Pentax K-30 Officially Announced!

Ubuntu_user · 05-21-2012, 04:31 PM

Whoa. Yes, Pentax! Way to go—all the way!!!!

This is going to really pique the interest of the camera market.

The AF revamp is what I'm revved about... But I'm still holding out for the FF.

rawr · 05-21-2012, 04:33 PM

K-30 - Orientation sensor: Yes

That's another advanced feature most entry levels won't have.

**Tamia** · 05-21-2012, 04:35 PM

A K200D brought me into the DSLR world, in large measure because it was reasonably priced, weather sealed, and ran on AA cells. I love the camera, though it has its limitations (AF speed, noisy even at relatively low ISOs). I've been dithering over buying a K-5 and keeping the K200D as a backup. I'd been dragging my heels because, when I got right down to it, what I really wanted an upgraded K200D. Now it looks as if Pentax has come out with just the camera I've been looking for. From the specs, it seems there's only one thing I'll miss -- the top LCD panel -- but it does look as if this is the second camera body for me.

liukaitc · 05-21-2012, 04:36 PM

If I am right
k30 does not have HDMI and external mic port, two important features for video.

Last edited by liukaitc; 05-21-2012 at 05:20 PM.

**Ash** · 05-21-2012, 04:39 PM

The K30 is currently rated to only shoot 8 RAW frames before filling its buffer (just over a second worth of continuous shooting). Hopefully this can be adjusted with a firmware update...

**rparmar** · 05-21-2012, 04:42 PM

I don't think you'll miss the top panel. It was darned useful until the back LCD became stuffed with handy readouts.

I too have no idea who would buy a K-5 with this on the market at a cheaper price and with improved features. It is also significantly smaller and lighter, which is a definitive win.

Cambo · 05-21-2012, 04:46 PM

Love the looks of this thing...I'm even warming up to the idea of colours. Nice looking camera, and I'm sure the new 2 DSLR's are going to just kill.

Cheers,
Cameron

photolady95 · 05-21-2012, 04:51 PM

Originally posted by Tamia

it seems there's only one thing I'll miss

Tamia, I thought I would too when I bought the K-x, upgrading from a K100D, but with the back panel having all I needed to see, I don't miss it at all.

Adam · 05-21-2012, 04:54 PM

Originally posted by TAP

So what advantages/features does the K-5 still have over the k-30?

It's starting to show it's age. IMO Pentax needs to announece its successor ASAP.

Sure, it will still deliver marginally better IQ and has more buttons/the top LCD, but now that the K-30 has PRIME M, it will likely outperform the K-5 in terms of video and general stability (including live view).

mee · 05-21-2012, 04:55 PM

I wonder if this will have manual control (zoom and focus) when shooting video?

**Tamia** · 05-21-2012, 05:13 PM

Originally posted by rparmar

I don't think you'll miss the top panel. It was darned useful until the back LCD became stuffed with handy readouts.

I too have no idea who would buy a K-5 with this on the market at a cheaper price and with improved features. It is also significantly smaller and lighter, which is a definitive win.

Originally posted by photolady

Tamia, I thought I would too when I bought the K-x, upgrading from a K100D, but with the back panel having all I needed to see, I don't miss it at all.

I forgot the "smaller and lighter" bit. The K200D is the largest SLR I've owned, and it's a moose. I look forward to a more compact package. As for the top panel, it took some time for me to learn to look at it, so I'm sure that with the info in the back LCD I will just as easily stop looking for the top one.

**ramseybuckeye** · 05-21-2012, 05:41 PM

Originally posted by Tamia

I forgot the "smaller and lighter" bit. The K200D is the largest SLR I've owned, and it's a moose. I look forward to a more compact package. As for the top panel, it took some time for me to learn to look at it, so I'm sure that with the info in the back LCD I will just as easily stop looking for the top one.

I've used my daughter's k-x and it's not a big difference from the top viewfinder on my K20D, actually easier to see. This could be my next one, light years ahead of the K20D at a much lower opening price.

MNCurt-K10D · 05-21-2012, 06:03 PM

It looks like Pentax is doing away with their own RAW format - no PEF, just DNG for RAW. Probably a good move. Does the K-01 offer PEF?

ENicolas · 05-21-2012, 06:08 PM

Basically a plastic K-5 - but that's a great strategy for Pentax if they are about to announce a K-5 successor. In a few months this will probably be priced at around $700 or less. It has fewer MP than the new Nikon D3200, but a better body spec. The glass prism viewfinder with swappable focus glass is a huge selling point at this price range.

I'm guessing the K-5 replacement will have Sony's 24 MP sensor, a better video spec, and of course a metal chassis and body. But as a recent K-5 buyer I'm wanting to see some new lenses! Especially a good very wide angle prime that doesn't cost an arm and a leg.

ChrisTrevino · 05-21-2012, 07:30 PM

Can't wait to see the comparison shots from the K-30 side by side with the K-5.

I hope they didn't hurt Pentax's great high iso capabilities.

I don't really care about the video aspects though.

