DPreview K-30

curlednoodles · 10-30-2012, 10:31 AM

Originally posted by deadwolfbones

I'll comment on this, since I wrote that review (not Adam), and the claim was mine:

Yes, I still think it's better than the K-5 (overall, all things considered, for the range of possible users, etc etc). And no, Class A, I don't want to reopen that argument.

ah ok, thanks. Yea, initially i was going to save up and get the K5II or K5IIs but now im leaning towards buying the K30 body and spending the money saved on some quality lenses. Im glad i didnt pick up the K5 now that its cheap. A great camera, sure, but the focus peaking, better AF and faster processor are leaning me towards the K30.
I have some manual glass, especially the 50MM F1.4 that would be excellent on the K30. I miss so many shots with my Kx because its out of focus, despite appearing ok in the camera at the time.

deadwolfbones · 10-30-2012, 10:40 AM

Originally posted by curlednoodles

ah ok, thanks. Yea, initially i was going to save up and get the K5II or K5IIs but now im leaning towards buying the K30 body and spending the money saved on some quality lenses. Im glad i didnt pick up the K5 now that its cheap. A great camera, sure, but the focus peaking, better AF and faster processor are leaning me towards the K30.

I own both, and I think both are great cameras, but I have more trust in my K-30 than I do in my K-5. That's really the difference for me.

Quote:

I have some manual glass, especially the 50MM F1.4 that would be excellent on the K30. I miss so many shots with my Kx because its out of focus, despite appearing ok in the camera at the time.

The K-30's focusing is definitely more reliable than past Pentax dSLRs, in my experience, but there's a good chance that some of your missed shots are user error or a mis-calibrated focusing screen (when shooting manual focus), which can happen to virtually any dSLR. Don't count on a magic bullet.

SyncGuy · 11-01-2012, 01:35 AM

Hmm....

How would the K30 AF compare against the newer Safox X (or whatever)?
And does the K30 AF sensor detects up to -3EV? I'm just curious here..

audiobomber · 11-01-2012, 09:23 AM

Originally posted by SyncGuy

How would the K30 AF compare against the newer Safox X (or whatever)?
And does the K30 AF sensor detects up to -3EV? I'm just curious here..

Low light auto-focus is not up to K-5 II standards, but according to Pentax, the K-30 was designed to be more reliable than the K-5 under coloured lighting:

From the Pentax Ricoh press announcement:
"Newly developed SAFOX IXi+ Autofocus (AF) module for improved autofocus performance
The K-30 features the new state-of-the-art SAFOX IXi+ AF sensor module, which assures responsive, high-precision autofocus operation by incorporating a diffraction lens to minimize chromatic aberration in accordance to the characteristics of each individual lens. A dedicated sensor also factors the light source into its calculations at the time of shooting."

From the introduction of the K-30 review at DPR:
"It (K-30) doesn't come with the K-5 II's Safox X AF-system which allows you to focus in very dark scenes down to -3EV"

Last edited by audiobomber; 11-01-2012 at 09:33 AM.

JinDesu · 11-01-2012, 09:50 AM

The k-5II has the same diffraction elements for odd lighting.

audiobomber · 11-01-2012, 09:58 AM

Originally posted by JinDesu

The k-5II has the same diffraction elements for odd lighting.

I agree, I did not say otherwise.

bhairavp · 11-01-2012, 10:55 AM - **1 Like**

326GBP after cashback at SRS! Official UK model!
Pentax K-30 Black Digital SLR Camera Body + Spare Battery - SPECIAL! - Only £369.00 - SRS Microsystems

JinDesu · 11-01-2012, 11:55 AM

Originally posted by audiobomber

I agree, I did not say otherwise.

Sorry, didn't realize I was in the wrong thread!

Thought this was the k-5II thread.

kadajawi · 11-01-2012, 10:30 PM

Originally posted by OrchidJulie

Ditto that. If I wanted a video camera I would get one. No interest whatever in the video capabilities!

I bought a compact still camera for shooting video. So much better than dedicated video cameras (video quality). And much cheaper too, comparable video cameras would have costed much, much more.

If I wanted a video camera that delivers the quality/look of a DSLR, I'd be spending around $10000. Rather than $800. And I'd still be getting the rolling shutter effect.

There is a reason why TV stations who already have a nice set of professional video cameras have started using DSLRs. THEY ARE BETTER.

There is a reason why big budget TV shows like House MD sometimes shoot with DSLRs (at least one episode was completely shot with some Canon DSLR. Hell, they are even used for cinema productions.

You just can't get the look and the quality with a video camera.

