Pentax K30: New Mid-Range DSLR

Can it record more than 5 min. of video before it overheats?

I really love the blue version of this camera!!

Could the K-30 be like the K-r as far as issues when introduced, such as the front focus, e-dial inoperative, etc. issues? I pre-ordered the K-r, but may wait to see how this K-30 goes when introduced before I decide...

I know that AA batteries can be a bit of a selling point for some, but I do adore my K7's large-capacity, rechargeable lithium-ion. It's several years old now, is used often and still lasts pretty close to forever. I was relieved to leave the extra AAs at home with my flash most days after upgrading from the DS.

This is a K-5 with improved AF, multizone measurement and a faster processor. Also, a different design. Looks like a winner to me and maybe, a K-5 killer (but replacement will come soon).

May be nice specs, also to me as a K200D-User, but why this plain Sony look and feel?
The position of the PENTAX-mark looks really awkward!

Damn it. 16 MP. Couldn't Pentax have removed the 1? I'd rather have 6 MP again. Makes photos so much more manageable, and really, who needs this sort of resolution? For my work 6 MP is more than enough.

@VisualDarkness: It's not in the same price range as K5, at least a couple hundred dollar lower. One selling point of this camera is the ability to take AA battery without the grip.

Mr Newson;s design was very positive. It created a lot of press for the brand. Not to mention the camera looks slick (IMHO). A world renown designer picked OUR brand. That is very flattering.

obviously, pentax no need marc newson to design such good camera

Nice body, but still not a FF one!

16 Mp would be fine with me - I was happy with 12 (as long as quality was good - and ISO3200 was usable when needed). There is little difference between 16 and 20 Mp in real use - despite being 25% increase in pixels, in terms of width and height the images grown only about 10% (the square law thing).

This looks a winner to me.

16.28 Megapixel is OK, but I wish Pentax would have upgraded to 18 (or 21) Megapixel sensor.

I really like the direction Pentax is going with this body!

Wonder if this is a small camera like the kx. If so, i hope they offer a grip.

... waiting FullFrame camera. nothing yet?

Looks elegant. As a K-5 owner I would still consider this one

This thing looks fantastic!

@ Tohax:

What you say makes a lot of sense.

An intro level dslr with high end features- WR, x2 e dials, 16mp with the K5 sensor so will have excellent high iso performance, and a fantastic new multi colour styling.

Looks like it's going to entice a lot of people who want a LOT of bang for their buck in their low level dslr......


....



Which is the perfect incentive to lock people into Pentax..and when they ask- where can I go from here?...

Well, Pentax will have the K-3, a Full Frame Sub $2k camera, waiting for them!


If this is true, my G*d, Pentax will really have gotten off their butt and thrown down the gauntlet to Canikon! ^_^

Firstly, I get so annoyed we I read that this or that Pentax is an entry level camera! Entry to WHAT! Since my first Spotmatic always used a Pentax to leisure and for pro work, why this “entry level” statements. These statements make Pentax DSLR’s not worthy and have a negative effect on their sales. Come on Pentax, get rid of this “entry level” statement, the gear is damn good and after all it is the eye that takes the picture, not the camera and therefore any DSLR can be used for consumer or pro work!
Secondly, glad Pentax is moving away from the senseless model names and returning to the K10, K20 and now K30 naming convention. Looking forward to the reviews.

Could this fellow be the replacement for my K-x? .... Ill probably wait until the new K-5 is out. If that ends up being FF, then its going to be a tricky decision since the few lenses I have are for aps-c. That blue version sure looks pretty tho :)

I already love it

i sold my pentax k-r for a pentax q= nice change
i have a penatax k-5
i bought a pentax k-01 40mm xs
i have a nice range of camera's.
i do not buy a rebuild pentax k-r

Pentax should have released a camera that beats the D800 at high ISO's , but... here we have another overpriced toy :( meaning more Pentaxians will dump their Pentax gear and buy D800. Come on, Pentax!

