Both are great bodies, and both produce excellent results. But if price is not an option, I would choose the K-5 over the K30. Why? Apart from the superb build, the shutter on the K-5 is both faster and quieter (I did a comparison between my K-5 and the K30 in a shop) Also, the menus on the K-5 are slightly better too.
On the other hand, the K30 is about £300 cheaper, and still has the seals and dual dials for control, so I would fully understand getting a K30 and a Lens for the price of the K-5, A 16-45mm F4 or Cheaper limited (40mm, 35mm Macro and 21mm spring to mind) or the 35mm F2.4 or 50mm F1.8, or......(you get my drift )

I finally saw a blue K30 in the flesh the other day, it looks GREAT!

The choice is yours.

Sorry for being Cynical, but a Tamron body with different optics?
Not likely! The body is designed for a certain glass configuration, changing the elements, means changing the body that surrounds them.

I would accept and agree that Pentax have changed the coating for the optics to their SMC covering, which is far more likely, but the elements themselves? Never!

Lets hope the feedback gets back to Japan and we - the customers - can see beyond their pricing ploy and they will adjust accordingly.

So am I, depending on what day. I'm only in Stockport, so 10 mins from the peak district.
If who is arranging the meet is needing a thought about potential meeting up places (dependent on where in the Peak) I can really recommend the Cafe at Grindleford Station or the Outside Cafe at Calver. Both do excellent Bacon Butties and large mugs of coffee........

Join the club .
I have become a lover of old and new small primes. Not just FA, but Limiteds, F primes and old manual ones. Love them.

It would be interesting to compare the FA20mm and the DA21mm Limited on performance, as focally they are so close.

My K-5 does the same......
My K10D/K20D are much better

Note to Pentax:-
On the replacement to the K-5, the FF Pentax and K30 replacement.
We want the card door to be the same as the K20D - It is FAR better!

Strangely, Jessops!
I don't know if they still have the offer on, but they were doing a 3 for 2, and that includes boxes of film. Also, have a look at 7dayshop.com, and ag-photographic.co.uk

Soft focus filter. I forgot about that, I did some using this very filter in the K20D. Actually it was rather good. Not for everything as you say John, but does a great effect. I must look on the K-5 and try it again.

I agree with John, the DA35 F2.4 is an excellent lens. I have used it for several full length portrait shoots. However I don't use it for head a shoulders, as being a 35mm, you do get some distortion (even on APS-C) where the emphasises the sitters nose more. This is where a longer focal length lens comes into its own. The features become more natural, hence the 85-90mm focal range. Yes you have to stand further back with APS-C, but you do get the way that focal length creates the image.

Now as for sharpness, personally I like a sharper lens, sometimes it is needed for certain subjects, but if a softer look is required, then I don't mind spending a few minutes PP to apply a clarity reduction or gaussen blur to the shot, whilst keeping the most important bit of a portrait - the eyes - sharp.

On the other hand, it is probably why I also have the old SMC-M 55mm too, as it is not as razor sharp as say my Tamron 90mm or DA*50-135mm, but soft enough to flatter the subject without having to do much if any PP should I wish. Plus that extra 5mm over a "nifty fifty" reduces the ever so slight distortion you can get with a 50mm that you can still get on head and shoulder shots.

In all honesty there is not a single lens that is the Perfect portrait lens, but in fact a lot of lenses of various focal lengths that suit different poses and subject matters. As long as the lens you go for suits your needs, then go for it.
The big positive is that being a Pentax user, you can spend as little or as much as you want to get the lens or lenses that you need.

As to give you an example, these are the lenses that I have used for portraits, depending on subject, number of people and effect, indeed I still use:-

SMC-DA35mm F2.4
SMC-F28mm F2.8
SMC-FA50mm F1.4
SMC-M55mm F1.8
SMC-DA*50-135mm F2.8
SMC-Takumar 55mm F1.8
SMC-DA 40mm F2.8 Limited
Sigma 105mm F2.8 Macro
Tamron 90mm F2.5 SP Macro
Sigma 24-70mm F2.8
SMC-DA 16-45mm F4 (mainly in the 28-35mm range before I got the primes)

Finally, if you have a budget of £400-£500, why not get the DA35mm F2.4 AND the FA50mm F1.4 or DA50mm F1.8 so you then have not one but two lenses to partner the Tamron for various portrait work? Then play and have fun.
Just a thought

Thanks for this, it will give me food for thought.

Not sure if this is the best place to put this question (admins feel free to move it to another area), but does anyone have an idea of the value of a K20D camera body (with or without a kit lens)
The reason is, is that I have outgrown the K20D and need a second body to replace it as backup to my mighty K-5. The K-30 springs to mind, as does the K-5IIs

So, to facilitate this I am considering selling the K20D (not yet, just thinking - hence why it is not in the classifieds)

It has done circa 30,000 clicks, and had a replacement sensor under warranty circa 9000 clicks (service was included), so you could say around 20000 clicks net.
I still have the box and charger as well

Thoughts on the value? If good, it may end up in the classifieds.