Originally posted by brelip You're probably right. Why don't they sell a body only version - might have sold out?
Hello brelip,
They may have sold out of body-only deals, but that's probably not why this deal is being offered.
Not only Pentax, but all the major camera makers sell the majority of their entry/starter cameras as a package, typically with the 18-55mm zoom. There's usually an upgrade, adding the 80-200mm zoom, also featured. If you check B + H, Adorama and other big stores, you'll see these packages everywhere.
So, it means the major sellers have a huge stock of starter packages on their warehouse shelves. My understanding is that the lenses come in a separate box, a 'white' box and the dealer hooks up whatever package they're promoting. To sell as a complete unit.
Now, Pentax announces a new model at (around) the same price! The dealer is sitting on a stock of K-30's and white box 18-55's. What to do?
Sell' em at the lowest price they can live with.
Another factor is that buyers who already have $$ invested in a system may need a newer body, but they want an upgrade, not the starter body. So, not as many K-30's are sold body-only as (for example) K-5's, K-5II and IIs.
At least, that's the way it was explained to me!
Ron