Originally posted by stormtech I agree with your thoughts here. That reasoning is part of why I made the jump from the K-5 to IIs. Another big plus is using the same grip, batteries, etc. and also not having to learn a new camera/buttons/menu system.
Ricoh has shown that it is not afraid to inflate prices and I offer yet another scenario.
With the discounted 645D at around $7000 - and the pimping of the same on Facebook - there are HUGE gaps in price points concerning lenses and bodies. The ratios are all out of whack right now.
With the DA560 close to $7000 it makes sense to elevate all the other lenses in the Pentax lineup to come *up* in price, so that the DA560 looks cheaper and the Pentax lineup appears *upscale*.
Even with the recent increases, expect at least one or two more *adjustments* so that the DA*300 comes in around $2000 which would make it about 1/2 the cost of the DA560. The DA560 might come down in price a bit, so expect that too. Once the lens prices make sense - from the flagship perspective - the bodies will be aligned too.
I think the new bodies will be introduced higher than traditional Pentax price points and reflect a quasi "Double Megapixel, Less than double cost"
Lower Spec DSLR - $300
K30 - $500
K5IIs - $1000
K30 Replacement - $1500
High End APS-C Replacement - $2000-2500 - because it is taking so long.
Full Frame - $3000-3500
645D - $7000
645DII - $8000-10,000
So to buy a K5IIs now makes perfect sense and is almost future proof at the current price.
All the other offerings from Pentax will hover around the $500 price point (Q,MX,WG and whatever other toys Pentax can dream up).