| Author: | | New Member Registered: December, 2010 Location: Des Moines, Iowa Posts: 24 | | Review Date: October 20, 2013 | Recommended | Price: $650.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | excellent picture quality, weather resistant, SR | | Cons: | no battery grip/vertical release, af slow at times | | Years Owned: 1
Ergonomics: 10
Build Quality: 10
User Interface: 10
Autofocus: 6
Features: 8
Value: 9
Image Quality: 10
Noise: 9
New or Used: New
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This is my third Pentax DSLR after switching from Canon DSLRs a couple years back. The K-30 beats the Canons I owned in every category except af speed. Solid build and weatherproof. Excellent picture quality. The built in shake reduction has been useful in many situations. Considerably better value than the comparable offerings from Canikon.
| | | | | | | New Member Registered: July, 2013 Posts: 7 | | Review Date: October 20, 2013 | Recommended | Price: None indicated
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Design, image quality, great viewfinder, WR, excellent value for price | | Cons: | Arguably loud shutter, no external mic capability | | Years Owned: 0.5
Ergonomics: 10
Build Quality: 10
User Interface: 10
Autofocus: 10
Features: 10
Value: 10
Image Quality: 10
Noise: 9
New or Used: New
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This is my first Pentax, personally, and first DSLR. Several other people in my family have bought Pentax (a Super ME years ago, and two DSLRs more recently) and were never disappointed, so when I was looking for a DSLR myself, Pentax was obviously very much in the running.
Looking at a good variety of different cameras in the same price range, the K-30 stood out above the others (including some that were inching into a high price bracket). The only exceptions here were that some other cameras had higher megapixel counts, but of course that isn't even close to being all that matters, and that the K-30's video seems lacking, compared to others. Of course, buying the K-30 as a stills camera, and not for video, this really didn't matter to me, and the video is still there if I ever need it.
I haven't once regretted my purchase. The K-30 produces fantastic shots with excellent color reproduction. The features more than meet the needs of an amateur photographer, with advanced features such as weather sealing just being icing on the cake.
I really have no problems with the camera - even the cons I've listed are more for others and not myself. I don't find the shutter overly loud, though it is louder than some DSLRs I've heard. The lack of an external mic (and the mono only internal mic), will again only be relevant to people buying the K-30 with the intent to rely on it for high quality video production.
For anyone looking for a great stills camera, I definitely can recommend the K-30.
| | | | | New Member Registered: October, 2013 Posts: 1 | | Review Date: October 19, 2013 | Recommended | Price: $720.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Design, bright viewfinder, AA-batteries, WR, image quality | | Cons: | Shutter sound, no microphone jack, video AF is pure marketing | | Years Owned: 1
Ergonomics: 10
Build Quality: 10
User Interface: 9
Autofocus: 10
Features: 10
Value: 9
Image Quality: 10
Noise: 9
New or Used: New
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This is my fourth Pentax ( K100s -> K20 -> K-r -> K-30). That's why I love Pentax: Traditionally amazing colors, good transfer of skin tones, maximum functions, built-in stabilization & lens compatibility.
That I can note in this model:
- Attractive & convenient design (pleasantly lies in hands).
- Almost all necessary functions & settings for beginners and the advanced photographers. Probably professionals won't have enough buttons of fast control, but all necessary near at hand.
- SAFOX IXi+ speed quite good in comparison with SAFOX VIII (but not very differs from SAFOX IX in K-r)
- Good for night scenes & one-shoot pseudo HDR.
That isn't pleasant to me:
- Shutter sound is quite loud, but traditional for entry level DSLR (it is very similar on K-r).
- Video AF is pure marketing, but it is possible to be accustomed with old manual lens.
- Mono sound in Movie mode is archaism, but this is not camcorder.
I can recommend this camera for all Pentax users, who doesn't want to be spent on K-5 (also video isn't fond).
| | | | | Pentaxian Registered: September, 2013 Location: Toronto Posts: 2,074 | | Review Date: October 18, 2013 | Recommended | Price: $600.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | Price, weather resitance, image stabilization | | Cons: | Only 3-exposure bracketing, green button metering doesn't work properly with m42 lenses | | Ergonomics: 10
Build Quality: 10
User Interface: 8
Autofocus: 6
Features: 7
Value: 10
Image Quality: 8
Noise: 7
New or Used: New
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A great value, with the features we've come to expect from Pentax DSLRs at prices below other brands: weather-resistance, in-body image stabilization, compatibility with old lenses.
