Why is the K30 cheaper ?

Sorry to be dumb but why is the K30 cheaper if its a newer camera than the K5 ?

The K-5 is a 'semi-professional' camera and is different in many ways to the K30. Here are a few of the differences:

- It is made of magnesium alloy (metal) not plastic
- It has a top LCD as well as a rear display
- It has a lockable mode selector dial

There are other differences, these are just a few.

Regards
David

It has a lower specification. Pentax tend to run two types of body - the higher end more professional ones such as the K-5 and the lower priced more amateur orientated ones such as the K-r and K30.

Both types still perform very well and produce stunning images.

- It supports 14 bit RAW files vs. the K30's 12 bit

So obviously the K5 will produce better pictures with the same photographer and same lens. I know its a big variation dependant on photographer, lens ect.... so thats why im reluctant to compare other peoples photos online

im asking because im quibbling between the K5 and K30 plus a decent lens. My partner has said that I would be better to buy the K5 then I can build the lenses up because then at least I would have the better camera body.

If the K-5's image quality is any better than the K-30's than it's extremely marginal. What the 14-bit vs. 12-bit RAW means, however, is that you're more likely to be able to rescue an incorrectly exposed shot in Post Production.

Other advantages of the K-5 over the K-30 include:

- Better battery life (800+ shots vs. 400+)
- Faster maximum shutter speed (1/8000s vs. 1/6000)
- Marginally better continuous shooting rate (7fps vs. 6fps)
- More flexible auto-bracketing (max 5 frames vs. 3)
- Slightly more powerful built-in flash (GN 13 vs. 12)
- External Mic jack for audio recording

On the other hand the K-30, being a newer generation, has a couple of advantages over the K-5

- Slightly better autofocus system
- Better video recording modes

I'm not convinced any of the K-5's advantages will make a difference for wedding photography, apart from the battery life which will probably mean you want to look at getting 3 or 4 spare batteries instead of 1 of 2.

Better Shake Reduction?

Apparently the shake reduction system in the K-30 is exactly the same as the K-5, however CIPA altered the standards of measurement sometime in 2012 meaning Pentax had to change the advertised figure when they introduced the K-30. There is a discussion of this somewhere over on 'that other forum'.

(I was considering a K-30 as a second body at one point myself and I tend to research these things to death before spending any cash.)

The K-30 also takes the same AA battery holder as the K-r so in an absolute emergency (not recommended at weddings) you can get a set of four AA's just about anywhere.

Thanks Milamber, I must admit thats what I love about my k-x, the fact that I dont have to worry about battery life because I carry round loads of rechargable AAs

7 Day Shop do very cheap (cheaper than a set of good quality AAs) rechargeable batteries for the K5. In fact, I think they're much more convenient than AAs. Standing there trying to insert AA batteries one handed and stop them constantly dropping out - not very 'pro' looking!

Luckily the Kr and K30 give you the choice of AA or L-ion rechargable batteries.

From what I've seen, there's no practical difference in IQ, even from shots that have been 'rescued' from gross underexposure. PentaxForums has an excellent comparison between the K5 and K30 in this sort of torture test/

The K30 looks like 95% of the camera that the K5 is, at half the cost. (In fact it's actually slightly better in some areas, like AF). For weddings, two K30s in white would be sweet!

Not necessarily.

You will see very very little difference in the final image between the k30 and the k-5 if the scenario was same photographer and same lens.

If I was just starting out I would get the k30 which would leave more money for glass. Glass you tend to keep where as bodies get changed.

The k-30 at £329 with cash back compared to the k-5 mki price would leave enough money for a Tamron 17-50 2.8 or a da 50 1.8 and da35 mm 2.4

In a years time the k-30 will still be worth around £300 by wich time the new k-5mkii will have come down in price by a considerable amount, allowing you to upgrade with the need to add a small amount.

The k-30 compared against the mki k-5 has better af and performs better in low light.