My guess is we'll get a K-5 replacement and then a FF sometime later. With the 645D replacement also rumored to be in the works we should be looking at a full lineup!

now I have a strong feeling that the K5 replacement will be FF with sub $2000 price :D

With a 100% view finder and the sensor from K-5...why someone shoul buy the K30? My guess: there will be a 100$ (or more) cashback.

really, the design reminds me of early minolta dslr. looks good, except the dotted plastic part on the left side. and also why the pentax mark should be positioned that way? but overall, I lilke this bold and tough body.

Interesting body design. One wonders if this is the first design resulting from Ricoh or residual from Penoyax.

HDMI LIVE VIEW OUT, PLEASE.!?

great news. Congratulations, Hoya Pentax :)

Hoax?

@ElrondElensar: I looked at ISO 100-1600. K-5 and K-x look better than D3200. Just download the pics from imaging-resource, ask someone else to change the order in which you see them and spread them out on your PC, then examine them. (Don't look at images made 100% or 200%! Just look at them the normal way you'd show pics to a friend on your PC.) If you still think the D3200 looks better, we have a clear difference of perception.

causey, why are you looking at ISO4547554424242 watever ...


D3200 looks better than K-5 between ISO 100 and 1600 ...

I was looking at pics on imaging-resource's comparometer... D3200 looks much worse than both K-5 AND K-x at any ISO. At high ISO, the quality gap is wider. K-5 looks best (cleaner image, good colors) followed by K-x. I'd say K-x is closer to K-5 than to D3200. After seeing these, I think Pentax made the right decision not to put the 24mp sensor in K30. I don't have any faith in the 24mp sensor. Value-wise, the K30 looks splendid. Pentax has to come up with something else for their flagship camera, something like a... FF...

The blue one looks the best. The camera looks compact and rugged. This is the true successor of K200d.

I have the K200d for 4 years and I have yet to find anything else like that at the same level. It it truly a one-of-a-kind camera. I'm glad to see Pentax has not abandon the idea of entry-level dslr with weather sealing.

Put another way, the K-5 replacement will be 24mp, but WITH shake reduction built-in, unlike the bigger competitors.

Definitely something to look at if upgrading from older DSLR. The Nikon D3200 might be cheaper but that is because it does not have Vibration Reduction built-in. With the Pentax, you pay it once up front and don't have to buy lenses that cost $200 more EACH. What good are 24mp images if they are blurry? I also like the looks of the grip and the angled shutter button. If function precedes form, then I hope it will be a more comfortable grip compared to older models. Who wants to buy my gently used K200D???

looks like a very nice camera. I just bought a K-r, so will not be buying this one anytime soon.

blue backup body! something to add to my kit, awesome!

@icy - lol

great news. Congratulations, Hoya Pentax :)

Super-cool! (Assuming this isn't a hoax.) That blue one is gorgeous, too. With the spec set this camera has at this price point, it looks like Pentax/Ricoh have knocked one out of the park.

For the record, I don't have a problem with the lack of a top LCD. When I switched from my K100D to the K-x, I thought I would miss the top LCD. I didn't. Looking at the rear screen is fine by me.

I also really dig the 2nd control wheel. Very cool.

Anyway, I'm quite thrilled Pentax has committed to continuing their DSLR line in such fine fashion... Way to go, Pentax! :-)

I see it now:
"Burst mode, 4 frames per second."

My attempt at translating the text (I'm sure someone will correct me):
"It's the only SLR in this price range with dual power options (battery pack and/or AA batteries), which allows you to photograph or video twice as long in severe weather."
I can't tell what that number "4" is for because I can't read the text.

I wonder if the shutter mechanism is new. I love the very quiet shutter of the K-5. I used to have a K-r but it was obnoxiously loud.

Is this a photoshop trick?

I agree with some of the others - this looks like a great set up for K200D users. Since picking up the K200D, I never felt there was a comparable upgrade path available. I'd certainly like to try one of these in a store.

I wanted a left-handed camera!

