Pentax K-7 or K-30 which should I choose?

[johnymac]

My Pentax K100 has just died so I need to replace it with another Pentax. I have been looking at the K-30 (body only) which retails locally for about £469 but presumably without a battery which would take the price up to about £500. However I have been offered a K-7 for less than £300. I know the 30 is newer & slightly higher spec but is it that much better than the 7 to warrant the price difference?
Let me know what you think.

[Elderly]

johnymac said:

I have been looking at the K-30 (body only) which retails locally for about £469 but presumably without a battery which would take the price up to about £500.
Let me know what you think.

For £50 more: http://www.wexphotographic.com/buy-pentax-k-5-digi...

[johnymac]

Thanks Elderly - but if I buy a new K-30 locally (clifton cameras) I can pay 40% (about £190) and then the balance on interest free credit which is really attractive to me. Or take up the offe of a K-7 for about £275 with nothing more to pay. When I have more money I can then invest in some good quality glass.


Anyone else have an opinion?

[toppstuff]

I would go for the K30.

It has a better sensor than the old K7. Image quality will be better, especially when light is lower and its getting a bit dark, or if you want to use higher ISO to shoot action with a fast shutter speed. The newer design and latest sensor in the K30 should make a difference with cleaner, less grainy/ noisy images.

K30 is a bit of a bargain actually.

I quite covet a white one myself !

[PJ S]

K30 was a bargain at the start of the year when it had £50 cashback in operation, and prices were £450 for a kit lens included, albeit not the WR version, which was another £30 or £40.
Even so, cracking entry starter.
Prices have risen, and before the recent exchange rate drop, so it's not quite the bargain it was a short while ago.

With that said, as a body only is required, I'd have to echo Elderly's shout for the K5 - top LCD display aside, there's a few other features that still sets it apart from the K30, even if it has a bit better high ISO performance.

OP, why not contact Wex and SRS Microsystems, see if they have a similar credit option you're keen to utilise with Clifton.
If locality and this credit option are things you're not willing to compromise on, then simply ask Clifton to do you a deal on the K5, which I'm sure there's stock they can still order from.

If you're spending the money the K30 commands, you'd be absolutely daft not to put the extra into a K5.
I'm almost tempted to say throw caution to the wind, and jump straight in with the K5 II, for the extra £12 or so per month for the next 12.