Choose A Pentax K30 Vs K5

twitch · 06-12-2012, 03:43 PM - **1 Like**

I find a K-5 + grip + eneloops very heavy, put a flash with 4 eneloops on top of that and I feel like I'm at the gym lifting weights. No wonder I prefer using a gripless K-5 and limited prime.

madbrain · 06-12-2012, 03:46 PM

My K-r has just been sold, about to order the K-30 .

I will shoot with my Canon T3i for a few weeks until it arrives.

EdwardConde · 06-12-2012, 04:59 PM

Congrats MadBrain!!!

I am still wondering if I want a grip or not... Sounds like the added weight might bring me down...

is it light with a Li-On battery instead of the AAs?

twitch · 06-12-2012, 05:10 PM

I have a OEM grip and never use it, I hate it (with eneloops or not) so for me it's been a complete waste of money. Others swear by a grip so obviously it's a very individual thing.

madbrain · 06-12-2012, 05:47 PM

Originally posted by EdwardConde

Congrats MadBrain!!!

I am still wondering if I want a grip or not... Sounds like the added weight might bring me down...

is it light with a Li-On battery instead of the AAs?

The Li-on battery is lighter than a set of eneloops. Maybe 1/3 the weight.
But Lion has shorter battery life, and doesn't keep charge for very long on the shelf, unlike Eneloops.

The grip not only adds weight but volume too.

Not being able to use AAs without grip is a major reason why I never bought a K20D, K-7 or K-5.

IMO, the best camera battery-wise was the K200D, which could takes 4 AAs without grip, plus another 4 AAs in the optional grip. And no silly Lion batteries.
Too bad the K-r and K-30 do not allow for a battery grip. They are still great cameras and allow the use of AA eneloops.

The battery issue is the main thing that tipped me over to the K-30 instead of K-5.

I always carry AAs because my flash takes them too. I don't want to travel with an extra charger for Pentax Lion batteries also.

gtl · 06-13-2012, 07:02 AM

I like my camera to be light for travel. Besides any slight tilt in the photo is easily corrected in Lightroom for me. The only reason I can think of for having a grip would be for events or portraiture. Other than that the grip is completely redundant and a dead weight for me. If the K30 AF is really better, no question I would go for that. The blue body with Silver FA limiteds looks awesome too!

misbehave · 06-13-2012, 01:11 PM

Do you all think the price of the K-5 will drop even lower once the K-30 really hit the market everywhere in July?
Or it will stay pretty much the same as it is now?
I am thinking about buying a K-5 now but not sure if I should wait til after the K-30 hit the market in July or not.

Sandy Hancock · 06-13-2012, 04:35 PM

For what it's worth, I have pulled the trigger on a second K-5 to replace my venerable K10D. Having two identical, full-featured bodies for concerts will be great.
The K-30 was tempting, but I very much doubt it will match the K-5, I'd still have to wait, and I have the K-01 for video.

GeneV · 06-14-2012, 11:22 AM

Originally posted by madbrain

The Li-on battery is lighter than a set of eneloops. Maybe 1/3 the weight.
But Lion has shorter battery life, and doesn't keep charge for very long on the shelf, unlike Eneloops.

The grip not only adds weight but volume too.

Not being able to use AAs without grip is a major reason why I never bought a K20D, K-7 or K-5.

IMO, the best camera battery-wise was the K200D, which could takes 4 AAs without grip, plus another 4 AAs in the optional grip. And no silly Lion batteries.
Too bad the K-r and K-30 do not allow for a battery grip. They are still great cameras and allow the use of AA eneloops.

The battery issue is the main thing that tipped me over to the K-30 instead of K-5.

I always carry AAs because my flash takes them too. I don't want to travel with an extra charger for Pentax Lion batteries also.

Good reasons why, for me, the Kx was the best travel camera ever--small, great IQ, low-light capability and AA BATTS! Pop some disposable Lithium AAs in it, and it is good for most of a trip.

exwintech · 06-14-2012, 11:54 AM

We have an interesting "which camera?" situation here in Australia....

The K30 at AUD$1,049.00 body-only is only $200.00 more than the US - and minus the std 18-55mm kit-lens the US gets....

The K5 is AUD$1,049.00 body-only - or $1,099.00 with a Sigma 18-200mm lens. It must be a superbly-something (?) lens if it's a "kit" version here for a whole $50.00....

The K5 with 18-55mm WR is AUD$1,349.00. Why pay $300.00 when those, as-new, sell on this Forum for half that...?

Sadly - it does seem that the K-R with old-series 18-55mm kit-lens for $635.00 is a better buy... Pity - I was hoping that the K30 might be only a couple of hundred more, like the US release price - not $400.00.

Regards, Dave.

Ryan Trevisol · 06-14-2012, 12:32 PM

Originally posted by misbehave

Do you all think the price of the K-5 will drop even lower once the K-30 really hit the market everywhere in July?
Or it will stay pretty much the same as it is now?
I am thinking about buying a K-5 now but not sure if I should wait til after the K-30 hit the market in July or not.

