Wanting to buy new camera gear

[Birdy21]

Hi, I would appreciate any thoughts on these two cameras. The Pentax K3 and the Nikon 7100 . I am ready to buy a camera and have researched online and find that I am down to these two. My expertise in digital is very limited so would appreciate some advise.
Thanks Wendy

[Cage]

Hi Wendy.

They are both excellent cameras.

I've had a Pentax K20D and a K5 and liked them both. However I wanted some future proofing, and I didn't feel that Pentax, with it's change of owners, was offering me that as I was wanting to move to full frame.

I've switched to Nikon, first with a D600, and recently to the D800 and I couldn't be happier.

PS: Check your other thread. There is nothing to fear with digital.

[davsv1]

Hi Wendy,

I think one of the most important things is to go to a shop and try both cameras and see how they feel in your hands, nothing worse than a camera that is awkward to use.

Output wise most are pretty equal these days.

[Birdy21]

Thank you, David and Kev for your advice.
Cheers wendy

[ricktas]

You mention elsewhere that you already have a Pentax, do you have a flash, many lenses etc? Cause you may be able to save some money, sticking to the brand you have, cause your accessories (lenses, flash, etc) will fit on the K3. Whereas if you swap to Nikon, you will have to buy new ones. All depends on your budget too. If you want to swap, the D7100 is a good bit of kit, but then so are most cameras these days. There really is not a lemon from any of the brands in the DSLR ranges.

[Birdy21]

Thanks Rick. I did own a Pentax K 10 D and lens and flash and sold them all quite some time. So I am starting from scratch.
Cheers Wendy

[Hawthy]

For my entry to DSLR photography, I bought a Pentax K100D Super (circa 2008) that I gave to my daughter a couple of years ago. I then had a hiatus from photography. After a year or so, I wanted to get back into DSLR photography and bought a refurbished Nikon D5100 from an online auction site (I am canny with my dollars - or tight if you ask the wife). Sure. the D5100 is a newer camera than the K100D but I just find the Nikon so much more user-friendly. Finding my way around the menus seems to be more, I don't know, just sensible. Maybe more easily interpreted or something. I think that cameras are so close in quality these days that it comes down to what feels good in your hands and what is the easiest for you to navigate.

[Birdy21]

Thanks everyone, I have made my mind up and going with the Nikon 7100. But as for a lens to start with well have not quite decided. I have had some good advice on the Nikon section of this forum so just mulling over that.
Cheers Wendy