DSLR or No DSLR

[phifer8390]

So my wife mentioned getting a new camera to me the other day. I am deployed and she went to our nease's graduation and said she could not get any photos that looked good. I am sure it was the settings on the thing. She is not so tech savvy like me, but it is an excuse to get a new camera she won't be all that great with either. But anyways she saw a Pentax DSLR camera on QVC and "all the pictures looked great." So I started looking into them and they seem to be really good; ok priced DSLR's. Plus I like the fact all there lenses work on all their cameras. I would like all the professional opinions out there. BTW the camera I have now is an Olympus 570UZ. She saw the Pentax K20D and while reading about it I also started reading about the Pentax K-7. While that is $500 more for the body plus a lense I also like to have the latest and the greatest. Then again I could put that money towards another lens for the K20D. Thanks

[Rooz]

i prefer nikon and canon to pentax personally but the k7 looks pretty damn good on paper. not aware of any in depth review of it anywhere though so you're going in a little blind.

[phifer8390]

Engadget has linked several reviews to the camera. Link below

http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/01/p...eview-roundup/

[David Metsky]

Latest and greatest won't guarantee good photos. What was wrong with the shots she took with the 570? Can you post some of those? Getting lenses for a DSLR that covers the range of the ultrazoom will be expensive.

[jcon]

LOL... ofcourse all the pictures are going to look good on QVC, thats what they do. Look at Canon and Nikon if you really want to go DSLR, but if your wife isnt tech savvy and cant get decent pictures with a point and shoot, it will take some time for her to figure out a DSLR.

[phifer8390]

LOL... ofcourse all the pictures are going to look good on QVC, thats what they do. Look at Canon and Nikon if you really want to go DSLR, but if your wife isnt tech savvy and cant get decent pictures with a point and shoot, it will take some time for her to figure out a DSLR.

I understand that. Like i said it is just an excuse for me to upgrade. I don't expect her to figure it out. We have a 10mp simple point and shoot also, but for some reason she did not take it with her. Also I have looked at a few nikon's but I really like the fact that the Pentax cameras are so weatherproofed and some of the other features. The dust detection and shake removal are 2 examples.

About what was wrong the the 570uz's shots I have no idea. She is not tech savvy like I said before so she is just going to say they did not turn out good. I am sure she just had it on the auto setting and never messed with it again.

[Spookonthe8ball]

Using any dslr requires thinking about the settings. Sure you can turn it to auto and fire away, but to get nice quality pictures one needs to learn photography. Most posters on here that have really nice work are also skilled in post processing software. That is a area that many of us are continually working on.
I am a hobbiest at best and most pics I take could be done just as well with a quality point & shoot. However, I use a dslr for higher iso and the ability for bulb, plus much faster frame rates if the situation calls for that. Not to mention the ability to use the vast assortment of filters,flashes & other gadgets. Nikon & Canon have the most accessories,lens assortment ect.. Super work comes out of all the brands out there because of the photographer, not the machine.
Spook

[jcon]

I understand that. Like i said it is just an excuse for me to upgrade. I don't expect her to figure it out. We have a 10mp simple point and shoot also, but for some reason she did not take it with her. Also I have looked at a few nikon's but I really like the fact that the Pentax cameras are so weatherproofed and some of the other features. The dust detection and shake removal are 2 examples.

Overrated, just like megapixels. Most DSLRs are weatherproofed, and can withstand alot.

Nikon and Canon will offer you ALOT more lens options than the Pentax. Not to mention better glass.

[Rooz]

olympus also has great weathersealing and in-body IS aswell so that could be an option for you aswell.