do i need an upgrade from the K30?

Unless you have a very good and specific reason to upgrade, I would recommend you don't.

If you had a K-r or a K-x my advice might be different, but the K30 is as capable in the image making department as a K-5, plus it has better AF and is weather resistant, so no real need to get a higher spec body.

Regards
David

Can't offer any advice except have a super holiday and share some of your images on here for us less fortunate to enjoy.

That's why I upgraded from the K-R to the K-30 this time last year.

I agree with David and Jeallen 01. I have both a K3 and a Mark1 K5 but my K30 still gets used a lot. For most situations it holds its own in Image Quality with the more expensive models - and its lighter, great for travelling with.
David

PPG: http://www.pentaxphotogallery.com/artists/davidtrout

great - thanks for all the advice, i will hang on to the K30!

good comment about the lenses, i think i might just stick to my original plan which was to only bring the 10-20 and 18-135 and enjoy the trip instead of changing lenses every 5 minutes!

i was thinking about taking my compact tripod... now i am not too sure..?

What’s the difference between a K5IIs and a K3 please?

Quite a few differences ... although they both have strong supporters and users who love them!

K5iis has 16 megapixels / k3 24mp

Both have no aa filter over the sensor, but the K3 adds a new 'aa filter simulator' that uses sensor shake technology to simulate the effect of the aa filter if you want it.

K3 has an upgraded Prime Processor (I think) - this makes faster file write times and faster continuous shooting

K3 has upgraded autofocus system with more focus points and more control over focus point activation

K3 has an extra SD card slot so you can record to two cards at once

K3 has the 'flu' card capability, to allow wireless transfer of images to another device in order to copy files out in the field

Thats just a few of the key differences that I know of ... there are plenty of reporst here from users who have found one of the cameras better for certain things than the other. Oh, K3 is more expensive!

My take would be that the K-5iis reads as the last of the old processor units. The newer K-30 / K-3 etc units have different processor types and different coding for the tasks.

An example of this is the variety of video control options and recording formats on the newer bodies (1080p at 24, 25 and 30 fps for example) but without real mechanical stabilisation during video.

In most ways the newer K-3 will be faster, autofocus, file write times etc and it has a massive buffer for storing the high burst rate photos.

Pro's and cons to each, and the benefits of each depend on your photo taking style really. The K-30 is a huge bang for the buck, and those who love it usually love that it offers the important stuff and saves money by cutting back in areas that they don't really use and are therefore prepared to do without. Having no top LCD screen is a great example of this, given all the info is larger and clearer on the back anyway.

There are differences between them all, but there are core similarities also, given they're all Pentax cameras. If you know the menu on one then you're likely to find the menu on the next quite intuitive. As for travelling, I think flexibility is the name of the game, so often that would rule out primes for me. I'd invest in a decent zoom lens that covers a decent focal range. 18 - 135 frankly sounds pretty darn good.

I love (like really) the 35mm fixed focal length prime though for video work. It produces end results that I think are really cool for the type of style I work with. So for me, I'd chuck that one in too, as it's quite tiny really.

Also it depends where you are travelling to, what you'll be shooting. Landscapes with tripods are one thing, but animals and birds a long way away are another. Be flexible as you don't want to miss shots you won't be able to go back and reshoot any time soon. Enjoy a holiday too though, lugging tripods around etc doesn't sound like fun when you could be kicking back watching the sunset and having a few drinks in good weather with good company.