Of course for ease of use a dedicated video camera will be better, so if you have no artistic intentions with your video, don't want to play with the DoF etc. and only use AF then yes, by all means get a video camera.

curlednoodles · 11-02-2012, 10:10 AM

Originally posted by bhairavp

326GBP after cashback at SRS! Official UK model!
Pentax K-30 Black Digital SLR Camera Body + Spare Battery - SPECIAL! - Only £369.00 - SRS Microsystems

wow thats a great deal

Ivan_M · 11-02-2012, 12:35 PM

Originally posted by curlednoodles

wow thats a great deal

I couldn't resist, that price is absolutelly amazing! Its a shame that I do not live in the UK to claim the casback... I noticed that the cashback is also available in Czech Republic where I live, but the body here sells for 533 pounds minus 40 for the cashback is still much more expensive...

HUGE thanks to bhairavp for posting this deal!!

Pheo · 11-02-2012, 01:20 PM

I paid £950 for mine with 18-135mm! What a deal!

blacknosugar · 11-02-2012, 02:13 PM

Video has gone from being a novelty to a core feature on DSLRs and Pentax ignore that at their peril.
Any wannabe film-maker or documentary shooter these days is going to be holding a Canon DSLR.

A few quid spent on a stereo mic input jack would have made this camera a Canikon killer IMHO. Many consumer buyers will, I imagine, be turned off by poor video support because it's something they 'might' want to use sometime.

SteveB · 11-02-2012, 03:31 PM

What DSLRs really need for audio is a radio link to an external mic. I mean, who wants a mic on the camera or leads trailing to one from the camera.

Oh, and I don't see Canon DSLRs as being perfect for video, they're just a bit better than a K-30 but with rather obvious issues still.

OrchidJulie · 11-02-2012, 05:35 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by kadajawi

Of course for ease of use a dedicated video camera will be better, so if you have no artistic intentions with your video, don't want to play with the DoF etc. and only use AF then yes, by all means get a video camera.

But that's just it... I have no intentions, artistic or otherwise, with any video. So the video components of the K30 (and my K-r, for that matter) are just excess baggage to me. Obviously not to some folks, but I agree that separating the still and video aspects in a review and rating makes more sense.

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10-30-2012, 10:31 AM	#16
curlednoodles Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Far North Qld, Australia Posts: 184	Originally posted by deadwolfbones I'll comment on this, since I wrote that review (not Adam), and the claim was mine: Yes, I still think it's better than the K-5 (overall, all things considered, for the range of possible users, etc etc). And no, Class A, I don't want to reopen that argument. ah ok, thanks. Yea, initially i was going to save up and get the K5II or K5IIs but now im leaning towards buying the K30 body and spending the money saved on some quality lenses. Im glad i didnt pick up the K5 now that its cheap. A great camera, sure, but the focus peaking, better AF and faster processor are leaning me towards the K30. I have some manual glass, especially the 50MM F1.4 that would be excellent on the K30. I miss so many shots with my Kx because its out of focus, despite appearing ok in the camera at the time.

10-30-2012, 10:40 AM	#17
deadwolfbones Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: La Crescenta, CA Posts: 7,450	Originally posted by curlednoodles ah ok, thanks. Yea, initially i was going to save up and get the K5II or K5IIs but now im leaning towards buying the K30 body and spending the money saved on some quality lenses. Im glad i didnt pick up the K5 now that its cheap. A great camera, sure, but the focus peaking, better AF and faster processor are leaning me towards the K30. I own both, and I think both are great cameras, but I have more trust in my K-30 than I do in my K-5. That's really the difference for me. Quote: I have some manual glass, especially the 50MM F1.4 that would be excellent on the K30. I miss so many shots with my Kx because its out of focus, despite appearing ok in the camera at the time. The K-30's focusing is definitely more reliable than past Pentax dSLRs, in my experience, but there's a good chance that some of your missed shots are user error or a mis-calibrated focusing screen (when shooting manual focus), which can happen to virtually any dSLR. Don't count on a magic bullet.

11-01-2012, 01:35 AM	#18
SyncGuy Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 821	Hmm.... How would the K30 AF compare against the newer Safox X (or whatever)? And does the K30 AF sensor detects up to -3EV? I'm just curious here..

11-01-2012, 09:23 AM	#19
audiobomber Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Sudbury, Ontario Photos: Albums Posts: 6,806	Originally posted by SyncGuy How would the K30 AF compare against the newer Safox X (or whatever)? And does the K30 AF sensor detects up to -3EV? I'm just curious here.. Low light auto-focus is not up to K-5 II standards, but according to Pentax, the K-30 was designed to be more reliable than the K-5 under coloured lighting: From the Pentax Ricoh press announcement: "Newly developed SAFOX IXi+ Autofocus (AF) module for improved autofocus performance The K-30 features the new state-of-the-art SAFOX IXi+ AF sensor module, which assures responsive, high-precision autofocus operation by incorporating a diffraction lens to minimize chromatic aberration in accordance to the characteristics of each individual lens. A dedicated sensor also factors the light source into its calculations at the time of shooting." From the introduction of the K-30 review at DPR: "It (K-30) doesn't come with the K-5 II's Safox X AF-system which allows you to focus in very dark scenes down to -3EV" Last edited by audiobomber; 11-01-2012 at 09:33 AM.

