[Macario]

Why don't we all just wait and see what the pics will look like, and then come to conclusions. I do have to agree that the price is a bit high. But will I buy one? If the image quality is good, and the price comes down, then maybe yes. Pros are using G12's as back up cameras forr the quick shot, and the Lumix LX5 so why G12 and Lumix and not the Pentax Q, whose sensor should be better (as it is newer)

[LFLee]

I hope we are hearing incorrectly about the price. At $400 I can see this camera flying off the shelves at Costco. At $800, I can buy a K-r.

I'm sure it will come down. But even at $600, I'm not sure that most consumers will be interested. Most prosumers will stick to the dlsr.

That is of course, unless this takes unbelievable images, and then I suppose everything is out the window.

I guess most ppl agreed at ~$400 - $500 this thing can fly.

$400 + abt $100/lens, this can be a nice gadget. At $800? K-r + lenses is better option. Other similar systems on the market have lenses too big. It has to produce images better than advanced P&S (LX5, G12) and comparable/better than micro 4/3.

OR... they are going to increase the price of next generation entry level dSLR ???

[mecrox]

Can't see what the problem with this camera is. It strikes me as netsuke for the digital age and like that art form sometimes these miniature objects command substantial prices.

Besides, this is probably only the first and perhaps the high-end iteration of a series of Q cameras. For every millionaire and celeb toting the high-end Q+ there are 10,000 regular folks who might well buy the pared-down, priced-down Q- versions we can actually afford, perhaps ones with the fixed zoom lens of a typical compact, no RAW support, simpler settings, wild body colours , etc.

There are plenty of canny people at Hoya, one suspects, and we are looking only at the first move in a long game. The sensor size is not an issue, imho. This is digital netsuke for the online age. If you want prints and enlargements, buy a DSLR.

My own reservations are two. First, whether Pentax has the distro channels and marketing clout to carry this off in Europe and North America. Second, simple ergonomics. Westerners tend to have bigger, clumsier hands and fingers and there is a size below which stuff just doesn't make sense as most of us must have found with mobile phones.

None of this precludes the Q being a big hit in Japan and the Far East at which it is probably aimed anyway. I hope it is a hit, too. We in the West are just not the main event.

[Eruditass]

Where the hell are the tiny pancakes so it can fit in your pocket?

[Aristophanes]

It's certainly smaller. Whether "substantially" so can be debated to no end.

If these were linebackers or automobiles, the difference would be "substantial", no questions asked.

The lens mount alone tells the story, be it M43 or NEX. The circumference of the Q lens mount will fit right into the NEX with mm to spare. What's that, a 30% difference on the diameter at least?

And they got a hot shoe on it! And maybe a better flash.

The more I look at it the more I think the image circle of the Q can handle a larger sensor; maybe up to 50% larger. If it had a G12 sensor and a $150 off in MSRP it would be a killer system (if IQ testing plays out).

[ogl]

Actually, the zoom looked comparable to Olympus 14-42mm and the primes to the 20mm/17mm/14mm m43 pancakes. But need to see a side-by-side comparison.

It's certainly smaller. Whether "substantially" so can be debated to no end.

smaller, but...
Panasonic GF3 108 x 57 x 33 mm
Pentax Q 98 x 57,5 x 31 mm

Not much. GF3 has crop 2. Pentax Q has 5.65.

new Oly m4/3 will be like XZ-1... even smaller...rather small too.

[glanglois]

Thanks, I think you've captured the wider and deeper view of this new product line - particularly the point that it's the start of a new line. Small sensors will get better and an ever-larger percentage of camera buyers will find the images good enough.

If presented well, it will appeal to those who like to think and talk about the magnesium body, multiple funky small lenses, availability of raw, AF tracking, etc. They may not need or use magnesium, raw, etc. but that's not the point. Think of people who buy Leica-labeled Panasonics (but in larger numbers than the Leica fans).

Now, if we can get them monogrammed (on the front, of course) we'd be all set!

Can't see what the problem with this camera is. It strikes me as netsuke for the digital age and like that art form sometimes these miniature objects command substantial prices.

