Very good choice for entering into the world of photography

With a price of about 450 Euros including the kit lens 18-55mm Pentax K-50 is one of the entry level DSLRs and represents a technically slightly revised version of the K-30. Now there are a number of possible, sometimes more, times less expensive alternatives (Canon EOS 700D, Nikon D5X00, Sony A58K), including a series of tests and reviews. To take a forward path, there seems to be no clear winners or losers in this price range, as all cameras just mentioned can make very good pictures. The most proven tip is probably no matter what tests or reviews say you should take yourself once all possible candidates in the hand and be familiar with the menu and the feel in a store.
Now I would like to explain why I have decided just for the K-50 and as my previous impressions.

First to feel and processing:

I had among other things, that make me in a shop show EOS 700D and "finger" may. This was indeed me well in hand, but not approached to the value sense of Pentax. The Pentax is heavy and powerful in his hand, without being clunky or cumbersome (I have normal-sized hands, I would say). At the processing itself can not be faulted, the knobs and dials act not cheap and do not wobble (only the trigger has a touch game for me but not disturbing), the screen has a very good color rendering and has a high sharpness, However, neither tilt nor pivot. Since the case is being touted as splashproof and it happens to rain on the day of my first use, I have immediately taken the test outdoors. Half an hour later I had the camera and good wet; hurt but it has to hold the camera not a bit and everything seemed tight. Battery I can say that this has fully charged at my previous rather small photo tours of about 2 hours lost more than 1/4 -1/3 of charge. Who of course is much longer road should take up a spare battery or the battery adapter sold separately. It's a little sad that this already is not included with the camera in the delivery and unfortunately is also the lens hood while ... but nagut. (As a tip: The prices vary sometimes quite strong for this adapter, as well as the "cheap" for 10 Euro for the Pentax K-30 fit well without any problems even in the K-50) as a non-negligible + the second dial is for alternatively, for example aperture or shutter speed is slower than the shutter button on the front panel to name. So it will save you often transitions into the menu and the "workflow" is simply liquid; I did not expect that a wheel more or less makes something out, but I like it now miss in no case more. Also I do not want to miss the excellent prisms (ie glass) viewfinder with a 100% hydrogen field. This provides only Pentax in this price range.

For menu navigation and the functions:

That the Pentax menu is intuitive. To watch even without the previously pleasantly detailed, German manual, I opened up previously all settings and functions required of me. In addition to the full automatic exposure and manual mode, the camera offers several semi-automatic modes, so every user should find the most comfortable for themselves mode. Particularly noteworthy was briefly the interval function called. This enables the recording of images / series in defined time intervals. According to dealers, this offered no other the drawn me into consideration cameras.
Of course, the K-50 also offers a video function. This I did not really concerns me and can therefore only repeat what other reviewers testified or tests. Who videos are important should probably grab more to the Canon EOS 700D, as this has probably regards a much better range of functions which videos. So videos with the Pentax are basically engaged in only with mono sound.

For image quality:

The Pentax offers a 16MP APS-C sensor and thus forms the MP-bottom in the above-mentioned number of alternatives. However, this is negligible. Although more mega pixels mean basically a higher resolution, but hardly anyone will want to fill all the billboards at the entry level. By comparison, about 4900 x 3300 16MP offer pixel; with 20MP to reach approximately 5400 x 3600 pixels. In addition, more pixels on the same Sensogröße also can always bring disadvantages in the form of eg noise performance.
Much more decisive for the actual picture quality of dynamic range, low noise and the color fastness is (although this can be adjusted any way or in the post). Subjectively I can say that the Pentax, makes very good pictures with the kit lens. As always-plan objective is therefore not to be sneezed at, but once you have specific motive desires such as the macro range or animal photography, which of course a greater focal length at the telephoto zoom range is always the advantage, either way Extra lenses are needed. But it is precisely this flexibility make DSLRs so also. However, the maximum image quality does not tickle the kit lens either way out of the camera. Remain noise free images up to ISO 400. The noise behavior is but also as not to call disruptive between ISO 800 and 3200 to little. The only striking difference from the K-30 is the way the opportunity to drive the ISO speed up to 51200 ... Needless to say that more than Rauscht Radio in a mountain tunnel, this has been, however, to be expected. There probably was the motto: better a bad photo than none.

In summary:

Positives: Very nice haptics and workmanship, great viewfinder, Weatherproof, intuitive menu, good screen, great image quality and good noise performance

Neutral: kit lens not expected to be the ne plus ultra (for beginners but more than adequate)

Negatives: Limited video function (the other well better) will screen permanently installed (probably for reasons of splash protection) purchased separately, the lens hood must

In conclusion it should be said that Pentax on the selection can not be measured with the greats from related accessories and lens market ago. This does not mean that there is not for every application and every focal length range the right part, on the contrary, only the selection at as Canon simply larger.
And the real conclusion: I am very pleased with the K-50 and it is to me an excellent companion in the introduction of the photograph. Most impressed me the way the macro photography, so I've already gained quite quickly after the camera The Sigma 70mm EX Macro. Unfortunately, Amazon is not willing me see my uploaded pics here ... have probably already several complains. Anyway ... In principle, of course, as with all DSLRs: at the end of the camera is a tool that must be handled with the first to shoot really good, clean photos. Reading and the deal with the matter as very help ... and of course a good deal of interest! =)