I am looking for a digital slr for an african safari trip. Leaning towards the K20D -shake reduction, speed. Have not owned slr camera b4. Easy2use?

Is within budget but wondering if the camera has enough automatic options to get good photos on safari. I intend to learn more about the camera in the future but only have 2 months before going on trip, so only enough time to trial basics. Would you recommend any other cameras over this one. The shop assistant also recommended the Olympus E510 which is cheaper. Thanks Sall

hello sally,
do you need a slr ? they are quite advanced cameras.
a better option for you would be the panasonic tz3
it is light, easy to use and has great automatic options
have a look at luke kurtis's safari photo set on fllickr to see what this camera can do.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lukekurtis/2294568286/

I honestly think it would be worth your money to invest in an SLR camera, especially if you plan to go further on in photography. The K20D is a very good camera, but the Pentax lenses are quite as good as Nikon's, Canon's and Sony's, so I would suggest investing in a different brand. The one I would recommend is the Nikon D40x, it is a very good beginner camera, takes good shots, and is very easy to use. The Canon is a bit harder to get started with, and I like the features of the D40x over any Sony camera. The doesn't have as good quality photographs or features in my opinion. So I would suggest going with the D40x and investing in some wide angle and telephoto zoom lenses for your trip. Hope this helps.

I visit Kenya every couple of years and have been agonising over the same problem. Yes, you need an slr and you need stabilisation. You may think it will be very sunny but the best light, and when the animals are moving, is early and late when there is not so much light. You need the 35mm equivalent of at least 400mm but if you are going for birds maybe 600mm. I'm also thinking either the Pentax or the Olympus. The smaller chip size of the Olympus means a more portable kit and the lenses are quite good and affordable but does the smaller chip size mean a loss of quality? It's very tricky and I can't make my mind up either but at least I think you're on the right track.

I will answer to the high points first:

Steve McCall: stop recommending that camera to anyone. It is a good camera, but if someone is asking something seriously, and you don't want to answer... don't say anything.

Aditya D: Pentax lenses not quite good as Canon, Nikon or Sony??? hahahahahahahahaahahahaha
Really... you make me laugh. Pentax has the best AF lenses ever made... want to discuss that??? You are funny.
Sony has the worst lenses out there in the lower end, and the good ones, are way too expensive. Doesn't even match the Nikon ones... so please, leave Sony out of the question. Canon and Nikon: we are talking about a camera for a Safari, where someone can have lots of different weather conditions in one day. So... you he's asking for a well built camera, and weather sealing... he's not going to use live view, and ALSO he's trying to get into the telephoto range. This two brands... doesn't offer a weathersealed body until the D300 for the Nikon (and D200, but is out of market already) and the EOS 1D (no weather sealing in any other cameras... neither the 5D) of Canon. Also... if he wants to get a good telephoto lens with image stabilization, he will have to pay a premium for Canon and Nikon, since it comes with the lens... and not in the camera, like Pentax or Olympus.

I'd go for the K20, and buy good fast glass. Once you have something like that camera, every other camera in that segment will feel like a 2 year old toy.

Alan Schamber.