Originally Posted by Ret10Echo

I compared several different sources and "packages" before I came to my decision: Drilled down to these three based upon my personal familiarity. I know there are other online retailers that may beat the prices, but I lean toward the manufacturer sites so I can be relatively assured of what I am getting. Of course that may be more of me having a false sense of security.....

COSTCO: K-x, Black with 18 - 55mm, Gadget bag, 2 ea 2GB SD cards - $579. However I am not a COSTCO member and the closest is about 1 - 2 hours away. Membership is $50 so I factored that into the overall cost.
WalMart Online (not available in-store): K-x, Navy with 18 - 55mm - $649 (plus S&H or Ship to Store option)
WalMart also had the 50 - 200mm lens seperately for $279

Pentax online: K - x, Black with 18 - 55mm - $ 649
However the online store also had K - x with 18 - 55mm and 50 - 200mm lenses $749. S&H was $14
I paid an extra $10 shipping in order to ensure UPS delivery as opposed to USPS (I have had small, somewhat expensive electronics "lost" by the USPS more than once)

So given the cost of the 50 - 200mm lens alone I decided to go with the Pentax Online package. (749 - 279 = 470 for the body and 18 - 55mm) I wanted the zoom to avoid the small speck in the middle of the frame (I hate having to explain "Yeah, that was......") and to have the autofocus capability which I would not get with my existing Pentax zoom lenses (no factor for still shots, but for action shots it could be problematic since my eyes are not getting any better over time).

Hope that helps.

Also used this site to narrow the field on which make/model: link

R10