Posted by jeff miller on March 17, 2013 at 7:31 PM
Hi I'm in the constant battle between weight, weather resistance for a good backpacking camera. I'm a Canon guy, (D60,5D, 30D,and 20D), also using the Canon G12. From a weight perspective I like the G12, but not overly wild about using the LCD to frame images. Anyone have experience with the Pentax K30? Seems to be a nice compromise of weight, weather, and image quality, but I can't find one to actually hold without buying it. Any opinion, and advice would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance.
Posted by Jim Zablotny on March 18, 2013 at 9:44 AM
Hi,
Please visit the Pentax SLR forum page on Dpreview. There are quite a few folks who can help you out. I have been using Pentax cameras for over 20 years, but have not used a K30. All of the newer Pentax Dslr's are compact, weather proof, light weight and for backpacking may work well for you. Some of their pancake lenses are optically sharp and do not take up much space in your pack. You may also find a discounted K5 which has some more bells and whistles than the k30, but is known for its quality images............................Jim
Maybe you've already done it, but a couple years ago I replaced a lot of my heavier backpacking equipment (tent, sleeping bag, and pack) with lighter stuff and saved about 8-10 pounds in the process. In the case of the sleeping bag and tent, I also created a lot more space for camera equipment. I figured that was easier and cheaper than buying a new camera system. Just an alternative idea that I wanted to throw out there.
Posted by Darren Huski on March 29, 2013 at 5:14 AM
Pentax builds a solid product, but I have no experience with their DSLRs.
From a small size body, big size sensor perspective, the Canon G1X and Sony NEX 6 both seem ideal as a backpacking camera. Both are very compact and both sensors are big (bigger than point and shoots or M4/3). If you have experience with the G12 you know what the G1X is like. I just picked up the Sony NEX 6. Super small. Not much bigger than my Panasonic LX3 and the 16mp APS-C sensor from the D7000.
Got the little Sirui 025X tripod to go with it and it is a tiny yet capable travel (or backpack kit).
Posted by jeff miller on March 30, 2013 at 9:47 AM
Jim, Phil and Darren, thanks for your responses to my inquiry. I wish there was more weight I could cut from my pack, but bordering on ultra-light right now. As far as the Canon is concerned, I guess I'm just old fashioned, I've taken the Canon G12 on many hikes, but I prefer holding the camera up to my eye and framing the image rather than the point and shoot approach. I purchased the K30 and waiting for it to come from B&H. What convinced me? Watch this video....http://www.thephoblographer.com/2012/06/22/watch-us-run-a-faucet-over-the-pentax-k-30/
This is also a pretty cool site, www.phoblographer.com Thanks again for your feedback and suggestions.
Discussion
5 repliesPlease visit the Pentax SLR forum page on Dpreview. There are quite a few folks who can help you out. I have been using Pentax cameras for over 20 years, but have not used a K30. All of the newer Pentax Dslr's are compact, weather proof, light weight and for backpacking may work well for you. Some of their pancake lenses are optically sharp and do not take up much space in your pack. You may also find a discounted K5 which has some more bells and whistles than the k30, but is known for its quality images............................Jim
From a small size body, big size sensor perspective, the Canon G1X and Sony NEX 6 both seem ideal as a backpacking camera. Both are very compact and both sensors are big (bigger than point and shoots or M4/3). If you have experience with the G12 you know what the G1X is like. I just picked up the Sony NEX 6. Super small. Not much bigger than my Panasonic LX3 and the 16mp APS-C sensor from the D7000.
Got the little Sirui 025X tripod to go with it and it is a tiny yet capable travel (or backpack kit).
This is also a pretty cool site, www.phoblographer.com Thanks again for your feedback and suggestions.