I'd say that it makes sense to compare it to anything else which someone might also be considering buying. Given the price the K-5 has dropped to recently it was certainly an alternative I considered so reviewers comparing the two was useful to me. As an existing Pentax user that was, in fact, the only comparison I needed. I also realise that, to someone who hasn't already bought into a particular brand, comparisons with equivalently priced offerings from other manufacturers are useful. I'd say that, as long as reviews stick to recent models available in approximately the same price bracket then they're likely to be useful to someone?

My K30 is a little behind David's in terms of number of clicks, mine's only got about 300 on, I've never had a K5 so I can't directly make that comparison, all I do know is that handling and speed-wise it beats my old K10D by a mile which isn't a surprise really given the time between their launches. I will agree though, I've not missed the top LCD either, I just need to learn that the bar that was the exposure indicator in the K10D viewfinder is now the electronic level

That's the Sigma 18-250, not necessarily the greatest lens in the world but handy as a relatively inexpensive walk-around

The hockey last night gave me a chance to try out higher ISO on the K30 than I'd normally use (mostly as I didn't have a particularly wide aperture lens and, as it was an evening match, the light was quite low).

I'm by no means a sports photographer (Landscapes stay put better) but, while there's some visible noise in the shadows, with a bit of NR in Lightroom the results look like they'll pretty usable if you don't pixel peep too much.

This is TAv mode f/6.3@1/500s. (ISO 1600)


http://www.flickr.com/photos/stewartw/7719036776/

In other news, just after getting into the park I saw someone using a Pentax Q! it was the only other Pentax I was aware of all day.

Yes, I saw a large number of iPads, I didn't quite get it, they're not exactly practical ergonomics-wise and a little compact camera would take better shots. Very strange but each to their own I suppose.

I decided to go with the 18-250 on my K30 as, while it's not the greatest lens in the world it was my most flexible choice when only taking one lens in. Nobody even looked at it twice at security and when I got in there were DSLRs everywhere with a wide variety of lenses. I think, as long as you don't look like a professional (This wasn't difficult for me) trying to get away without paying and don't take anything too outrageous you'll not have any bother at all.

Arrived today along with the battery, many thanks, looks like new!

Turns out I am although until just now I can't remember the last time I logged in.

Tell me about it, I've just had my credit card bill...

So, I've just had a reminder that my Flickr Pro subscription has expired and needs renewing...

Before I hand my cash over for another year, what's the feeling around here on alternatives? The majority of people who view my photos online are those I know but I do like that anyone can come across and comment on my public photos so a reasonable sized community would be good.

I've got a free Photobucket account after seeing good reviews but I'm not entirely convinced yet of its UI.

Opinions? Any other sites I should be looking at?

I'm not entirely convinced it's either, it seems to me that Pentax are re-aligning their range a little and going from a two camera lineup to three so, where we had:
Kr - K5
we'll end up with:
K01 - K30 - (K5 replacement)
So, the K01 takes those moving up from compacts and also some of the Kr market, the K30 takes the mid range encompassing the rest of the Kr's market and part of the K5's and, I'd guess, we get a new flagship pitched at the rest of the K5 market and, hopefully, beyond.

I can't say I've noticed the lack of a top LCD so far, I've always used the display in the viewfinder rather than the top LCD anyway, I guess that one's a personal preference thing.