I’m still using my Pentax K-5 as my only camera.  I used it to take the above picture when I was out the other morning.  It is a great camera, especially for outdoors, but it is heavier and bigger than I like.  It is the best small DSLR for such outdoor use since it is weather resistant, but I still find that it is heavy to hold for long periods and causes my arthritic hands to ache.  In addition, it is not a discreet camera when I have a long zoom lens on it and I’m shooting among people.  I mentioned that my intention was to use the K-5 with prime lenses when I was among people, but since I haven’t been anywhere lately, I still haven’t tried that.  I’m positive that will help, but it isn’t sufficient.

In some earlier articles I explained that I was trying some smaller cameras … the Olympus E-PL5 here, and the Pentax K-01 here, to have a camera that was smaller and lighter than the K-5; but I ended up not keeping them.  My wish is to get another smaller camera that I can use in and around people or when I need to carry a camera for a long time.  For various reasons I decided that the above mentioned cameras were not what I was looking for.  I next thought about getting a Canon G15 to use as a jacket pocket camera but I never ordered one since I started doubting that I would be satisfied with the image quality.  At that point I still had no solution and only one heavy camera.  I haven’t been carrying my K-5 much lately and every time I pick it up it feels like it has gained a pound.

Still wishing to someday find a lighter camera that would satisfy most of my needs, I decided to continue to look for a camera that was small and light with a great sensor for producing good pictures in low light.  I’m not ready to replace the K-5 yet but I decided that I would continue looking for a camera system that had the potential for being smaller and lighter with both good ergonomics and image quality similar to the K-5.  I decided that I would try the Sony NEX-6, and ordered one with the 16 – 50mm zoom lens.  One of the first advertisements that got me interested was this YouTube by Sony which demonstrates it in use.

My NEX-6 should be delivered today.  I’m anxious to try it and compare it to the K-5.  My plans at the moment are to first use the NEX-6 for my wider angle shots … especially those inside buildings and on the streets.  I will continue to use the K-5 with my 55 – 300mm zoom lens primarily for landscapes and wildlife.  I’ll let you know how the NEX-6 fits my needs.  If I like the NEX-6, I will then think about getting a longer lens and potentially replacing the K-5 with it.