Perhaps. It's unlikely that the likes of B&H or Adorama will discount the K-5 much below $850, but you may see price clubs like Costco, BJ's and Sam's Club getting them in stock for significantly cheaper. I grabbed my K-x kit a few months before the K-r was released for $450 from Sam's Club online. However, they were only in stock there for about 2 weeks. So one would have to time it just right.

Barnster · 06-14-2012, 04:55 PM

Originally posted by exwintech

We have an interesting "which camera?" situation here in Australia....

The K30 at AUD$1,049.00 body-only is only $200.00 more than the US - and minus the std 18-55mm kit-lens the US gets....

The K5 is AUD$1,049.00 body-only - or $1,099.00 with a Sigma 18-200mm lens. It must be a superbly-something (?) lens if it's a "kit" version here for a whole $50.00....

The K5 with 18-55mm WR is AUD$1,349.00. Why pay $300.00 when those, as-new, sell on this Forum for half that...?

Sadly - it does seem that the K-R with old-series 18-55mm kit-lens for $635.00 is a better buy... Pity - I was hoping that the K30 might be only a couple of hundred more, like the US release price - not $400.00.

Regards, Dave.

Your right about the Australian prices.I can't understand ,(considering the AUS $ is close on par to the US$) why our prices are still Km's apart from US prices.That is why I bought my K5 from DWI for $999 including a 18-55 WR lens of Ebay delivered to my door.Yes it came from Hong Kong.But you can track it all the way.And it only incredibly took 2 days from start to finish.

Buschmaster · 06-14-2012, 09:47 PM

If I had to buy a camera today, the K30 would be better to me, just because the AF is supposed to be improved from the K5, and everything else is very similar. I don't currently use a battery grip so I could continue to get away without one.

But so many people are spot on, once the K5 replacement is out and that has the AF improvements as well... We're cooking with gas!

twitch · 06-14-2012, 10:29 PM

Ted's have the K-5 for $999 with Australian warranty Pentax K5 Body | Pentax Digital SLR Cameras | Ted's Camera Stores - Ted's Cameras

peteb · 06-18-2012, 12:06 AM

Originally posted by Alizarine

K-30 now retails in the Philippines (in Manila, at least) for... $1162 equivalent.

I enquired about K5 in Davao last week, priced at PHP60,000 ... that's USD1530!

I still want one ... or its replacement - should be a significant upgrade from my K10D.

06-14-2012, 11:22 AM	#69
GeneV Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Albuquerque NM Photos: Albums Posts: 9,830	Originally posted by madbrain The Li-on battery is lighter than a set of eneloops. Maybe 1/3 the weight. But Lion has shorter battery life, and doesn't keep charge for very long on the shelf, unlike Eneloops. The grip not only adds weight but volume too. Not being able to use AAs without grip is a major reason why I never bought a K20D, K-7 or K-5. IMO, the best camera battery-wise was the K200D, which could takes 4 AAs without grip, plus another 4 AAs in the optional grip. And no silly Lion batteries. Too bad the K-r and K-30 do not allow for a battery grip. They are still great cameras and allow the use of AA eneloops. The battery issue is the main thing that tipped me over to the K-30 instead of K-5. I always carry AAs because my flash takes them too. I don't want to travel with an extra charger for Pentax Lion batteries also. Good reasons why, for me, the Kx was the best travel camera ever--small, great IQ, low-light capability and AA BATTS! Pop some disposable Lithium AAs in it, and it is good for most of a trip. Last edited by GeneV; 06-14-2012 at 11:28 AM.

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06-12-2012, 03:43 PM - 1 Like	#61
twitch Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 4,571	I find a K-5 + grip + eneloops very heavy, put a flash with 4 eneloops on top of that and I feel like I'm at the gym lifting weights. No wonder I prefer using a gripless K-5 and limited prime.

06-12-2012, 03:46 PM	#62
madbrain Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 1,341	My K-r has just been sold, about to order the K-30 . I will shoot with my Canon T3i for a few weeks until it arrives.

06-12-2012, 04:59 PM	#63
EdwardConde Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Los Angeles Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,520	Congrats MadBrain!!! I am still wondering if I want a grip or not... Sounds like the added weight might bring me down... is it light with a Li-On battery instead of the AAs?

06-12-2012, 05:10 PM	#64
twitch Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 4,571	I have a OEM grip and never use it, I hate it (with eneloops or not) so for me it's been a complete waste of money. Others swear by a grip so obviously it's a very individual thing.

06-12-2012, 05:47 PM	#65
madbrain Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 1,341	Originally posted by EdwardConde Congrats MadBrain!!! I am still wondering if I want a grip or not... Sounds like the added weight might bring me down... is it light with a Li-On battery instead of the AAs? The Li-on battery is lighter than a set of eneloops. Maybe 1/3 the weight. But Lion has shorter battery life, and doesn't keep charge for very long on the shelf, unlike Eneloops. The grip not only adds weight but volume too. Not being able to use AAs without grip is a major reason why I never bought a K20D, K-7 or K-5. IMO, the best camera battery-wise was the K200D, which could takes 4 AAs without grip, plus another 4 AAs in the optional grip. And no silly Lion batteries. Too bad the K-r and K-30 do not allow for a battery grip. They are still great cameras and allow the use of AA eneloops. The battery issue is the main thing that tipped me over to the K-30 instead of K-5. I always carry AAs because my flash takes them too. I don't want to travel with an extra charger for Pentax Lion batteries also.

