Pentax K-30 review

For the opportunity Pentax K-30 review Many thanks to Oleg Ilesk.

Pentax K30 review

Pentax K30 review

The Pentax K30 is a good amateur camera. First of all, the camera is interesting simply for its enormous capabilities, such as video shooting, good dynamic range, moisture protection, and a strong waterproof case. If you are looking for an inexpensive good SLR camera, then the Pentax K30 will be an excellent option. To be honest, I was just amazed at the capabilities of the hobbyist Pentax K30. In this review, all sample photos were taken with a lens. SMC Pentax-DA 1: 3.5-5.6 18-55mm AL WRthat comes with the camera.

Pentax K-30 sample photo

Pentax K-30 sample photo

The main things to pay attention to in the Pentax K30:

  1. The Pentax K30 camera housing is waterproof. This is a very nice plus in the Pentax gradebook. This not only allows you to shoot in fine rain, but also indicates a good design in general.
  2. Pentax-K30 16.1 MP and CMOS matrix. You can find information about 16.3 and 16.5 megapixels. 16.3 is effective pixels and 16.5 is total pixels on camera. But the camera itself produces images of 4928 by 3264 pixels, which is equal to 16.1 MP. This is a good indicator, however, megapixels are not always so important, you can see for yourself in the section Battle of Megapixels. It is very important that the Pentax K30 uses a matrix from a professional Pentax K-5.

    Pentax K-30 sample photo

    Pentax K-30 sample photo

  3. Pentax K30 has an ISO range of 100 to 12,800 and can expand its range to 25,600... Believe me, even 12,800 is just an excellent figure for a crop APS-C camera. My full frame Nikon D700 and it has an ISO range from 200 to 6400. The noise level at high ISO is very similar, in my opinion, to the noise level of the camera Nikon D5100.
  4. The Pentax K30 has a marvelous three-inch, 920,000-dot LCD display. View photos and poke around the menu is very convenient.

    Pentax K-30 sample photo

    Pentax K-30 sample photo

  5. Good viewfinder with 100% coated frame and an increase of 0.92X. This is really a very good indicator. 100% coverage means that everything that is visible in the optical viewfinder will be in the picture. This indicator is very important for me.
  6. Pentax K-30 uses 11-point focus systemmoreover, 9 focus points are cruciform. The speed and accuracy of focusing very much depends on the lens and shooting conditions. The camera can set shooting priorities for modes and AF-S, AF-C. For example, you can set burst priority or focus priority. This is very important and useful, given that the camera has fast continuous shooting.

    Pentax K-30 sample photo

    Pentax K-30 sample photo

  7. Great frame buffer: Pentax K-30 can buffer up to 8 frames in RAW format and up to 30 in jpeg format. Frame buffer – this is one of the most important things when shooting a series. RAW files have a DNG (Digital NeGative) extension and weigh from 10 to 25 MB. The camera uses memory cards SD, SDHC, SDXC. I used the camera with a 32GB SDHC class 10 card without any problems. The camera only encodes 12bit RAW file.
  8. The shooting speed is as much as 6 frames per second. This is just awesome speed for an amateur camera. Only advanced amateur and professional cameras can boast of such fast burst shooting.

    Pentax K 30 sample photo

    Pentax K 30 sample photo

  9. The Pentax K-30's battery is pretty weak, withstands up to about 500 shots. The number of shots that the camera can take depends very much on the shooting conditions, lens, and method of working with the camera. But Pentax K-30 can use ordinary AA batteries
  10. The Pentax K-30 camera has a very well thought out live view. The mode has the function of highlighting the contours of objects when focusing, which helps to sight through the camera display without any problems.

    Pentax K 30 sample photo

    Pentax K 30 sample photo

  11. Of course, the Pentax K-30 can shoot 1080p HD video up to 30 fps in MOV format. You can shoot in 720p at a speed of 60 fps. Also, basic settings for video are available. When shooting video, auto focus works.
  12. The camera menu is quite large, divided into logical sections. The menu is easy to use. In the menu you can find a huge number of useful settings.

    Pentax K 30 sample photo

    Pentax K 30 sample photo

  13. Pentax K-30 works great with manual optics, the camera measures exposure and confirms focus with manual lenses. You can safely use Soviet lenses and any other old high-quality manual focus optics.
  14. Pentax K-30 has built-in image stabilizer. This means that with any lens, the camera will perform the function of suppressing hand shake. This is a very useful feature, with the stabilizer you can take off at relatively slow shutter speeds.