Cons are that it can get a bit noisy at high ISOs, the autofocus sometimes has difficulty when tracking moving subjects, and automatic exposure bracketing is limited to 3 shots. (Vs. 5 on the higher-end K5II.)
| | | | | | | Senior Member Registered: May, 2012 Posts: 125
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: October 18, 2013 | Recommended | Price: $500.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | grip, WR, AA-batteries, IQ, high -ISO, screen and viewfinder | | Cons: | shutter sound is not as quiet (quieter than K-x) | | Years Owned: 1
Ergonomics: 10
Build Quality: 10
User Interface: 10
Autofocus: 10
Features: 9
Value: 10
Image Quality: 10
Noise: 10
New or Used: Used
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Upgraded from K-x. Lots of improvements. Was deciding between K-5 and K-30, got better price on K-30.
| | | | | New Member Registered: January, 2013 Posts: 14 | | Review Date: October 18, 2013 | Recommended | Price: $1,100.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | compact, light, water-resistent, good images | | Cons: | no battery grip, no tethering | | Years Owned: 1
Ergonomics: 10
Build Quality: 10
User Interface: 10
Autofocus: 9
Features: 9
Value: 9
Image Quality: 10
Noise: 9
New or Used: New
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I bought this as a kit with the 18-135 lens, which I highly recommend. The K-30 is a pleasure to use. It is more advanced than my K10D. I enjoy using the bracketing and HDR features. It is better in low light than my previous camera. The live view and video are fun to use. Overall, I highly recommend the camera.
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: December, 2010 Location: SoCal Posts: 518 | | Review Date: October 18, 2013 | Recommended | Price: $460.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | WR, SR, dual battery options, faster than my KX, more features, better in the dark | | Cons: | No 'bright red' option, no microphone jack | |
This is my second Pentax (first was a Red K-x).
I have originally chose the Pentax brand over others due to a few features, and cost.
Pentax (k-30/k-x) has built in SR - Nikon/Canon require you to purchase VR lenses
Pentax has multiple battery options (lithium/Ni-Cad AAs or Li-Ion) - this is great for those trips - I have had VERY good luck with AA Lithiums - especially if I don't have the back display or flash on.
This camera 'feels' like its well built. I almost went to Nikon D5200 - which felt really cheap/plasticy. As my old K-x took a beating (dropped out of the back of an SUV onto pavement) and still works (LCD is dead),I feel this is a step up,
Pentax has a lot of decent lenses that go back many decades - the same can't be said with the likes of others. Rokinon 85mm f/1.4 is a GREAT deal. DxOMark rates it in the top 6 of their lenses, and its $299.
My only real disappointment in Pentax is with Ricoh itself, and lack of products being available for purchase.
Here in Southern California, there's only 1 retailer that stocks ANYTHING Pentax (SoCal area = ~15 million people), which is Samy's, and they only have demo models - they don't stock anything Pentax.
If it wasn't for Amazon or east coast stores like B&H/Adorama, I wouldn't have Pentax at all. Even Frys doesn't stock Pentax. Target only carries the WG-3 and X-5.
| | | | | New Member Registered: October, 2013 Posts: 2
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: October 16, 2013 | Recommended | Price: $550.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Tropicalization, pentaprism, sensor size | | Cons: | na | | Years Owned: 2013
Ergonomics: 10
Build Quality: 10
User Interface: 10
Autofocus: 9
Features: 10
Value: 10
Image Quality: 10
New or Used: New
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I've purchased this camera about 1 month ago and i've made ca. 1000 shots.
Until now i'm very good impressed from quality of this camera and pictures made with it.
Before purchase this camera, i have searched for digital reflex camera without have in mind a specific brand, more or less, in truth since i come from analog reflex canon (EOS 600) in the beginning i've searched for an upgrade in canon brand in order to reuse some optics, but after many comparison i've arrived to the conclusion that, in the budget around 500 euros, Pentax K-30 is the best buy! 
some photo samples :
    
Ciao
| | | | | New Member Registered: September, 2013 Posts: 12 | | Review Date: October 16, 2013 | Recommended | Price: $600.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Ease of use, bright viewfinder, excellent image quality, intuitive | | Cons: | None | | Years Owned: 1
Ergonomics: 10
Build Quality: 9
User Interface: 9
Autofocus: 9
Features: 10
Value: 10
Image Quality: 10
Noise: 9
New or Used: New
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Like my old Spotmatic, this is a small, capable camera. It gets out of the way and let's me be creative.
