I like some of what Pentax has done with that camera. I would choose it over the D40 but not over the D50. I don't like the feel of the Pentax (personal pref) so see how it feels in your hands, this is important. The only other issues I see with the Pentax, is that I know I saw at least one review that didn't rank it too great on ISO performance, but I think the Sony was worse. The other thing that just worries me a bit, and it is too early to tell, is that I'm not sure I like the idea of the sensor shaking off potential dust periodically. Just seems to me that something might loosen up or get damaged over time.

I chose the D70s over the D50 for several reasons. Just a couple - when I was in the store and got my hands on the 2 Nikons and the XT, (almost a year ago) I liked the size and feel of the D70s way more than either of the others. But I also liked the dual dials on the D70s. That is one feature that I couldn't be without. Of course the others that are real kewl are the Nikon flash system (which the D70s and up can remote control)... ok I will stop

"Is the lack of a dedicated AF assist lamp a problem?"

Flash can pop up for focus assist.

"I just realized that the Pentax does not have an electronic meter/compensation in the viewfinder."

Not sure what you refer to. Exposure compensation is with a dual-purpose button near the shutter button and adjusted with the control wheel. The value shows in the viewfinder.

"I have a set of 2500 mAh rechargables...is that going to be enough to provide quick AF?"

I don't think the mah affects AF speed. I use 2700's, but have some 2500s as spares and for the external flash. I would not use anything smaller, however.

"Any disadvantages to the Pentax usability and "real orld" performance as opposed to the other similarly priced cameras? Thank you all so much for your help."

Only the buffer is a really limiting if you want to shoot long bursts. But, again, it does not affect my style of shooting at all.

Here's the K100D manual PDF. I wish they had used smaller font so the book fit in a bag more easily...

http://www.pentaximaging.com/files/m...D%20Manual.pdf

Some of it is a bit vague :-(

Upon reading more about the Pentax, primarily from dpreview, I have found a few gripes. It is considerably slower on startup than the either two and the coninuous shooting is very crippled in comparison (I believe I may be using that somewhat frequently where this may pose a problem, not certain though).

What I was referring to with the electronic meter compensation can be seen on this picture of the D40's viewfinder. 7 points to it.

Because of the IS, I have read this is a heavier camera. Is it annoyingly heavy? Gosh, this is such a hard decision. I know I will be waiting about a month to purchase, but you have all been so much help so far. Thank you.

"I like some of what Pentax has done with that camera. I would choose it over the D40 but not over the D50. I don't like the feel of the Pentax (personal pref) so see how it feels in your hands, this is important."

Yep. Me just the reverse, though. I found Canon = small hands, Nikon = big hands. Pentax = me.

"The only other issues I see with the Pentax, is that I know I saw at least one review that didn't rank it too great on ISO performance, but I think the Sony was worse."

That's kind of funny because many higher-up K10D owners say the K100D has better performance at high ISO. I left that off my original "good things" list. I've been pleased using 800 ISO thoug I shoot lower mostly.

Here's my non-clinical test...
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q...-200to3200.jpg


"The other thing that just worries me a bit, and it is too early to tell, is that I'm not sure I like the idea of the sensor shaking off potential dust periodically. Just seems to me that something might loosen up or get damaged over time."


The K100D does not have a dust removal system. Sony and Olympus do, though. If you mean the shake reduction, it can't be any trickier than Canon's IS or Nikons VR system in the lens I would think.

Ah hah, you are correct on all three points. You are very convincing, sir. Next step, find a place that has all three cameras and give them a test run. I want to thank you so much for all of your help. I will post back as soon as I get to test these cameras. Thank you for all of your help indeed!

Well, by the time you turn it on, put it around you neck, and hold it to your eye - it's ready. So?

Yes, as I mentioned before, the buffer is limiting to long continuous shooting. Any other camera will be better for a string of more that 5 jpgs or 3 RAW.

The EV compensation is about 1/4 from the right side. You can check page 20 of the manual.

I forgot - the SR does not make it heavy. A fast lens will, though.


Well, good luck. I like the Pentax but if you choose something else I won't feel bad :-)

Same boat...well, close!!
 

I'm very curious where you are in this process. I also have been using an S2 IS for some time, and am really pleased with the pictures, exept for indoors and other low light opportunities. I'm not a complete novice, but I know I would find the dSLR's quite challenging. I picked up a D40 the other day, and really liked it. I wonder, would I really notice a big picture quality difference in these two cameras, all other things being equal? Also, I love the 12x zoom, what lens equivalent does that equate to?

I am STILL looking. Knowing me, its going to take a while. I'm pretty sure I will get a Canon. I don't like the unavailability of lenses with the D40, namely a fast 50mm prime with AF. To get 12X zoom on a 1.6 crop body (all cheap dSLR) you need about 300mm, give or take. The S2 IS is about 460mm equivalent, so do the math to be exact. Good luck on your search too!

you will notice a large difference in IQ stepping up to any DSLR.

the s2's focal range is 36-432mm, (12x zoom just means the shorted focal length X 12, in the S2's case 36x12=432), which is not possible in DSLR. the nikon 18-200VR is as close as you'll get to a quality 12x zoom with VR. there are sigma and tamron alterantives around the same focal range but not of the same quality.

The biggest difference you will see between a DSLR and the S2 IS is the depth of field. Compact digital cameras like the S2 IS have a big depth of field, cameras like an XTi/400D and D40 have a more shallow depth of field. Using this shallow depth of field to your advantage can make your photos better.

Another area where the DSLRs will be better is in noise on lower light situations.

Ths D40 is a cut down model, which misses things like exposure bracketing, mirror lock up, the internal "standard" Nikon AF motor, depth of field button. The XTi and Pentax K100D are more complete cameras.
To get the same zoom range as an S2 IS with image stabilization in the tele range to help you with camera shake, you could look at:
Canon XTi/400D with 70-300mm f4-5.6 IS USM lens, and a standard zoom range lens like the 18-55 kit lens, Sigma 17-70mm f2.8-4.5 lens, Sigma 18-50mm f2.8 EX DC Macro lens, Tamron 17-50 f2.8 Di II lens or Canon 17-85 f4-5.6 IS USM lens.

Nikon D40 with 70-300mm f4.5-5.6 VR lens and 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 kit lens, or Nikon 18-70 f3.5-5.6 kit lens. The other standard zoom lenses from 3dr party manufacturers will not focus on the D40.

Nikon D50 with above mentioned lenses, 3rd party lenses will AF on this camera.

Pentax K100D with Sigma 70-300 f4-5.6 APO DG Macro, with 18-55 kitlens, or the Sigmas and Tamron mentioned above, or the Pentax 16-45mm f4.

From these options the Canon with 70-300 IS will offer best IQ but is most expensive. The Pentax K100D with Sigma 70-300mm APO DG is the least expensive option with IS.

Canon S2 IS max. focal range: 432mm
Canon XTi + 70-300 max. focal range: 480mm
Pentax and Nikon + 70-300 max. focal range: 450mm