I've been searching for a good and cheap dslr for my daughter who is starting to be drawn into photography and came across two models which conform to my 2 qualifications - the Nikon d40 and Pentax k100d. The units have a little over $70 difference, but the price difference is, for me, negligible. I've read reviews about both cameras but haven't reached a conclusion until now which brings me to asking you guys which would be the better unit in terms of performance and practicality (in the long run). Thanks!

* I have posted the same topic on the Nikon thread. My apologies for the duplication.

Practicality on the long run, get the Nikon D40. You will not regret it. :Grin:

By the way, Maxtage, we only use real names here unless your name is Max Tage? Hehe. You can PM Mr. Nino Carandang to change your handle.

It would have been easier too if you posted your question at the General Digital Photography Forum and not at the Pentax and Nikon forums at the same time hehe.

I've been searching for a good and cheap dslr for my daughter who is starting to be drawn into photography and came across two models which conform to my 2 qualifications - the Nikon d40 and Pentax k100d. The units have a little over $70 difference, but the price difference is, for me, negligible. I've read reviews about both cameras but haven't reached a conclusion until now which brings me to asking you guys which would be the better unit in terms of performance and practicality (in the long run). Thanks!

* I have posted the same topic on the Nikon thread. My apologies for the duplication.

hi. get the k100d for your daughter. it has in-body SR function, and is easy to use. its also easy to navigate/switch focusing points while shooting. take her to sanly cubao and try it out. you can even have your shots printed at once. look for lovely at the counter or better yet, look for willy tan, the owner.

joey

Hello Max(?),

First off, I have extensive experience with both brands, although my signature does not reflect it, I have used and loved these Nikons (F F2 F3 FM FE2 FM2/T FM10 FG D70s D80) in the outfits I have worked with or for (I am not sure if how many Nikon users can make a claim that they have extensive experience with Pentax). Both cameras-the D40 & the K100D-are fine cameras which by themselves would be more than adequate for someone starting into photography. But since your asking someone from the Pentax universe, the natural reply would be the K100D (I figure in the Nikon thread you would get a lot of D40 cheerleaders).

The primary concern -- the long run -- is a consideration: if this is the camera your daughter will ever have, the K100D has little features built-in: higher ISO (3200 vs 1600), more AE/focus points (11 vs 3), built-in anti-shake system (vs. Nikon's on lens VR system), which would give it a little more staying power. However, if it is a step to something else, both brands are fair game. Nikon has "smaller" steps in its model line up: D40 D40x D80 D200 as compared to Pentax which leaps from the K100D (D40 equiv) to the K10D (D200 equiv). In fact, to throw things into a loop, I would probably put the D40 closer to the K110D (which is not available in the Philippine market; Europe, I think...its the K100D without the anti-shake feature). Of course the pricing is also different.

Operating in the Nikon universe, my instinct is to nudge you towards the D80 (which I recently did when I friend asked my advice on what Nikon to buy) because of the "long run." I anticipated my friend growing into photography beyond what the D40 can provide him. On the other hand, I quite pleased with my *istDS (the K100D's predecessor) having no compulsion to upgrade yet (I still love film and there is this rumor of a "K1D"...).

I do not know your location, but assuming you're here in the Philippines, Pentax has a robust support/service care of Sanly the local authorized Pentax dealer. It is also compatible with all K-Mount lenses made since 1975 and earlier screwmount (M42s) lenses with adapter which Nikon cannot exactly claim (unless for the D200). Pentax lenses are not underperformers either. Check EBay and you would find adapters to mount a Pentax lenses into other brand's camera bodies, but it is rare to find of adapters to crossmount a Canon or Nikon lens.

Buying into a brand means buying into a system, where the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Both Nikon and Pentax has each a universe of its own, so consider the accessories and the lenses each has to offer.

Bong

Bong,

The D40 also has ISO3200 hehe. :D

Bong,

The D40 also has ISO3200 hehe. :D

Oh...dated information; originally it didn't. I suppose the firmware was upgraded.

Bong :BlackEye:

I was in a very difficult situation deciding between the K10D and the D80 earlier in the year, but in the end I went for the K10D!

A few major criteria in my decision:
(1) service, service, service - i've heard too many complaints in the C & N camps! I've used Sanly's and Supereast Asia's service and am more than satisfied;
(b) Features - Pentax has simply more bang for the buck (that's probably why the K10D is being compared to the D200 and 30D and not the D80 and 400D);
(c) My Pentax M and A lenses from the 80's!

Recently took the K10D with me to ElNido, shot low-light and seashore pics - the SR and weather-sealed body confirmed that I made the right decision.

BTW, i'm happy with out-of-the-cam jpegs (the dpreview issue is a non-issue imho) - though the "raw" button is really handy for difficult lighting. Unlike my DS, i shoot lots in jpeg now with the K10D.

