Originally posted by UncleVanya I went K100D Super to K50, not the exact same leap but similar. I found the following:
1) ISO performance is WAAAAAAAY better, don't get too hung up on ISO until you know more about the outcome. High ISO shots are much much better and you can allow the camera more lattitude here.
2) AF performance is better, faster mainly but also better in low light.
3) Battery life is better (went from AA K100D Super to dedicated battery)
4) More options, many more options in menus than before. But base menu structure is not so changed that it is alien.
Exactly the same for me, except K-30 rather than K-50. So many changes - more pixels meant more scope for cropping, two wheels (love that), video, usable ISO to 6400, DNG RAW and much better software compatibility, live view, etc etc. But also little things that won't even be listed in the comparator (
Pentax Cameras | Pentax K-3 vs. Pentax K-S1 vs. Pentax K-50 - Pentax DSLR Comparison - PentaxForums.com), like the fact that the camera remembers settings when switched off (the K100D Super used to forget that I wanted exposure bracketing, so I had four button presses to turn it on every time). People say they miss the top LED screen but I don't - all the info is in the viewfinder and on the back screen.
I found the PF review of the K-30 helpful in setting it up, because it included lots of recommended settings. I imagine it will be the same with the K-3. I spent quite some time reading the manual, and that helped too. (I still carry a pdf copy in my phone and refer to it from time to time.)