Never owned a Pentax, but looked at some reviews. It seems like a good camera, but not a really good camera. The cons I saw were pretty consistent between reviews: Exposures are somewhat off, some features difficult to access and easily understand, and AF is slow (no AF assist).
But, if your photographic needs aren't too demanding, for 300 smacks it's a decent buy. Especially so if this is your first foray into digital SLR.