    Pentax K 30 sample photo

    Pentax K 30 sample photo

  15. An interesting fact is that the Pentax K-30 supports alignment of optics. This means that if some lens has a back or front focus, then the camera can be adjusted to compensate for the lack of a lens.
  16. Pentax K-30 uses shutter speed from 30s to 1 \ 6000. Of course, 1 \ 6000 is not standard excerpt 1 \ 8000 on professional cameras, but still very good.

    Pentax K 30 sample photo

    Pentax K 30 sample photo

  17. The camera supports interval shooting. There are GPS connectors on the camera body, etc.
  18. Of course, the Pentax K-30 is equipped with a screwdriver - a built-in focus motor, which allows the camera to be used with a wide range of older non-motorized autofocus lenses.
Pentax K-30 sample photo

Pentax K-30 sample photo

Personal experience

The direct competitor of Pentax K-30 is Nikon D5100. I must admit that the Pentax K-30 is much better Nikon D5100 in management and feature set. I really liked the Pentax K-30 features such as:

  • Ability to delete only RAW or JPEG images if shooting in RAW + JPEG
  • Setting up several function keys to the desired functions
  • Virtual horizonwhich has a vertical and horizontal tilt scale
  • bar chart in live view and when shooting video
  • A simple video editor
  • Auto ISO, which takes into account lens parameters and adjusts shutter speed
  • automatic distortion correction
  • Automatic chromatic aberration correction
  • HDR function for creating unusual shots with a large dynamic range
  • Almost every function has a lot of additional settings, which allows you to very well and accurately configure the camera for any shooting conditions
  • Pentax K-30 supports remote control
  • Pentax K-30 has the classic noise reduction functions at slow shutter speeds and high ISO, you can adjust the noise reduction
  • Pentax K-30 has an unusual green backlight auto focus
  • Pentax K-30 is available in several body colors.
  • Metal-based polycarbonate housing, which makes the camera very durable
  • Pentax K-30 can mask dead pixels, which over time becomes very relevant
  • The camera has an excellent dust removal system. Matrix cleaning function it is configured to turn the camera on or off, and cleaning can also be performed forcibly. When cleaning occurs, something feels in the hands that the camera is shaking
  • In the menu, you can adjust the font size, the color of the navigation elements (adjust to the color of the case), you can configure (calibrate) the display
  • There is even a wonderful autofocus trap function
Pentax K 30 sample photo

Pentax K 30 sample photo

Pentax K-30 uses a matrix that Sony produces, the same matrix is ​​available in cameras

The only thing that remains a mystery to me is how to turn off the display when the camera is on. When you turn on the camera, with the shutter button not pressed halfway, the display with shooting information always lights up. A minor drawback of the camera is the delay at startup and the fact that the camera does not show the picture until it is written to the memory card. Also, there is no booster for the Pentax K 30.

Pentax K-30 sample photo

Pentax K-30 sample photo

Prices for modern Pentax cameras in popular stores can look at this link.

In comments Can I ask you a question on the topic and you will answer, and you can also express your opinion or describe your experience. Many little things for a photo can be found on AliExpress.


Conclusions

Pentax K-30 - great camera... Most likely, Pentax K-30 - one of the best amateur crop cameras for 2012. I recommend.

Material prepared Arkady Shapoval. Training/Consultations | Youtube | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Telegram

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Comments: 225, on the topic: Pentax K-30 review

  • PSTD

    wow, what a good camera

  • Alexey

    Arkady, thanks for the excellent review and aiming for a good camera! surprised working iso 6400. and a bunch of other useful functions .. well done Pentax. I wonder how with the lenses on this camera, is it possible to attach Nikon lenses?

    • Arkady Shapoval

      It is possible to use old manual lenses through an adapter without problems, it will be difficult to use modern lenses without a diaphragm control ring.

