Pentax debuts adventure-ready, $850 dSLR

(Credit: Pentax)

I have to admit: the $900 Pentax K-30 dSLR sounds like a pretty promising replacement for the K-r. Rugged on the outside with the potential for the same excellent photo quality as the K-01 mirrorless ILC, claimed faster autofocus performance than the already fast K-5, and a 100 percent coverage viewfinder that you usually only see in more expensive models all add up to a possibly great start to the Pentax-Ricoh era.

Though it's not "durable" in the same sense as bodies like the Nikon D4 or Canon EOS-1D X, with parts designed to withstand heavy photographic abuse, the K-30 offers weather-and-dust resistance, with claims of usability down to 14 degrees (most cameras only guarantee down to 32 degrees); that said, Pentax makes no claims about battery life at those temperatures. The next least-expensive camera making similar claims is the Olympus E-5 at $1,699. And none of them come in Pentax's selection of colors, which include white and blue in addition to standard black. It has a rubber grip for improved security in adverse conditions.

On the inside, the camera has the same sensor and image-processing engine as the K-01, which has great photo quality for a camera under $1,000. According to Pentax, the new autofocus sensor has a better grade of glass on the phase-detection array for improved performance. It offers peaking (edge enhancement) in Live View for easier manual focusing, a camcorder carryover feature that I consider essential in all still cameras today, and retains the Pentax tradition of an interval shooting feature, another capability that I think should be in more cameras. And AA-battery devotees will be pleased to know that you can still buy an optional AA holder; given how poor the rated battery life is with the provided Lithium Ion battery, it looks like it might be imperative.

Here's how it compares to its predecessor and its linemate:

Given how much the K-30 encroaches on the K-5's territory, and with its superior video capabilities (though it's not clear whether it has manual exposure in video), I'd say there isn't much reason for the K-5 to exist. Perhaps a replacement is imminent. And it definitely looks like an improvement over the K-r. The one bewildering choice is that it's not shipping in a kit with the water-resistant version of the 18-55mm lens. That would likely bump the price over $999, but it's something buyers should be aware of.

Here's how the K-30 compares to its closest competitors:

I think the rugged design fills an underserved niche in the sub-$1,000 dSLR market. The 60D is pretty old at this point, but that's the reason its price puts it in the same competitive space -- if/when Canon replaces it, the new model will likely cost around $1,299 based on history. The D5100 is also ready for upgrading, but I don't think Nikon will bring out anything as compelling as this to replace it. The A65, however, offers some real competition. It has better video options and an articulating LCD; the K-30's construction might trump both of those if you're an outdoorsy type, though.