[Pentaxor]

For what it's worth...this same discussion has been going on with video. Old school videographers are used to the big, heavy camcorders of the past. There were no LCD monitors so you HAD to look through the viewfinder. Now, there are relatively small, light HD camcorders with flip-out LCD screens. Most of the younger videographers I see tend to use the LCD screen more than the viewfinder.

I believe this is true. if LV was only available during those times, we might see a different reaction regarding LCD screens. I too was into the idea of having the option to look or compose on the screen as well compared to looking on the viewfinder. and that was more than a decade ago.

[legacyb4]

Agreed; my wife found my K20D too bulky and complicated to use; had there been more definite signs of the K-01 coming back in early December, I might have forgone the Canon S95 deal that I had found. Having said that, it's still a slim "pocket" sized camera which is really what she was looking for.

I really think that Pentax is spot on for their entry level camera in the K-01.

First and foremost, I think they've come up with a design which is a seamless transition for point and shoot (P&S) users into the realm of serious photography.

[HenrikDK]

I can't fathom why my kids will not use their cell phone to call me, but insists on typing a text, even when the subject matter lends itself to talking.

I like my viewfinder/K-5, but OP is absolutely right - IMO the K-01 is the right camera for Pentax to supplemtn their offering. Attract a different audience, and broaden your base. I belive many of the people who have been buying DSLRs want the picture quality of the DSLR, but actually would be happier with something like the K-01 because of the type of pictures they take.

[Clinton]

I like my viewfinder/K-5, but OP is absolutely right - IMO the K-01 is the right camera for Pentax to supplemtn their offering. Attract a different audience, and broaden your base. I belive many of the people who have been buying DSLRs want the picture quality of the DSLR, but actually would be happier with something like the K-01 because of the type of pictures they take.

And hopefully they end up stepping up to a full DSLR at some point to get the additional quality and features.

[monochrome]

Some of us might even step sideways to a different feature set without sacrificing useful quality!

[TaoMaas]

And hopefully they end up stepping up to a full DSLR at some point to get the additional quality and features.

Especially if they know they can opt for a K5 and be able to use the same batteries and lenses.

[monochrome]

Especially if they know they can opt for a K5 and be able to use the same batteries and lenses.

A K-01/DA40XS and a K5 is the modern day XA and LX! (well, not a perfect analogy since the XA was fixed lens, but you get the drift). My K-01 order is in the hopper.

[dadipentak]

I can't fathom why my kids will not use their cell phone to call me, but insists on typing a text, even when the subject matter lends itself to talking.

Because they're kids. I've made it abundantly clear that I delete all text messages unread.

[Clinton]

It looks as though I'll be picking one of these up for it's video capabilities unless something happens soon with a K-5 replacement

[monochrome]

Clinton I think you are correct about this camera. For all the Sturm und Drang I think Pentax will sell a lot of these to a lot of people. And we'll see it was a great business maneuver, worhty of the best product development and brand management thinking.

I'm sure I'll love mine.

[dadipentak]

The K-01 is really a sideshow as far as I'm concerned but I'm waiting to hear about the video quality and the video experience which seems to be where it needs to rock in order to take off.

[mervis]

And hopefully they end up stepping up to a full DSLR at some point to get the additional quality and features.

Hi. New guy here. Just curious about the above. If the K-01 sensor is as good as or even better (newer iteration, after all) than the K-5's, why would anyone need to step up? The K-01 is going to be in the top ten of all cameras (dxomark ratings), yet so many here are labeling it a beginner's camera. Kind of patronizing really. I'm a long-time photog (enthusiast division), have owned film SLRs, DSLRs, med. format, rangefinders - definitely not a newbie - and I'm only seeing a lot of positives for this camera.

I use a Lumix LX5 for my job. To me framing via display is a perfectly valid way to shoot. I'm glad there's no EVF on the K-01. Any EVF I've checked out (including the NEX7's) is seriously deficient in giving a true representation of a scene. Plus I wear glasses.

Final point - incredible bargain. What other brand makes it possible to have a top-ten IQ camera and 4 high quality primes for about $2100.00 (New 21mm, Used 28mm, New 40mm, New 70mm). Certainly not the latest offerings from Canon, Nikon, Fujifilm, Sony or Olympus. So chill out, everyone. The K-01's a winner. Plus, don't let anyone tell you it's ugly.

[pinholecam]

And hopefully they end up stepping up to a full DSLR at some point to get the additional quality and features.

Hi. New guy here. Just curious about the above. If the K-01 sensor is as good as or even better (newer iteration, after all) than the K-5's, why would anyone need to step up? The K-01 is going to be in the top ten of all cameras (dxomark ratings), yet so many here are labeling it a beginner's camera. Kind of patronizing really. I'm a long-time photog (enthusiast division), have owned film SLRs, DSLRs, med. format, rangefinders - definitely not a newbie - and I'm only seeing a lot of positives for this camera.

I use a Lumix LX5 for my job. To me framing via display is a perfectly valid way to shoot. I'm glad there's no EVF on the K-01. Any EVF I've checked out (including the NEX7's) is seriously deficient in giving a true representation of a scene. Plus I wear glasses.

Final point - incredible bargain. What other brand makes it possible to have a top-ten IQ camera and 4 high quality primes for about $2100.00 (New 21mm, Used 28mm, New 40mm, New 70mm). Certainly not the latest offerings from Canon, Nikon, Fujifilm, Sony or Olympus. So chill out, everyone. The K-01's a winner. Plus, don't let anyone tell you it's ugly.

Wow!
Well said indeed for a first post! (applause)

[GeneV]

A K-01/DA40XS and a K5 is the modern day XA and LX! (well, not a perfect analogy since the XA was fixed lens, but you get the drift). My K-01 order is in the hopper.

XA and LX? Really? I still use both of those cameras. If the K01 were anywhere near as pocket-friendly as the XA, I'd have broken down doors to get my order in first. If it had finder interchangeability (i.e. an EV) like the LX, I'd be all over it in a heartbeat. As it is, it may still be a nice addition, but I'll wait and see.

[WWWench]

mervis is so spot-on..

Fifty+ years ago when SLR's appeared, H2 and K, they were regarded as amateur, at best, by many serious photographers. Most evident by the studio cliques, then totally into various view cameras or Rollie/Hasselblad styles. The photojournalists had switched from Press cameras to Leica's and saw little value with the Pentax SLR. Ansel Adams probably just wished his camera came with a donkey.

Sooo --- Clinton's use of the "better" word may seem equally silly by history, try different for now.