05-21-2012, 04:54 PM	#24
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,594 Original Poster	Originally posted by TAP So what advantages/features does the K-5 still have over the k-30? It's starting to show it's age. IMO Pentax needs to announece its successor ASAP. Sure, it will still deliver marginally better IQ and has more buttons/the top LCD, but now that the K-30 has PRIME M, it will likely outperform the K-5 in terms of video and general stability (including live view). Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

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05-21-2012, 04:31 PM	#16
Ubuntu_user Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,545	Whoa. Yes, Pentax! Way to go—all the way!!!! This is going to really pique the interest of the camera market. The AF revamp is what I'm revved about... But I'm still holding out for the FF.

05-21-2012, 04:33 PM	#17
rawr Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 11,913	K-30 - Orientation sensor: Yes That's another advanced feature most entry levels won't have.

05-21-2012, 04:35 PM	#18
Tamia Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Here, there, and everywhere. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,384	A K200D brought me into the DSLR world, in large measure because it was reasonably priced, weather sealed, and ran on AA cells. I love the camera, though it has its limitations (AF speed, noisy even at relatively low ISOs). I've been dithering over buying a K-5 and keeping the K200D as a backup. I'd been dragging my heels because, when I got right down to it, what I really wanted an upgraded K200D. Now it looks as if Pentax has come out with just the camera I've been looking for. From the specs, it seems there's only one thing I'll miss -- the top LCD panel -- but it does look as if this is the second camera body for me.

05-21-2012, 04:36 PM	#19
liukaitc Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: New York Photos: Albums Posts: 1,008	If I am right k30 does not have HDMI and external mic port, two important features for video. Last edited by liukaitc; 05-21-2012 at 05:20 PM.

05-21-2012, 04:39 PM	#20
Ash Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toowoomba, Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,920	The K30 is currently rated to only shoot 8 RAW frames before filling its buffer (just over a second worth of continuous shooting). Hopefully this can be adjusted with a firmware update...

05-21-2012, 04:42 PM	#21
rparmar Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2008 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,819	I don't think you'll miss the top panel. It was darned useful until the back LCD became stuffed with handy readouts. I too have no idea who would buy a K-5 with this on the market at a cheaper price and with improved features. It is also significantly smaller and lighter, which is a definitive win.

05-21-2012, 04:46 PM	#22
Cambo Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Vancouver, BC Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,016	Love the looks of this thing...I'm even warming up to the idea of colours. Nice looking camera, and I'm sure the new 2 DSLR's are going to just kill. Cheers, Cameron

05-21-2012, 04:51 PM	#23
photolady95 Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: May 2009 Location: Cruising the forum watching his back Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,712	Originally posted by Tamia it seems there's only one thing I'll miss Tamia, I thought I would too when I bought the K-x, upgrading from a K100D, but with the back panel having all I needed to see, I don't miss it at all.

05-21-2012, 04:55 PM	#25
mee Veteran Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 7,403	I wonder if this will have manual control (zoom and focus) when shooting video?

05-21-2012, 05:13 PM	#26
Tamia Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Here, there, and everywhere. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,384	Originally posted by rparmar I don't think you'll miss the top panel. It was darned useful until the back LCD became stuffed with handy readouts. I too have no idea who would buy a K-5 with this on the market at a cheaper price and with improved features. It is also significantly smaller and lighter, which is a definitive win. Originally posted by photolady Tamia, I thought I would too when I bought the K-x, upgrading from a K100D, but with the back panel having all I needed to see, I don't miss it at all. I forgot the "smaller and lighter" bit. The K200D is the largest SLR I've owned, and it's a moose. I look forward to a more compact package. As for the top panel, it took some time for me to learn to look at it, so I'm sure that with the info in the back LCD I will just as easily stop looking for the top one.

05-21-2012, 05:41 PM	#27
ramseybuckeye Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Hampstead, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 17,291	Originally posted by Tamia I forgot the "smaller and lighter" bit. The K200D is the largest SLR I've owned, and it's a moose. I look forward to a more compact package. As for the top panel, it took some time for me to learn to look at it, so I'm sure that with the info in the back LCD I will just as easily stop looking for the top one. I've used my daughter's k-x and it's not a big difference from the top viewfinder on my K20D, actually easier to see. This could be my next one, light years ahead of the K20D at a much lower opening price.

05-21-2012, 06:03 PM	#28
MNCurt-K10D Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Saint Paul, MN Posts: 113	It looks like Pentax is doing away with their own RAW format - no PEF, just DNG for RAW. Probably a good move. Does the K-01 offer PEF?

05-21-2012, 06:08 PM	#29
ENicolas Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Northern California Posts: 137	Basically a plastic K-5 - but that's a great strategy for Pentax if they are about to announce a K-5 successor. In a few months this will probably be priced at around $700 or less. It has fewer MP than the new Nikon D3200, but a better body spec. The glass prism viewfinder with swappable focus glass is a huge selling point at this price range. I'm guessing the K-5 replacement will have Sony's 24 MP sensor, a better video spec, and of course a metal chassis and body. But as a recent K-5 buyer I'm wanting to see some new lenses! Especially a good very wide angle prime that doesn't cost an arm and a leg.

05-21-2012, 07:30 PM	#30
ChrisTrevino Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Ecorse, MI Photos: Gallery Posts: 123	Can't wait to see the comparison shots from the K-30 side by side with the K-5. I hope they didn't hurt Pentax's great high iso capabilities. I don't really care about the video aspects though.