Originally posted by Adam If anything along these lines were to happen, I think they should limit the Q line to Japan, since that's where it really sells. But I really do believe that a new model will be launched as resources allow.
I think there's better options, for a new new niche, if they're daring enough
Go with a radical departure, and use that Q-sensor in Pentax's First "Video Camera",.. Let me free-think and spin up the idea for a moment.
It's sensor is similar to 8mm film sized, has a resolution capable of a ''crop to UHD', add things like sensor shift and a decent add-on audio module, and you could have a bridge spec somewhere between Action Cameras and DSLRs, plus, with the existing lenses and lens adaptors, there's a massive range of options - an 'XL to Q' adaptor, or even better, 'B4 to Q' could turn that sort of size body in to the smallest. lightest 'ENG & Cinema' camera.
The current Q body should be a lighter load then a full DSLR body for a Drone, and a Video type body - say, looking like the Sony NEX-VG series - could fill a niche - bigger sensors then ENG, but smaller then M4/3 or APSc.
That would make then easier to focus for video, but still have shallow enough depth of field to match footage off larger sensor cameras.
Because the current sensor is smaller the the 2/3rds broadcast B4 mount cameras use, any Q could already be adapted to use ENG lenses.
For you guys doing Birding, imagine a properly Parfocal f1.8 zoom that goes from 8.6 to 172mm - and that's not even an exotic lens for ENG.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Fujinon-A20x8-6BRM-2-3-20-1-8-6-172mm-Internal-Focus-ENG-EFP-Lens-/222411837004?hash=item33c8c74e4c:g:lmMAAOSw-0xYUe6i
Some of the wide-angles for ENG go close to fish-eye, and the full tele zooms,.... Who wants to take photos of the ISS and watch the Dragon Modules docking ?
EDIT: Wholly Carp, I honestly didn't expect this to exist yet.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/B4-2-3-CANON-FUJINON-ENG-LENs-to-Pentax-Q-Q7-Q10-Q-S...sAAOSw-4BXY-YX