[dmfw]

Any comments on the K-30 vs. the new Nikon D3200 (24.2 megapixel) SLR. I know one person who has played with the D3200 and he likes the camera. Also, D3200 is $150 less than the K-30.

I like the Pentax, but the D3200's specs + the Nikon name may deprive Pentax of its thunder.

Thanks

P.S

I like the K-30's high ISO, the sealed body is OK, but I hoped for a 18+ megapixel sensor.

[Adam]

I think the K-30 still outclasses the D3200- from what I've heard from the Nikon community, they're not that fond of the 24Mp sensor in that camera.

I think a fairer comparison would be K-30 vs D5100.

[ElrondElensar]

D3200 is an entry-level camera. I am sure Nikon D5100, which will be upgraded sometimes this year, will be closer camera (at least in price).

K30 though offers quite unique features for it's price (like WR, dual dial, 100% VF) that neither D5100 nor the upcoming T4i would match.

[JinDesu]

The K-30, running the k-5/K-01 sensor, will have better DR, better high ISO, and a bit better sharpness than the D3200. In addition to that, it is marketed at the mid-level (prosumer) group - the same group that will enjoy two dials, pentaprism 100% coverage viewfinder, and WR.

In addition to that, the K-30 is very interesting to look at - plus the blue and white color versions are very striking. Much of the comments at DPReview have been giving props to Pentax for the design and the WR. Responses on the D3200 at DPReview have been more mixed - most are discussing the sensor (as it is new, while the K-30's has a pretty solid background). There isn't as much positive response to it.

So to summarize - the K-30 is thundering on pretty well right now, as far as I can see.

[VoiceOfReason]

I bet if a store carries both and people can handle both you would see the difference. I handled the D7100 and the K5 both, and my K5 feels so much more substantial.

[ElrondElensar]

I think the K-30 still outclasses the D3200- from what I've heard from the Nikon community, they're not that fond of the 24Mp sensor in that camera.

I think a fairer comparison would be K-30 vs D5100.

The 24 MP sensor is going to be huge selling point, once the camera gets to shop. That's a specification that average people know about a camera.

Yes, D5100 would be the right comparison to K30, but D5100 is an year old. It's next in line for upgrade.

[jmg257]

I know one person who has played with the D3200 and he likes the camera. Also, D3200 is $150 less than the K-30.

I like the Pentax, but the D3200's specs + the Nikon name may deprive Pentax of its thunder.

Have you actually read the D3200 specs?? Other then 24MP, it offers NOthing over the K-30...and fails in numerous (important) feature comparisons.

As posted in another thread - 'weird how manufacturers release dumb cameras for ignorant people'. Simply produce a severly crippled body but stick a big MP sensor in there (with corresponding big files and slow processing, framerates etc.), price it entry level - and people go nuts.

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Last edited by jmg257; 05-22-2012 at 01:53 PM.

[lpfonseca]

(...) I hoped for a 18+ megapixel sensor.

Why? What are you hoping to do with the few extra megapixels?

[Paolo.Bosetti]

Why? What are you hoping to do with the few extra megapixels?

Best question in a while.

[einstrigger]

I would take a K30 over the D3200 any day. The D3200 uses a pentamirror (yuck) versus a pentaprism as used by the K30. Look through the viewfinder of a camera with a pentaprism in low-light (or at night) versus a pentamirror to see the difference. The pentaprism is much brighter and provides 100% coverage. What you see through the viewfinder is what you'll get. Other features that come to mind where the K30 is superior to the D3200:

1. dual control wheels vs. one
2. 6 FPS burst vs. 4 FPS
3. weather sealing vs. none
4. AE bracketing 3 exposures vs. none
5. focus peaking vs. none
6. AF with all Pentax AF lenses vs. AF only with Nikon AF-S lenses
7. AF with 9 cross-type points vs. 1 cross-type
8. In-body stabilization vs. lens only

I think those features are worth the $150 extra over the D3200, but if history tells us anything, the street prices will usually be lower after a couple months.

[aleonx3]

Why? What are you hoping to do with the few extra megapixels?

Not to mention the baggage that comes with that... which means you are likely refrain from taking photos in RAW as the 24mp RAW file can get really big fast. This also means you need bigger size memory card and also longer processing time.

[goldenarrow]

Best question in a while.

What good are 24mp cameras if the pictures are blurry??? And who wants to spend 30-50% more for each VR lens??? Sheeple to slaughter.....

[Rondec]

The 24 megapixel sensor may resolve more at low iso than the 16 megapixel sensor. I say may, because you will have to use the right lens, have perfect focus and have everything else come together just right. Other than that, as everyone else says, the K30 kills the D3200. A camera is a tool, a light box for a lens, meant to take photos. To me, the tools that accompany that in the K-30 will make it much more likely to help a photographer get the photo he/she wants.

I would not personally want a camera with just one control dial (even if it had eight more megapixels) or a pentamirror, but maybe that's just me.

[InlawBiker]

The K30 looks like the spiritual replacement of the K200d. A lot of people have said, "if they'd just re-make the K200d." Well it looks like they just did. The price is too close to the K-5's though. Certainly it will drop a bit later in the year.

I expect the K-5 successor to have the new Sony 24mp sensor. It would make sense but in my opinion it would not be an upgrade.

[VoiceOfReason]

For me, nothing! I generally always resize my pics. I can't think of too many times I need a full size pic from either the K5 or the Kx.