Originally posted by grahame Find a K-01 if you can. great IQ, little smaller and lighter (good for 2nd camera), focus peeking. and more importantly, same battery and charger.
Actually, not the same battery or charger on the K-30. Better battery, same as the K5, K7. Overall, the K-01 has a better feel than the K-30, and better video (remote mic, better battery, etc.). Obviously, for other dSLR traits such as a VF and quick shooting, the K-30. They can go together well, especially given your affinity for MF. The sensor is similar or the same, but for whatever reason (just the slowness of the K-01 shooting 1 fps RAW, I suppose) - it just seems you get a little more out of the K-01. Not a rational thought, I must admit. Certainly the "look" is similar, though.
Really, the K-3 is the best option - even if waiting a few months to get it at closeout for around $700. You have focus peaking, excellent features and resolution that matches or exceeds pretty much all MF lenses. Still, high resolution tends to bring out the best in the old MFs, and yet exposes the worst (CA, bad bokeh, weak colors) in the newer lenses. Not all examples, of course, but kind of surprising in more than a few instances.