Nikon D5000 or Pentax k-x

[crackers2010]

does anyone like one better over the other? I'm an extreme beginner, never owned an SLR before.

Pentax k-x scares me because i've heard the in body stabilization is actually not very good. Wondering if i would rather have lens stabilization over in body stabilization? Also a downside to the pentax k-x that I've read about is that it lacks some AF point? or something that tells you you are in focus. Will i need this?

Also others have turned me off from the Nikon D5000 because it lacks and internal motor. But i've heard most lens come with motors so not sure if this is really a problem? I've also heard that the nikon D5000 on the screen when you view your pictures, that they are soft and hard to tell if you got your shot.

any help and advice you can give would be great. These cameras run around 500-600 dollars. I would be willing to spend 800 though if you could recommend something in that price range that may blow these two way out of the water.

thanks !

 

[KmH]

Pentax k-x scares me because i've heard the in body stabilization is actually not very good. Wondering if i would rather have lens stabilization over in body stabilization?

The issue is that if the in-body stabilization fails, you have none. If in-the-len stabilization fails, you moint a different lens. In-body stabilization generally cannot make corrections as large as in-the-lens systems. Most people do not properly use image stabilization systems. They are not intended to be used all the time.

Also a downside to the pentax k-x that I've read about is that it lacks some AF point? or something that tells you you are in focus. Will i need this?

You need AF points. The more you have the more accurately the camera can focus. The K-X has 11 focus points and 9 of them are cross type focus points. K-x Olive Green - Official PENTAX Imaging Web Site See the section labeled - Focus System:

The D5000 also has 11 focus points, 1 of them a cross type focus point.

Scroll down to Autofocus System D5000 from Nikon

Also others have turned me off from the Nikon D5000 because it lacks and internal motor. But i've heard most lens come with motors so not sure if this is really a problem? I've also heard that the nikon D5000 on the screen when you view your pictures, that they are soft and hard to tell if you got your shot.

You are correct that most of the lenses you will want have a focus motor in them. Those lenses are designted AF-S.

The little LCD screens on the back of cameras are only useful for checking the framing and zooming into a shot to check the focus of photo's. None of them are useful for making sure the photo is exposed properly.

If you can afford $800, I would recomment a refurbished Nikon D90 over the D5000.

The Pentax K-X is also a good camera.

 

[aleshaabbot]

I have a D5000 it is fantastically easy to use. I know nothing of the Pentax k-x so I had say Nikon. Well I use my D5000 for aspect, portraits and anything else. Its a great little piece of kit!

 

[FattyMcJ]

does anyone like one better over the other? I'm an extreme beginner, never owned an SLR before.

Pentax k-x scares me because i've heard the in body stabilization is actually not very good. Wondering if i would rather have lens stabilization over in body stabilization? Also a downside to the pentax k-x that I've read about is that it lacks some AF point? or something that tells you you are in focus. Will i need this?

Also others have turned me off from the Nikon D5000 because it lacks and internal motor. But i've heard most lens come with motors so not sure if this is really a problem? I've also heard that the nikon D5000 on the screen when you view your pictures, that they are soft and hard to tell if you got your shot.

any help and advice you can give would be great. These cameras run around 500-600 dollars. I would be willing to spend 800 though if you could recommend something in that price range that may blow these two way out of the water.

Still having my Pentax K-x and having just bought a Nikon D300s I can safely say the K-x is a fantastic starter DSLR. However, it will only get you so far. The only upgrade is the Pentax K-5 that was just released (still an APS-C sensor). Early reviews say it's IQ is phenomenal, but DxO has yet to test it.

The plus to Pentax is the plethora of available OLD/cheap lenses...IF you don't mind manually focusing. You can get a full kit of OLD glass to go with your K-x for less than $200. The IQ from the glass will be quite good, not "pro" but good enough for a beginner. The high-ISO image quality is a definite plus, being able to forgo a flash in favor of a more candid shot inside in the evening while your child is playing is always a good thing.

But...

Pentax is not for anyone that wants to shoot "pro", even down the road. The K-5 and the previous K20D are being used by pros in a few fashion magazines, but they're rare to say the least. Pentax refuses to support the pro market in both after-purchase support and product development, so that's something to consider. If you don't mind being without your camera for a month or more while it's getting cleaned or repaired, then that's no issue. But if you'll need the work done quickly, write Pentax off.

One MAJOR issue I had with the K-x is the lack of accessories for it. No battery grip was the one I wanted. No PC-sync jack, no microphone jack, nadda. It's just a basic entry-level DSLR.

The in-body image stabilization IS handy, can't lie about that. Being able to get a crisp shot at f/5.6 and 1/30th inside, under tungsten light is a nice bonus...but it's not a fail-safe. There HAVE been issues with the IS system, which I won't go into. PentaxForums.com is a good resource for reading up on their bodies and lenses.

As far as the AF point lacking...it's not actually lacking anything with regard to practical use of the AF system. It's quick enough, and accurate. But what the K-x lacks is the AF point ILLUMINATION in the VIEWFINDER. You can't SEE which AF point is being used unless you look at the back LCD screen. Honestly, when I used my K-x it wasn't an issue. Use the center point exclusively and the "focus/recompose" technique and you won't know what you're missing. If you have, however, used a DSLR that DOES have AF point illumination...it will be a bummer. The new K-r fixes this issue with having visible AF points, a better rear LCD, and other upgrades that may or may not be worth the extra $300-$400 to you.

Like KMH said, if you can swing it...go for the D90. Internal focus motor, visible AF points, great high-ISO image quality, larger body, better rear LCD+top LCD, a few more external controls, and plenty of accessories for it.

My $0.02, take it with a grain of salt.