K30 really 'entry level'?
It's one of those odd tags that get bandied about that has never really been defined.
Best regards, John
I'm all in favour of something which is easy to get started with, as long as it doesn't hold me back.
The K30 was made for you then. It's a brilliant camera. The specs put it somewhere between Nikon's midrange model (D5200) and enthusiast model (D7100) IMO so don't let the entry level tag put you off.
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A mode dial that did not have any of these subject-specific modes (such as the k7 / k5 series) would not be targeted at that same group of users. With technology advancing now so quickly and the incorporation of very high spec features into more and more bodies, this particular definition of mine seems a goof reliable guide don't you think?
My Guides to the Pentax Digital Camera Flash Lighting System : Download here from the PentaxForums Homepage Article .... link
Pentax K7 with BG-4 Grip / Samyang 14mm f2.8 ED AS IF UMC / DA18-55mm f3.5-5.6 AL WR / SMC A28mm f2.8 / D FA 28-105mm / SMC F35-70 f3.5-4.5 / SMC A50mm f1.7 / Tamron AF70-300mm f4-5.6 Di LD macro / SMC M75-150mm f4.0 / Tamron Adaptall (CT-135) 135mm f2.8 / Asahi Takumar-A 2X tele-converter / Pentax AF-540FGZ (I & II) Flashes / Cactus RF60/X Flashes & V6/V6II Transceiver
I take your point though.
Best regards, John


With technology advancing now so quickly and the incorporation of very high spec features into more and more bodies
It does seem to be only Pentax who incorporate traditional enthusiast 'hardware' features into their cheaper cameras though (twin dials, on body controls, WR, big bright viewfinder etc)... The only thing which *for me* I feel is slightly lacking compared to my K7/K10 is the top LCD, but I got over that one pretty fast. Some of the buttons are dual operation, which means (for example) you can't use the AF button to focus and AE lock at the same time, but... meh.
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My Guides to the Pentax Digital Camera Flash Lighting System : Download here from the PentaxForums Homepage Article .... link
Pentax K7 with BG-4 Grip / Samyang 14mm f2.8 ED AS IF UMC / DA18-55mm f3.5-5.6 AL WR / SMC A28mm f2.8 / D FA 28-105mm / SMC F35-70 f3.5-4.5 / SMC A50mm f1.7 / Tamron AF70-300mm f4-5.6 Di LD macro / SMC M75-150mm f4.0 / Tamron Adaptall (CT-135) 135mm f2.8 / Asahi Takumar-A 2X tele-converter / Pentax AF-540FGZ (I & II) Flashes / Cactus RF60/X Flashes & V6/V6II Transceiver
I mean, as has been said above, there is becoming less iq differences between the 'top and bottom' in the range, as far ads the sensor output goes. There are more clearer distinctions amongst my pet subject- usability and control items.
But I still think the best guide to the target end user would be 'photographic aid' type features, like the mode dial scene modes. I read here recently that the k500 has no focus point indicators in the viewfinder. Now to me that is unacceptable, but to another person, someone who has no understanding of focus or choosing where to ffocus then that feature may be completely wasted.
My Guides to the Pentax Digital Camera Flash Lighting System : Download here from the PentaxForums Homepage Article .... link
Pentax K7 with BG-4 Grip / Samyang 14mm f2.8 ED AS IF UMC / DA18-55mm f3.5-5.6 AL WR / SMC A28mm f2.8 / D FA 28-105mm / SMC F35-70 f3.5-4.5 / SMC A50mm f1.7 / Tamron AF70-300mm f4-5.6 Di LD macro / SMC M75-150mm f4.0 / Tamron Adaptall (CT-135) 135mm f2.8 / Asahi Takumar-A 2X tele-converter / Pentax AF-540FGZ (I & II) Flashes / Cactus RF60/X Flashes & V6/V6II Transceiver
To answer the original question, No, I don't consider it entry level. As has been mentioned above, it may be close to the entry level of Pentax DSLR's but it compares very favourably against other brands at points well above their entry level offerings.
It is packed with many features you don't necessarily consider up front but when you find yourself in certain situations it's nice to find them. The interval shooting control for instance, and electronic levels, full manual control of video and focus peaking etc.
Not to mention the obvious weather sealing, 100% view finder, high framerate shooting etc which are definitely not entry level specification levels. All that without even getting to the image quality when compared to other brands entry level and above products!
By that definition, is the K30 'entry level'? Compare to the K-x...


With technology advancing now so quickly and the incorporation of very high spec features into more and more bodies
It does seem to be only Pentax who incorporate traditional enthusiast 'hardware' features into their cheaper cameras though (twin dials, on body controls, WR, big bright viewfinder etc)... The only thing which *for me* I feel is slightly lacking compared to my K7/K10 is the top LCD, but I got over that one pretty fast. Some of the buttons are dual operation, which means (for example) you can't use the AF button to focus and AE lock at the same time, but... meh.
That does it for me, look at that mode dial! K30 is not entry level it's advanced user interface but in a cheaper body and (Barely) less specified than the K5, just as capable and a teeny bit sharper straight out of the camera due to it's lighter AA filter. Each manufacturers idea of this corollarial and theorematic reasoning, is different, and all to a price, depending on what they prioritise where, a little form Column A and a little form Column B.
Rear LCD's are a good indication, if you look at the Nikon range it's much clearer there who each Camera model is aimed at but they make a big play of instructional features in the display modes there, which after a time are a little condescending to be honest but you can switch some of it off! If you see big green instructional text and smiley faces on a Pentax mode dial it's entry level


Cheers Jules...
My viewfinder is 576,000,000 pixels.
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By that definition, is the K30 'entry level'? Compare to the K-x....
As Jules said just above, No! So the definition theory is holding up

The 'scene' modes as you showed on the K-x are comletely automated - they will take the 'program' defaults and bias them towards certain objectives - (eg : greater DOF for landscape, wide aperture for portrait, fast shutter for sports etc). So the user can get the effect without any knowledge of the technical process underlying it. That is what makes those cameras 'entry level' - who they are targeted at.
The problem IMO with these scene modes is that, (when combined with a kit lens as they often would be) their effect is not extreme enough, or their chosen settings are not as extreme as a knowledgable photographer might set manually, to provide a big enough effect, or distinction between the different modes. This can limit the learning impact on the beginning photographer, so their use as a tool at the 'entry level' is limited I feel. A photography book with illustrations of example Av / Tv / ISO settings to try out would be more valuable surely?
My Guides to the Pentax Digital Camera Flash Lighting System : Download here from the PentaxForums Homepage Article .... link
Pentax K7 with BG-4 Grip / Samyang 14mm f2.8 ED AS IF UMC / DA18-55mm f3.5-5.6 AL WR / SMC A28mm f2.8 / D FA 28-105mm / SMC F35-70 f3.5-4.5 / SMC A50mm f1.7 / Tamron AF70-300mm f4-5.6 Di LD macro / SMC M75-150mm f4.0 / Tamron Adaptall (CT-135) 135mm f2.8 / Asahi Takumar-A 2X tele-converter / Pentax AF-540FGZ (I & II) Flashes / Cactus RF60/X Flashes & V6/V6II Transceiver
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