06-13-2012, 07:02 AM	#66
gtl Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 349	I like my camera to be light for travel. Besides any slight tilt in the photo is easily corrected in Lightroom for me. The only reason I can think of for having a grip would be for events or portraiture. Other than that the grip is completely redundant and a dead weight for me. If the K30 AF is really better, no question I would go for that. The blue body with Silver FA limiteds looks awesome too!

06-13-2012, 01:11 PM	#67
misbehave Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 102	Do you all think the price of the K-5 will drop even lower once the K-30 really hit the market everywhere in July? Or it will stay pretty much the same as it is now? I am thinking about buying a K-5 now but not sure if I should wait til after the K-30 hit the market in July or not.

06-13-2012, 04:35 PM	#68
Sandy Hancock Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Adelaide Hills, South Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,267	For what it's worth, I have pulled the trigger on a second K-5 to replace my venerable K10D. Having two identical, full-featured bodies for concerts will be great. The K-30 was tempting, but I very much doubt it will match the K-5, I'd still have to wait, and I have the K-01 for video.

06-14-2012, 11:54 AM	#70
exwintech Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Croydon Park, Sydney, Australia Posts: 161	We have an interesting "which camera?" situation here in Australia.... The K30 at AUD$1,049.00 body-only is only $200.00 more than the US - and minus the std 18-55mm kit-lens the US gets.... The K5 is AUD$1,049.00 body-only - or $1,099.00 with a Sigma 18-200mm lens. It must be a superbly-something (?) lens if it's a "kit" version here for a whole $50.00.... The K5 with 18-55mm WR is AUD$1,349.00. Why pay $300.00 when those, as-new, sell on this Forum for half that...? Sadly - it does seem that the K-R with old-series 18-55mm kit-lens for $635.00 is a better buy... Pity - I was hoping that the K30 might be only a couple of hundred more, like the US release price - not $400.00. Regards, Dave.

06-14-2012, 12:32 PM	#71
Ryan Trevisol Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: South Florida Photos: Gallery Posts: 312	Originally posted by misbehave Do you all think the price of the K-5 will drop even lower once the K-30 really hit the market everywhere in July? Or it will stay pretty much the same as it is now? I am thinking about buying a K-5 now but not sure if I should wait til after the K-30 hit the market in July or not. Perhaps. It's unlikely that the likes of B&H or Adorama will discount the K-5 much below $850, but you may see price clubs like Costco, BJ's and Sam's Club getting them in stock for significantly cheaper. I grabbed my K-x kit a few months before the K-r was released for $450 from Sam's Club online. However, they were only in stock there for about 2 weeks. So one would have to time it just right.

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06-14-2012, 04:55 PM	#72
Barnster Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Mid North Coast,Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,016 Original Poster	Originally posted by exwintech We have an interesting "which camera?" situation here in Australia.... The K30 at AUD$1,049.00 body-only is only $200.00 more than the US - and minus the std 18-55mm kit-lens the US gets.... The K5 is AUD$1,049.00 body-only - or $1,099.00 with a Sigma 18-200mm lens. It must be a superbly-something (?) lens if it's a "kit" version here for a whole $50.00.... The K5 with 18-55mm WR is AUD$1,349.00. Why pay $300.00 when those, as-new, sell on this Forum for half that...? Sadly - it does seem that the K-R with old-series 18-55mm kit-lens for $635.00 is a better buy... Pity - I was hoping that the K30 might be only a couple of hundred more, like the US release price - not $400.00. Regards, Dave. Your right about the Australian prices.I can't understand ,(considering the AUS $ is close on par to the US$) why our prices are still Km's apart from US prices.That is why I bought my K5 from DWI for $999 including a 18-55 WR lens of Ebay delivered to my door.Yes it came from Hong Kong.But you can track it all the way.And it only incredibly took 2 days from start to finish.

06-14-2012, 09:47 PM	#73
Buschmaster Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Minnesota Posts: 806	If I had to buy a camera today, the K30 would be better to me, just because the AF is supposed to be improved from the K5, and everything else is very similar. I don't currently use a battery grip so I could continue to get away without one. But so many people are spot on, once the K5 replacement is out and that has the AF improvements as well... We're cooking with gas!

06-14-2012, 10:29 PM	#74
twitch Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 4,571	Ted's have the K-5 for $999 with Australian warranty Pentax K5 Body \| Pentax Digital SLR Cameras \| Ted's Camera Stores - Ted's Cameras

06-18-2012, 12:06 AM	#75
peteb New Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Davao, Philippines Posts: 9	Originally posted by Alizarine K-30 now retails in the Philippines (in Manila, at least) for... $1162 equivalent. I enquired about K5 in Davao last week, priced at PHP60,000 ... that's USD1530! I still want one ... or its replacement - should be a significant upgrade from my K10D.