More specifically ...
What are the any good reasons to recommend Pentax?
Absolutely Yes.
1. Quality lenses
2. Quality features -- trap focus. (The D30 *just* got spot
metering!)
3. Often ahead -- DS/DS2 with prisms (better finder image)
Let's stop the comparative "it's just as good as" remarks.
Doing that admits second place.
All of the big players make excellent equipment.
Pentax is often ahead in features. They did it during the film
days
and seem to be doing it somewhat during the digital days.
Keeping the Prism in the low-end bodies might pay off in
reputation and quality.
I hope they do it more.
Collin
KC8TKA