PentaxForums.com - View Single Post - Should Pentax scrap the K110D and replace K100D with K1000D and K100D2?

RiceHigh · 03-14-2007, 07:58 PM

Originally Posted by Mo

IMO Pentax should keep the current two models and add an improved SLR to the lineup, such as the K150D or K200D. Based on their previous poor marketing decisions, though, I doubt the future DSLR lineup will snap of out their habit of releasing two similar bodies (one being a stripped-down version). Here are a few examples:

K100D vs. K110D
*ist DS2 vs. *ist DL2
SuperProgram vs. ProgramPlus
ME vs. MG & MV

Whilst I agree with your view, Pentax indeed do have a simple reason to do so, i.e., to save design and manufacturing costs but at the same time they can produce "more" models (so that it looks as if they have a lineup), but actually all these are just variants.

The K100D/K110D are already about as small as DSLRs get, so why make one of them even smaller by the removing the top LCD? That would lower its status as an SLR even more! Also, I personally

Actually, Pentax are capable of making very small and compact SLRs without removing the top LCD, my MZ-30 and the MZ-60 etc. are good examples.

Nonetheless, I think the top LCD is an essential feature and I won't buy any DSLR without it.

think that using pentamirrors is a joke, so they'd better stop! As for resolution improvements, I think bumping up the 6MP's up to 8MP would make them more popular.

The Pentax mirrors of the K100D is not that bad actually. It is sharp, bright and with very good colors and it makes the camera body *light*. The difference is mainly about the 0.85X mag Vs the 0.95X which while the difference can be seen but I don't think it will cause much troubles.

A full-frame pro DSLR would also be nice, but I know it'll never happen:

If any of you have the *ist D, have a look at the mirror. You'll notice that it's a full-frame mirror as opposed to the small one fit onto all the other Pentax DSLRs. This suggests that Pentax originally considered producing an FF camera, but not any more

I bet the ONLY reason for the *ist D to have a FF mirror is that Pentax simply used the film SLR spare parts! Just like when Canon used Full Pentaxprism in that 10D (ditto the Nikon D100) and full mirrors too but they just masked out the finder to make the 1.5/1.6X crop!

Actually, Pentax was the first one to make a new Pentaxprism for the 1.5X APS-C DSLR! in their *ist D, which has the biggest magnification but yet the most compact size, as it was newly designed.

03-14-2007, 07:58 PM	#11
RiceHigh Pentaxian Location: Hong Kong Gallery Photos: 0 Posts: 1,934	Originally Posted by Mo IMO Pentax should keep the current two models and add an improved SLR to the lineup, such as the K150D or K200D. Based on their previous poor marketing decisions, though, I doubt the future DSLR lineup will snap of out their habit of releasing two similar bodies (one being a stripped-down version). Here are a few examples: K100D vs. K110D ist DS2 vs. ist DL2 SuperProgram vs. ProgramPlus ME vs. MG & MV Whilst I agree with your view, Pentax indeed do have a simple reason to do so, i.e., to save design and manufacturing costs but at the same time they can produce "more" models (so that it looks as if they have a lineup), but actually all these are just variants. The K100D/K110D are already about as small as DSLRs get, so why make one of them even smaller by the removing the top LCD? That would lower its status as an SLR even more! Also, I personally Actually, Pentax are capable of making very small and compact SLRs without removing the top LCD, my MZ-30 and the MZ-60 etc. are good examples. Nonetheless, I think the top LCD is an essential feature and I won't buy any DSLR without it. think that using pentamirrors is a joke, so they'd better stop! As for resolution improvements, I think bumping up the 6MP's up to 8MP would make them more popular. The Pentax mirrors of the K100D is not that bad actually. It is sharp, bright and with very good colors and it makes the camera body light. The difference is mainly about the 0.85X mag Vs the 0.95X which while the difference can be seen but I don't think it will cause much troubles. A full-frame pro DSLR would also be nice, but I know it'll never happen: If any of you have the ist D, have a look at the mirror. You'll notice that it's a full-frame mirror as opposed to the small one fit onto all the other Pentax DSLRs. This suggests that Pentax originally considered producing an FF camera, but not any more I bet the ONLY reason for the ist D to have a FF mirror is that Pentax simply used the film SLR spare parts! Just like when Canon used Full Pentaxprism in that 10D (ditto the Nikon D100) and full mirrors too but they just masked out the finder to make the 1.5/1.6X crop! Actually, Pentax was the first one to make a new Pentaxprism for the 1.5X APS-C DSLR! in their *ist D, which has the biggest magnification but yet the most compact size, as it was newly designed.