Just Posted: Pentax K-30 studio test shots as part of rolling review

Thank you very much for your consideration and advice, including a link which gives a comparison between the two products. A consideration is very helpful and enlightening. That way I can make a decision to choose K-5 with a more steady. Once again, thank you.

Others have used that sensor and not gotten as much out of it as Pentax has with both the K-5 and K-30. Yes, Sony makes them but Pentax tunes them up!

Yes, incidentally, it must be the same factory where Nikon assembles its AF modules for D800. And where Canon glues together the outer shell for the Rebel.

I have the DA* 16-50 f/2.8, DA* 50-135 f/2.8, DA* 60-250 f/4, and DA* 55 f/1.4. Also the DFA 100mm Macro WR (which we think Pentax just forgot to label as a Limited - same all-metal barrel as the ones you listed). All are weather sealed. All are SIGNIFICANTLY cheaper than ANYTHING comparable offered by Canikon (which 9/10 won't be sealed), and are all absolutely SUPERB in image quality. Not to mention more compact and each built like tanks. Did I mention they're all sealed?

Six months in Afghanistan, BATHED in sand and dust, then washed in the shower, and no SDM has failed me, nor has the IQ ever disappointed. The FA Limiteds (that you listed) are superb. But they aren't the *only* lenses that Pentax has made that raised the bar.

I advise you dig a little deeper if you are going to attack Pentax, because dollar for dollar, it's the best system out there that doesn't require Full Frame, super specific flash needs, or tilt-shift (which 90% of DSLR user's don't).

Next?

Why don't you enlighten us on the point of trolling a camera forum?

This guy is nuttier than my mom's fruitcake. One of the guys that brings a knife to a baking cook off. Unfortunately uninformed as he is. It is a cult mentality. Kinda scary.

And just so you know, i've been a Pentax user for a good while so I know its limitations rather well. And these aren't worth the "WR that only works with some lenses" that the Pentax community is so anal about! Or the AF that is still light years behind a 2008 D90. Etc...

Speaking about buck for buck value, why would anybody sane pay 250$ (Adorama) for the Pentax SMCP-DA 50mm f/1.8 that is not sealed (so much for the WR-hysteria) and has the screw-driven AF when Nikon's 50mm f/1.8G AF-S that is sealed by design, has faster, more accurate and quieter AF sells for 216$???

And just for fun - why don't you find out how much Nikon's 85mm f1.8 AF-S (WR'd by design as well) lens goes for these days and why somebody should go for the 77mm LTD instead at twice the price? With NO WR and a screw-driven AF???!!!

I didn't say "don't need a flash they could count on." I said "super specific flash needs," such as the very niche segments of the CLS from Nikon, like the macro adapters, master controller abilities, etc (which is superb - Nikon has the best flash system - period).

The lack of reading comprehension is disheartening, to say the least...

And the lenses you listed are *NOT* weather sealed. The mere presence of a rear gasket/o-ring doesn't indicate sealing throughout the lens - just do any google search instead of discrediting yourself further. Also, if you search at the same locations, you will see the price difference between the two 50 1.8's is $5 - selective sourcing of information is just petty and poor/biased reporting.

And just for fun because it is a legacy lens (the 77) that was made for film, and has a 100% metal barrel. Some people prefer near perfect construction to silence. And you'd be foolish to claim the IQ surpasses the 77 - a lens compared to the likes of Zeiss/Voigt.

@alexeyga - Why don't you take your equipment (whatever brand it is) to Afghanistan for six months, and then get back to us?

No brand is perfect, but you buy into a system and take its pros and cons. Nikon and Canon tend to have a few "loss leader" lenses like the new 85/1.8, while Pentax tends to have more reasonable pricing throughout their system. Whether or not Nikon or Canon takes a loss on these lenses is immaterial - the point is that there are only a few high-value lenses, and then where do you go from there? Into the land of $2000 lenses. At least with Sony you get some really exceptional glass (e.g. 135/1.8 or wide angle lenses) for your $2000 - good enough to make you consider a Sony body just to get it!