Besides, this is probably only the first and perhaps the high-end iteration of a series of Q cameras. For every millionaire and celeb toting the high-end Q+ there are 10,000 regular folks who might well buy the pared-down, priced-down Q- versions we can actually afford, perhaps ones with the fixed zoom lens of a typical compact, no RAW support, simpler settings, wild body colours , etc.

There are plenty of canny people at Hoya, one suspects, and we are looking only at the first move in a long game. The sensor size is not an issue, imho. This is digital netsuke for the online age. If you want prints and enlargements, buy a DSLR.

My own reservations are two. First, whether Pentax has the distro channels and marketing clout to carry this off in Europe and North America. Second, simple ergonomics. Westerners tend to have bigger, clumsier hands and fingers and there is a size below which stuff just doesn't make sense as most of us must have found with mobile phones.

None of this precludes the Q being a big hit in Japan and the Far East at which it is probably aimed anyway. I hope it is a hit, too. We in the West are just not the main event.

[Aristophanes]

smaller, but...
Panasonic GF3 108 x 57 x 33 mm
Pentax Q 98 x 57,5 x 31 mm

iPhone 4 (I swapped H and W to match camera dimensions):

Width: 115.2 mm (4.5 inches)
Height: 58.6 mm (2.31 inches)
Depth: 9.3 mm (0.37 inch)
Weight: 137 grams (4.8 ounces)

[paperbag846]

otherwise there's not much point as the K-mount adapter would make it as thick as a DSLR.

I don't understand this. DSLRs are much larger than film cameras... why can't we make them that size?

Problem with Q is no DOF control... I don't care how high quality the picture is... P&S can do this stuff already.

[Aristophanes]

I don't understand this. DSLRs are much larger than film cameras... why can't we make them that size?

Electronics for the sensor and rear LCD screen, plus the batteries to power it all.

It's better to compare a DSLR to an AF SLR system from the 1990's than to the mostly mechanical systems from the 1970's. This is always a misplaced analogy.

[paperbag846]

Ah, I see.

Well, then, an ASPC evil with a registration adaptor + DA ltds should still be really compact, yes? As much as a camera from the 1970s?

[ogl]

The problem is...
it's NEW BAYONET. NEW MOUNT AND NEW SYSTEM FOR YEARS.
It's not a P&S or gadget or toy camera.

It's NEW SYSTEM - HOYA thinks that EVIL SYSTEM must BE precisely what HOYA offered today - PENTAX Q.

Not like APS-C mirrorless system. We never see another mirrorless camera from HOYA for a long time.

IMO.

[eddie1960]

The problem is...
it's NEW BAYONET. NEW MOUNT AND NEW SYSTEM FOR YEARS.
It's not a P&S or gadget or toy camera.

It's NEW SYSTEM - HOYA thinks that EVIL SYSTEM must BE precisely what HOYA offered today - PENTAX Q.

Not like APS-C mirrorless system. We never see another mirrorless camera from HOYA for a long time.

IMO.

are you always this negative, i've yet to see a positive post from you on anything. Christ life must be hell with such a completely negative attitude
as many have pointed out to you there have been many rumours about the apsc milc along with the smaller milc that turns out to be the Q. All originating from the same sources. A market launch of a new product not mentioning another product that will launch 3 months later is not proof it isn't coming. no marketing person in there right mind would even consider muddying the waters on the launch of a new system by talking about something coming later for a different market segment.If they did they would be fired the next day.
I don't see people at samsung yapping on about the rumoured square sensor model coming down the line when they talk about the current lineup launch.
So you don't like the Q don't buy it you weren't who they were aiming at anyway. Either wait and see what the fall launches bring in the way of new models like an apsc milc and entry DSLR in all likelihood
Or bail and go buy a Pana or Oly

[wahid_satu]

I can't tell which market segment Pentax is targeting with the Q, but if it has a collapsible, fast, 16-80/90/100 FF equivalent zoom lens, a touch screen with full manual control sliders on it, and a much more reasonable price, I'd buy it.

[eddie1960]

If Ford built a Lincoln like a Maybach and kept the price of a Lincoln I'd buy it