Originally posted by beholder3 No less than esoteric figures like burst speed, buffer and af points.
Realists will acknowledge the fact that by sheer time passec the new price will be a couple of $100 higher than years ago. Photo toys dont get cheaper over time.
Not to mention that the K-P apparently did really well with first time buyers. Not every camera is for first time buyers.
Of all the things said by Ricoh/Pentax execs, "Profit margin, not marketshare" is probably the most ignored part of their philosophy. Their current focus is on premium value product for which they can charge top dollar. There are a lot of people commenting who don't seem to understand, appealing to newbies with every camera release isn't part of the plan. Look at the quality and excellence of all their new lenses. These are not lenses for beginners. These are lenses for people who demand the absolute best. Pentax has done a complete about turn from the company who produced an endless number of relatively similar plastic FA lenses that everyone could afford. They aren't that company anymore.
Personally, I used to like getting a new lens every year. Right now I'm expecting a new lens or camera body, one or the other every two years. As for cheaper glass, third party or Pentax I have all I need. My Sigma 70 macro has been replaced by the DFA 100, If I was interested in wide angle on APS_c my Sigma 8-16 would be replaced by the DA* 11-18. MY Sigma 70-300 has been replaced by the DA 55-300 PLM. These were all nice stop gap lenses, I've no regrets about getting any of them. But over the long haul, they've all become shelf ornaments.