Which one to get? Pentax k200d or Canon rebel xs

[Essence89]

Pentax k200d or Canon rebel xs ???

well I am a newbie just starting with photography and i was wondering based on the price and functionality, which one of the two should I buy to start with?

I read some reviews and both seems to be good camera so im turning to RFD for help =D

thanks

[MikeAK]

I recommend going and holding both in your hands to help with your decision. My personal preference over all other camera makers is Canon with Nikon a very close second. http://www.cameralabs.com/ ... head over to camera labs and check out the video tours of both the Xs and 200d to help.
I've never owned a Pentax so I can't comment on their cameras but I have owned a few Canon cams and will never buy another brand as long as I live, everyone has their brand but one thing most people can agree on is that Canon is one of the big hitters when it comes to DSLR's.

[Oni-kun]

I'd go with the Canon. Simply because of greater range of lenses and its much easier to find second hand lenses and accessories because its more popular

[Blackmajik]

Also think about the future. You may be buying accessories for your DSLR now but once you are thinking of upgrading the body, the accessories you purchased for your Pentax will not work on a Canon body or other manufacturers for example.

[frogger]

The Pentax is a fuller featured camera (anti-shake, weather sealed) but which one feels better in your hands? Don't buy without trying each one out in a store.

[MikeAK]

The Pentax is a fuller featured camera (anti-shake, weather sealed) but which one feels better in your hands? Don't buy without trying each one out in a store.

Canon chooses to to place the "anti-shake" feature in their lenses rather then the body so that really is a non factor. Nikon does this also. Whether the the better build is worth more then what others have said about finding second hand accessories easier with Canon is an interesting question. I'd rather take the Canon and save myself the stress of trying to find second hand Pentax equipment later on down the road. Also look at the re-sell value of Canon and Pentax, if you decide that Photography is not your thing and want to salvage some of your money back then you'll have a much better chance at getting a good portion of your money back with a Canon.

[KorruptioN]

The Rebel will support a larger aftermarket base, but that's not saying the Pentax is lackluster in any way. They have some items that the other guys don't have. Play with both and see how they feel in your hands.

Also, check out Sony's A200 (found as cheap as $379).

[frogger]

Good glass on any system tends to keep its value pretty well. "Stress" in finding used equipment for systems other than Canon/Nikon, thats a bit of a stretch. There is less of it but its not difficult to find. Cheap entry level bodies and kit lenses tend to lose their value fairly quickly.

I find in-body anti-shake from Sony/Olympus/Pentax quite useful because it has an effect on all lenses, including primes. It also keeps the pricing of their lenses down.

Where Canon and Nikon have the edge over the other players IMO is the professional level equipment and service. If you're not going to be buying $2000 bodies and multiple $1000+ lenses, any brand will do you justice.


Canon chooses to to place the "anti-shake" feature in their lenses rather then the body so that really is a non factor. Nikon does this also. Whether the the better build is worth more then what others have said about finding second hand accessories easier with Canon is an interesting question. I'd rather take the Canon and save myself the stress of trying to find second hand Pentax equipment later on down the road. Also look at the re-sell value of Canon and Pentax, if you decide that Photography is not your thing and want to salvage some of your money back then you'll have a much better chance at getting a good portion of your money back with a Canon.

[MikeAK]

There is a reason why Nikon and Canon have been the leading camera sellers the last 20 years and it isn't because of their professional series. It goes much deeper then build quality as well, their processors and converters have always been better then the rest no matter what brand you compare then to.
I wasn't saying Pentax isn't a good brand because I know they are, they've been around too long not to be but I was just simply pointing out that Canon has a much larger hold on the market meaning easier to find used products as well as re-sale value if the OP decides photography isn't for him.

...and I still stand by my "stress" comment when it comes to finding and selling Pentax, most people when given the choice will buy Canon over Pentax every time just simply by reputation alone, more people know the name Canon then they do Pentax.

[slomo]

How do you vet out used lenses that are not up to par though?

I read posts where people found that that the lens that they thought was good and past warranty period and it turned out that it was not as sharp as their friend's copy and now they decide to sell it and use the money to buy the same thing until they found a sharp one. :-0

[CanadaBoy]

i just ordered myself a pentax k200d. i had the choice to get the canon, but i decided that the canon would truly be the better option. for one, the pentax will accept any pentax lens ever made (and k-mount). it will also accept any screw mount lens with a simple 20 dollar adapter.

sure, a lot of the older lenses are fully manual.. but many great quality lenses can be had for cheap :)

also the full-weather sealing sounds great. and theres always the feeling of superiority you get by supporting a lesser-known brand/underdog

[frogger]

How do you vet out used lenses that are not up to par though?

