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nms_photog · 01-31-2014, 07:46 PM

Figured I'd ask this here. I was all set to upgrade my 5yr old K-x to a K50. That is, until the K3 hit the streets and all the K5's started dropping onto the used market at basement prices. So I'm left in a bit of a pickle. I know either is a significant upgrade to my K-x, but how do they really stack up to each other? I'm feeling I'm to the point I want a battery grip option, as I'm finding myself shooting allot in portrait orientation........which leads me to take the K5. However, the focus peaking and video specs of the k50 sway me that way. If I could afford it, I would get the k3 and forget everything. However, I don't have that kind of budget at this time.

cali92rs · 01-31-2014, 08:13 PM

So, while I dont have the K-50, I have the K-5030 which is the same camera in a different body. I also had a K-5. Here is a thread I started a while back comparing the two.
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/151-pentax-k-30-k-50/230552-switched-k-5-k-30-a.html

Basically, if I had to, I would probably get the K-5. Its just an overall better shooting experience, the DR is better and the noise is better controlled.

Kozlok · 01-31-2014, 08:26 PM

Me, I couldn't live without focus peaking. I shoot manual focus all the time, though.

Pepe Le Pew · 01-31-2014, 08:59 PM

I'll stick to my K-30

sheld · 01-31-2014, 09:07 PM

Originally posted by nms_photog

Figured I'd ask this here. I was all set to upgrade my 5yr old K-x to a K50. That is, until the K3 hit the streets and all the K5's started dropping onto the used market at basement prices. So I'm left in a bit of a pickle. I know either is a significant upgrade to my K-x, but how do they really stack up to each other? I'm feeling I'm to the point I want a battery grip option, as I'm finding myself shooting allot in portrait orientation........which leads me to take the K5. However, the focus peaking and video specs of the k50 sway me that way. If I could afford it, I would get the k3 and forget everything. However, I don't have that kind of budget at this time.

I upgraded from a K-x to a K30, and I'm very happy. Everything on the K30 is a little bit better, resolution, focus accuracy/speed, lower noise. Also, the viewfinder is bigger and brighter, and liveview is better, it as a focus assist lamp, and a slightly taller flash. I use AA batteries, in the optional AA battery holder.

**boriscleto** · 01-31-2014, 09:41 PM

Either camera is a great upgrade from the K-x. The first time I took my K-5 outside of my house I shot 2 pics that made it into PPG...

PPG totals: 1 K1000, 15 K-x, 61 K-5

nms_photog · 01-31-2014, 10:49 PM

Originally posted by sheld

I upgraded from a K-x to a K30, and I'm very happy. Everything on the K30 is a little bit better, resolution, focus accuracy/speed, lower noise. Also, the viewfinder is bigger and brighter, and liveview is better, it as a focus assist lamp, and a slightly taller flash. I use AA batteries, in the optional AA battery holder.

I forgot that the K50 still allows AA's as well........I also love that option!!! Dang that makes it hard to decide.

Last edited by nms_photog; 01-31-2014 at 11:53 PM.

Joojoo2010 · 02-01-2014, 12:25 AM

I have k5 and k30. For me there is only one significant difference, AF is very noisy in k30. Other minor thing is that k30 feels even little better for bigger hand and k30 pttl flash is working better. I personally use k30 if af noise is not problem.

nms_photog · 02-01-2014, 01:01 AM

Originally posted by Joojoo2010

I have k5 and k30. For me there is only one significant difference, AF is very noisy in k30. Other minor thing is that k30 feels even little better for bigger hand and k30 pttl flash is working better. I personally use k30 if af noise is not problem.

Using what AF type.............assume you mean the screw drive correct? igure with the thicker/sturdier K5, that probably helps to quiet that down a good bit. At this point, I'm leaning back to the K50 again. Mainly due to the focus peaking and AA option.

dansamy · 02-01-2014, 02:30 AM

I upgraaded from a K-x to a K-5ii during the Black Friday sale @ B&H. All I can really say is WOW! The difference is phenomenal. There' no focus peaking, but the k-x doesn't have it either. And I only own one all-manual lens (for now).

Joojoo2010 · 02-01-2014, 03:07 AM

Originally posted by nms_photog

Using what AF type.............assume you mean the screw drive correct?.

Yes, k30 screw drive AF is so much more noisy compared to k5. But i do not photo weddings and other places like that often so AF noise does not matter...at least its easy for me to hear when camera is still focusing so i just use AF-C mode alltime with k30

alwaysjerricky · 02-01-2014, 08:10 AM

Originally posted by Joojoo2010

Yes, k30 screw drive AF is so much more noisy compared to k5. But i do not photo weddings and other places like that often so AF noise does not matter...at least its easy for me to hear when camera is still focusing so i just use AF-C mode alltime with k30

Really? The camera body play a part in the AF noise? Not sure haha as I'm just a newbie

alwaysjerricky · 02-01-2014, 08:11 AM

I recommend the K-30/K-50. I like their advantages over the K-5 over the K-5's advantages over them.

Eruditass · 02-01-2014, 08:22 AM

How is the low light AF between the two?

alwaysjerricky · 02-01-2014, 08:37 AM

Originally posted by Eruditass

How is the low light AF between the two?

I think K5 is still slightly better.

