[Blue]

I don't see anything entry-level about this camera. The marketing manager for Pentax Americas said they refer to it as a mid-level DSLR. Entry level cameras don't have two wheels or weather-resistance.

K-5 has 14-bit raw vs 12, ISO 80 vs 100. K-5 has a few more switches (metering mode, separate buttons for AE-L & AF, AF Select), where the K-30 has menus. Metal body vs. metal frame & polycarbonate body. ISO performance should be equal, maximum dynamic range should be about 1.5 stops higher in favour of the K-5, resolution is equal. The K-30 has focus peaking for manual focus in Live View, better video mode (I don't know the details because I don't care about video) but the K-5 will allow an external mike. K-30 is slightly smaller & lighter, battery won't last as long (half as many shots?), but the K-30 can also use AA's. K-30 has more WR seals and improved AF. K-30 is priced lower. That's all I can think of.

Don't forget the faster shutter on the K-5 (1/8000) as well as the HDMI jack, external mic jack and external remote jack. The K-5 also takes an optional grip.

[audiobomber]

How does the K-30's prospective DR capabilities compare to the K-r? If it's not quite up to K-5 standards, how much better than the K-r do we expect it to be?

It should be equal to the K-01, so 12.9 Ev vs. 12.5 for the K-r.

[audiobomber]

Don't forget the faster shutter on the K-5 (1/8000) as well as the HDMI jack, external mic jack and external remote jack. The K-5 also takes an optional grip.

Thanks, looks like I forgot a few K-5 advantages. I did mention the microphone jack, I wasn't aware there was no jack for exteral remote.

[loco]

It should be equal to the K-01, so 12.9 Ev vs. 12.5 for the K-r

Thanks!

[Alizarine]

How does the K-30's prospective DR capabilities compare to the K-r? If it's not quite up to K-5 standards, how much better than the K-r do we expect it to be?

Look at the K-5 and K-01, it's going to be somewhere close to that.

the T4i will of course outsell it 4 to one though maybe less with the K-30 going into Target (and probably some other big stores)

If Pentax manages to market the K-30 really well, it could match the Canon two to one (if the Nikon D5200 goes the same way as the D3200; I doubt the Nikon counterpart will have WR nor pentaprism nor 2 user modes... but it will have mic input and battery grip option I guess)

[audiobomber]

Look at the K-5 and K-01, it's going to be somewhere close to that.

There is a large gap in DR between the K-5 and K-01. The K-30 will be like the K-01 raw engine, not like the K-5.

[Alizarine]

There is a large gap in DR between the K-5 and K-01. The K-30 will be like the K-01 raw engine, not like the K-5.

It's hard to tell exactly how large that gap is unless it's viewed on charts and stuff. Comparing the K-30 to the K-r makes the K-30 closer to the K-5 right? as that was what he was asking; "how much better than the K-r"

[Blue]

Thanks, looks like I forgot a few K-5 advantages. I did mention the microphone jack, I wasn't aware there was no jack for exteral remote.

I am not 100% on the external remote, but I have read that was the case. I hope I am misinformed on that.

[vinceloc]

I'm curious about the "Pentax Hand Strap" which photographyblog.com mentions as an optional accessory. Can any pictures be provided on this?

[audiobomber]

I am not 100% on the external remote, but I have read that was the case. I hope I am misinformed on that.

The official specs are shown now at Pentax Imaging, There is a jack for wired remote:
- Cable switch: Yes (available separately)
PENTAX - K-30 Black

I'm curious about the "Pentax Hand Strap" which photographyblog.com mentions as an optional accessory. Can any pictures be provided on this?

The Pentax hand strap is not just for the K-30, it fits all Pentax DSLR's. Here it is on the Pentax site but it's available for sale all over the world, just Google it.
http://www.pentaximaging.com/accessories/DSLR_Leather_Hand_Strap

[audiobomber]

It's hard to tell exactly how large that gap is unless it's viewed on charts and stuff. Comparing the K-30 to the K-r makes the K-30 closer to the K-5 right? as that was what he was asking; "how much better than the K-r"

Graphs are available at DXOMark if you substitute the K-01 for the K-30. There is no reason to expect the K-30 to be different than the K-01. From anything I've seen, they have the same sensor and same 12-bit raw processing engine.

Mostly when people talk about dynamic range, they quote the maximum available DR:
K-01/K-30; 12.9 Ev @ ISO 100
K-r; 12.4 Ev @ ISO 100
K-5; 14.1 Ev @ ISO 80

The graph shows the K-01 gradually gains ground up to ISO 1600, where it is half a stop lower than the K-5 (9.88 vs. 10.35 Ev). At ISO 3200 and beyond, where Pentax adds non-defeatable noise reduction, the K-01 and K-5 DR are equal, but the K-5 has a slightly higher signal-to-noise ratio.
DxOMark - Compare cameras side by side

[french_mike]

and will fit any D-SLR

[solar1]

"IMAGE STABILIZATION Type: Sensor-shift SR w rotational compensation (3 stops max)".

Adam should want to add this to the specs comparison page. I believe K-5 has four stops max.

Definitely dumbed down if this proves correct.


Source: PENTAX - K-30 Black

[audiobomber]

"IMAGE STABILIZATION Type: Sensor-shift SR w rotational compensation (3 stops max)".

Adam should want to add this to the specs comparison page. I believe K-5 has four stops max.

Definitely dumbed down if this proves correct.

Good find. I looked at the K-r spec because IIRC, the K-5 and K-7 had rotational compensation that other Pentaxes did not, but the K-r claims four stops. It's hard to believe the K-30 SR would be less capable than the K-r. Maybe they're just trying to be more truthful.

[builttospill]

Why do people keep saying there's no wired remote plug in this camera? The wired remote symbol was clearly visible on the door in early leaked photos.