K-50 vs. the K-30?

Dewman · 02-06-2016, 04:06 PM

How does the K-50 stack up against the K-30? What's the basic difference?

bertwert · 02-06-2016, 04:09 PM

They are the same.
The K-30 just has different styling.

(In short)

Dewman · 02-06-2016, 04:22 PM

Originally posted by bertwert

They are the same.
The K-30 just has different styling.

(In short)

I guess one of my main concerns was the discrepancy between the prices of the two, on the used market. I have the opportunity to buy a K-30 with the 18-55mm MkII lens (metal mount) for $150.00. Like new, with all factory accessories.

bertwert · 02-06-2016, 04:24 PM

Originally posted by Dewman

I guess one of my main concerns was the discrepancy between the prices of the two, on the used market. I have the opportunity to buy a K-30 with the 18-55mm MkII lens (metal mount) for $150.00. Like new, with all factory accessories.

Not a bad price, if you can stand the styling of it.

PS Have you decided to convert the broken K-7 to IR at all?

Dewman · 02-06-2016, 04:28 PM

Originally posted by bertwert

Not a bad price, if you can stand the styling of it.

PS Have you decided to convert the broken K-7 to IR at all?

"if you can stand the styling of it." Hmmm..... I didn't notice much difference between the two.

As far as the K-7, no.... haven't decided what I'm going to do with it. You still interested in it?

**PJ1** · 02-06-2016, 04:31 PM

Originally posted by Dewman

K-30 with the 18-55mm MkII lens (metal mount) for $150.00. Like new

Sounds like a great deal. There are minor differences such as top ISO of 25,600 on the K30 and 51,200 on the K50. But if you check out the DSLR comparison tool in the camera section here it will give you the lot. Ay half the price of a new K50 I'd say it was hard to go wrong.

bertwert · 02-06-2016, 04:31 PM

Originally posted by Dewman

Hmmm..... I didn't notice much difference between the two.

Not much difference actually.
Easiest to see here:
Compare camera dimensions side by side

Originally posted by Dewman

You still interested in it?

I'll send you a PM.

Na Horuk · 02-06-2016, 04:38 PM

The K-30 had a sporty look, with what looks almost like leather on one side. It was not received super well, because some people did not like its appearance. Another downside is that the flash protrudes forward a lot, and I remember reading that that would block some third party older lenses from mounting correctly. This only applies for lenses that had a really wide base right after the mount. No modern Pentax lenses are like that, but I guess it could be a concern for some people.
Anyway, I think this is why Pentax decided to go ahead and re-make it as a K-50. Same insides, but a more classic look. It was well-received, because a lot of photographers like rather smooth, bland DSLRs. I quite like the more aggressive look of the K-30, but to each their own.

And that price with the lens seems pretty good (The lens is the WR version, right?)

**carlb** · 02-06-2016, 04:59 PM

As others have said, for $150 it's hard to see how you could go wrong. Hell, for that price I'd buy it (and i don't even need another!! The K30/K50 are great cameras.

**ramseybuckeye** · 02-06-2016, 05:33 PM

I have both and there are very few differences. I think the K-30 is better looking for what that is worth. What Na Horuk calls leather look is a grippy rubber surface made to look rugged. I believe the K-30 was actually a very good seller even though it had a short run when replaced by the K-50, it never seemed to go on a fire sale price.

I would check the exposure count to see how like new it actually is. That seems like a really good price.

**robgski** · 02-06-2016, 05:43 PM

Originally posted by Dewman

$150.00. Like new, with all factory accessories.

That's a great deal, IIRC, that package cost over $700 when it was new.

Dewman · 02-06-2016, 07:42 PM

Well, it's now mine. We'll see. I didn't need it as I already have two K-50's, but.... at that price.... and less than 4K shutter actuations, I just couldn't help myself.

**Des** · 02-06-2016, 07:44 PM

More detail here: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/6-pentax-dslr-discussion/311614-k30-vs-k50.html

Note that both K-30 and K-50 have been vulnerable to problems with the aperture control mechanism: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/58-troubleshooting-beginner-help/229294-k...e-problem.html

It affects a minority of units (no-one knows how many). Like many other users, I have had no problems in tens of thousands of actuations with two K-30 bodies. I've been very happy with mine. I prefer the look of the K-30 to the K-50.

Great buy at that price Dewman.

KDD · 02-06-2016, 08:12 PM

They are same!!!

Oldbayrunner · 02-07-2016, 09:09 AM

Originally posted by KDD

They are same!!!

no they're not...There are differences even though those are few.

02-06-2016, 04:06 PM	#1
Dewman Veteran Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Idaho Posts: 5,492	K-50 vs. the K-30? How does the K-50 stack up against the K-30? What's the basic difference?

