Hi guys,
I got my blue K-30 less two weeks ago, upgrading from a white K-x. I'm still reading through the manual, figuring out the optimal settings for me. I was going the post a thread about the differences between K-30 and a K-5 and to discuss the settings for both cameras, but since there is a request for a review of the K-30, I will do a quick comparison of the K-30 to the K-x/K-r and to the K5, based on what I read at imaging resource on the K5.
Here are pics of my blue K-30 with the FA77. Pardon if the pics look bad, they were taken using a K-x and the surface is really shiny.
[/url][/IMG]
Specs summarised from Dpreview:
Max resolution 4928 x 3264
Other resolutions 4224 x 2816, 3456 x 2304, 2688 x 1792
Effective pixels 16.3 megapixels
Sensor photo detectors 16.5 megapixels
Sensor size APS-C (23.7 x 15.7 mm)
Processor Prime M
ISO Auto, 100 to 12800, in 1, 1/2, 1/3 EV steps (25600 Extended)
White balance presets 9
Custom white balance Yes (3)
Image stabilization Sensor-shift
Image stabilization notes With rotational compensation (3 stops max)
Uncompressed format RAW
JPEG quality levels Good, Better, Best
Number of focus points 11 (9 cross points)
Lens mount Pentax KAF2 mount
Focal length multiplier 1.5×
Screen / viewfinder
Articulated LCD Fixed
Screen size 3"
Screen dots 921,000
Screen type TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100 %
Viewfinder magnification 0.92×
Minimum shutter speed 30 sec
Maximum shutter speed 1/6000 sec
Subject / scene modes Yes
Built-in flash Yes (Pop-up)
Flash range 12 m (at ISO 100)
External flash Yes (Hot-shoe, Wireless)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye,Slow Sync, Slow Sync+ Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless
Continuous drive Yes (6, 3 fps)
Self-timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Exposure compensation ±5 EV (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
AE Bracketing ±2 (3 frames at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
WB Bracketing No
Videography Format
MPEG-4
H.264
Microphone Mono
Speaker Mono
Resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30,25,24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60,50,30,25,24 fps), 640 x 424 (30,25,24 fps)
Storage types SD/SDHC/SDXC
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
HDMI No
Environmentally sealed Yes (Weather and dust resistant)
Battery description Lithium-Ion D-LI109 rechargeable battery & charger or 4 x AA batteries (with the optional AA battery holder D-BH109)
Battery Life (CIPA) 410
Weight (inc. batteries) 650 g (1.43 lb / 22.93 oz)
Dimensions 130 x 97 x 71 mm (5.12 x 3.82 x 2.8")
Orientation sensor Yes (Dual axis, pitch and roll)
Timelapse recording Yes (999 shots, 3 sec to 24 hr interval, time delay)
GPS Optional O-GPS1
Availability:
It's about $900 for the black version, body only, and about $1000 for the blue and white version with the black DAL18-55 lens. It should also be available in black with either the DAL18-55 lens, with the 18-135 lens or the 18-55 WR and 50-200 WR lenses at the usual Pentax stores in Funan and Sim Lim and Manly. Pentax webstore sg has bundles with DA18-55 WR or DA40XS as well.
First impressions:
The camera feels very solid and rugged. The weight is right in between a K-X and a K-5, while the dimensions are just slightly smaller than a K-5. The camera strap is attached using modern strap loops like the K-x/K-r unlike the noisy metal D-rings on the K-5. The rubber weather seals are very tight and it seems like the camera can take a splashing if you have a WR lens, but I don't think you should consider running the camera under a tap or dunking it in water unless you want to spoil your camera or lens. The camera is very easy to hold and almost all the controls are at your fingertips. Differences from the K-x are the auto focus assistant lamp and the much higher resolution rear display (used in K-r, K-5 and K-01) and the display of AF points in the viewfinder. The viewfinder now uses a pentaprism so it is brighter and offers 100% coverage like the K-5/K-7 compared to the K-x/K-r. Difference from the K-5 is that it does not have a duplicate rear facing IR receiver and lamp for using the remote control behind the camera. The shutter is not as whisper quiet as the K-5, but not as loud as the K-x, quite comparable to canikon full frames at the wedding I attended.
[/url][/IMG]
Controls:
The controls are a step up from the K-x/K-r, with dual control dials that allow you to use hyper program mode (you can instantly shift to aperture or shutter priority by setting one of them with a dial). Unfortunately, the K-30 does not allow the user to specify the program line (Auto, higher shutter speeds, shallow DOF, MTF or normal) like the K5. If using Av or Tv mode, it can be configured so that the other dial adjusts ISO or exposure compensation). The mode dial is on the left side and now only has one SCN mode, instead of indicating all the different scenes on the K-x/K-r and also has 2 user modes for custom settings. The K-5 mode dial is on the right and has to be unlocked by pressing the button in the centre, and has only 1 user mode position (the 5 user settings have to be selected via menu) and has a X sync mode and no SCN modes. The K-30 has no dedicated optical DOF preview on the on/off switch but it can be assigned to the raw/fx button.
[/url][/IMG]
On the left side, the K-30 has a AF lever that can be switched to AF.S, AF.C and MF as well as a raw/Fx button like the K-5. On top, it loses the top lcd display of the K-5, and has the exposure compensation and green button like the K-x/K-r. On the rear, the button layout is similar to the K-x/K-r, but with the AF/AE-L shifted inwards and the LV button sharing the same position as the delete button at the top left corner. The flash button has been shifted to the left side near the flash. Overall, it feels easier to reach each button, but might take some time getting used to it.