When Nikon releases the 85/1.8 you tend to say to yourself "Oh thank you, Nikon, for this great gift!" because you know it's not normal for them to offer reasonable prices like this.

@alexeyga, "what's the point of WR lenses"? Wow, you Sir are the worst troll I've ever seen in a long while... -_-
Granted, you had the balls to post such a stupid question, I'll thus try to 'enlighten' you.
People invest in WR DA* lenses because they need a tough, reliable, lens that can give you just about the same image quality as a Canon L lens. Oh, did I mention that most DA* lenses are compact and light weight? Think about that whenever you are hiking a 9 mile trail in the mountains, but I am sure you won't because you're a moronic dillberry couchpotatoe who drools on everybody's business like a skanky bureaucrat.

Watch this if you need to be further 'enlightened'
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fR-f5QDHD98&feature=g-hist

whoa, we have a "I've been betrayed!!" former Pentax user over here!

"Just so you know, all PRO-level CaNikon gear is sealed, they just don't make a lot of fuss about it so that idiots like you don't start taking shower with their gear." - alexeyga

Yup, to the point that they probably should've added a little acronym to indicate WHICH ones are ACTUALLY WR. Check up the list and see that not all Canon L lenses are sealed, and so are Nikon Gs/Ns.

For the DA 50 f1.8, that' price is going to go down in a few months, that's for sure. Though I agree with you on the point about the SDM - it's failure-prone. Strangely all of Heie's DA*s are unaffected, so it probably also takes into account the user's vitality/constitution score? (this one just joking!)

But all in all, the point of going Pentax is because we believed it's the best system for us out there, for our money. If it didn't suit you, well sorry buddy. Hope you're having fun in Canikonland :)

@alexeyga

oh, and one more thing... I agree with Heie on the Nikon flashes, they're the best really, the entire Nikon flash system. But how often do we see the more common DSLR-wielding person attaching an external flash? I've seen moms and dads in huge graduation rites popping up their little in-body flashes with their kids a hundred meters away, with 18-200 superzooms mounted...

Only those more knowledgeable in the technicalities of SLRs make that external flash purchase.

In Pentax's books, the feeling is mutual.

@Heie2 and pretty much everyone reading this thread, with years of experience with dealing with trolls I have finally learned that one simply can't reason with them. They will try to tediously point out every little imperfection about something good. Trolls like alexeyga are like 5 year-old brats who distaste the idea that the majority of people are happily living their lives. In this case the majority of us own and enjoy our WR lenses (yeah, even the cheap-o SMC 18-55mm Kit lens).
Granted, the higher-end DA lenses are more expensive, but alexeyga is mad because his mother can't afford to buy him one.
Give it up alexeyga, your done. Just admit that Pentax makes great lenses and move on with your life.
If you're too arrogant to see this...then you're truly a first class-gold-special-medalist troller. Alas, the only way to kill a troll is to starve them to death.

Hmmmm apparently there's a $200 instant rebate that just took effect...was not aware of that :)

But the K-30 is still the better deal ;)

I think the differences between the K-30 and the K-5/ D7000 are likely to be small. What makes Pentax unique are the pancakes. Once bitten, smitten... the K-30 is also that bit smaller and lighter than the K-5.

D7000 is now available for $829.00

Hmmm...seems Nikon is trying to compete with the K-5 and K-30....

Makes me think of the old Walmart commercials where they slash prices like crazy lol...

The D7000 is a great camera. But it was always competing for second best APS-C against the 7D :)

Seems to me that the results are noticeably /better/ than the D7000.

I've heard good things about the Limited series of Pentax, but they seem to be quite above my budget. A rough estimate: If I'm going with Nikon, for the price of the 31 1.8 I'd get the 50 1.8D, AF-S 70-300 and a short zoom, which are what I'm planning to begin with.

just go with Nikon, the D7000 is currently $829.00 and the 35 f1.8 is $199.

Get the K-30 + 18-135 ($1196) + 50 f/1.8 ($220) + 55-300 ($350) which the lenses come to *cheaper* than the three you mentioned above (as long as you get the K30/18-135 bundle).....only now you have a weather sealed kit and better IQ. Oh, and the 50 f/1,.8 (and every other lens you put on the Pentax) will be stabilized - no picking/choosing/paying extra for stabilization - it's in the body!

Did I mention it would still be cheaper?

@Essai

fellow fanboy on a mission, from what I read of your posts :)

well, so far from the REAL-WORLD users of the 18-135 and 55-300 (the latter which I have), I've yet to see a very grave complaint.

It's so nice of you to rant and conclude on the performance of something you probably don't even have, or have used... While it's true that the 18-135 isn't one home-run of a lens, it's not as bad as you think, nor is it the ultimate letdown as some review sites and their "scientific tests", reliable as they are, say.

As for your Nikon suggestion, how much would disasterpiece need to make the D7000 a fully-weathersealed pack? Nikon doesn't have an affordable WR lens. 1 O-ring doesn't make a lens WR.

Alizarine, what is "huge print and stuff like that"? A billboard size poster? Is that big enough? For those, alas, super high resolution is irrelevant — a 6MP image will suffice. Will you create monthly covers for Vogue? For the glossy cover of Vogue, 8MP will do.
The problem is, even for those "big" applications, your gear already outmatches their real world technological needs.
Only 'need' that must to satisfied through such jargon you implied is that one of insatiable vanity, and for that common disease, no camera sensor and no camera model in the world is good enough.

Easy Tosic...

Alizarine only meant that for most applications cameras are *usually* used for today (i.e. facebook, flickr, and other on-screen photo sharing), the K-30 is more than plenty and you won't notice that much of a difference between it and FF's (like the D800 and 5DIII, save for depth of field differences). But even with prints up to 20x30inches (50x75cm-ish), the absolute max most people even consider printing, the K-30 is adequate. I personally have done a print at twice those dimensions on each side w/ a 14.6mp APS-C and had a stellar print. But to go super, super large and beyond that, ultimate resolution will be much better/higher on the print from FF and MF cameras. He never implied he personally needed to satiate such "insatiable vanity." But that isn't to say it can't be done with lower mpx cameras, just the quality will be lower at those sizes. You're completely correct: 8mp is overkill for most things, thus validating Alizarine's assertion that the K-30 is plenty.

@Zvonimir Tosic

As much as technicalities agree to what you said, which is true (technology being overqualified for the "real-world need") advertising agencies and almost every client push that need up.

One can't simply say "All you need is 8MP for this magazine cover" to a fashion magazine exec who's paying thousands of dollars for every set a photographer does. As little as they probably know about photography, they want each and every good bit out of every cent they pay... If, say, Benjamin Kanarek (a known Pentax pro) could shoot all he does with a K-x, then why would he need a K-5?

Because if that were the case, then there wouldn't be a need for "pro-level gear" at all... All we'll have are Rebels and D3200's and K-r's. As Heie stated above, I was pointing at people's purposes, not the "technical need"

@DStudio

Hoya sold off Pentax because they got what they wanted.. Good point there, actually got pretty scared with the sale! Still waiting for the 645D review though... it's been quite a while. Also waiting for more Sony reviews :)

The T4i is a cool camera, with great features and performance, but I think it is a stretch to say it is better than the K30 especially with regards to Noise. You have to give Pentax some credit here regardless of your brand affiliation.

Noise at higher ISO looks less "organic" due to RAW NR but it doesn't seem to hurt the overall sharpness.
Pretty impressive.

Question is : Can Adobe RAW or any other RAW software do a decent noise reduction job on these preprocessed files ?

walberty: read again. I said the T4i is sharper at 'base iso'. I did not say T4i wins in term of noise - only that K30 should not have NR in RAW! Brand affiliation? LOL I could not care less about such a foolish statement as I use more than one brand...

K-r is the entry-level dslr from Pentax. And like dpreview said the other day, 650d sits between the entry-level and mid-level, so you could call it a hybrid camera. The same thing is applied to the K-30.

The kr was discontinued and replaced with the k30.

The 650D and K-30 are priced the same. There is no better comparison. K-r and 1100D are irrelevant here.