02-06-2016, 07:44 PM	#13
Des Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Victoria Australia Photos: Albums Posts: 6,424	More detail here: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/6-pentax-dslr-discussion/311614-k30-vs-k50.html Note that both K-30 and K-50 have been vulnerable to problems with the aperture control mechanism: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/58-troubleshooting-beginner-help/229294-k...e-problem.html It affects a minority of units (no-one knows how many). Like many other users, I have had no problems in tens of thousands of actuations with two K-30 bodies. I've been very happy with mine. I prefer the look of the K-30 to the K-50. Great buy at that price Dewman. Last edited by Des; 02-07-2016 at 12:51 AM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Why A K-S1 Instead Of The K-50 / K-30?	I'm A Pentaxian	Pentax K-S1 & K-S2	71	12-24-2015 03:50 AM
LCD Screen K-30 Vs K-50	Wrldtravler	Pentax K-30 & K-50	4	12-14-2015 01:03 PM
For Sale - Sold: Focusingscreens.com EE-S Screen for K-3, K-5, K-5II, K-7, K-30, K-50 & K-500	Aperturae	Sold Items	6	10-06-2014 06:49 AM
For Sale - Sold: KatzEye Split-Prism Focusing Screen - for K-3, K-5, K-5II, K-7, K-30, K-50 & K-500	Eyewanders	Sold Items	7	04-15-2014 08:35 PM
K-30 vs K-50 (+lens) dilemma	schnitzer79	Pentax DSLR Discussion	27	11-29-2013 10:14 AM

02-06-2016, 04:09 PM	#2
bertwert Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Golden, BC Posts: 15,172	They are the same. The K-30 just has different styling. (In short)

02-06-2016, 04:22 PM	#3
Dewman Veteran Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Idaho Posts: 5,492 Original Poster	Originally posted by bertwert They are the same. The K-30 just has different styling. (In short) I guess one of my main concerns was the discrepancy between the prices of the two, on the used market. I have the opportunity to buy a K-30 with the 18-55mm MkII lens (metal mount) for $150.00. Like new, with all factory accessories.

02-06-2016, 04:24 PM	#4
bertwert Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Golden, BC Posts: 15,172	Originally posted by Dewman I guess one of my main concerns was the discrepancy between the prices of the two, on the used market. I have the opportunity to buy a K-30 with the 18-55mm MkII lens (metal mount) for $150.00. Like new, with all factory accessories. Not a bad price, if you can stand the styling of it. PS Have you decided to convert the broken K-7 to IR at all?

02-06-2016, 04:28 PM	#5
Dewman Veteran Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Idaho Posts: 5,492 Original Poster	Originally posted by bertwert Not a bad price, if you can stand the styling of it. PS Have you decided to convert the broken K-7 to IR at all? "if you can stand the styling of it." Hmmm..... I didn't notice much difference between the two. As far as the K-7, no.... haven't decided what I'm going to do with it. You still interested in it?

02-06-2016, 04:31 PM	#6
PJ1 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Toowoomba, Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,486	Originally posted by Dewman K-30 with the 18-55mm MkII lens (metal mount) for $150.00. Like new Sounds like a great deal. There are minor differences such as top ISO of 25,600 on the K30 and 51,200 on the K50. But if you check out the DSLR comparison tool in the camera section here it will give you the lot. Ay half the price of a new K50 I'd say it was hard to go wrong.

02-06-2016, 04:31 PM	#7
bertwert Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Golden, BC Posts: 15,172	Originally posted by Dewman Hmmm..... I didn't notice much difference between the two. Not much difference actually. Easiest to see here: Compare camera dimensions side by side Originally posted by Dewman You still interested in it? I'll send you a PM.

02-06-2016, 04:38 PM	#8
Na Horuk Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Slovenia, probably Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,186	The K-30 had a sporty look, with what looks almost like leather on one side. It was not received super well, because some people did not like its appearance. Another downside is that the flash protrudes forward a lot, and I remember reading that that would block some third party older lenses from mounting correctly. This only applies for lenses that had a really wide base right after the mount. No modern Pentax lenses are like that, but I guess it could be a concern for some people. Anyway, I think this is why Pentax decided to go ahead and re-make it as a K-50. Same insides, but a more classic look. It was well-received, because a lot of photographers like rather smooth, bland DSLRs. I quite like the more aggressive look of the K-30, but to each their own. And that price with the lens seems pretty good (The lens is the WR version, right?)

02-06-2016, 04:59 PM	#9
carlb Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 1,164	As others have said, for $150 it's hard to see how you could go wrong. Hell, for that price I'd buy it (and i don't even need another!! The K30/K50 are great cameras.

02-06-2016, 05:33 PM	#10
ramseybuckeye Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Hampstead, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 17,295	I have both and there are very few differences. I think the K-30 is better looking for what that is worth. What Na Horuk calls leather look is a grippy rubber surface made to look rugged. I believe the K-30 was actually a very good seller even though it had a short run when replaced by the K-50, it never seemed to go on a fire sale price. I would check the exposure count to see how like new it actually is. That seems like a really good price.

02-06-2016, 05:43 PM	#11
robgski Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Shenandoah Valley, Virginia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,817	Originally posted by Dewman $150.00. Like new, with all factory accessories. That's a great deal, IIRC, that package cost over $700 when it was new.

02-06-2016, 07:42 PM	#12
Dewman Veteran Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Idaho Posts: 5,492 Original Poster	Well, it's now mine. We'll see. I didn't need it as I already have two K-50's, but.... at that price.... and less than 4K shutter actuations, I just couldn't help myself.

02-06-2016, 08:12 PM	#14
KDD Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 403	They are same!!!

02-07-2016, 09:09 AM	#15
Oldbayrunner Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2013 Posts: 1,665	Originally posted by KDD They are same!!! no they're not...There are differences even though those are few.