  • Vasil

    Arkadiy Nareshti You could write a look at the Pentax camera, for you GREAT THANKS. Pentax K-30 better, I won’t think about how to use the garn camera (: It’s also possible, I really appreciated the camera (I want you to write a nice article about K-30). I want to get some pictures on Pent K-30 + like Dobry Radyansky assets (:

    • Arkady Shapoval

      Nothing of the kind, first of all I work as a photographer and do not build icons among cameras from different manufacturers. By the way, there was already a review of Pentax on Radozhiv - https://radojuva.com.ua/2012/03/obzor-pentax-k10d/

      • Vasil

        Arkadiy don’t be bothered, I didn’t show that you will be able to save the middle of the cameras of the third generation simply by knowing the camera and the same system if you would like to be close to you for a pentax (:

        • Arkady Shapoval

          Well, you need to shoot something :)

          • Vasil

            All for sure (: In my case, there are two cameras Pentax Km i Nikon CoolPix L23 i oboma i zadovoleniya (:

          • Vasil

            Only recently did you see a maximum of maximum number of miles, and I myself wanted to have a bit more like yoke bokeh, you can get a little more of small little ones. Having walked around the courtyard, there were five huhlins of nishov for a little more, knowing the ropes I knew and the result was less booze than I could finish the same nepogane (: Image axis http://fotky.com.ua/pfiles/53009.jpghttp://fotky.com.ua/pfiles/53007.jpg - http://fotky.com.ua/pfiles/53008.jpg

            • Arkady Shapoval

              Thanks for sharing your experiments.

  • Deimos

    yeah great camera thanks for the review.
    PS Oh, it would be cool if Nikon released something like that.

    • Arkady Shapoval

      Yes, it would be nice, but given that the D5100 is older than the K-30, a gap in the amateur segment of the fifth branch of the camera evolution from Nikon should close in the near future https://radojuva.com.ua/2012/02/evolyuciya-kamer-nikon/ who knows what will be there :)

      • Ivan

        I saw before 10d :)

  • Alexey

    thanks. it is good that you can use the manual. and there are a lot of nikons with a diaphragm ring. more and more like this camera)

    • Arkady Shapoval

      Soon there will still be a review of the whale lens for this camera, there is also a difficult beast.

  • Ivan

    Great review

  • Sergei

    Arkady, tell me please. Today I acquired this model and was unpleasantly surprised at the graininess of the viewfinder. It seems that it is somewhat dark and has uniform small dots throughout the area.
    Is this a common occurrence for the camera? or is it a feature of my specimen?
    PS uses an 18-55 WR whale lens.

    • Arkady Shapoval

      As I understand it, you speak for the viewfinder in Live View mode, grain is a function of edge priority. If we are talking about an optical viewfinder, then dust particles are usually the dots. Try to expand your question so I can help with something.

      • Sergei

        I mean the optical viewfinder (not the display in Live View mode). The effect is manifested even when the camera is turned off.
        When using the SMC Pentax DA 18-55mm f / 3.5-5.6 AL WR lens, the image I see in the viewfinder is slightly darkened (compared to optical viewfinders on the Nikon D40 and Canon400D) and there is a uniform "grain" effect over the entire area. Doesn't look like dust, because the grain is too evenly distributed. The output is not affected, only annoying when cropping.
        So I'm interested in, is this a deviation from the norm or a design feature of the camera?
        Was there something similar on the instance you tested?

        • Arkady Shapoval

          The copy I had in my review had a good clean viewfinder, much better than the Nikon D40, Canon 400D. Most likely something is wrong here.

          • Sergei

            Arkady, it turned out that everything is ok with my copy. What I wrote about is nothing more than the matte surface of the focusing screen, a feature of the model.
            In theory, this should even be a bonus with manual focus. However, I personally have not yet felt this bonus.

  • stex

    "The Pentax K30 has a whopping 16.1 megapixels on board its CMOS sensor."

    I wonder where the author of this article studied? It looks like he had Education Minister Fursenko.

  • ileski

    Arkady kokoy lens advise for shooting at home for Pentax?

    • Arkady Shapoval

      I rarely encounter Pentax, it's hard to tell. The usual good cetacean can do the homework.

    • Arnold

      ileski, at home I use Pentax HD DA 35mm f / 2.8 Macro Limited (when there is VERY little light) or Pentax SMC DA 12-24mm f / 4.0 IF ED / AL (If there is enough light for the subject)

      • Leonid

        Arnold, I think in difficult conditions Pentax SMC FA 31mm f / 1.8 is even preferable.

