[XMACHINA]

OK, *ist DS fans:

I've considered acquiring an *ist DS (DS2 actually) for entirely different reasons. I've never touched and *ist, but I've (briefly) handled an E-410. The weight of the diminutive lithium-ion battery used in the E-410/420, compared to that of 4 AA batteries, makes for a dramatic difference.

But if you put the *ist suggestion in the context of the larger discussion: Pentax won't make a dime from the sale of used cameras. And I'm not clear on what makes Pentax so unique, if one is to believe Bunnell, as to not need a true entry-level model the way their competition obviously believes they do.

Again, if Bunnell's denial is not to be taken at face value, then obviously Pentax's ideas about the entry-level tier are consistent with those of the other manufacturers. Bunnell indicated otherwise, perhaps for the reasons suggested, and I'm making the choice to believe what he said.

If I'm wrong, I'll survive.

-XM