With experience to my k200d,
I really can't live without the top plate screen.
It gives alot more control than the K-m in theory, since i haven't handled a K-m yet.
You certainly can live without the top plate screen - the answer's in a K-M!
K200D is a good camera, either choice at the kind of price they are going for now, can't go too far off tangent (for a good quality camera) ..

I would prefer K-M though. It's exposes a little more accurately everytime ... sometimes I think better than my K20D. :devil:
K200D is at 680 without kit.