Agree, we got that slightly wrong. I have changed the D7000 for the D5100 and the 60D for the 650D. That said, in terms of studio scene comparison that won't make much difference as the 5100 and 7000 have pretty much identical image quality as have the 60D and 650D.

Thank you Mr. Rehm - much appreciated.

Can't wait for the full posting :)

Hi Mr. Rehm, Thanks for your attention to this issue~
But the more important thing is to change the benchmark category for K-30 in its upcoming official full review report to the same category with 650D and D5100.
Thanks~~

Despite an $850 launch price (and now $750-799!!), nothing $1000 and under even compares. Pentax hit a home run with this one.

And you forgot to mention how compact it is, as well as In-Body Image Stabilization that works on every lens mounted on it ;)

Toy like, low-end impression cameras (but in fact they are excellent cameras) paired with insane lens prices.
Talk about dissonance, a superb supertele attached to a red plastic camera...

very slow to adopt new technologies.

Ummm....did you miss the K10D, K20D, K-x, K-r, K-7, K-5, and the K-30?

Pentax may not produce the volume the big two do, nor the variety, but you can rest assured that Pentax has, is, and will continue to produce class-leading products at a class-leading price. The only reason right now the other two should be enticing to anyone is FF availability. I would agree that Pentax's marketing and availability are severely limited. However for purely APS-C shooters, Pentax is the best bang for your buck today and has been for the last few years - and by far too when you consider, ultimate IQ, Dynamic Range, weather sealing and durability, compactness (bodies and lenses), innovation, and total price across the entire system. The only two serious holes in this field is super telephoto and tilt-shift (not needed by 90% of APS-C shooters). This is not about fanboyism, but pure logical and analytical cost-benefit analysis. I challenge you to do so objectively - surprise will not be unique to you.

In my opinion it has done nth wrong, just the industry has changed. In the film era maybe a market share of 10% already can reach the "Economic of scale", but after the digital era came the R&D is so high that the Economic of scale uplift to a say 30% market share, so only the top 2 can be profitable......

Pentax wasn't "running with Champions" in the film era. They were way behind back then. Here are a few reasons why:

1. Poor AF sensor technology. For example, Pentax's last flagship film SLR, the MZ-S, had only 6 AF points. And none of those AF points even lit up on the focus screen to indicate which AF point was actively locked on. Meanwhile, Canon had 45 AF points which lit up red to indicate which AF points were being used.
2. No Image Stabilizer lenses. Big disadvantage.
3. No "sonic" AF motors. Sonic motors are the fastest and quietest AF lens motors. Canon had Ultrasonic Motor lenses. Nikon had Silent Wave Motor lenses. It wouldn't be until much, much later, in the digital era, that Pentax would get their Supersonic Drive Motor lenses.
4. They focused more on inexpensive consumer products, not pro level products. As a result, they basically had no presence in the pro segment.

Fortunately, they've made significant improvements in the digital age.

1 reason I know and am sure of is that they overlooked the importance of marketing and advertising, which caused their decline over the years. Canon and Nikon never lost their touch with the market due to that presence. C/N was everywhere-posters, magazines, and put their cams in movies, even up to now.

Saying things like "truth hurts"... are you trying to deliberately antagonize Pentax users?
FTR, Pentax was not "running with Champions in the film era", they were known as one of the Big Four.
Many things happened, including in the film era when they weren't really playing at the top level (I'm talking about the small format, since they obviously had the medium format as a "pro" option). Their most successful cameras were for the masses.
This is amazingly similar with their current situation; no small format pro camera, medium format available. Then, what are you complaining about? :p

P.S. Pentax *is* a very good brand, and the K-30, an amazing camera.

Not really. Pentax used to rank about Number 5 in the film era that I know, 70s and 80s, i.e. the last among the major brands in terms of reputation and prestigae. It was first Nikon, Canon, Minolta, Olympus and then Pentax, which is considered good value for those seeking cheaper SLRs, including students.

@ Boerseuntjie,
Pentax used to use Samung sensors e.g. K7.
K5 and K30 use Sony sensors.