Just add further to the top LCD issue, I am always using it. I've found it really useful when using my K10, so not sure if I could do without it.
It might be force of habit.
Anyway, I think this K30 looks fantastic, even without a top LCD.

Nice job Pentax. Good to see you offer stand out features like twin dials and weather sealing at this price point. I think it will sell well.

Not sure how this is better than my K20D

Ratmagiclady, theres no problem with the back LCD. It's just that having the top LCD on instead of the back saves some juice.

nerath, in-camera HDR is almost a certainty, given that the K-7, K-x, K-5, K-r, and 645D all have it.

Good job the date isn't 01-04-2012.....are you sure it isn't full frame lol. If it is real, then it must bode well for the Pentax mark. Great.

I have a K-r, which I really like. A tilt screen would have made me consider a K30 over a used K-5. Why not put one on, since the K-01 has one, and the Canon T3i has long had an articulating screen?

Maybe I could still be tempted if it has really great live view and focus peaking. But for now, I am awaiting the K5 successor.

Wow...it sounds like a lot of people place a lot of stock in having a top LCD. I've never cared for them much myself. What's the big problem with looking at the back of the camera to see your settings? I've never found it inconvenient in the least. I would rather have the real estate go to more buttons or improved ergonomics.

This looks like the perfect upgrade to my K200D. Nice added features & upgraded specs at a reasonable price, tho I may go through some withdrawal if it does not have a top LCD. If it has in-camera HDR it would be really hard to pass it by.

Looks interesting! For some people like me, the AA batteries would be a big selling point.
Lithium AA's are cheap and light, very easy to bring several sets on multi-day hiking outings.

Biro: While we're speculating, if there's no top cover LCD at all... and this is not a Photoshop mashup to make a point... (If so, put the PC flash port back, I'm real sick of wonky cords and you put the focus assist light on) :) Why is that top plate cocked back and away MZ-S style, like for looking at something? (And Adam, this is being glitchy, yes)

It looks like Pentax will be going to a three-camera DSLR line-up. K5 and beyond, K30 and beyond and K300 and beyond. It makes a lot of sense. So, as others have already said, it appears the K30 will be a mid-line DSLR. But, on the other hand, there's no top LCD screen as on the K200D. Maybe the K30 really is a fantastic entry-level DSLR. Either way, I have a K5 and have kept my K200D as a back-up. But perhaps not for much longer. Ricoh certaintly isn't wasting time - a good thing.

Pentax has fortunately already switched to that (in the latest 2 cameras: K-01 and WG-2).

pleaaaaaaaaaaasssssssssseeeeeeeeeeeee avchd format, this dated mpeg 4 wont do, and it becomes a real pain to edit multiple files

Actually, if there's a full-service grip for that, and the finder's for real, from the front it looks suspiciously like *I* designed it. What was I always talking about a couple years ago? :)

weather sealed body is a welcome addition, cause previously i had to choose between the slt a77 or the pentax k5, but if this is true, then i am sold... i just want a good video capablities.

Hmm, i'm ready for an upgrade on my K20D and it ticks most boxes with AF and ISO like K5 except no top LCD. I'll wait and see.

is it the k5 in a new body?? also i want a swivel screen, and a video mode that records in 24p/25p and 60p... ps if this is a rumour then...
I don't know who you are. I don't know what you want. If you are looking to fool people, I can tell you I don't like being fooled. I do have are a very particular set of skills; skills I have acquired over a very long career.

That... Looks OK. 'K20d successor' indeed, perhaps. Prism housing looks *terrible* but you could probably put a cat or bellows on there without trouble. This could be exactly what was wanted not too long ago.

Why call this camera into level? What other intro level has 2 exposure dials,100% pentaprism,6fps capture plus all the standard Pentax DSLR features of in body SR, lens compatibility, etc., etc...? Wouldn't it be more logical to see this filling a similar slot as Canon's 60D only cheaper, smaller and tougher?

