Pentax K-30

Review based on a production K-30 with firmware 1.01

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 one of the best APS-C DSLR currently on the market. With the mid-range K-30, it looks like the company, now owned by Ricoh, is aiming 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 APS-C 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 and the updated K-5 II, the K-30 borrows a great many of these cameras' 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 exactly the framing you thought you would. It also sports twin control dials and a not-dissimilar degree of external controls. It doesn't come with the K-5 II's Safox X AF-system which allows you to focus in very dark scenes down to -3EV, but with a starting price of $899 with the 18-55mm kit zoom, the K-30 is significantly more affordable.

Nevertheless the camera's SAFOX IXi

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