The reality for Pentax is somewhat less bright than the Pentax crowd wants to believe.

Yes, latest Pentax bodies have awesome IQ, but you guys tend to forget, that for any serious photographer a camera body isn't nearly as important as the glass that you attach it to and here's where anybody willing to invest into Pentax will hit a brick wall. Lenses are rarely available and are severely over-priced while not being even close technologically to their CaNikon alternatives.

Speaking about brand new, how stupid somebody has to be to pay 250$ (Adorama) for the Pentax SMCP-DA 50mm f/1.8 that is not sealed (so much for the WR-hysteria) and has the screw-driven AF when Nikon's Nikon 50mm f/1.8G AF-S that is sealed by design, has faster, more accurate and quieter AF sells for 216$???

Hey Pentax boys, why don't you - just for fun - find out how much Nikon's 85mm f1.8 AF-S lens goes for these days and why somebody should go for the 77mm LTD instead at twice the price? With NO WR???!!!

No to mention the stone-aged AF and a very unreliable flash work with Pentax cameras. Damn, a D70 (2004) can handle a flash better than all new Pentax bodies all together.

Heie2, this guy is a joke. The only camera that is not a POS is the K-x and Maybe the K-30. or the K10d. I did not own them. The others were horrible against the competition.
Fanboys like this is what gets new consumers in trouble and makes them choose the wrong brand. Fanboyism is not a good thing in my opinion. It is a physiological disorder of some kind. Stupidity is ramp-id here this guy is a prime example.
Back to the K-30. If the AF is FIXED which I doubt. And reports have pretty much confirmed it is pretty bad against the competition. Then it is a winner. That will come out in a short time. With testing.

The number of trolls this camera attracts is a sure sign it's viewed as "dangerous" by those folks. Just sayin' ;)

@ garyknrd

I can't tell...are you talking to me, or about me? Because if it's about me, then I'd very cautious about continuing with the notion that:

"The only camera that is not a POS is the K-x and Maybe the K-30. or the K10d. I did not own them. The others were horrible against the competition."

Please refer to my list above, most notably (and most recently, in case you missed the memo) the K-5. Seems a look in the mirror is in check to see where it's so "ramp-id."

Alexeyga,
you can't compare a Mass market lens like the Nikon 85mm/1.8 to the FA77mm Limited!
The Pentax FA77Ltd is not an ordinary lens, it's made of metal like old lenses and have particular characteristic and beautifully crafted lens and was introduced in film era!

It's like comparing a Timex (Nikon) to a Rollex (Pentax)!

The general consensus with most seasoned veteran photographers when I talk to them, is that Pentax never really catered to the pro market despite many using their LX, ME and so on cameras back in the days of traditional photography, in terms not of only of cameras but also services. And that's when they started lagging and continued to do so. It used to be and it still is a very good brand of camera. In my opinion, the Kr blew it's stablemates out of the agua in features as a photographic tool. As a video tool is a different matter but at that prince point where was for example Canon and Nikon's 6 fps and use of all legacy lenses with no adapters? And in my experience I felt that the focussing was faster than its stablemates too, with the kit lens. So.....

Boerseuntjie:

And now you're wrong about recent Pentax dlsrs, anyhow Samsung does a really good job with those sensors in Samsung NX series cameras. The NX100 is stunning with a good lens, which Samsung also makes.

Except that like the D7000 the K-30 is very good in lowlight; here the Pentax may even best the Nikon.

And the Pentax K-30 has serious weather sealing; the Nikon does not.

Then, I believe, the K-30 has contrast AF for use during video shooting, don't think the Nikon has that feature.

The shutter and mirror of the Nikon are less audible and I believe the Nikon has a screen atop the body, for faster settings change.

Haha, yes it maybe a compliment, but the consequence is that it will get a lowered score in the conclusion benchmark chart.
Maybe dpreview is to consider its rich features and a weight of 650g for putting it to mid-level. But to me an over-equipted and over-weighted Toyota corolla should still be compared with other COMPACT sedens like honda civic and ford focus instead of benchmarking with honda accord or ford mondeo......