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05-21-2012, 07:00 PM   #1
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K5 vs K30?

Hi,
Looking to upgrade from the Kx to the K5 for a while now but now the K30 is quite similar to the K5 and cheaper...So basically should I stick with the K5 (please list why) or (list why) I should get the K30 over the K5. No, I do not want to go the mirrorless route (K01 or the Q).

If there is a thread like this somewhere already, please just link me to that so I can just close this thread unless of course there are people who would care to just share their thoughts here.

Thanks.

05-21-2012, 07:08 PM   #2
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If you dont need top display, K30 for sure. Better jpeg enginne, better AF. Cheaper.
05-21-2012, 07:14 PM   #3
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Or a gently used <1000 activations, K5 for the same price.
05-21-2012, 07:15 PM   #4
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It depends, K5 still has his edge with RAW, it can shoot more of them and they are 14bit if you shoot JPEG then go with the K30 unless you need some of the missing features.
You can also wait, K5 replacement might not be far behind.

05-21-2012, 07:16 PM   #5
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QuoteOriginally posted by Anvh Quote
It depends, K5 still has his edge with RAW, it can shoot more of them and they are 14bit if you shoot JPEG then go with the K30 unless you need some of the missing features.
You can also wait, K5 replacement might not be far behind.
Oh yeah you brought up something I completely forgot to post about haha (regarding the K5 replacement), being that I have limited funds and will likely not be able to afford the new K5 replacement, I have limited this selection to just the K30 and K5.

Thanks all for the input.
05-21-2012, 07:17 PM   #6
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base on the spec, seems like the only advantage of the k5 over k30 is the magnesium body and that top LDC display.
k5 has more buttons which makes the handling slightly better.

but then k30 has better AF, focus peaking (which will be great help with manual lens), and basically the same sensor.
the k30 might be a bit cheaper, but the price of k5 isn't much different (seems a lot of $900 recently)

without a hands on or more in dept review it's difficult to draw conclusion.
05-21-2012, 07:19 PM   #7
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Make the specification comparison between the cameras and see what features you value most to make the decision easier. The K30 does tick just about all the boxes though.

05-21-2012, 07:25 PM   #8
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QuoteOriginally posted by usmcxm35 Quote
Or a gently used <1000 activations, K5 for the same price.
QFT Hahahaha
05-21-2012, 07:27 PM   #9
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QuoteOriginally posted by Trysaeder Quote
QFT Hahahaha
qft?? what is that supposed to be/mean?
edit: quoted for truth?
05-21-2012, 07:27 PM   #10
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Here is what the k-5 still has as an advantage:

1) faster FPS burst
2) metal body
3) top lcd
4) a few more dedicated buttons
5) faster shutter speed 1/8000
6) wider EV compensation
7) provision for battery grip
8) 14 bit RAW
9) 80 - 51200 ISO
10) expanded bracketing choices
11) expanded user modes
12) wired remote port

If none of that matters then the k-30 is a no brainer. The k-30 hopefully has better AF, at least they are using that as a selling point, and better video and though I have not seen figures yet I assume it is lighter than k-5.
05-21-2012, 07:30 PM   #11
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QuoteOriginally posted by jatrax Quote
Here is what the k-5 still has as an advantage:

1) faster FPS burst
2) metal body
3) top lcd
4) a few more dedicated buttons
5) faster shutter speed 1/8000
6) wider EV compensation
7) provision for battery grip
8) 14 bit RAW
9) 80 - 51200 ISO
10) expanded bracketing choices
11) expanded user modes
12) wired remote port

If none of that matters then the k-30 is a no brainer. The k-30 hopefully has better AF, at least they are using that as a selling point, and better video and though I have not seen figures yet I assume it is lighter than k-5.
funny, I couldve sworn I read somewhere the k30 had the faster fps burst rate...im not too concerned about the AF of the k5 as long as it equals or is better than the kx...i dont really care about video either, 1080p @ 25fps (k5) is better than what the kx has.
05-21-2012, 07:34 PM   #12
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QuoteOriginally posted by CTR01 Quote
I couldve sworn I read somewhere the k30 had the faster fps burst rate
k-5 spec says 7 fps, k-30 says 6 fps. Not sure that difference matters much in real life but that's what the spec says.

Bottom line, k-30 is a newer camera with some advances. k-5 is more camera. But if the things k-5 has over k-30 do not matter to you then k-30 is better buy. k-30 is not k-x, it is a mid-range camera with feature set between k-x and k-5
05-21-2012, 08:02 PM   #13
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1. Someone please explain the RAW difference between K-30 and K-5 regarding image quality.

2. Do you think the AF sensor size is smaller compared to K-5 ?

3. Does the sensor added to help AF takes some of the incoming light and consequently reduces low light performance, as Sony cameras (like A55) do ?
05-21-2012, 08:14 PM - 1 Like   #14
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QuoteOriginally posted by jatrax Quote
Here is what the k-5 still has as an advantage:

1) faster FPS burst
2) metal body
3) top lcd
4) a few more dedicated buttons
5) faster shutter speed 1/8000
6) wider EV compensation
7) provision for battery grip
8) 14 bit RAW
9) 80 - 51200 ISO
10) expanded bracketing choices
11) expanded user modes
12) wired remote port
I hope you don't mind me updating this list a little

1) faster FPS burst
2) metal body
3) top lcd
4) a few more dedicated buttons (eg separate AF and AE-L, AF number of points selection switch)
5) faster shutter speed 1/8000
6) wider EV compensation
7) provision for battery grip
8) 14 bit RAW
9) 80 - 51200 ISO
10) expanded bracketing choices
11) expanded user modes (5 vs 2)
12) wired remote port
12) much longer battery life (~450 shots vs 1,000+)
13) HDMI out
14) microphone jack
15) DOF on the on/off switch
16) much deeper RAW buffer
05-21-2012, 08:14 PM   #15
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More dynamic range mostly with lower ISO's
Beside that the K5 has a larger buffer then the K30 so you can shoot more while the K30 might stall if you press the release button for longer then a second.
I think i might fill the buffer with the K30 when doing concert shoots, i often shoot in bursts then and when comparing 3FPS and 6FPS buffer there is not a big gain so the processor seems to be slow with RAW, no idea if it's actually faster or slower then the K5 but the larger buffer is in K5 favour here for sure.
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