Pentax K-30

Preview based on a pre-production K-30 with firmware 1.00

Pentax has a long tradition of making very photographer-focused DSLRs, often eschewing the latest fashions to concentrate on providing cameras with well-sorted ergonomics and a focus on core photographic features such as good viewfinders. This trend appeared to reach its peak with the K-5 - arguably the best APS-C DSLR currently on the market. With its latest offering, the , it looks like the company, now owned by Ricoh, is planning to bring this capability to a wider audience.

The first thing you're likely to notice is its rather aggressive, angular styling but what's really interesting is what's going on inside. The K-30 is built around the updated 16MP CMOS sensor and processor used in the K-01 - one of the only cameras we've seen to exceed the K-5's low light performance. And that's promising, even before you venture further into the specifications.

Despite playing second-fiddle to the K-5, the K-30 borrows a great many of its flourishes. It's weather sealed. It features the same 0.92x magnification viewfinder with 100% coverage - meaning you can compose your image knowing that you'll get the framing you thought you would. It also sports twin control dials and a not-disimilar degree of external controls. With a starting price of $899 with the 18-55mm kit zoom, we can't imagine Pentax expects to sell many K-5s once the K-30 reaches shop shelves.

The camera's SAFOX IXi

View the Original article