01-31-2014, 07:46 PM	#1
nms_photog Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Mississippi Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 282	K-5 vs K50 Figured I'd ask this here. I was all set to upgrade my 5yr old K-x to a K50. That is, until the K3 hit the streets and all the K5's started dropping onto the used market at basement prices. So I'm left in a bit of a pickle. I know either is a significant upgrade to my K-x, but how do they really stack up to each other? I'm feeling I'm to the point I want a battery grip option, as I'm finding myself shooting allot in portrait orientation........which leads me to take the K5. However, the focus peaking and video specs of the k50 sway me that way. If I could afford it, I would get the k3 and forget everything. However, I don't have that kind of budget at this time.

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01-31-2014, 08:13 PM	#2
cali92rs Veteran Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Long Beach, CA Posts: 3,354	So, while I dont have the K-50, I have the K-5030 which is the same camera in a different body. I also had a K-5. Here is a thread I started a while back comparing the two. https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/151-pentax-k-30-k-50/230552-switched-k-5-k-30-a.html Basically, if I had to, I would probably get the K-5. Its just an overall better shooting experience, the DR is better and the noise is better controlled.

01-31-2014, 08:26 PM	#3
Kozlok Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Albuquerque Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,148	Me, I couldn't live without focus peaking. I shoot manual focus all the time, though.

01-31-2014, 08:59 PM	#4
Pepe Le Pew Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Photos: Albums Posts: 591	I'll stick to my K-30

01-31-2014, 09:07 PM	#5
sheld Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Austin, TX Photos: Albums Posts: 164	Originally posted by nms_photog Figured I'd ask this here. I was all set to upgrade my 5yr old K-x to a K50. That is, until the K3 hit the streets and all the K5's started dropping onto the used market at basement prices. So I'm left in a bit of a pickle. I know either is a significant upgrade to my K-x, but how do they really stack up to each other? I'm feeling I'm to the point I want a battery grip option, as I'm finding myself shooting allot in portrait orientation........which leads me to take the K5. However, the focus peaking and video specs of the k50 sway me that way. If I could afford it, I would get the k3 and forget everything. However, I don't have that kind of budget at this time. I upgraded from a K-x to a K30, and I'm very happy. Everything on the K30 is a little bit better, resolution, focus accuracy/speed, lower noise. Also, the viewfinder is bigger and brighter, and liveview is better, it as a focus assist lamp, and a slightly taller flash. I use AA batteries, in the optional AA battery holder.

01-31-2014, 09:41 PM	#6
boriscleto Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: North Syracuse, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,477	Either camera is a great upgrade from the K-x. The first time I took my K-5 outside of my house I shot 2 pics that made it into PPG... PPG totals: 1 K1000, 15 K-x, 61 K-5

01-31-2014, 10:49 PM	#7
nms_photog Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Mississippi Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 282 Original Poster	Originally posted by sheld I upgraded from a K-x to a K30, and I'm very happy. Everything on the K30 is a little bit better, resolution, focus accuracy/speed, lower noise. Also, the viewfinder is bigger and brighter, and liveview is better, it as a focus assist lamp, and a slightly taller flash. I use AA batteries, in the optional AA battery holder. I forgot that the K50 still allows AA's as well........I also love that option!!! Dang that makes it hard to decide. Last edited by nms_photog; 01-31-2014 at 11:53 PM.

02-01-2014, 12:25 AM	#8
Joojoo2010 Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Posts: 306	I have k5 and k30. For me there is only one significant difference, AF is very noisy in k30. Other minor thing is that k30 feels even little better for bigger hand and k30 pttl flash is working better. I personally use k30 if af noise is not problem.

02-01-2014, 01:01 AM	#9
nms_photog Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Mississippi Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 282 Original Poster	Originally posted by Joojoo2010 I have k5 and k30. For me there is only one significant difference, AF is very noisy in k30. Other minor thing is that k30 feels even little better for bigger hand and k30 pttl flash is working better. I personally use k30 if af noise is not problem. Using what AF type.............assume you mean the screw drive correct? igure with the thicker/sturdier K5, that probably helps to quiet that down a good bit. At this point, I'm leaning back to the K50 again. Mainly due to the focus peaking and AA option.

02-01-2014, 02:30 AM	#10
dansamy Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Alabama Posts: 2,450	I upgraaded from a K-x to a K-5ii during the Black Friday sale @ B&H. All I can really say is WOW! The difference is phenomenal. There' no focus peaking, but the k-x doesn't have it either. And I only own one all-manual lens (for now).

02-01-2014, 03:07 AM	#11
Joojoo2010 Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Posts: 306	Originally posted by nms_photog Using what AF type.............assume you mean the screw drive correct?. Yes, k30 screw drive AF is so much more noisy compared to k5. But i do not photo weddings and other places like that often so AF noise does not matter...at least its easy for me to hear when camera is still focusing so i just use AF-C mode alltime with k30

02-01-2014, 08:10 AM	#12
alwaysjerricky Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 109	Originally posted by Joojoo2010 Yes, k30 screw drive AF is so much more noisy compared to k5. But i do not photo weddings and other places like that often so AF noise does not matter...at least its easy for me to hear when camera is still focusing so i just use AF-C mode alltime with k30 Really? The camera body play a part in the AF noise? Not sure haha as I'm just a newbie

02-01-2014, 08:11 AM	#13
alwaysjerricky Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 109	I recommend the K-30/K-50. I like their advantages over the K-5 over the K-5's advantages over them.

02-01-2014, 08:22 AM	#14
Eruditass Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,207	How is the low light AF between the two?

02-01-2014, 08:37 AM	#15
alwaysjerricky Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 109	Originally posted by Eruditass How is the low light AF between the two? I think K5 is still slightly better.

K-5 vs K50

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