K30 or K50

OldNoob · 11-04-2013, 05:32 PM

Originally posted by shaX 07

Pentax K-50 Review: First Shots

They mention this:

"...the Pentax K-50 comes equipped with a refined version of the K-series' 16.3-megapixel APS-C sensor and PRIME M processor whose tweaks were designed to improve image quality. In particular, Pentax claims the K-50's sensor and processor work together to suppress jaggies (jagged lines) and reduce noise."

Is this at all significant or noticeable in images in comparison to the K30? Or is this difference only relevant to pixel peeping?

Not always a good thing. could simply mean there is more AA (Anti-Aliasing)

image resource has a good review on both cameras. There you can compare images from the same settings.
http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/pentax-k50/FULLRES/K50hSLI00100NR0.HTM
http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/pentax-k30/FULLRES/K30hSLI00100NR0.HTM

I would take a good look at the red fabric swatch in images from both cameras.

Last edited by OldNoob; 11-04-2013 at 05:41 PM.

shaX 07 · 11-04-2013, 05:39 PM

Has anybody performed a thorough, in depth comparison of the K-30 and the K-50? I feel like we all just speculate which is better and most think there isn't a difference.

**skid2964** · 11-12-2013, 05:44 PM

To me, the k-30 images looks better.

The k-30 25,600 ISO image is MUCH better... if anyone cares about ISO that high....

EDIT: I think they may have made a mistake. It looks like they may have used a 51,200 image in place of the 25,600 on the K-50...

Originally posted by OldNoob

Not always a good thing. could simply mean there is more AA (Anti-Aliasing)

image resource has a good review on both cameras. There you can compare images from the same settings.
Digital Cameras, Pentax K-50 Digital Camera Test Image
Digital Cameras, Pentax K-30 Digital Camera Test Image

I would take a good look at the red fabric swatch in images from both cameras.

aremmes · 11-12-2013, 06:17 PM

Originally posted by skid2964

To me, the k-30 images looks better. The k-30 51,200 ISO image is MUCH better... if anyone cares about ISO that high....

You probably mean the K-50; the K-30 goes up to a stop slower at ISO 25,600.

**skid2964** · 11-12-2013, 06:48 PM

I thought I was looking at a 51,200 image from each, then realized I was looking at a 25,600 from each, at least they were initially labeled as such.
But they labeled a 51,600 image from the k-50 as a 25,600... that's why the k-30 image seemed much better. I mistyped in my original post.

Originally posted by aremmes

You probably mean the K-50; the K-30 goes up to a stop slower at ISO 25,600.

shaX 07 · 11-12-2013, 06:57 PM

Originally posted by skid2964

I thought I was looking at a 51,200 image from each, then realized I was looking at a 25,600 from each, at least they were initially labeled as such.
But they labeled a 51,600 image from the k-50 as a 25,600... that's why the k-30 image seemed much better. I mistyped in my original post.

So is it the K50 images that look better than the K30's?

**skid2964** · 11-12-2013, 07:02 PM

I like the images from the k-30 a little better but my statement about the high ISO shot needed to be corrected. They seem to perform the same at high ISO.
But that's just my opinion looking at just the photos in the link above....

Originally posted by shaX 07

So is it the K50 images that look better than the K30's?

Oldbayrunner · 11-15-2013, 03:28 PM

Well with the current price drop at both Amazon & Adorama it's pretty hard to beat $679.00 for a dual wr lens kit K50. I waited and sprung for one yesterday and got it today. With the price drop it made the 1 day shipping a lot easier to swallow. I can officially say I am a digital Pentaxian.

Tighelander · 11-16-2013, 12:22 AM

I was surprised that Costco offers Pentax from their website:

Pentax K-50 2 Lens Weatherproof DSLR Bundle
18-55mm and 50-200mm WR lenses, bag and 16GB SD card. Weatherproof.
$699.99 Delivered
After $150 OFF
Valid through 12/8/13

Guzzie · 03-30-2014, 05:20 AM

In the UK you can get the K30 and the K50 both with a 18-55WR lens.
The K50 version however comes with a plastic mount unlike the older K30 version with the metal mount so a backward step by Pentax in my view.

maltfalc · 03-30-2014, 01:10 PM

Originally posted by old4570

Which camera and Why ?

Been looking at used Pentax DSLR's , and they are ridiculously priced ATM on ebay ...

So why not a new one ? But which one ? K30 or K50

used k-30s come up for sale on here fairly often and way cheaper than on ebay.

ChrisJowett · 06-17-2014, 07:38 AM

I'm looking at either camera with the quiet 18-135. I prefer the look and feel of the K-30 and am very disappointed they went for a "safer" design with the K-50; it looks like a Canon.
They appear to be running out of black K-30s (without discounting them), so I'll probably end up with the now cheaper K-50.

Steve.Ledger · 06-17-2014, 04:46 PM

I chose the K-50 purely on price. It was on special with free frieght inc 18-55mm WR lens direct from Pentax AU.
The K-30 was no longer available through them and I'd never buy a grey market Pentax, other stuff yes (and do) - but Pentax, never.
The only thing that puts me off the K-30 a bit is the 'BandAid' pattern rubber parts. I think the design is fine, but is not aimed at 60 year old men perhaps.

