Pentax aggressively prices its K-500 dSLR, aggressively colors its K-50

The K-50 can be customized in 120 different two-tone combinations.

Essentially a tweaked version of its predecessor, the K-30, that can be two-toned to your heart's delight (starting now), the Pentax K-50 doesn't seem like much of an update, apart from the colors and a nonspecific update to the autofocus system. That said, it still seems like a good deal, given that it retains the same weather-sealed body as the K-30. And Pentax jumps back into the entry-level competition with the K-500, a less expensive version of the K-50 that lacks the weather sealing and only comes in serious black. The end result is a pretty aggressively priced sub-$1,000 dSLR lineup.

Given how few changes there are to the hardware -- during its briefing Pentax basically highlighted the color choice and wireless support via better integration with Eye-Fi cards -- there's not a lot to say here. If you can find the K-30 at cheaper prices as it's phased out of the market, you might want to jump on it. Unless you really want to hold out for a camera in Lilly Pulitzer pink and green.

Despite retaining last year's specifications, the K-50 stands up pretty well to Nikon and Canon's offerings at similar prices -- it's still faster at continuous shooting, with a better viewfinder (though the comparatively slow 1/180 flash sync speed will disappoint strobists). It's a shade bigger and heavier than the competition, but it also can take AA-size batteries and incorporates sensor-shift image stabilization, so you don't have to worry about buying stabilized lenses -- something I increasingly appreciate as I accumulate lenses. And Pentax has always been good about offering a broad, enthusiast-friendly feature set, including fan favorites like time lapse.