  • ileski

    sample photos on a Pentax K30 with a Jupiter-37A lens http://uploads.ru/p1zYB.jpg http://uploads.ru/QimG5.jpg http://uploads.ru/lrzQ2.jpg

    • Arkady Shapoval

      Thanks for the links.

  • Alexey

    I have been looking towards the pentax for a long time. :-) Therefore, there are a number of questions for you:
    1. Does the stabilization system really give +2 stops?
    2. How does Lightroom "hawk" Pentax DNG ​​files? Is there any noise when sharpening like, for example, on canons?
    3. autofocus speed is subjectively higher than that of the Canon 400D
    4. Does it make sense, in your opinion, to sell the Canon 450D and glass and switch to the Pentax system? :-)

    • Arkady Shapoval

      1. Yes, indeed.
      2. My Lightroom works great with DNG from Pentax K30. If you sharpen the sharpness, there is noise.
      3. Focusing speed depends on the lens.
      4. I do not see the point.

      • Alexey

        Thank you.
        + thanks for the review.

  • Michael

    “The only thing that has remained a mystery to me is how to turn off the display when the camera is on. When you turn on the camera without pressing the shutter button halfway, the shooting information display is always on. ”

    I did not hold k30 in my hands, but by analogy with k5 there should be an item in the "STATUS SCREEN" menu that is responsible for this

    • sss

      and there is.

  • Dmitriy

    “The shooting speed is as much as 6 frames per second. This is just a tremendous speed for an amateur camera. Only advanced amateur and professional cameras can boast such fast burst shooting. ”

    Again it’s worth returning to Kp, he also has 6 frames per second.

    “The only thing that has remained a mystery to me is how to turn off the display when the camera is on. When you turn on the camera without pressing the shutter button halfway, the shooting information display is always on. ”

    it is not clear which display can be clarified?

    Besides the moisture proof housing, what is new in relation to Kp? The only thing I do not know is that Kr’s own matrix or is also mutually

    • Arkady Shapoval

      Pentax K-30 has only one main display.

      • Dmitriy

        I also seem to have only one, the second is meant from above? Just like in our last discussion about 7000 and Kr?

        • Arthur

          Can you read? Have you read the article carefully? Turn on your head and understand which display is in question.

  • Andrei

    Arkady, tell us about the focusing speed, what it depends on. My friend bought Nikon D5100 and one of the criteria for his choice was that Nikon focuses faster (he brought this argument from conversations with photographers).

    • Arkady Shapoval

      Focusing speed depends on:
      1. From the lens. Different lenses perform focusing differently, have different motors and focusing methods. First of all, speed depends on the implementation of focusing in the lens.
      2. From the aperture ratio of the lens and its optical qualities. If the lens has low contrast and poor sharpness, and even low aperture, then it is more difficult for the camera to indicate how the lens should be focused.
      3. From external factors - what's in the focus area. A static or moving object, its texture, etc. It's hard to focus on wires not blue skies ..
      4. From the focus module in the camera. Different cameras use different focus modules, with a different number of focus points and their type. Also, it is possible for some cameras to use the Live View mode.

  • Sergei

    I have a Pentax kx and bought a pentacon 50 1.8 lens, it was indicated that it suits Pentaxes, but it turned out that it came in but did not crank to mount, which adapter should I install, or what should I do?

  • Novel

    Hello Arkady!
    Tell me, is this model suitable for shooting weddings?
    At least for the first year or two? I want to do it, the choice is between the Canon 60D and Pentax K30.
    Simply, without explanation, what would you take from these two cameras for this purpose (without considering other options)?
    If interested, here http://www.imaging-resource.com/IMCOMP/COMPS01.HTM comparing pictures.
    Convenient resource, at the top choose two cameras and see the quality :)
    By the way, figured out the screen?

    • Arkady Shapoval

      I would take the Canon 60D because it is a Canon system and because of its more convenient controls and a different level of camera.

      • Novel

        I think it’s still possible to hold Pentax in our hands in our city.
        And there, maybe Canon will spit out something interesting :) In any case, after N.G. I will take it.
        Thanks for the answer and reviews! They are gorgeous!!!

