Originally posted by Winder I don't think the Pentax K-01 is the answer for the Fuji. I think the two cameras represent the two different directions of two different companies. It is the differences that I find striking. When I see the Q and the K-01 from Pentax I see a stark contrast to the X100 and the X-PRO 1 from Fuji.
So why are we comparing the K-01 to the X-Pro...? And also, the photography market does not revolve solely on enthusiasts alone... What we may be seeing here
could be a mere test bed for Pentax. If the K-01 sells to its
target consumers, then wouldn't it be good also to launch something
above it in the future? I think what Pentax is doing here is to first create anticipation for a product that climbs up the interest ladder, or at least introduce them to the current existing model lineup.
Of course they start off the place where the
bigger number of customers could be reigned in - the entry level/ casual shooter. If the K-01 proves to be a success, then we got ourselves a whole new bunch of people eager for K-glass, which may lead to the production of a higher model, or a transition to the K-5 successor. And of course more sales for K mount lenses, which may lead to more K lens design offers.
Thing with the Fuji is, it's a limited market- sure, you get a lot of money with the price tag, but then again, does that customer base demand as much or rise as fast as the entry-level market? I think not. I think that's what makes the X-Pro, X100 and X10 for enthusiasts who like lots of control, definitely not entry-level.
Originally posted by vrrattko K-01 is clearly an entry level for newcomers or backup camera for those with Pentax dslr and lenses. Somebody mentioned Pentax MX-D and LX-D : names like that would create same kind of expectation as OM-D did, it would be a shame if Pentax wastes them on something else than high profile proffesional camera.
Nice mention there sir vrrattko. Who knows if Pentax, in the future, would make an MX-D or LX-D.
But let's not forget that those might cannibalize on DSLR sales...