Which budget Ditigal SLR? Pentax, Nikon or Canon

EvilMonkey

It is a little limited as it only compares specific specs, but there's that exact feature on https://www.dpreview.com See HERE for the 2 you want to look at.

But looking down the list, you could make a case for either of them.

Pentax has a higher top ISO (3200 vs the nikons 1600) but the pentax has limited flash modes (no rear sync!)

Pentax has a better LCD (more pixels in it), but nikon has an orientation sensor (REALLY useful, as it can take me hours just to re-adjust them manually after a big (200-500 shots) session)

Pentax takes AA batteries (cheap as chips and as common as muck) but has no RAW format for the pics.

So again, (I'm afraid) it's back to you to weight these factors with your own importance (IE I'll never use raw format, but the AA battery things ace so a big tick in the box for pentax on that one, or the reverse...)

Now you're down to 2, it really is time to get the reviews, highlight all the good and bad things, list them out and weight them with importance to you...

Fight on Pin, you'll get there soon!!!

E.M.

pin

Cheers for that Evil. I did actually find a couple of other comparison charts. It seems they have both got their pros and cons (surprise surprise there).

On the picture front, the Pentax does actually support RAW, don't know why they have excluded that from their comparison chart.

I'm going to make a trip down to Jessops today and have yet another play with them.

I know some people may find this a bit crazy (i.e. having such a big dilema), but that's just me!! Also it is a £500 investment, and I'm hoping to buy the camera to last for a fair few years.

On the price side the cameras are pretty much the same. Cheapest so far (in stock) is with Dixons. After various discounts the Nikon is £539 and the Pentax is £537.

However I have found that Internet Camera's direct is selling the Pentax for £517 with 2 year warranty. With the £100 redemption from Pentax and the 2% I will get from Rpoints and Conran the price is £407. Only problem is that delivery is stated as 2 - 8 days and the Pentax redemption runs out on 31 July!! For that price (£407) I would be probably looking at buying the Pentax.

pin

OK, an update.

Had a third play with the cameras. Nikon D50 feels the best to hold. Pentax also feels fine, but Nikon feels better. However if I can get the Pentax at £407 I think that's a steal. No-one in town was willing to match the £517 though.

Had a try with the battery grip on the Canon. Did make a difference, but even then the camera didn't feel right (also the grip will put the price up by an extra £100).

Dixons had an ex-display Nikon D70 wth a 28-80mm lens and were willing to do that for £550.

Jessops are doing the D50 kit for £600 with 5 years warranty (parts and labour). They would be willing to price match down to £550 and still include the 5 year warranty.

Again, over to you guys...

Rave

Sorry to go AWOL from your thread pin. Alas I cannot help you further because it's too long since I left the business and I have no direct experience of the *ist or D50- although if I'm right in thinking that the D50 is just a D70 in a cheaper package then the deal Dixons are offering you does look like a good one.

cadboll

Hi!

Nothing like coming late to a discussion!!

I am a Nikon D70 owner! Very pleased with the camera to date. Had toyed with going for the Canon 10D, but stuck with Nikon due to good reviews and other people that have used it.

I would guess that the Nikon D50 is probably very similar to the D70 but with a number of software features 'disabled'. I have hadn't experience with the other brand mentioned Pentax. If it were me I would probably go with the more established brand.

At the end of the day the choice is yours. It comes down to how the camera feels in your hand, and what exactly you need the camera to do.

You mentioned the ex-display Nikon D70 with a 28-80mm - sounds good, but a 17-55mm lens would be better.

Hope this helps.

pin

(warning this is a bit long)

Was going to post an update anyway!! Here is the situation as it stands. I've been uming and ahing and deliberating for a few days now. I have hit all the forums on steve's digicams, dpreview and dcresource to name a few. I have been swinging to and fro between the Nikon and the Pentax, leaning towards the Pentax. I guess the main reason was because of the viewfinder and slightly because of the AA battery thing. Also I would like to support the smaller manufacturer (sp?). A con for the Nikon was no backlight on the LCD (what's that about, I know its a stripped down camera, but I'm sure it doesn't cost that much to put in a backlight).

Both cameras have their pros and cons, and both are nice pieces of kit. I have played around with both now a few times. The Nikon feels the nicest, but just. The Canon 350D does not feel anyway as good as the Nikon and the Pentax.

In terms of cost I have found a dealer offering the Pentax after the £100 discount for £495. The same dealer is offering the Nikon for £529. Both are with 1 year warranty.

Went into Jessops near work. They will price match the Nikon and include a 5 year parts and labour warranty. However they will only discount the Pentax up to £577 (after discount) ad with a 1 year warranty.

After much deliberation I've opted for the Nikon. Basically (well it gets complicated!) if I buy the Pentax via the dealer total cost will be £495 with my Nationwide card (extra year warranty). If I buy the Nikon from Jessops I will get it for £524 (because I will be able to pay with my Conran card giving me a 1% extra off - don't need Nationwide because Jessops are giving 5 year warranty).

That is a £29 difference. For the extra three years warranty and the better feel of the Nikon, I've opted for the Nikon.

Another reason for the Nikon is that it is a bigger company (hate to go this way). I'll be buying lenses and other kit and I think there is a better chance Nikon will be in the DSLR game for longer. Pentax is a good player, but it is way, way smaller compared to Nikon (and Canon). In terms of future upgradability I think Nikon will be better.

Still have not bought the camera, as Jessops only have it in silver and I want it in black (fickle I know!!) Now get this for customer service: the very cute lady at Jessops has offered to pick up a black one from a Jessops near where she lives on her way to work tomorrow.

Once again, many thanks for all the help and suggestions in choosing the camera. I'm still open for suggestions if you guys dispute what I have said above.

Now my next thing is to buy a new laptop, where do I start with that........

Rave

Haha pin- which Jessops did you go to then? Just wondering if I know the cute lady in question:p. I used to work in one of the Bromley stores.

Edit: I agree with your decision BTW- getting lenses for Nikons will likely work out much cheaper and easier in the long run, especially if you buy more expensive/esoteric ones.

pin

Rave wrote:

Haha pin- which Jessops did you go to then? Just wondering if I know the cute lady in question:p. I used to work in one of the Bromley stores.

I reveal nothing! That way you will know where I work...

pin

Update. The rather cute lady forgot the camera at home yesterday. Anyway have finally picked it up today, eventually!!

Will play with it tonight and over the weekend. Once again, many, many thanks for all the help.

Also slight heads up on prices:

Just a head's up on the pricing of the Canon, Nikon and Pentax. You can get them for about £520 at present from Currys. There is a £50 off £500 spend at present and throw in the 5% Rpoints, GreasyPalm discount - the Nikon and Canon come to c.£522 and the Pentax will come to £518 (after you claim back the £100 rebate from Pentax).

I have still stuck with Jessops because of the 5 year warranty.

I do have one more question to ask, sorry!!

Jessops are offering a "plus" guarantee on top of the standard parts an labour one. The upgrade is for three years and it covers accidental damage and has international cover (no excess). The normal price claims to be £65 and they are offering it for £44. Worth it, or a bit of a rip off?

Rave

You could probably add it to your home contents insurance for less. If it's the same product I used to sell then the cover is actually provided through a third party and you go through them if the camera is damaged- although in three years of working there I can't remember any customer complaints so I assume they got their cameras fixed or replaced with no problems. AFAIK though it doesn't include cover against it being lost or stolen, so I can't really see the point.