If this rumor is true, it is very likely that Pentax will also launch a new advanced-level DSLR - just recall that the launch of K20d was coupled with k200d, k7 was coupled with kx, k5 was coupled by kr.

boulanger.fr/content/static/bfr/_catalogues/2012/05_A_vos_techno_marque/appli.htm - page 67 :) It is true :)

It's actually dirty cheap if you cross out the WR kit lens. Plus it's a starting price, the K-5 started at about $1500. And it looks just amazing - look at the bigger picture I added on the forum.

Ahhh..hope it is for real. 16 mp would be great for me. But, I remember the photo from Aprils fools day from the forum with the FF Pentax scam...so photos only go so far.

Don't care about the video, but I hope it has 'in camera' HDR.

If it does come out I may buy 2 - 3 bodies. Pentax thanks for the AA option!! Without it I could never move up!

If you offer 4 AA batts or 2 larger rechargeable cells option you will distinguish yourself from Canikon and the rest Pentax. So I hope you get back to basics with your heritage Pentax...high quality, affordable, reliable gear for serious photogs.

SC

Please make a higher spec dslr than k-5 please!

I think this will be a great DSLR but I wonder if it will cannibalize sales of the K-01 since they will most likely sell at a similar price point.

Purple?

Just seen K30 on Amazon.co.uk

Can't post link but £699 in 3 colours

just search for Pentax K30 within the amazon site

Seems everyone has the same initial thoughts that I had - With the price so close to the K5, why on earth would anyone ever buy this? Needs to be priced closer to the 500-600 range IMO to be worthwhile.

Another feature mentioned in the ad - besides weather sealing - is its double power source, namely the Pentax rechargeable battery AS WELL AS AA batteries. Also, experience has shown that the price in euros is usually the same as the price in euros, meaning 799 dollars. In Europe prices are advertised including the approx. 20% sales tax. Considering that it has a WR lens included 799 dollars seems reasonable, depending on what else the camera has to offer, of course.

If the pricing is correct, that is €100 more then the new Nikon D3200.

Dear Emperor, you are in a dire need of a full-frame clothing.

In response to Joe, both Canon and Nikon have low-end and more advanced "entry level" bodies so this fits. You are all free to debate the role of the K-01 as the "low-end entry level". I'm staying out of that.

There isn't much point in comparing a new camera entering the market at $900 (K 30) with a camera nearing the end of its time in the market at $1,000 (K5). We might, instead, compare the K30 @ $900 at entry with the K5 at $1,600 at entry. Then it seems to make more sense.

I LIKE the idea of "weather sealed". I LIKE the idea of using double A's. I LIKE the idea of 16 Megapixels. But that's where it ends! I want an entry level Pentax that has an ISO range starting at 25. I don't care WHERE it goes from there. I want build in reciprocity failure at 25, 50 ISO! I want hyped up colors at those slow ASAs! (Sorry, ISO! My old school is showing).
I want manual shutter speed and manual lens speed. And lights, of course, (think Pentax MX) instead of a spring meter! And maybe a beep whenever you're in focus. These old eyes aren't what they used to be. Whatever happened to depth of field preview? My current Pentaxes are SO much smarter than I am! My K200 will go manual, but it just ain't natural! I need dials to TURN, not buttons to push. The ability to use my AF lenses would be fine, but if it would cut down on the price, and, of course it would, I wouldn't mind using my current lenses in manual mode, as long as I had a split screen viewer. But being able to use my AF lenses would be great! No movies! Please! And, if they have movies, I would want an intervalometer option! In this day and age, and at the current PRICES... why can't you have an intervalometer option???
I'm old school. And I think us old schoolers would welcome something of this nature! And it would teach the newer users the BASICS of REAL photography!