BG
| | | | | Junior Member Registered: February, 2011 Location: Fresno, CA Posts: 33 | | Review Date: October 15, 2013 | Recommended | Price: $650.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | Still photography, low light performance, AA battery compatibility | | Cons: | Video features | | Years Owned: 1
Ergonomics: 8
Build Quality: 10
User Interface: 8
Autofocus: 7
Features: 7
Value: 9
Image Quality: 9
Noise: 9
New or Used: New
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Great camera for still photography. Very pleased with the build quality and weather sealing. Lacks some video features found in cameras in the same price range and class, but I'd trade weather sealing for those video features any day. Big upgrade from my prior K-x.
| | | | | Junior Member Registered: June, 2009 Location: Atlanta Posts: 41 | | Review Date: October 15, 2013 | Recommended | Price: $500.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Compact, excellent viewfinder, excellent low light images. | | Cons: | Battery life could be better. Grip a bit narrow | | Years Owned: 1
Ergonomics: 8
Build Quality: 9
User Interface: 8
Autofocus: 8
Features: 10
Value: 10
Image Quality: 9
Noise: 9
New or Used: New
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Very happy with the camera. Near K-5 performance in a smaller, lighter package. Excellent LCD, viewfinder, good ergonomics (the grip is a bit narrow but I'm getting used to it). I love how the high ISO/low light photos look. After years of being limited by ISO800, I am now using 1600 and even 3200 in some cases and am very happy with the results. I was even toying with some night sky shots and was pleased with the results (even without the Astro tracer). I was taking some 20-30 second shots that looked very good right out of the camera. I thought I would miss the top LCD of my K20D, but after a few months, I don't see the need. One of my only complaints other than the battery design, is the fact that the setting for turning off the rear LCD is not permanent. It resets after each power cycle. This can be a problem when shooting at night, or if you are trying to extend battery life to the fullest.
| | | | | Junior Member Registered: February, 2013 Location: Ontario Posts: 54 | | Review Date: October 15, 2013 | Recommended | Price: $650.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | image quality | | Cons: | | | Years Owned: 0.5
Ergonomics: 9
Build Quality: 9
User Interface: 9
Autofocus: 8
Features: 9
Value: 9
Image Quality: 9
Noise: 9
New or Used: New
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Just a lot of fun to use. Great creative potential.
| | | | | New Member Registered: October, 2013 Posts: 7 | | Review Date: October 15, 2013 | Recommended | Price: $620.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | WR, fast, easy to use, lens compatability | | Cons: | video, af noise | | Years Owned: 1
Ergonomics: 10
Build Quality: 10
User Interface: 10
Autofocus: 9
Features: 9
Value: 10
Image Quality: 9
Noise: 8
New or Used: New
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Im looking for my first DSLR and i chose this Pentax. Its real good camera for noob like me, image quality is good. Own this with 18-55 WR, right now im looking for good telephoto. I'm happy that i purchased it. Good work Pentax
| | | | | New Member Registered: July, 2013 Posts: 1 | | Review Date: October 15, 2013 | Recommended | Price: $640.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | | | Cons: | | | Years Owned: >1
Ergonomics: 10
Build Quality: 9
User Interface: 10
Autofocus: 9
Features: 9
Value: 10
Image Quality: 9
Noise: 9
New or Used: New
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Very good product,i'm happy that i purchased it and i would recomend it again.
| | | | | New Member Registered: January, 2012 Location: Pireaus Posts: 3 | | Review Date: October 15, 2013 | Recommended | Price: None indicated
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | | | Cons: | | | Years Owned: 2
Ergonomics: 9
Build Quality: 9
User Interface: 10
Autofocus: 9
Features: 9
Value: 9
Image Quality: 9
Noise: 8
New or Used: New
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This is the 2nd pentax that I have ever owned and I am very happy with it!
I just wish they didn't discontinue the model...
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