Well, after reading this thread, I decided to examine my blue K30.
When I first got the K30 I put a thin clear screen protector on the LCD, the kind that is used for smartphones, almost immediately. I did a crappy job of it, so my fingerprints and some dust/hairs got trapped between the glass and the screen protector. I peeled the screen protector off today on a whim. To me it looked like the hairs and dust had only gotten between the screen protector and the top of the LCD. Once the screen protector was off, I saw that some dust/hairs had gotten underneath the LCD!
I have used my K30 pretty regularly in the past two months. In fact, today marks exactly two months since I purchased it. I am at 4764 actuations, and while I haven't used my camera in heavy rain, I've taken it hiking, snowshoeing, and cycling in light drizzly weather with no ill effects. The camera functions normally now, but the sole reason I bought this specific camera was so
I can take it with me on a multi-day hike in monsoon weather. If dust and hairs can get underneath the LCD, then water will most certainly get in as well.
So I called the camera store where I bought it, and the salesperson (the same one who sold me the camera) said that if I send it in for repairs today, it will probably be gone from my hands until the new year. He's going to call the Pentax rep and get a more clear answer as to time frame for the repair. That's brutal, since I have a lot of functions coming up where I would like to take pictures and show off my snazzy blue camera.
While this is upsetting, it's not a deal breaker. I've purchased my fair share of tech toys over the years, and defects happen from time to time, especially with 1st gen iterations of new products. I'm just glad I decided to take a closer look and spotted the problem before it led to something worse.
Guess there's no excuse now. I have to buy that bloody yellow K01 so I have a camera for the holidays.
I'm trying to take a picture of the hair and dust underneath the LCD, but I'm finding it difficult with my cellphone camera.
Edit: Just talked with the sales guy. He said that Pentax can't really guarantee a time frame for when the camera can be fixed and returned, because depending on what the specific issue is (they have to examine the camera) they may not have the parts, which can cause a delay. Also, it's the holidays, and things might just be slower because people will be taking time off and stuff. I was advised to wait until the new year before sending the camera in, which I will do. In the meantime I will just be a little extra careful with it during foul weather. Again, I've taken it into some drizzle without issue, but if I can get it fixed for free then why not.