Verified answer

Time to clear some things up.

Ok, ignore the links to DxOmark.com unless you plan to dig into the data to see the real scores. The D5200 does not do as well as the image sensor in the Pentax K 30 when you see the real numbers.

So for image quality when shooting stills, at low ISO in good light, it would be hard to tell them apart, in low light as the ISO climbs, the K 30 will pull ahead.

All dSLRs work the same way, The only big difference is the software and menu layout.

It's kind of like saying that Fords are harder to drive than Buicks, or that Lexus is not beginner friendly. So get all that stuff out of your mind. It's true that photographers can and will have a preference, but that's about it.

If you plan on shooting video with Pentax, Canon or Nikon understand that the experience won't be very smooth, that's just the nature of the gear, they are not camcorders. Sony is the best for video because they are not really dSLRs, they are dSLTs.

Sure Canon and Nikon have a huge selection of lenses, over 100. What does that mean to you? Nothing. You are not a working professional that needs a large collection of lenses. The casual user will own 1 or 2 lenses, 3 tops, and all of those lenses will be common and found within any brand.

What do you mean that you "hear" that Pentax is expensive? Why not search the web and see for yourself? Don't take our word for it. We are here to help and guide with answers, we are NOT here to do your homework.

If you want to see sample images taken with any specific camera visit a photo site that will let you search by camera make and model? start at Flickr.

YOU have more research to do. Time to read the reviews and get the real facts on your own. Take your time, once you have taken all that info in, you can buy what's best for you. Then you and make a purchase without having to ask anyone anything. But understand one thing, there is no best dSLR so get that out of your head. Each system has its pros and cons. Only fanboys of a given brand will tell you that one brand is the best, and that you should buy that. good luck.

Very few cameras in that segment of the market are better than the Sony A65 which has a 2.4MP OLED viewfinder. If video control in real time is very important then think about finding a Sony... the A57 which has recently been replaced is quite affordable now as should be the A65 which is also due for replacement soon. If you get an A77 you'll find there is a correction mechanism for back/front focus on lenses - that's a real enthusiast's camera worthy of a "semi-pro" tag but it's not small.

But Pentax K30 over Nikon D5200... Hmmmmmm... difficult choice. You will actually get better backward lens compatabilty with Pentax as all the old lenses back to the 1980's fit, focus and meter. With the Nikon some will be only able to work manually.

The Nikon has the better sensor- so if low light photography or cropping images is important to you then that's the one to go for... you have an articulating LCD too (that would matter to me)..

But... the Pentax body is weather-sealed and the viewfinder is better making it a handier camera for outdoor people or those watching for decisive moment action through the viewfinder.

As far as lenses are concerned, both brands are equally expensive. Nikon has more new lens choices while Pentax has more old choices.

Video quality just like picture quality depend on user skill so it's not fair to tell Pentax has poor video. Besides, the dSLR was never meant to do video anyway. It's useless to see what others have taken. There is no guarantee you would get the same results.

As far as autofocus is concerned, all dSLR's have them. It's just that a lot of Pentax users also use older manual film lenses which of course do not autofocus. Why they still continue using them is because of the superior optical quality of those lenses.

There is no beginner friendly dSLR. Nikon has the penchant of making their LCD displays look flashy but remain technical in appearance. Pentax is bare bones. It doesn't matter. If you know how to use a dSLR, you can use any out there. All dSLR's are basically the same.

The Sony A65 is an SLT and is technically better with videos.

What's the advantage of the K30 over the D5200?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtF4z7uKYoY

Everything is a depends question. Most photographers would pick the system with the lens that they need. Beginners generally don't need to think about it too much specially with the cameras you have listed. There is pretty much three reasons to get the XS. It's dirt cheap these days. Another is if you want to use Canon lenses. And it has the most support from third party vendors. Otherwise, it's older, the back LCD screen is noticeably smaller(compared to the other two), no video, though it does have rudimentary live view. The D3000 is a little more complicated. Nikon's entry level cameras are bastardized in that they don't have auto focus motors built in. This means that there are a lot of older AF lenses that won't auto focus with this camera. If you are only going to be using the kit lenses or buy only modern lenses then this isn't a problem. Image quality is pretty much on par with the XS. Unless you are specifically looking for it, you wouldn't really notice. No video. No live view (useful to have). Has great support from third party vendors (but ever so slightly less than Canon). Has some higher end features such as greater number of auto focus points (same amount as the K-x). As for the Pentax, for high ISO photos (think low light, no flash photography), there is no question. Pentax K-x is much better. It's better than it's peers when it came out, let alone older tech like the XS. So cleaner photos when taking noise and detail into account. It has live view and 720p video. Has a fair bit of higher end camera features like the 11 autofocus points and much faster continuous shooting (4.7 fps in RAW/jpeg vs 3 fps in jpeg for XS and D3000). Pentax also enjoys probably the greatest amount of support for legacy lenses. All lenses built for Pentax lenses from as early as 1975 will mount and work on any Pentax DSLR's. Albeit a lot of the legacy lenses were manual everything lenses. Has won many awards for the best entry-level camera for being easy to use, physically very small, lots of higher-end features (for its class) and great photo quality. As far as I'm concerned, the K-x is the best choice. The only reason you would not want to go Pentax is because it's Pentax. Not nearly as known these days as Nikon or Canon (different scenario in past times). This also means quite a bit less support from third party vendors. This shouldn't cause any problems because all major third party vendors do support Pentax. Even with all that said, ultimately, it really doesn't matter too much as ALL three cameras are great cameras and can take wonderful photos. If I can afford it, I'll go K-x, if budget is a real concern, I'll go XS yet I do like the D3000 ever so slightly over the XS. Lol, confusing. Before making a choice, go play around with all three cameras. Pick the one that fits your needs and almost as important, the one that feels best in your hands.