I read posts where people found that that the lens that they thought was good and past warranty period and it turned out that it was not as sharp as their friend's copy and now they decide to sell it and use the money to buy the same thing until they found a sharp one. :-0

If you're concerned try to buy one with warranty left over from a mfg that allows warranty transfer. I tend to stick with ones on user forums where people have posted previously about being happy with a lens then end up selling later on due to upgrades or lack of use.

[Essence89]

thanks for all the input guys....

each has its advantage is just what i want i guess...but i still dont no which to get...

should i go for the weather proof + a bit more functions..

or live view and lighter body...

arg tough..

[KorruptioN]

thanks for all the input guys....

each has its advantage is just what i want i guess...but i still dont no which to get...

should i go for the weather proof + a bit more functions..

or live view and lighter body...

arg tough..

See how functional the live-view is. It's not very fast (ie: not very practical).

[Kasakato]

thanks for all the input guys....

each has its advantage is just what i want i guess...but i still dont no which to get...

should i go for the weather proof + a bit more functions..

or live view and lighter body...

arg tough..

I just tried LV with the D90...its pointless. Its slow to refresh, slow to focus, and not the best quality. Weather proofing is a much better option, nothing like shooting in the snow.

[slomo]

thanks for all the input guys....

each has its advantage is just what i want i guess...but i still dont no which to get...

should i go for the weather proof + a bit more functions..

or live view and lighter body...

arg tough..

Welcome to the club. ;) All camera purchases are trade off of one thing for another.

BTW, live view using contrast detect Auto Focus is quite fast as it does not have to do mirror down/mirror up dance of phase detect AF before exposing. The catch is both lens and body have to be CDAF capable.

[CanadaBoy]

thanks for all the input guys....

each has its advantage is just what i want i guess...but i still dont no which to get...

should i go for the weather proof + a bit more functions..

or live view and lighter body...

arg tough..

i've felt both... and to me, the canon xs really feels like a toy in your hand. the pentax k200, on the other hand, is a true joy to hold :)

[yeedub]

Canon Rebel build quality is about average only, I find the Pentax models to feel significantly better in your hand. But if you want something really light and compact, the Canon entry levels are great.

But the best thing about the in body IS (eg. Pentax) is that even the professional quality lenses are affordable to the typical consumer.

For example, the Canon 17-55mm IS f2.8 lens is typically over $1000, and other fixed aperture lenses (f2.8), especially with IS, are very expensive.

Pentax professional lenses such as the DA* 16-50mm f2.8 and DA* 50-135mm f 2.8 are terrific lenses that can match the quality of the other big players. However, the price is around $700 only, due in part to having the IS feature built in camera. Its also nice to be able to pick up any Pentax K-Mount lens made over the past 30-40 yrs and be able make them IS'd as well on the camera.

I recently upgraded to a K20D body from my K10D - the K20D cost me about 750 dollars brand new, and I sold my K10D for 500 dollars. You can't get a similarly equipped system for that price from any of the big players and thats a great feeling.

[cyder]

Canon chooses to to place the "anti-shake" feature in their lenses rather then the body so that really is a non factor. Nikon does this also. Whether the the better build is worth more then what others have said about finding second hand accessories easier with Canon is an interesting question. I'd rather take the Canon and save myself the stress of trying to find second hand Pentax equipment later on down the road. Also look at the re-sell value of Canon and Pentax, if you decide that Photography is not your thing and want to salvage some of your money back then you'll have a much better chance at getting a good portion of your money back with a Canon.
the built in anti shake though means no lens purchased will have a IS premium price tag attached to it and all compatible lenses benfit. That is not something to sneze at.

As mentioned before weather sealing is nice too. Don't have to feel paranoid when it is misting or snowing or out right raining (assuming the lens is sealed too)

[onesurvive]

Canon Rebel build quality is about average only, I find the Pentax models to feel significantly better in your hand. But if you want something really light and compact, the Canon entry levels are great.

But the best thing about the in body IS (eg. Pentax) is that even the professional quality lenses are affordable to the typical consumer.

For example, the Canon 17-55mm IS f2.8 lens is typically over $1000, and other fixed aperture lenses (f2.8), especially with IS, are very expensive.

Pentax professional lenses such as the DA* 16-50mm f2.8 and DA* 50-135mm f 2.8 are terrific lenses that can match the quality of the other big players. However, the price is around $700 only, due in part to having the IS feature built in camera. Its also nice to be able to pick up any Pentax K-Mount lens made over the past 30-40 yrs and be able make them IS'd as well on the camera.

I recently upgraded to a K20D body from my K10D - the K20D cost me about 750 dollars brand new, and I sold my K10D for 500 dollars. You can't get a similarly equipped system for that price from any of the big players and thats a great feeling.

Couldn't agree more. Where did you get a K20D brand new for 750!?

[frogger]

Couldn't agree more. Where did you get a K20D brand new for 750!?

My guess would be an auction win on Ebay's Prodigital store before shipping and taxes. Got mine barely used for $700.