[MrB]

1. What camera do you currently have, and why did you choose to purchase it?

2. What camera would you like to have, and why?

1. Pentax K-5-II. Initial attraction to Pentax was a result of handling several different makes in PC World - the Pentax just felt so much better quality than others at a similar price point. Pentax DSLR bodies are very good value - you get a lot for your money. The K-5 has excellent build quality, a robust but compact magnesium alloy body over a steel chassis. The body and kit lenses are weather-sealed (useful in the UK!) - dust, rain and snow resistant, and cold resistant to -10C. Electronic image stabilisation is in the body - it stabilises ANY attached lens. Compatibility - the body's K-mount takes any Pentax (or 3rd Party) K-mount lens ever made, without needing an adapter. Pentax have always made high quality lenses (even the kit lenses) with great colour rendition, many being of all metal construction, and yet they are mostly compact and low weight.

2. Possibly the Fuji X100S, as an addition to #1, not a replacement - superb quality APS-C compact camera, small enough to be carried around all the time.

It is disappointing that some of those seeking to buy their first camera (beyond point & shoot) appear to see no further than (or seem to be guided towards only) the two big names, Nikon and Canon. They obviously make very good stuff, but then so do Pentax (Ricoh), Fuji, Olympus, Panasonic, and others. E.g. Some of our club members have Sony (NEX or DSLR) cameras, which are superb quality kit. All are worth consideration.

Philip