Pentax K 30
Posted 22/05/2012 - 10:23
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For the first time in a couple of years I'm quite excited about a Pentax release! Give's me a lot of hope for the K5 replacement as well.
And the K30 has an official optional hand strap
And the K30 has an official optional hand strap
Posted 22/05/2012 - 11:51
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This seems to be a fantastic camera, assuming it performs as expected.
- Image quality of the K5 (lower bit-rate but some places suggesting they may be wrangling more out of the sensor)
- WR
- 2 control wheels!
- Smaller than the K5
- 100% pentaprism viewfinder! (not many were predicting that...)
- Improved autofocus
For an enthusiast in the know this looks like an excellent deal.
My only concern is in the marketing of the product. To attract new users they will need to focus on things that new-to-dslr users think they want. I would say that the weather resistance is something they would be interested in but the rest are probably things they haven't thought of. Will people just we won over by the Nikon D3200 24MP?
[SCENE: Jessops shop front]
New-to-DSLR: So this Nikon is 24MP? Does that meant the pictures are 50% better than the 16MP Pentax?
Nikon sales rep: Yes. Will you be paying by card?
Not meaning to be negative. This should review brilliantly if there is any justice and that should win new customers. This is an incredible well-spec'ed camera.
It has raised the expectation bar for the K5 replacement as well!
- Image quality of the K5 (lower bit-rate but some places suggesting they may be wrangling more out of the sensor)
- WR
- 2 control wheels!
- Smaller than the K5
- 100% pentaprism viewfinder! (not many were predicting that...)
- Improved autofocus
For an enthusiast in the know this looks like an excellent deal.
My only concern is in the marketing of the product. To attract new users they will need to focus on things that new-to-dslr users think they want. I would say that the weather resistance is something they would be interested in but the rest are probably things they haven't thought of. Will people just we won over by the Nikon D3200 24MP?
[SCENE: Jessops shop front]
New-to-DSLR: So this Nikon is 24MP? Does that meant the pictures are 50% better than the 16MP Pentax?
Nikon sales rep: Yes. Will you be paying by card?
Not meaning to be negative. This should review brilliantly if there is any justice and that should win new customers. This is an incredible well-spec'ed camera.
It has raised the expectation bar for the K5 replacement as well!
You will only prise my 43Ltd from my cold, dead hands...
Posted 22/05/2012 - 12:08
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Amazon had the price briefly at £700. Can't be far off the mark. It puts it in direct competition with the K5 so the K5 should be being replaced very soon. There could be some very good K5 deals around too.
Posted 22/05/2012 - 12:27
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I hope Pentax Ricoh goes all out with the marketing for the K-30 (for the beginners)
Ie stress how much better
Pentaprism v Pentamirror
16mp v 24mp wrt to low light, noise, fps
Weather sealing
Next is either get a DC motor in the 18-55 lens or make the 18-135 much much more affordable (close to a Nikon 18-55VR)
I am really excited what the K3 brings to the table ( I think 24 MP is guaranteed)
Ie stress how much better
Pentaprism v Pentamirror
16mp v 24mp wrt to low light, noise, fps
Weather sealing
Next is either get a DC motor in the 18-55 lens or make the 18-135 much much more affordable (close to a Nikon 18-55VR)
I am really excited what the K3 brings to the table ( I think 24 MP is guaranteed)
K5iis and a couple of lenses.
Posted 22/05/2012 - 12:28
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Glad I held off buying a k5 now. K looks interesting - will decide once I can get my hands on one which one I will buy.
Posted 22/05/2012 - 12:34
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Pentaxonian wrote:
I hope Pentax Ricoh goes all out with the marketing for the K-30 (for the beginners)
Ie stress how much better
Pentaprism v Pentamirror
16mp v 24mp wrt to low light, noise, fps
Weather sealing
Next is either get a DC motor in the 18-55 lens or make the 18-135 much much more affordable (close to a Nikon 18-55VR)
I am really excited what the K3 brings to the table ( I think 24 MP is guaranteed)
Yes the 18-135 needs to be nearer the price of 18-105 of other brands to be competitive especially given that the 18-55 is not really a very good lens.
I hope Pentax Ricoh goes all out with the marketing for the K-30 (for the beginners)
Ie stress how much better
Pentaprism v Pentamirror
16mp v 24mp wrt to low light, noise, fps
Weather sealing
Next is either get a DC motor in the 18-55 lens or make the 18-135 much much more affordable (close to a Nikon 18-55VR)
I am really excited what the K3 brings to the table ( I think 24 MP is guaranteed)
Posted 22/05/2012 - 13:13
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The 18-55 WR is a fine kit lens.
Posted 22/05/2012 - 13:23
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The 18-55mm is an excellent lens
Half Man... Half Pentax ... Half Cucumber
Pentax K-1 + K-5 and some other stuff
Algi
Pentax K-1 + K-5 and some other stuff
Algi
Posted 22/05/2012 - 13:36
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The 18-55mm is a brilliant lens for a kit. I believe (in many people's eyes) it is only really the Olympus kit lens that is better.
You will only prise my 43Ltd from my cold, dead hands...
Posted 22/05/2012 - 13:39
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Ok ok I didn't like it, it might have been perfect but I really found it a bit dull.
Posted 22/05/2012 - 13:39
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Pricing now more attractive - if only it would arrive a few weeks earlier I might get one
Posted 22/05/2012 - 13:54
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WobblyGoblin wrote:
The 18-55mm is a brilliant lens for a kit. I believe (in many people's eyes) it is only really the Olympus kit lens that is better.
The Canon one (18-55 IS) is better according to Photozone.de, much sharper across the whole frame. My kit lens takes on the optical qualities of a glass paperweight at the edge of the frame at 18mm. However a kit lens only needs to be 'good enough' and the Pentax 18-55 is just that - and then you have the WR which is fantastic
The 18-55mm is a brilliant lens for a kit. I believe (in many people's eyes) it is only really the Olympus kit lens that is better.
Posted 22/05/2012 - 13:59
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an older test with I believe the mark one 18-55, the mark 2 should be sharper at the edges..
link
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Quote:
Verdict
The Pentax SMC DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL is a surprisingly good kit zoom although it has its weaknesses specifically at 18mm. The center and border performance is fine here but the extreme corners are somewhat soft. Pronounced vignetting and reduced contrast are also present at f/3.5. At 35mm and 55mm the situation is much better. CAs are very well controlled. The build quality is good for a kit zoom and a level up from the rest of the gang such as the Canon EF 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 or Nikkor AF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 ED. All-in-all a good offer from a price/value perspective but naturally there're better lenses out there ... with a much higher price tag.
Verdict
The Pentax SMC DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL is a surprisingly good kit zoom although it has its weaknesses specifically at 18mm. The center and border performance is fine here but the extreme corners are somewhat soft. Pronounced vignetting and reduced contrast are also present at f/3.5. At 35mm and 55mm the situation is much better. CAs are very well controlled. The build quality is good for a kit zoom and a level up from the rest of the gang such as the Canon EF 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 or Nikkor AF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 ED. All-in-all a good offer from a price/value perspective but naturally there're better lenses out there ... with a much higher price tag.
Fired many shots. Didn't kill anything.
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5688 posts
18 years
Bradford,Yorkshire,
UK
Not the 18-55/50-200 bundlebut, say, theDA 35mm f2.4.
Or even the (also announced) DA50..
K110+DA40, K200+DA35, K3 and a bag of lenses, bodies and other bits.
Mustn't forget the Zenits, or folders, or...
PPG entries.