First, with all due respect, I must correct something NickP said that's incorrect. Nikon has NOT changed their lens mount since the introduction of their "F" mount in 1959. So if you were to find a Nikon lens from 1959 it would mount on a current Nikon DSLR. Canon can't say that because they DID change their lens mount from the "FD/FL" mount to the "EF" mount in 1988. Pentax has used the "K" lens mount since 1975.

The main strengths of the Pentax K-30 are:

1) Its Weather Resistant (WR) as is the 18-55mm zoom lens packaged with it. This camera is safe to use in the rain or in very dusty conditions.

2) The K-30 has a focusing motor in the camera body so any auto focus "K" mount lens ever made will auto focus on it.

3) The K-30 has Pentax's version of Image Stabilization in the camera body. Any lens used, even a vintage maual focus one from 1975, will be a stabilized lens.

If asked, the Nikon D5200 would have to say "No" to all of those things.

Review: http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/pentax-k30/p...

Sarah, I changed from a confirmed Canon user (all my life) to the Pentax product and couldn't be happier. I purchased the Pentax Kx camera and really can't comment on it verses the Pentax K30. But my reasoning of why I choose to go with Pentax over Canon is very valid in my opinion. Let's get video out of the way first. I have no interest in shooting video. Mainly because I tried "way" back in the film days (about 55yrs ago) to own both a still camera and a movie camera. Movie cameras that used film were the product of the day. As skilled as I have become, I don't have the talent nor the desire to shoot a movie with one of today's camcorders. I love photography and as such am not talented enough to put scenes together, to properly make a movie. And I suspect that most people don't have that talent either! Plus I believe to effectively shoot a movie, you need at least some help pulling things together. With still photography, you need "only" your talent in composition and lighting which in themselves is a lot to master. Add to that video use on a still camera is a problem in that the way still cameras are built their sensors overheat and the camera shuts down. Why or how a camcorder deals with this is unknown to me.

Now as to the expensive lenses, yes some of the Pentax lenses are expensive. I just purchased a used 100mm marco lens for a lot less than a new one. I buy my used lenses from quality dealers that offer a "fair" price and a quality product as opposed to a "steal" and the quality is questionable. I buy from BH Photo, & Adorama both located in New York. And sometimes on amazon as amazon them selves make returns easy. I was able to get this used lens because of Pentax's "K" mount. Unlike Canon & Nikon who completely changed their lens mount when producing digital designed (DSLR) lenses, Pentax has not.That means you can pick up a used lens even from film cameras that will fit today's Pentax DSLR's. Some Pentax lenses can only be used in manual function. So you want to be aware of what you are buying. How is this possible? Pentax has it's stabilization feature built in the camera body not each lens made, like Canon & Nikon. (I don't care for Sony or their products as they did me dirty on one of their products).

Picture quality: I take every camera I buy; out the first day or so that I get it and shoot some pictures. Of course they are going to come out in 4x6 size, most any camera can do that! But after I get my 4x6's I ordered from my computer, from the store. I pick one, maybe two shots to enlarge to 11x14 size complete with cropping if necessary. I then check the 11x14's for sharpness and color quality. Yes one hour labs are not noted for the best in color quality but my local Costco is very good on that score. So for the "big sum" of $4.00 I can see if the lens/camera is everything I expected it to be.

If you settle on the Pentax K30 my recommendation is to purchase in "kit" form where the 50-200mm lens is also included. This will save you $50.00 if purchased separately.

In regards to enlargements, I don't believe in putting other peoples art on my walls. So my house is "adorned" with 11x14 & 16x20 prints from my cameras.

Good Luck in your purchase.

Also you need to be patient in your learning process as any advanced "bridge" or DSLR type camera has a learning curve of sorts. Look at it as being a fun experience to progress further in this rewarding hobby. The more pictures you take the better you will become and since you don't have to have a print made from every picture file, you can be selective in what you made into prints.

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