very capable camera

I had the ist DL before this and several point and shoot digitals. The DL was a capable camera for any amateur shooting, but I wanted the stability factor, and a couple of the custom features. There is precious little missing on this camera and what is missing can usually be worked around. The big complaint is the single wheel for adjustments.(compared to the K20d which sports front and back wheels) This is likely a slight problem for a pro, shooting hundreds of shots on a regular basis, but had caused me 0 grief. You can easily make adjustments, and the time lost is zilch for 99.9999% of the targeted users. It also lacks the live view that top of the line cameras offer, but I would seldom use that anyway, and in bright sunlight you ususally can't see the screen well . I do wish the panel on top was lighted, but you can see in the viewfinder, so it isn't life and death. This camera has been dinged for lackluster jpegs, most saying RAW is best. Well, RAW is better though it takes effort many amateurs don't want to expend. AND many folks have remarked on some of th color shots I have made, and I generally use jpeg. When I shoot weddings I do use RAW in case I need to milk the last drop out of the picture, but most folks would be very happy without it. You have the ability to shoot both at the same time, and make many in camera adjustmentsa. I have had many Pentax cameras. Spotmatic-K1000-ME Super-ME-ist DL-and now this and all have done their job. I am not knocking Nikon-Canon or anyone else. You can't go wrong with them, fine products, but Pentax holds it's own, and offers the use of most any lens they ever made. I use a couple M42 lenses as well a A lenses-M lenses-and a couple new Digital designed lenses. I'm happy. Dan