Happy K10D camper here...

Cheers!

Practicality on the long run, get the Nikon D40. You will not regret it. :Grin:
use your judgement properly, research on the internet,ask friends, and define your goals in photography

Read:

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/read_opinion_text.asp?prodkey=pentax_k100d&opinion=35931

Read:

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/read_opinion_text.asp?prodkey=pentax_k100d&opinion=35931 (http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/read_opinion_text.asp?prodkey=pentax_k100d&opinion=35931)

Grabeng review yan ha

the k100d with kit lens 18-55 is a hard deal to beat. at present, it is 549.00 at B&H. I'm not sre which deal would be better after shipping to the philippines or buying at Sanly.

so many features can be compared between the 2, but the one feature the k100 has over the d40/x is "SR". the k100d offers in camera shake reduction which allows for more photo ops in low light.

the k100 build quality is top notch and feels more solid. I played with the d40 and d40x while at PMA this last march, and feel that the k100 is just more robust and better built.

this is all subjective, and nikon users will tell you to get the d40/x so it is all up to you. test each camera out. the drawback with the d40/x is that it can only use AF-s lenses for AF. earlier AF lenses can only be used manually on the d40 line.

best wishes

By the way, Maxtage, we only use real names here unless your name is Max Tage? Hehe. You can PM Mr. Nino Carandang to change your handle.

It would have been easier too if you posted your question at the General Digital Photography Forum and not at the Pentax and Nikon forums at the same time hehe.

Hi! My real name is really Max Tage (pronounced Tag-e). :)

Sorry for posting the same message on 2 forums - I just joined this website for my daughter.

Thanks for all your replies! I'll let my daughter read them one by one. She knows photography more than me.

BTW, how much is the k100d in Sanly's? The best deal I saw online was a little less than $450.

Thanks for all your replies! I'll let my daughter read them one by one. She knows photography more than me.

BTW, how much is the k100d in Sanly's? The best deal I saw online was a little less than $450.

do check http://www,resellerratings.com (http://www,resellerratings.com/) first before committing your money to an online site. there are a lot of frauds out there.

but don't be put off also. there are also honest dealers out there, the most famous i guess, is B&H. my cousin buys his video and lighting equipment there often.

i think the K100D clocks in somewhere at 30K up, though i can't verify that since it's been a long time since i weighed my options (either the K100D, K10D, D80, or 30D - K10D winning out).

i suggest that you not only have your daughter read reviews and comments, but also hold the cameras and get a feel for them, as well as try them. it helps a whole lot, believe me. you just have to ask the store owners nicely. good luck to you two! ;)

Thanks for all your replies! I'll let my daughter read them one by one. She knows photography more than me.

BTW, how much is the k100d in Sanly's? The best deal I saw online was a little less than $450.

So are you here in the Philippines? Somewhere else Vincent Locsin posted the price at P37k (that's with the SMCP DA 18-55). There's a thread in FOTO CAFE regarding buying "gray" because that makes warranty claims difficult (although a lot of my stuff is "gray" -- bought outside the "authorized" channels, i.e., the dealer ... in this case, Sanly).

Bong

Saw the price on the Beach Photo website (I think). k100d is priced a little over 20k pesos! Huge price difference! I am currently in the country but could easily buy from the US and have a relative bring it here. BTW, if the warranty is under Pentax USA, will it be honored here?

Saw the price on the Beach Photo website (I think). k100d is priced a little over 20k pesos! Huge price difference! I am currently in the country but could easily buy from the US and have a relative bring it here. BTW, if the warranty is under Pentax USA, will it be honored here?

Probably not. Ask Sanly anyway (912-0640 look for Leonard); definitely they would still service your unit anyway but maybe not under warranty. I got my *istDS through that same route (c/o Samy's in California) and so far it is over two years old and happily working well.

Bong

Saw the price on the Beach Photo website (I think). k100d is priced a little over 20k pesos! Huge price difference! I am currently in the country but could easily buy from the US and have a relative bring it here. BTW, if the warranty is under Pentax USA, will it be honored here?

unfortunately, international warranties are not honored here. :(

Here's an interesting bit from Herbert Keppler of Popular Photography magazine (K1000's digital successor?):

http://keppler.popphoto.com/blog/2007/05/inside_straight.html

@marlon, *
OT: based on the article on the link, are there really plans of releasing/producing K100D2 model?

There is a hint of 2 new models coming out this year but that's assuming Hoya does not kill Pentax Imaging... :(

@Bong
so if ever, there's a possibility that the prices of K10D and K100D will go down... hmmm... :Thinking:

Maybe not. The unverified leaks (rumors) was that these two models are not replacing the K10D or K100D but are either higher and lower end. So in another forum (PDML) everyone is kidding about the K1D (higher model than K10D) and the K1000D (lower than the K100D...but that's the K110D already) or an in between model (K11D? K20D?) ... ah basta!