11-12-2013, 05:44 PM	#18
skid2964 Site Supporter Join Date: May 2008 Location: USA Posts: 614	To me, the k-30 images looks better. The k-30 25,600 ISO image is MUCH better... if anyone cares about ISO that high.... EDIT: I think they may have made a mistake. It looks like they may have used a 51,200 image in place of the 25,600 on the K-50... Originally posted by OldNoob Not always a good thing. could simply mean there is more AA (Anti-Aliasing) image resource has a good review on both cameras. There you can compare images from the same settings. Digital Cameras, Pentax K-50 Digital Camera Test Image Digital Cameras, Pentax K-30 Digital Camera Test Image I would take a good look at the red fabric swatch in images from both cameras. Last edited by skid2964; 11-12-2013 at 06:16 PM.

11-16-2013, 12:22 AM	#24
Tighelander Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: San Diego Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 228	Pentax at Costco (website at least) I was surprised that Costco offers Pentax from their website: Pentax K-50 2 Lens Weatherproof DSLR Bundle 18-55mm and 50-200mm WR lenses, bag and 16GB SD card. Weatherproof. $699.99 Delivered After $150 OFF Valid through 12/8/13

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11-04-2013, 05:32 PM	#16
OldNoob Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Posts: 402	Originally posted by shaX 07 Pentax K-50 Review: First Shots They mention this: "...the Pentax K-50 comes equipped with a refined version of the K-series' 16.3-megapixel APS-C sensor and PRIME M processor whose tweaks were designed to improve image quality. In particular, Pentax claims the K-50's sensor and processor work together to suppress jaggies (jagged lines) and reduce noise." Is this at all significant or noticeable in images in comparison to the K30? Or is this difference only relevant to pixel peeping? Not always a good thing. could simply mean there is more AA (Anti-Aliasing) image resource has a good review on both cameras. There you can compare images from the same settings. http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/pentax-k50/FULLRES/K50hSLI00100NR0.HTM http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/pentax-k30/FULLRES/K30hSLI00100NR0.HTM I would take a good look at the red fabric swatch in images from both cameras. Last edited by OldNoob; 11-04-2013 at 05:41 PM.

11-04-2013, 05:39 PM	#17
shaX 07 Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Maine Posts: 331	Has anybody performed a thorough, in depth comparison of the K-30 and the K-50? I feel like we all just speculate which is better and most think there isn't a difference.

11-12-2013, 06:17 PM	#19
aremmes Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Philadelphia Photos: Albums Posts: 217	Originally posted by skid2964 To me, the k-30 images looks better. The k-30 51,200 ISO image is MUCH better... if anyone cares about ISO that high.... You probably mean the K-50; the K-30 goes up to a stop slower at ISO 25,600.

11-12-2013, 06:48 PM	#20
skid2964 Site Supporter Join Date: May 2008 Location: USA Posts: 614	I thought I was looking at a 51,200 image from each, then realized I was looking at a 25,600 from each, at least they were initially labeled as such. But they labeled a 51,600 image from the k-50 as a 25,600... that's why the k-30 image seemed much better. I mistyped in my original post. Originally posted by aremmes You probably mean the K-50; the K-30 goes up to a stop slower at ISO 25,600.

11-12-2013, 06:57 PM	#21
shaX 07 Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Maine Posts: 331	Originally posted by skid2964 I thought I was looking at a 51,200 image from each, then realized I was looking at a 25,600 from each, at least they were initially labeled as such. But they labeled a 51,600 image from the k-50 as a 25,600... that's why the k-30 image seemed much better. I mistyped in my original post. So is it the K50 images that look better than the K30's?

11-12-2013, 07:02 PM	#22
skid2964 Site Supporter Join Date: May 2008 Location: USA Posts: 614	I like the images from the k-30 a little better but my statement about the high ISO shot needed to be corrected. They seem to perform the same at high ISO. But that's just my opinion looking at just the photos in the link above.... Originally posted by shaX 07 So is it the K50 images that look better than the K30's?

11-15-2013, 03:28 PM	#23
Oldbayrunner Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2013 Posts: 1,665	Well with the current price drop at both Amazon & Adorama it's pretty hard to beat $679.00 for a dual wr lens kit K50. I waited and sprung for one yesterday and got it today. With the price drop it made the 1 day shipping a lot easier to swallow. I can officially say I am a digital Pentaxian.

03-30-2014, 05:20 AM	#25
Guzzie Inactive Account Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Southport UK Posts: 6	In the UK you can get the K30 and the K50 both with a 18-55WR lens. The K50 version however comes with a plastic mount unlike the older K30 version with the metal mount so a backward step by Pentax in my view.

03-30-2014, 01:10 PM	#26
maltfalc Veteran Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Winnipeg Photos: Albums Posts: 396	Originally posted by old4570 Which camera and Why ? Been looking at used Pentax DSLR's , and they are ridiculously priced ATM on ebay ... So why not a new one ? But which one ? K30 or K50 used k-30s come up for sale on here fairly often and way cheaper than on ebay.

06-17-2014, 07:38 AM	#27
ChrisJowett Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 79	I'm looking at either camera with the quiet 18-135. I prefer the look and feel of the K-30 and am very disappointed they went for a "safer" design with the K-50; it looks like a Canon. They appear to be running out of black K-30s (without discounting them), so I'll probably end up with the now cheaper K-50.

06-17-2014, 04:46 PM	#28
Steve.Ledger Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Far North Qld Posts: 3,301	I chose the K-50 purely on price. It was on special with free frieght inc 18-55mm WR lens direct from Pentax AU. The K-30 was no longer available through them and I'd never buy a grey market Pentax, other stuff yes (and do) - but Pentax, never. The only thing that puts me off the K-30 a bit is the 'BandAid' pattern rubber parts. I think the design is fine, but is not aimed at 60 year old men perhaps.