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07-29-2013, 06:04 AM   #1
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K-30 vs K-50 (+lens) dilemma

Hi everyone. New here and will purchase my 1st DSLR camera this week and im debating whether to get a K-30 or K-50.
So I have a few options and if you would be kind enough to help me out it would be greatly appreciated....

1)K-30 with 18-55mm WR lens - 500 Euros
2)K-30 with 18-135mm WR lens - 700 Euros
3)K-30 with 18-55mm AL & 55-300mm AL - 700 Euros (not WR)
4)K-50 with 18-55mm WR - 525 Euros
5)K-50 with 18-135mm WR - 749 Euros

is the 18-135mm really necessary at this time since im just starting out?

07-29-2013, 06:32 AM   #2
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The 18-135 saves you a lot of lens swapping over the 18-55 + 55-300 kit, but has less reach of course. I would pick #5 (or #2) over #3.

The 18-135 is more versatile than the 18-55 due to the longer reach, but do you need that extra reach? No-one can answer that but you I'm afraid. You could browse our image library to perhaps get an idea about what you need.

The K-50 is basically the same camera as the K-30. I would pick the K-50 over the K-30 due to a better resale value being a newer model should you decide to trade it in in a year or two.
07-29-2013, 07:02 AM   #3
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QuoteOriginally posted by Ole Quote
The 18-135 saves you a lot of lens swapping over the 18-55 + 55-300 kit, but has less reach of course. I would pick #5 (or #2) over #3.

The 18-135 is more versatile than the 18-55 due to the longer reach, but do you need that extra reach? No-one can answer that but you I'm afraid. You could browse our image library to perhaps get an idea about what you need.

The K-50 is basically the same camera as the K-30. I would pick the K-50 over the K-30 due to a better resale value being a newer model should you decide to trade it in in a year or two.
Thanks for your reply. I will definitely consider the 18-135mm lens but having read different reviews, there is a mixture of opinions on it, thats why I was asking.
07-29-2013, 07:06 AM   #4
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The only real difference between K-30 and K-50 is design (also price).

So, the best thing you can do is go to the camera store and look which one fits better in the hand

07-29-2013, 07:09 AM   #5
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The 18-135 is a super kit lens. Better than the 18-55, at least in my opinion. I find myself often shooting in the 35-70 range, so I was always swapping from my 18-55 to my 50-200. Besides, the 18-135 is WR, and that is more important than you realize. It's nice when the rain comes and you can just keep on doing whatever and not have to hide to protect the camera.
07-29-2013, 07:18 AM   #6
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I've have been using my K-30 for 6months and it came with the non wr kit lenses that have produced nice photos and the lenses are very light weight.
Over the weekend I got my new 18-135mm, and I don't see me ever using the kit lenses again. (I have a 200mm prime for long shots)
07-29-2013, 07:20 AM   #7
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The reason that you get conflicting reviews on the 18-135 is that the original review was improperly done IMHO and many others just repeat that one without actually doing real tests of the lens. The other factor is that too many people want to make unreasonable comparisons between a moderate zoom like the 18-135 and prime lenses (lenses with 1 length like 50 or 35 or 135) when we all know that primes are optimized for that specific length and the comparison of a long zoom with a prime at any focal length is inappropriate as a benchmark.

The 18-135 is an excellent lens, for what it is - a longer zoom that is WR. The 55-300 is another excellent zoom if you need longer reach, but unfortunately it is not WR. The 18-135 is better in every way I can think of than the 18-55 (other than cost and filter size).

07-29-2013, 07:26 AM   #8
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i was leaning a bit on the 18-135mm but now i think im convinced. just have to check both cameras now and see which one has better feel. not too fond of those fins and lines on the k-30 but after all....a dslr is not a fashion accessory thanks for the responses everyone!!
07-29-2013, 07:45 AM   #9
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QuoteOriginally posted by schnitzer79 Quote
i was leaning a bit on the 18-135mm but now i think im convinced. just have to check both cameras now and see which one has better feel. not too fond of those fins and lines on the k-30 but after all....a dslr is not a fashion accessory thanks for the responses everyone!!
Someone posted diagrams of the grip with precise measurements and curves for a better understanding of the differences if you can't handle both side-by-side. Might do a search to see if you can find it here. Good luck.
07-29-2013, 07:51 AM   #10
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I would stay away from the 18-135. The performance just isnt consistent enough for me. This is also the case for the 55-300. Keep in mind, the bigger the zoom range the lower the quality (in most cases). In my experience any lens which jumps from wide angle into telephoto is bound to make just too many IQ sacrifices. I think this narrows your options quite a bit

It really comes down to option 1 vs 4. For the extra 25 euros I would probably choose the K-50 simply because it is a newer model, even though they should be nearly identical spec wise
07-29-2013, 08:02 AM   #11
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QuoteOriginally posted by schnitzer79 Quote
i was leaning a bit on the 18-135mm but now i think im convinced. just have to check both cameras now and see which one has better feel. not too fond of those fins and lines on the k-30 but after all....a dslr is not a fashion accessory thanks for the responses everyone!!
Someone posted diagrams of the grip with precise measurements and curves for a better understanding of the differences if you can't handle both side-by-side. Might do a search to see if you can find it here. Good luck.
07-29-2013, 08:11 AM   #12
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QuoteOriginally posted by Docrwm Quote
Someone posted diagrams of the grip with precise measurements and curves for a better understanding of the differences if you can't handle both side-by-side. Might do a search to see if you can find it here. Good luck.
Watched "Good Will Hunting" the other day (highly recommend). There are a lot of awesome quotes, but I liked this one the most and I think it has a point that really suits here.

"So if I asked you about art, you'd probably give me the skinny on every art book ever written. Michelangelo, you know a lot about him. Life's work, political aspirations, him and the pope, sexual orientations, the whole works, right? But I'll bet you can't tell me what it smells like in the Sistine Chapel."

You really can't know if the camera is right for you, until you have it your hands
07-29-2013, 08:12 AM   #13
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JMHO, if you buy the kit lens 18-55 and later decide to upgrade to the 18-135, you'll only get $100 Euros or so selling it here on the Marketplace. My thought is to always spend more than you think you should and limit the regrets later. The K-50 should be the obvious choice as it is a newer model, and will retain more value for the next year or so. Her's a link to a K50 review from John Riley....
http://www.ephotozine.com/article/pentax-k-50-digital-slr-review-22468

Note the lens 18-55 WR is a DAL lens with plastic mount not metal!

Last edited by Franky2step; 07-29-2013 at 08:18 AM. Reason: new information man
07-29-2013, 08:57 AM   #14
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I can vouch for the 18-135. Very versatile, and it's way better than the kit lens. Plus it is WR, so some rain, dusty conditions, etc. aren't an issue like they are for the others. I would do the K50 for only 50 euros more due to it being the newer camera with better high ISO, so kit 5 would get my vote!
07-29-2013, 08:58 AM   #15
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I would also suggest the 18-135 and whichever body suits you. The versatility is there and you can then add whatever you need later. I predominantly use prime lenses but have an 18-135 for WR and when changing lenses may be difficult.
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