  • Sergei

    Today I discovered your site (for some reason I didn’t come across it before) and I cannot but express my admiration for the simplicity of presentation on the one hand and the meticulousness with which this or that camera is viewed. I especially liked the review of Nikon's lenses - I have not found such detailed information anywhere else. Thank you, Arkady!
    Since 2005, I have been shooting on the Olympus E-300, I have two additional lenses for it (40-150 and 9-18), but the photo quality has ceased to satisfy (I mean noise at ISO over 400). It’s a pity, of course, that Olympus stopped producing SLRs (E-5 is too expensive).
    I’m looking at the K-30, everything seems to be fine, but in one review I read about a noisy focus motor, and that bothered me a little. By the way, in the Pentax motor in lenses or in the housing?
    Thank you for the good review, you got another regular visitor!

    • Arkady Shapoval

      As for Nikon's, Pentax has objective lenses with a built-in motor and a motor from a screwdriver that makes noise.

  • Costaki

    Can you tell me how Pentax is doing with flashes? In the descriptions of the K-30 and K-5 cameras, I did not find anywhere anything about high-speed synchronization and even about the minimum shutter speed with puff ...

    In general, a very great desire to learn to take a picture with 2-3 flashes on the road. Nikon has enough materials on this subject, and how to put different power and radio synchronizers is a great choice, and indeed, as I understand it, cameras and flash groups work clearly there. Is it possible to learn how to buy Pentax or is it better not to get involved?

    • Arkady Shapoval

      K-30 does not have fast synchronization with external flashes, I do not know K-5

      • sss

        has, use.

  • Arseny

    If anyone else is interested and no one has written yet, then double pressing the "info" button turns off the display.
    So I realized that he first saves, and then shows a photograph?
    Nah, still leave an opinion :)

    Look at the price of k5, and at k-30, at k5, and at k-30. K5 on horseback :)
    Now the k30 is almost more expensive (in some online stores) than the k5, and the main thing that it can boast about, in fact, boasts, is: “And I have a matrix from k5 ... and autofocus ... (and so on)”
    Only here the K-30 is somehow not the best sprinkled DSLR, although it surpasses all fans.

    • Arkady Shapoval

      K-5 is already more than a semi-professional / professional camera (at least as Pentax itself positions it), I wrote for the best amateur to the mirror. Thanks for the help with the display.

      • Arseny

        Well afigit now :)
        I have a rare butchert about buying, or rather the existence of a camera as such, lower class, but higher in price (for now). I think no one will argue that, if possible, a person will take the camera as best as possible? You can certainly say that it is difficult to manage and laalalalallalalal, but I think a person who takes K30 (which also has two control wheels, which inclines him to a higher class than an amateur) can cope with a cheaper friend //
        // My opinion is personal, and not for me to judge. But I judge something :)
        Maybe it’s not at all justified, but it would be better if they had made waterproof (I’m a happy owner, a traveler, and only infuriates the viewfinder and defenselessness) or a full frame at last.

  • Basil

    Arkady, can the K-30 “compete” with the Nikon 5200?

    • Arkady Shapoval

      What are the criteria?

  • Basil

    In terms of image quality, functionality and practicality.

    • Arkady Shapoval

      As soon as the D5200 is in my hands, I will try to give an answer. The quality of pictures depends more on the photographer than on the camera.

  • Basil

    Arkady, if there was a choice: Nikon 5100 or Pentax K-30, who would you prefer?

    • Arkady Shapoval

      Would give preference to Pentax.

  • sergei58

    Arkady, I have such a question for you? Do I need a camera for a photo hunt, whether the K-30 is suitable. I heard that Pentax DSLRs have problems with AF. How will the K-30 shoot dynamics such as birds on the fly? What kind of camera for a photo shoot would you choose. Budget up to 50 thousand.

    • Arkady Shapoval

      Pentax is suitable, for a photo hunt you need a good lens more.

  • Gvs

    Have you not planned a review at Pentax Kr?

    • Arkady Shapoval

      If someone provides a camera for review, I will definitely write a review.

      • Gvs

        It would be nice to have a professional opinion. It seems to be a little more compact than the K-30, but I would like the functionality to be appreciated by a knowledgeable person ...

  • Eugene

    Yesterday they brought me this device, after I talked about, I asked one question how to take clear photographs using manual lenses, I will clarify - through the viewfinder, as I understand it, it’s just by eye, but at home they can be blurred, or you should use the same live view as on mirrorless? I thought maybe there is some kind of feature like piking like Sony's?

    • Arkady Shapoval

      live view helps a lot, Pentax sound alerts work when focused.

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