[bonaprof]

I am pleased and surprised how low the price for a new K5 has gone. I guess merchants are preparing to sell off this model for an upgraded replacement some time soon. I have been watching the price fall and I am almost ready to buy. I have been holding off using my old reliable K20D, but I have been wishing for the K5. I also am a regular listener to the Podcast TWIP (this week in photography). The show rarely mentions Pentax products, but one of the regular guests a couple of weeks ago mentioned that among his favorite cameras is his Pentax K5. He offered nothing more, but at least a quality Pentax camera was praised.

What's your guess how low the price of a new K5 will go?

[Anvh]

Look at the price of the K7 and you know.

[Fl_Gulfer]

Maybe next year it will be down to $799.00, It's a awesome camera and the price will hold up for as long as they have new copies to sell.

[panoguy]

IIRC, the K-7 dropped to about $800 new, then disappeared. Used K-7's showed up on the marketplace for $800 after the K-5 came out ... so, if history teaches us a lesson in economics, then the time to buy a K-5 is early this summer! That way you'll get a warranty and that "new camera smell."

Also, Pentax has a habit of "drying out" their retail supply lines a while before a model replacement, so the K-5 price might go back up as demand outstrips dwindling supplies.

[Boris]

If you're willing to buy second hand, it may be as low as you want. Look at prices of K10D's and K20D's on the forum marketplace. Yet, obviously, if you would want to buy a brand new camera, you might want to put a stopper on your wait, as soon enough the retailers will run out of stock.

[interested_observer]

I purchased my K20 at the end of its model run for $650 and it came with a 2 year extended warranty (unexpected but very welcomed).

As panoguy wrote the K7 was on the order of $750 to $800 and change, if memory serves me correctly.

In January, I upgraded to the K5 for $750 new from Samy's Camera over in LA. At the time it was believed to be a pricing error for a day. I have no additional knowledge if it was an intentional sale or an error, but they honored the order and delivered the camera. I think that there were about 15 to 20 of us who scored a camera at that price (and the next day the price went up to $1100). I think for new that will be a low point. Considering Pentax's new pricing policy and I am going to guess from here on out, $800 to $850 - but I have no special knowledge. When I was saving up for the K5 or what ever, that was the price range I was thinking would be attainable.

One other aspect to all of this I would like to throw in for consideration - the 2 year extended warranty. They were out of stock for quite a while up to several weeks ago. The out of stock lasted for quite some time, I would say at least a couple of months. Now the extended warranty is just a fancy printed postcard with a serial number on it - no real manufacturing needed - and yet it went out of stock. I will say, that I have become quite accustomed to having that 2 year extended warranty - for a total of 3 years of coverage. However, to get it, you need to purchase new and have (keep) your sales receipt (showing who you purchased from and the date). To me this would be a consideration - especially for the $20 price. Also, as a side note - you can purchase from one retailer and then purchase the warranty from another. B&H along with Adroama are the two that usually have the extended warranty available.

Anyway, that's my guess....

[mickey]

In Japan, the k-5 can be bought for 68000yen from Amazon and 76,000 in store.
With the upcoming release of the k-30, priced at 79,000, the price of the k-5 could fall a bit more.
I'm thinking it will drop to 70,000 in store. I don't think Amazon will change its prices though.

[bobmaxja]

A new one is available from Pro Digital from $890

[creampuff]

The K-5 is most certainly nearing the end of its production run, with a new replacement expected to be announced before the end of the year. It certainly offers good value for late adopters who will no doubt be behind the curve with technology that's almost 2 years old.

[Anvh]

The question really is, do you predict the price drop lower with the release of the K5 replacement?
That is most likely a point were the price can make a dip but it may easily be not be the case because of the K-30...

[jmg257]

Who cares? It was a great buy at $1100...its a great buy at $959. Think of all the time you are NOT getting to use one! As mentioned...is it worth waiting longer when something new is imminent? At that point you are doing without while waiting to save a couple bucks on surpassed technology.

[noahpurdy]

I purchased my K-7 late in it's shelf-life new for $780. I'd expect to see the K-5 dip that low before it's discontinued.

[Fl_Gulfer]

It was a Great buy at $1600.00 when I got mine....

[rortiz]

Bought a K5 SIlver for around $1400 and still happy with the purchase. Specially after enjoying the jump in the quality of the photos compared to the K20d.