11-01-2012, 09:50 AM	#20
JinDesu Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: New York City Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,638	The k-5II has the same diffraction elements for odd lighting.

11-01-2012, 09:58 AM	#21
audiobomber Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Sudbury, Ontario Photos: Albums Posts: 6,806	Originally posted by JinDesu The k-5II has the same diffraction elements for odd lighting. I agree, I did not say otherwise.

11-01-2012, 10:55 AM - 1 Like	#22
bhairavp Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Mumbai, India Posts: 399	326GBP after cashback at SRS! Official UK model! Pentax K-30 Black Digital SLR Camera Body + Spare Battery - SPECIAL! - Only £369.00 - SRS Microsystems

11-01-2012, 11:55 AM	#23
JinDesu Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: New York City Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,638	Originally posted by audiobomber I agree, I did not say otherwise. Sorry, didn't realize I was in the wrong thread! Thought this was the k-5II thread.

11-01-2012, 10:30 PM	#24
kadajawi Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 2,799	Originally posted by OrchidJulie Ditto that. If I wanted a video camera I would get one. No interest whatever in the video capabilities! I bought a compact still camera for shooting video. So much better than dedicated video cameras (video quality). And much cheaper too, comparable video cameras would have costed much, much more. If I wanted a video camera that delivers the quality/look of a DSLR, I'd be spending around $10000. Rather than $800. And I'd still be getting the rolling shutter effect. There is a reason why TV stations who already have a nice set of professional video cameras have started using DSLRs. THEY ARE BETTER. There is a reason why big budget TV shows like House MD sometimes shoot with DSLRs (at least one episode was completely shot with some Canon DSLR. Hell, they are even used for cinema productions. You just can't get the look and the quality with a video camera. Of course for ease of use a dedicated video camera will be better, so if you have no artistic intentions with your video, don't want to play with the DoF etc. and only use AF then yes, by all means get a video camera.

11-02-2012, 10:10 AM	#25
curlednoodles Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Far North Qld, Australia Posts: 184	Originally posted by bhairavp 326GBP after cashback at SRS! Official UK model! Pentax K-30 Black Digital SLR Camera Body + Spare Battery - SPECIAL! - Only £369.00 - SRS Microsystems wow thats a great deal

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11-02-2012, 12:35 PM	#26
Ivan_M Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Czech Republic (EU) Posts: 44	Originally posted by curlednoodles wow thats a great deal I couldn't resist, that price is absolutelly amazing! Its a shame that I do not live in the UK to claim the casback... I noticed that the cashback is also available in Czech Republic where I live, but the body here sells for 533 pounds minus 40 for the cashback is still much more expensive... HUGE thanks to bhairavp for posting this deal!!

11-02-2012, 01:20 PM	#27
Pheo Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Brighton, United Kingdom Photos: Gallery Posts: 311	I paid £950 for mine with 18-135mm! What a deal!

11-02-2012, 02:13 PM	#28
blacknosugar Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 58	Video has gone from being a novelty to a core feature on DSLRs and Pentax ignore that at their peril. Any wannabe film-maker or documentary shooter these days is going to be holding a Canon DSLR. A few quid spent on a stereo mic input jack would have made this camera a Canikon killer IMHO. Many consumer buyers will, I imagine, be turned off by poor video support because it's something they 'might' want to use sometime.

11-02-2012, 03:31 PM	#29
SteveB Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: U.K. Posts: 685	What DSLRs really need for audio is a radio link to an external mic. I mean, who wants a mic on the camera or leads trailing to one from the camera. Oh, and I don't see Canon DSLRs as being perfect for video, they're just a bit better than a K-30 but with rather obvious issues still.

11-02-2012, 05:35 PM - 1 Like	#30
OrchidJulie Moderator Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Magic City Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,931	Originally posted by kadajawi Of course for ease of use a dedicated video camera will be better, so if you have no artistic intentions with your video, don't want to play with the DoF etc. and only use AF then yes, by all means get a video camera. But that's just it... I have no intentions, artistic or otherwise, with any video. So the video components of the K30 (and my K-r, for that matter) are just excess baggage to me. Obviously not to some folks, but I agree that separating the still and video aspects in a review and rating makes more sense.