[/url][/IMG]
[/url][/IMG]
I got my blue K-30 less two weeks ago, upgrading from a white K-x. I'm still reading through the manual, figuring out the optimal settings for me. I was going the post a thread about the differences between K-30 and a K-5 and to discuss the settings for both cameras, but since there is a request for a review of the K-30, I will do a quick comparison of the K-30 to the K-x/K-r and to the K5, based on what I read at imaging resource on the K5.
Here are pics of my blue K-30 with the FA77. Pardon if the pics look bad, they were taken using a K-x and the surface is really shiny.
Specs summarised from Dpreview:
Max resolution 4928 x 3264
Other resolutions 4224 x 2816, 3456 x 2304, 2688 x 1792
Effective pixels 16.3 megapixels
Sensor photo detectors 16.5 megapixels
Sensor size APS-C (23.7 x 15.7 mm)
Processor Prime M
ISO Auto, 100 to 12800, in 1, 1/2, 1/3 EV steps (25600 Extended)
White balance presets 9
Custom white balance Yes (3)
Image stabilization Sensor-shift
Image stabilization notes With rotational compensation (3 stops max)
Uncompressed format RAW
JPEG quality levels Good, Better, Best
Number of focus points 11 (9 cross points)
Lens mount Pentax KAF2 mount
Focal length multiplier 1.5×
Screen / viewfinder
Articulated LCD Fixed
Screen size 3"
Screen dots 921,000
Screen type TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100 %
Viewfinder magnification 0.92×
Minimum shutter speed 30 sec
Maximum shutter speed 1/6000 sec
Subject / scene modes Yes
Built-in flash Yes (Pop-up)
Flash range 12 m (at ISO 100)
External flash Yes (Hot-shoe, Wireless)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye,Slow Sync, Slow Sync+ Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless
Continuous drive Yes (6, 3 fps)
Self-timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Exposure compensation ±5 EV (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
AE Bracketing ±2 (3 frames at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
WB Bracketing No
Videography Format
MPEG-4
H.264
Microphone Mono
Speaker Mono
Resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30,25,24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60,50,30,25,24 fps), 640 x 424 (30,25,24 fps)
Storage types SD/SDHC/SDXC
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
HDMI No
Environmentally sealed Yes (Weather and dust resistant)
Battery description Lithium-Ion D-LI109 rechargeable battery & charger or 4 x AA batteries (with the optional AA battery holder D-BH109)
Battery Life (CIPA) 410
Weight (inc. batteries) 650 g (1.43 lb / 22.93 oz)
Dimensions 130 x 97 x 71 mm (5.12 x 3.82 x 2.8")
Orientation sensor Yes (Dual axis, pitch and roll)
Timelapse recording Yes (999 shots, 3 sec to 24 hr interval, time delay)
GPS Optional O-GPS1
Availability:
It's about $900 for the black version, body only, and about $1000 for the blue and white version with the black DAL18-55 lens. It should also be available in black with either the DAL18-55 lens, with the 18-135 lens or the 18-55 WR and 50-200 WR lenses at the usual Pentax stores in Funan and Sim Lim and Manly. Pentax webstore sg has bundles with DA18-55 WR or DA40XS as well.
First impressions:
The camera feels very solid and rugged. The weight is right in between a K-X and a K-5, while the dimensions are just slightly smaller than a K-5. The camera strap is attached using modern strap loops like the K-x/K-r unlike the noisy metal D-rings on the K-5. The rubber weather seals are very tight and it seems like the camera can take a splashing if you have a WR lens, but I don't think you should consider running the camera under a tap or dunking it in water unless you want to spoil your camera or lens. The camera is very easy to hold and almost all the controls are at your fingertips. Differences from the K-x are the auto focus assistant lamp and the much higher resolution rear display (used in K-r, K-5 and K-01) and the display of AF points in the viewfinder. The viewfinder now uses a pentaprism so it is brighter and offers 100% coverage like the K-5/K-7 compared to the K-x/K-r. Difference from the K-5 is that it does not have a duplicate rear facing IR receiver and lamp for using the remote control behind the camera. The shutter is not as whisper quiet as the K-5, but not as loud as the K-x, quite comparable to canikon full frames at the wedding I attended.
Controls:
The controls are a step up from the K-x/K-r, with dual control dials that allow you to use hyper program mode (you can instantly shift to aperture or shutter priority by setting one of them with a dial). Unfortunately, the K-30 does not allow the user to specify the program line (Auto, higher shutter speeds, shallow DOF, MTF or normal) like the K5. If using Av or Tv mode, it can be configured so that the other dial adjusts ISO or exposure compensation). The mode dial is on the left side and now only has one SCN mode, instead of indicating all the different scenes on the K-x/K-r and also has 2 user modes for custom settings. The K-5 mode dial is on the right and has to be unlocked by pressing the button in the centre, and has only 1 user mode position (the 5 user settings have to be selected via menu) and has a X sync mode and no SCN modes. The K-30 has no dedicated optical DOF preview on the on/off switch but it can be assigned to the raw/fx button.
On the left side, the K-30 has a AF lever that can be switched to AF.S, AF.C and MF as well as a raw/Fx button like the K-5. On top, it loses the top lcd display of the K-5, and has the exposure compensation and green button like the K-x/K-r. On the rear, the button layout is similar to the K-x/K-r, but with the AF/AE-L shifted inwards and the LV button sharing the same position as the delete button at the top left corner. The flash button has been shifted to the left side near the flash. Overall, it feels easier to reach each button, but might take some time getting used to it.
Last edited:
