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regken · 06-09-2008, 04:14 PM

Originally Posted by Richard Day

As you say, it will be interesting to see if they do announce their intentions sooner rather than later, but I expect the next release to be an entry point base model rather than anything as ambitious as a FF body. But they may feel the need to make their intentions clear for marketing reasons.

Richard,
Normally I wouldn't dream of disagreeing with you but the Ned Burnell interview was very emphatic on stating the K200D is Pentax's entry level body. He said the intention is to keep the Pentax name out of the big boxes so that specialty shops would be willing to up sell customers to a K200D that would better serve them in preparing to jump to a more robust model. This is similar to what Sony is doing with their more expensive models and their S.U.R.E, program.

That sounds like a good game plan, or one heck of a spin as to why they don't have an entry level priced unit. If they do come out with a low priced unit we'll know Ned was saying what he had to and Pentax is just trying to do the best they can with the limited amount of money Hoya is willing to let them spend on R & D. If we don't see a low cost unit it will be a good indication of Pentax's long term game plan, which as Ned said is to develop bodies that appeal to a niche market.

My guess is that niche is not faster AF which is more main stream than say a higher resolution, low noise at low ISO settings, and more DR. Somewhat closer to what Ben wants than what a "Soccer Mom" is looking for. The DSLR market has reached a size in the last year that warrants more niche type products. Personally I hope Ned was being straight in the interview and this is where Pentax is heading. The idea of owning bodies from several manufacturers for different types of shooting doesn't bother me at all.

It may take Pentax another year to come out with the next APS-C body and I expect it to emphasis resolution, low noise at low ISO numbers and better DR as opposed to better and faster AF. Samsung is driving the bus on the FF body so that will come along as soon as they can put it together.

Ken

06-09-2008, 04:14 PM	#17
regken Pentaxian Location: Bangor, Maine Gallery Photos: 1 Posts: 1,382	Originally Posted by Richard Day As you say, it will be interesting to see if they do announce their intentions sooner rather than later, but I expect the next release to be an entry point base model rather than anything as ambitious as a FF body. But they may feel the need to make their intentions clear for marketing reasons. Richard, Normally I wouldn't dream of disagreeing with you but the Ned Burnell interview was very emphatic on stating the K200D is Pentax's entry level body. He said the intention is to keep the Pentax name out of the big boxes so that specialty shops would be willing to up sell customers to a K200D that would better serve them in preparing to jump to a more robust model. This is similar to what Sony is doing with their more expensive models and their S.U.R.E, program. That sounds like a good game plan, or one heck of a spin as to why they don't have an entry level priced unit. If they do come out with a low priced unit we'll know Ned was saying what he had to and Pentax is just trying to do the best they can with the limited amount of money Hoya is willing to let them spend on R & D. If we don't see a low cost unit it will be a good indication of Pentax's long term game plan, which as Ned said is to develop bodies that appeal to a niche market. My guess is that niche is not faster AF which is more main stream than say a higher resolution, low noise at low ISO settings, and more DR. Somewhat closer to what Ben wants than what a "Soccer Mom" is looking for. The DSLR market has reached a size in the last year that warrants more niche type products. Personally I hope Ned was being straight in the interview and this is where Pentax is heading. The idea of owning bodies from several manufacturers for different types of shooting doesn't bother me at all. It may take Pentax another year to come out with the next APS-C body and I expect it to emphasis resolution, low noise at low ISO numbers and better DR as opposed to better and faster AF. Samsung is driving the bus on the FF body so that will come along as soon as they can put it together. Ken Last edited by regken; 06-09-2008 at 04:23 PM.