"Pentax Gear Up" Rebate

Although I only shoot Canon DSLRs and don't expect to change systems any time in the near future (sure Nikon's D700 looks nice, but I'm already too deeply invested in Canon lenses to switch), I've always been a big, big fan Pentax DSLRs.

Many of my friends and relatives come to me asking for advice on upgrading from a digicam to a DSLR, and I usually point them in the direction of Pentax. I helped my cousin buy a K100D + 18-55mm kit lens for $350 and my aunt a K10D + 18-55mm kit lens for $600 last year, both after rebate. Both cameras produced beautiful JPG images right out of the camera which had different "feel" thank Canon or Nikon images. If I had the cams on hand, I'd post a review here. Maybe next time.

Last year's low prices were a boon to Pentaxians but the company essentially shot itself in the foot for going so low. This year's prices for the K200D ($689 at Beach Camera) and K20D (1,289.31 at Amazon.com) are significantly higher.

However, Pentax has a rebate lasting until July 26 for $100 off either the K20D or K200D bodies. If you already have a Pentax lens, go for body only and save some money. The kit lens is marvelously constructed though, and a steal for the premium you pay over the body-only kit. Click here for the rebate.

The awesome thing about both DSLRs is the in-body IS. Any lense you slap on the body becomes image stabilized, which has been good up to 1/15 from my experience with both the K100D and K10D. I actually own Super Takumar 135mm and 200mm lenses, and would love to have a Pentax DSLR to mate them to.

CanonUSA sets Rebel XS Price at $699

Canon is getting serious about taking back the entry-level DSLR market from Nikon. CanonUSA announced today that it will ship the Rebel XS in August 2008 at a price of $699 and sell it only as a kit with the EF-S 18-55mm IS lens.

The company has also announced that it plans to build a new camera production plant in Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan, to ramp up production of DSLRs and digicams. This is the first new plant to built by Canon in a quarter century.

See the official press release for more details about the XS:


http://www.usa.canon.com/templatedata/pressrelease/20080708_rebel_xs.html

I'm skeptical about how effective a D40(x)-killer this will be. Nikon's cameras have nice ergonomics, glitzy menus, and a price advantage over Canon which have already won over many soccer moms and boy-scout dads.

Frankly, if I were looking to purchase my first entry-level DSLR, I'd push the trigger on a Pentax K200D in a heartbeat. Many in my family own Pentax DSLRs, and they seriously kick booty compared to the price paid