I do not believe this is entry level, this is probably a mid level or advanded amateur
Also peoples have to remember , K-5 lauch price was $1499. Dont expect the replacement of the K-5 to be $999

not sure why this camera has been released, all these features are on older models, and why would you want an entry level camera thats more than entry level in spec, so basicly its not an entry level camera then, a used k5 will be a better or a new one, as the price is now not that much different, it seems these cameras are used to move people away from buying a k5 becauise if you can now buy a k5 for say 800.00 the profit margin is hammered, so this new carrot is probably 30% cheaper to make and so it makes more sense to steer people to this for the same money, it looks like a canon, it wont be magnesium, and obviously its being used to push sales as a "new product?" what with old features..tut

A lot of talk of price, but the suggested retail price doesn't necessarily reflect what the actual going price will be. My guess is that the actual retail price will be more on the order of $750.

Regarding 16mp vs 24mp, it really just depends on what you use the camera for. If you do a lot of studio work and low ISO shooting, then there are advantages to 24mp. On the other hand, if you do a lot of high-ISO shooting, then the move to 24mp may be counter-productive with current sensors.

That said, I hope more information is made available soon, since I've been seriously thinking of switching from Pentax to the Olympus OM-D.

K30 is not an entry level camera, K300 will. K30 is meant to compete against Nikon D5100 for instance (launch price is exactly the same).

I'd pay $200 more for a 16 mp camera versus a 24 mp. If all the ignorant consumers want to keep supporting the mp race they can go buy something else. 24 mp is way too much for a crop sensor and you lose iq.

This camera will likely outperform the K-5 in terms of video and overall processing performance, and once its successor is out, the launch price (which is at most $100 more than the K-r was) really won't seem that bad.

Seems a bit pricy for an entry level. Although I would rate it as an advanced entry level. I would bet that a K5 replacement may be around the corner too with significant feature upgrades that will push the cost above the K30. Hence justifying the price point for the K30.

It sounds like the K30 will have some good features (weather seal, 16 megapixel, 2 edials). I just got a new K-r at a great price and so far I love it. (maybe the mark down I got is to clear inventory for this model)

I have been using Pentax products for almost 30 years. Good to see Pentax cranking out new models. Now, they just need to improve their marketing in the US and get their products into camera stores and big box retailers like in the old film days. Most people know Canon and Nikon. When they see my Pentax they say what is a Pentax?

Didn't see this one coming, actually. Better backup than the K-01, but not sure if I'd pull the trigger on this. Was hoping for a release that would make my K-5 a backup ;)

This is an interesting "raising of the bar" - so to speak for the lower ranges however. Glad to see Pentax/Ricoh isn't entirely CaNikon-esque with their complete fear/paralysis of cannibalizing their line-up with fully featured mid-level releases. (Ignoring the looming D600 elephant, of course.) Hope to see it have a killer feature though. This segment is stacked, and it's unclear if weather sealing and the excellent but aging K-5 Sensor will do it this time around.

> The introduction of weather sealing in a budget DSLR body may make this camera a success.

I believe you mean "a RETURN to weather sealing in a budget DSLR". I chose Pentax for my first DSLR when I got the K200D, partly because of it's build and weather-sealing. I've since upgraded to a K-x, and most recently to a K-5.

At this price anyone would prefer to buy a K5 and it will be the best choice. I don't see why they should even bother to think about it.

Really not sure how this one is going to fare in the competition with the D3200, which is at least $200 less and has a 24mp sensor.

Over $1,000 for an entry level camera?

PASS

As someone else said, I'd rather just grab a K-5 for that price.

K200D has a successor

This makes no sence..Unless it has everything the K-5 has, but the 4fps makes me think it is a downgrade.

Looks promising. I like the way it it designed since it looks robust too!
Great if the price would be way below K5.
Maybe this is the upgrade I'm waiting for my K100D Super!
Would love to see how this fares in the specs department.

I'd rather have the K5 than this based on what little information is shown so far.

The K-5 replacement is not far off. The BIG question is... Will Pentax improve the AF accuracy? Smaller more accurate AF points?

Looks like a better build then K-r. Not sure if it will be worth considering if K-5 is still around.

I don't think weather sealing alone will overcome the marketing value of 24mp of the Nikon D3200 at the same (or lower) price.

With the K-5 at the same price, why would I buy that camera? It has to have something spectacular hidden.

Wow !