[lguckert79]

At tax time i have the option of getting a k30 or a k5 now im thinking the k5 cause of the great reviews and the high iso and so on but is the k30 the same quality as the k5 or is the k5 a bit better i wanted to know and any opion would be helpful thanks

[jatrax]

Tax time? As in April 15th? If so I think you are a little early in trying to pick as Pentax will have released two new cameras by then, the K-5II and K-5IIs. It is also possible that they will have released another higher end camera by then as well. Though the last is pure rumor.

But if you mean soon as in this month or next then I think the choice comes more to features between k-30 & k-5. K-5 was designed as a semi-pro camera and as such has some things the K-30 lacks. K-30 is a generation, or maybe 1/2 generation, newer and has some things K-5 does not have. K-5II seems to have some of the improvements from K-30 as well as features from K-5. Both have essentially the same sensor but I think K-5 is 14bit and K-30 is only 12bit.

Here is Pentax Forums camera comparison for these two: Pentax Cameras | Pentax K-5 vs. Pentax K-30 vs. Pentax K-01 - Pentax DSLR Comparison - PentaxForums.com

[Buschmaster]

I'm wondering the same thing about the tax time. If it is around April... There could be a K-3. The K-5 II(s) could be reduced price. The K-30 could be reduced as well.

I'd say it's too early, but if you really want to compare the two strictly, jatrax did a good job of doing that. The K-5 II could have all the K-30's advantages as well as the K-5's advantages and then BAM! Easy decision

[Laurentiu Cristofor]

If you care about stills, get the K-5. If you care about video, get the K-30. If you care about money, don't get anything.

[DSims]

I also think that if it's early next year the price may have come down on the K-5 II(s), and the K-5 may barely be available. I have a K-5 IIs on order (I currently have a K-5), so obviously my take is that the K-5 II(s) will be a better choice than the K-30 (but I'd pick a K-30 over a K-5 right now). In each case I'm mostly looking for improved AF, and they both have the TAv mode I've found useful.

[Adam]

If you care about video, the K-30 is the better option as it's got the newer PRIME M processor. If not, go for the K-5. I used a K-30 to shoot most of Photokina and really liked it, but failed to understand why they swapped the location of the play button and the live view button compared to the K-5. Because of this, you can't single-handendly enter live view, which was a big drawback when time was of the essence.

An in-depth review & comparison of the K-30 is found here:
Pentax K-30 Camera Review - Introduction - PentaxForums.com

[DSims]

they swapped the location of the play button and the live view button compared to the K-5. Because of this, you can't single-handendly enter live view, which was a big drawback when time was of the essence.

Interesting. It sounds like you really are looking forward to the K-5 IIs, as it could be a worthwhile improvement until the next major release. For the photography I'm doing now, AF performance will trump almost everything else, so hopefully the K-5 IIs will be the ticket for now.

[Hoggy]

I was trying to make that decision earlier.. I went with the K-30 because of the newer technology - better processor, better autofocus, better video(even though I don't ever really do video, it's nice to have the option of say, recording my dog doing something cute that a still wouldn't capture.).

After hearing of the K-5 II, I was/am thinking of getting that and selling my K-30.. But I'm leaning towards not doing that because I worry that not as much will have been upgraded in the K-5 II - and also because I've read that the K-5 is heavier than the K-30, which could be an issue for me w/med-problems. I'm also not too convinced that the extra 2 bits of sensor info will make a huge difference. I think I'd rather save the money for what comes after th K-5 II - and save money for when I have to have the shutter replaced. I'll likely keep the K-30 as a backup when/if I do that.
(I found it unfortunate that all DSLR's will have to have shutter replacements at some point. That sucks! )

[interested_observer]

Also several differences that have not been touched on between the cameras are the following:

• Focus Peaking - K30 and K-01 has it (Prime M) and the K5, K5II and K5IIs does not (Prime II)
• Extended ISO - 80 & 52600 - K5, K5II and K5IIs has ISO and the K30 and K-01 does not
• Extremal Mic - K5, K5II and K5IIs has ISO and the K30 and K-01 does not
• Image Formats - K5, K5II and K5IIs has DNG, PEF, JPG, AVI and the K30 and K-01 has only DNG, JPG
• Battery Grip - K5, K5II and K5IIs has the grip and the K30 and K-01 does not

I am thinking that what ever is beyond the K5, K5II and K5IIs would have everything.

[sbroadbentphoto]

For some reason it feels like you are taking better photos with the K30. No idea why.....

[lguckert79]

well at the time i do get my taxes i will have about 700-1000 to spend and im leaning to the k5 and it is an upgrade from a k10 so i dont know what its like to shoot at high iso's with good images i get to 800 and the noies gets to bad after that. I will also be able to get a lens and im looking at either a fast 50 or one of the manual 85's with the A pin so. Or i could look in to the k5ll for the price of it all so i just dont know i have some things to think about thanks for the replys

[sbroadbentphoto]

i love my sigma 85mm f1.4 ;-)