best camera is the camera you have with you"). Not to mention the fact that DSLRs are tremendous money sinks...;)

[FlashX83]

If you're happy with the camera you already have, stop while you're ahead!

I completely agree.

I'm already $1000 into my SLR setup and am still a tele lens and external flash away from being at a point where I think I could fully retire my Canon S2 IS.

If I'd have known how spoiled you can get with the modern stabilized ultrazooms, I never would have bought one! To effectively "upgrade" costs $$$$$$$$$!

[great_guns]

Good point, guys. Thanks a lot.

I generally shoot at lowest possible ISO every time and so I end up getting darker pictures. Better darker pictures than noisy pictures, I've believed.

Maybe I ought to try something like using a higher ISO and then using Noise Ninja to reduce the noise I get. I am not sure how much it will reduce my frustration but it is worth a try.

If I do buy a DSLR though, how does the Pentax match up to the Canon I mentioned?

[SpecialK]

For a few more days (end of July), in the USA you can get the Pentax K100D with kit lens for $420 after rebate. As with any kit lens, it's not great, and not very fast for low light. It is a good camera with decent features, and I have shot at ISO 800 on occasion with surprisingly good results.

26844

It is not the camera for shooting long bursts of more than 5 JPGs or 3 RAW shots, however, as it has a tiny buffer. I don't use it that way, so no problem.

It also has a tungsten setting for correct white balance indoors that bothers some people because the AWB will not work well with tungsten. Ho hum, I shoot RAW so it does not matter. You get some basic free RAW software, too.

[great_guns]

Thanks for all the comments guys.

I ended up buying the Canon EOS 400D last month anyway. I walked into the local Currys store and they gave me a deal I just couldn't refuse. I also bought a Canon 90-300mm lens in addition to the 18-55mm kit lens and a Sandisk Extreme III 133x CF card.

Hope I can make full use of the equipment.