Response:
[EDIT]: February 11 after a few days. -How would you rate the look overall? K-r in a box.
Interesting and different; not derivative but certainly referencing historical Pentax cameras.
The various and clashing type faces try to refer to 80's bodies but the 01 from the new lenses font flogs the metaphor. I see SuperProgram in the flash bump, many classic silver bodies in the mount protrusion and suggestions of classic SLR's in the top dials. The package is meant to visually evoke cameras life-long Pentax users have held in their pasts, yet be modern. The red/green button colors are jewel-like (but that isn't really modern, more 2001)
better color images now cause me to see the hues of those buttons as uncharacteristically glaring and annoying. They just don't fit. and the ribbed rubber casing suggests Takumar focus rings. The curved edges are new radii (maybe ME-F). Not traditional and I imagine fully Newson, like the button colors. I like them. Well executed.
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Does the 40mm fit the camera well?
I think not as well as the Photoshops of the 40 Ltd. suggest
it will.
-Are you planning on buying one based on what you've read about it in the official announcement? Yes, before June 1st, primarily as a video device and then a travel camera with small lenses or DA55-300 only, then as a pure backup body. I'll probably carry this in my briefcase with my XA. I'll certainly play with manual lenses. Yellow.
-In buying a camera, how important is the look compared to the features? Depending upon the use of the camera (or for that matter a dishwasher or a car) the feature set is the first cut - the most important, then the price/value, then the design. There is certainly a balance of the three, but the balance isn't constant across all purchases. In this case the design has a higher weight than usually The colored dSLR's were completely neutral. The comparatively low price allows the design to have a positive effect on the decision. All other things equivalent, design helps.
In this case the design increases the likelihood I will buy one.
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How do you think people who've never heard of Pentax would react to this camera? Probably not too well. It will be viewed as interesting on the way to the Sony or Oly.
I think the yellow will attract a first look. The black/white is interesting. The question will be does P/R want it to be a
hipster glam item or something more lasting? Will this be a lasting, brand-identity design theme or a one-off? I'd bet it doesn't last as a theme but it will be fun for a few quarters. Unfortunately I don't believe people who have never heard of Pentax will suddenly appreciate the Pentax benefits - i.e. ergonomics, backward compatibility, IQ. Buzz is buzz - it has to catch on somehow, and that requires marketing support or ongoing version introductions (NEX iterations, for example).
Presumably K-02 will be a more thoughtful design.