Just my whimsical guessing ...

Bong :D

Totie - Don't know really what Pentax's plans are - I guess Keppler was just making a suggestion that there's a place for a "basic" Pentax DSLR now, like there was one for the K1000 in the 70's. I quite agree with him - a no-frills 6-8MP Pentax, with SR, and just Hyper-Program and Hyper-Manual modes, would be a great walkabout buddy as well as backup to the likes of the K10D.
Cheers!

@Bong, Marlon
thanks for some clarifications! :)

i asked 'cause i wanted to know if the price trend would go down on the next couple of months as i'm bent on getting the K100D (probably after settling the last CC payment of an appliance i purchased) as an upgrade to my Canon S3IS...

and besides i also got confused of this article;


Model name (tentative): PENTAX 645 Digital
Product information:

Kodak-developed extra-large CCD image sensor with 31.6 total megapixels (tentative
Compatibility with existing smc PENTAX 645 interchangeable lenses
A pair of storage-media slots for the loading of an SD memory card and a CompactFlash card
Market launch schedule to be announced at a later date
from this url, http://www.pentaximaging.com/footer/news_media_article?ArticleId=9590557

Looks like my daughter liked the k100d. Saw it in a local store, selling at 37,900 with 1gb SD card, bag, and 100 free prints (if I remember correctly).

Another question: what brand/kind SD cards do you recommend for the camera?

Thanks guys!

Sandisk or Ridata are top of the line choices. Especially the really fast ones (except I don't really know how "fast" is "fast" these days as the definition of "fast" changes really "fast"...). Otherwise, I found myself buying a P1,000 1GB Kingston recently because of necessity.

I mentioned in another thread that the write buffer of the K100D is not as big as the *istDS which means that a really fast SD card is highly recommended. Ridata seems readily available but be ready to shell out more than P1k.

Bong

@Bong, Marlon
thanks for some clarifications! :)

i asked 'cause i wanted to know if the price trend would go down on the next couple of months as i'm bent on getting the K100D (probably after settling the last CC payment of an appliance i purchased) as an upgrade to my Canon S3IS...

and besides i also got confused of this article;

[/list]from this url, http://www.pentaximaging.com/footer/news_media_article?ArticleId=9590557

Hehe Totie,

I didn't see that you were already posting here. :)

The 645D is a medium format camera which is different from a DSLR so it won't affect DSLR prices (if Pentax would release it).

Looks like my daughter liked the k100d. Saw it in a local store, selling at 37,900 with 1gb SD card, bag, and 100 free prints (if I remember correctly).

Another question: what brand/kind SD cards do you recommend for the camera?

Thanks guys!
The Transcend ones are great. A 2GB 150x card costs around P1,600 in some Gilmore computer shops.

Looks like my daughter liked the k100d. Saw it in a local store, selling at 37,900 with 1gb SD card, bag, and 100 free prints (if I remember correctly).

Another question: what brand/kind SD cards do you recommend for the camera?

Thanks guys!

i guess you're referring to pentax showroom (sanly)... according to them you can get the 1GB SD card provided that you add P900...
they're only giving the 512MB 60x on their package...


Hehe Totie,

I didn't see that you were already posting here. :)

The 645D is a medium format camera which is different from a DSLR so it won't affect DSLR prices (if Pentax would release it).

hehehe... remember why i asked some info regarding K100D from you a few days back? :)

I got a 2GB Ridata (that's 2GB) SD from V-Mall at Greenhills for a little over P1K (I think it was about P1,100).
Cheers!

I got a 2GB Ridata (that's 2GB) SD from V-Mall at Greenhills for a little over P1K (I think it was about P1,100).
Cheers!
HAVE YOU READ THE THREAD ABOUT RIDATA IN THE ACCESSORIES FORUM?

so we finally got the k100d... :) my daughter's very happy so far! what kind of batteries would you experts recommend? TIA.

Even the P250 4pcs CDR King 2400mAh will work fine :D

For me I'll use the Energizer Rechargeable and Energizer Lithium they are more reliable

so we finally got the k100d... :) my daughter's very happy so far! what kind of batteries would you experts recommend? TIA.

Hi Max! Congratulations! :Grin:

Randall's suggestion with rechargeables are okay. I usually switch to lithiums (which usually last longer) whenever there's a shoot where I rather not worry about having to change batteries mid-way. In between those, I use my Ni-Mh's.

Bong

Saw the price on the Beach Photo website (I think). k100d is priced a little over 20k pesos! Huge price difference! I am currently in the country but could easily buy from the US and have a relative bring it here. BTW, if the warranty is under Pentax USA, will it be honored here?

Sir Max,

Do check the www.pentax.com (http://www.pentax.com). There are two i think stores here in the Philippines that honours international warranty. I think it's era-radio and one from cebu.

Kenneth