Originally posted by audiobomber - A mirrorless mount would be a me-too product. Pentax is different
Actually this is exactly what they have done - removed the mirror to bear the title others do, except without gaining most pronounced advantages of mirror-less cameras.
It has combined most of the SLR and compact camera downsides:
*Its big,
*Heavy,
*Expensive,
*Needs big, heavy and expensive wide-normal FL's (16, 18, 24, 28mm) lenses,
*Has big, heavy long zooms (compared to 4/3, also - no indication that collapsible or otherwise compact designs might come),
*No viewfinder (not even accessory ones - e.g. optical for the new 40mm XS),
*No wired remote release,
*Reduced battery life,
*Intrusive, 'professional' appearance (bad for events where SLRs are forbidden or required to pay, candids, discrete street shooting),
*Slow flash sync,
*Noisy AF and aperture system (related to video),
*Flimsy rubber port covers,
*Changed button/function layout,
*No support as a compact system in general and the list goes on...
If they just dumbed down a DSLR, they could at least go all the way and make it really simple, cheap and light - plastic mount, no flash socket, no additional ports, no IR receiver, no dials - just buttons, digital SR, all plastic body, no screw drive (few DC motor kit lenses), older sensor (e.g. 12mpix) etc. Then it might work as a cheap backup, video camera for those with older DSLR's or something...
If one needs a versatile camera (s)he will get a DSLR. If i need compact, light or cheaper camera, ill get a true compact (m4/3, or some 2/3" or 1/1.8" sensor advanced P&S). Where does the K-01 fits in? If i want to use my existing lenses, this doesn't get me much smaller than current DSLR's. If i need to get new lenses as well (e.g. small primes), why not go for a truly compact system?