Pentax K-30 announced

[Cuchulainn]

Some more details here

Specs: 16Mpix sensor - it's the same one in the K-01, so good high-iso performance

Completely new AF system. I always thought Pentax got a bum deal with the old one. Admittedly it was not a full 3d-tracking 50 points plus system. But for most use I found it quick and very accurate.

Weather sealed body (as ever with Pentax!)

In-body IS (ditto)

Front and rear jog wheels - lets you use the very handy Hyper-Programme mode.

100% coverage, x0.92 pentaprism viewfinder.

All in all, it looks very good - I'd certainly be tempted and see it as a worthwhile upgrade to a K-7 or earlier body, perhaps less so for a k-5 unless you want the slightly smaller form factor.

Pentax are selling it as a mid-range dslr, so roll on the summer and lets see what they release for their high end stuff

 

[Blythman]

It certainly looks very impresive Brian. Fabulous spec and is expected to be at a very competitive price

 

[Cuchulainn]

Yeah - it's a seriously tempting camera. I love the blue one too - it looks fun!

 

[vrapan]

I am a K-5 owner and though I am not dropping the K-5 for this it would do very very nice as a second smaller body to take with me and a couple of primes. Unless there is a k-300 round the corner but then I love the pentaprism/twin dials so I'd probably get a K-30 cause it looks cool and it does all I want it to in a slightly smaller/lighter package.

AF and processing is also improved from the K-5 too.

 

[Cuchulainn]

I'm on the k-7 for my dslr, so this would be a definite upgrade for me - I could live without the dedicated exposure sensor selector and focus mode switches since all the other commands I use most are on dedicated dials. The presence of the K-01's focus peaking is also really interesting. Still want to see what the actual k-5 upgrade body will be.

 

[Blythman]

Expected prices at SRS

K-30 Body - £599
K-30 + 18-55 DAL - £649
K-30 + 18-55 DAL + 50-200 DAL - £749
K-30 + 18-135 WR - £929
K-30 + 18-55 DAL + 55-300 DAL - £829
K-30 + 18-55 WR - £679
K-30 + 18-55 WR + 50-200 WR - £829

Very competitive.

 

[Garnett]

So £20 cheaper than the K-5 I've just bought...

Is it a better camera?

 

[Cuchulainn]

It depends. The K-5 will be slightly better built and has some extra dedicated controls. The sensor and the processing engine are more or less the same, but there are some added features such as the focus peaking in the K-30. It's definitely not an obvious upgrade for people with k-5 cameras, but for earlier top-end pentaxes it probably would be. Without wanting to sound in any way patronising - I really wouldn't worry about it. The K-5 is still an excellent camera with top image quality and handing.

 

[Garnett]

Thanks a lot. That doesn't sound patronising at all. Just what I wanted hear actually. It probably sounds a bit backward, but I'd jst started getting attached to the K-5! (And build-quality and the "controllability" both play big parts in the appeal).

 

[Blythman]

Sam, this is the launch price. The K5 was a lot more expensive at launch, and is itself a serious bargain now.

In the opening paragraph of this early review of the K-30 on dpreview they say

"..... the K-5 - arguably the best APS-C DSLR currently on the market"

http://www.dpreview.com/previews/pentax-k-30/

 

[Garnett]

Thanks Alan. That settles it then - time to get on with addressing the only real flaw in my setup - the nut behind the viewfinder.

 

[vrapan]

Thanks Alan. That settles it then - time to get on with addressing the only real flaw in my setup - the nut behind the viewfinder.

It definitely is not a K-5 replacement in any way.

The K-5 still beats it for number of controls, battery life, top LCD and constructions.

However if you can live without those the K-30 is now a brilliant alternative, better IQ (even if just marginally so), better presumed AF, lighter/smaller and even better weather sealed.

If I was buying now I'd buy the K-30. Even though I am not buying since my K-5 is a fantastic camera, I'd buy one once the price settles a bit below current RRP levels only just cause I'd like the smaller body.

 

[Cuchulainn]

Well, after much umming and ahhing, I put an order in for a k30 and the 18-135mm lens today. I was thinking seriously about the Fuji XE1 or XPro-1, but the lack of longer lenses, the slow tracking af (my young one is just getting mobile, so I want to get some of that recorded) and the fact i'd need to sell some very nice glass all added up to Pentax for me. I still see a Fuji on the horizon when they get the phase-sensitive af and a larger lens lineup sorted; I love using my x100, and would enjoy another x series camera, but I'd kick myself over the shots I 'd miss.

Oh, and I went for the blue after all