AP article: Pentax won't rule out mirrorless cameras

Urkeldaedalus · 05-06-2010, 06:53 AM

Short article, interesting quotes.

Quote:

Sanderson said 2010 promises to be a big year for Pentax. He told us: 'We are looking to grow. We want to grow. It's going to be an exciting year. I think everybody will see a change in Pentax.'

Pentax won’t rule out mirrorless camera news - Amateur Photographer - news, camera reviews, lens reviews, camera equipment guides, photography courses, competitions, photography forums

bymy141 · 05-06-2010, 07:21 AM

Hum, that did not reveal a thing.

I wonder if the changed Pentax will also include change in its: marketing strategy, distribution approach, and pricing strategy.

- Bert

Voe · 05-06-2010, 07:29 AM

The only two changes I want from Pentax is a FF camera with up to standard autofocus system ala Nikon or Canon. I'm sick of missing street photography shots due to focus hunting and misfocusing. I would have switched to Nikon if it wasn't for the Pentax Limiteds.

Urkeldaedalus · 05-06-2010, 07:33 AM

Originally posted by bymy141

Hum, that did not reveal a thing.

I wonder if the changed Pentax will also include change in its: marketing strategy, distribution approach, and pricing strategy.

- Bert

It revealed that Pentax is working on something big for this year. I haven't heard an indication of that yet in any other article.

It also was the closest that I've seen a Pentax rep come to confirming they are going to make an EVIL camera of some sort, even if he only confirmed it to the extent that he said Pentax Japan might be open to the idea.

Full of vagueness, sure, but what else were you expecting, prices and release dates?

reeftool · 05-06-2010, 07:37 AM

Whether or not everybody likes it or not, the smaller, mirrorless cameras are the future. Of course Pentax is considering them, along with every other camera manufacturer. It isn't if, it's when.

Urkeldaedalus · 05-06-2010, 07:39 AM

Originally posted by Voe

The only two changes I want from Pentax is a FF camera with up to standard autofocus system ala Nikon or Canon. I'm sick of missing street photography shots due to focus hunting and misfocusing. I would have switched to Nikon if it wasn't for the Pentax Limiteds.

I don't really need an EVIL camera either, I mostly just posted the link because I know other people are interested.

I'd switch to Nikon D700 and that new 24 f/1.4 they released (and the rumored 85 f/1.4 to come)...if only I had $6,000+ available to do so.

i83N · 05-06-2010, 07:46 AM

I think pentax will role out that "in optical viewfinder digital preview" that they patented years ago.

Urkeldaedalus · 05-06-2010, 07:56 AM

Originally posted by i83N

I think pentax will role out that "in optical viewfinder digital preview" that they patented years ago.

That would certainly fit the "we want to be different" hinting they've been doing lately.

i83N · 05-06-2010, 08:01 AM

Other possibility that they will make a FF DSLR with moving back and forward sensor to change from FF to APS-C

eurostar · 05-06-2010, 08:09 AM

Pentax being Pentax, they will present a bulky EVIL FF camera, with extra-slow contrast detect AF.

eurostar · 05-06-2010, 08:25 AM

Originally posted by i83N

Other possibility that they will make a FF DSLR with moving back and forward sensor to change from FF to APS-C

The difference between FF and APS-C is area of sensor, not register distance.

Miserere · 05-06-2010, 08:43 AM

Originally posted by reeftool

Whether or not everybody likes it or not, the smaller, mirrorless cameras are the future. Of course Pentax is considering them, along with every other camera manufacturer. It isn't if, it's when.

You, sir, are correct.

...

junyo · 05-06-2010, 01:05 PM

In other news, I have not ruled out dating supermodels.

There is a very, very, long way between 'not ruling out' something, and actually having a product to deliver.

Originally posted by eurostar

Pentax being Pentax, they will present a bulky EVIL FF camera, with extra-slow contrast detect AF.

I've been shouting from the rooftops that an EVIL mini-K-x would be brilliant, FF or not. Why? Because the one huge thing it would do is put lots of legacy glass on small(ish) EVILs, today. Without adapters, how many native lenses exist for m43? For NX? A K mount EVIL wouldn't be the smallest thing going (but honestly a K-x minus the prism hump wouldn't be that big), however it would spring to life fully supported, which would seize a certain amount of the initiative. And for existing Pentax users, it would maintain the focus and economy of a single lens mount, which would be worth it for a lot of people..

bdery · 05-06-2010, 01:19 PM

I believe if Pentax want to sell more cameras, they can do three things:

1-keep improving the Kx and K7 lines, which are killer as they are
2-get their cameras on the shelves! Too many photo shops stock little or no Pentax cameras.
3-Educate the sales clercks. Give training, present the cameras, show the PPG to convince new clercks who might not know the brand. If they get excited about the products, they will sell them. Otherwise, they will continue to sell what they know : Canon.

aliquis · 05-06-2010, 03:36 PM

Of course it won't.

Anyone would be stupid to rule it out, and some goes for video.

The questions is if/then, not if it's a bad idea or not

The thing I wonder though is:
* To make a camera with decent video and in this case without a mirror you need fast contrast-detect focus? Right?
* And when you got fast enough contract-detect focus why should you keep the mirror and the pentaprism?
* And if you throw them out will you really want to keep the current line of lenses and big frames? I assume not?

So.. If I buy into a system now will all the current gear be kinda outdated because the mirror and pentaprism and optical viewfinder system is dying?

Because there is a need for the specific distance between the lens and the sensor with or without mirror isn't it?

I like the specs of the Panasonic cameras but micro four-thirds atm gives longer DOF (and it will always be that way), glass is slow (compared to regular four-thirds), glass is quite mediocre (even the 20/1.7 isn't all that great uncorrected) and finally all of it is also expensive .. Will these be issues for all other systems going mirror less? I assume no-one want to keep current lenses/distances if going mirrorless?

So I guess I shouldn't be buying into it. I need/want to choose system but I'm not convinced where to go really.

05-06-2010, 06:53 AM	#1
Urkeldaedalus Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Iowa Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,369	AP article: Pentax won't rule out mirrorless cameras Short article, interesting quotes. Quote: Sanderson said 2010 promises to be a big year for Pentax. He told us: 'We are looking to grow. We want to grow. It's going to be an exciting year. I think everybody will see a change in Pentax.' Pentax won’t rule out mirrorless camera news - Amateur Photographer - news, camera reviews, lens reviews, camera equipment guides, photography courses, competitions, photography forums

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05-06-2010, 07:21 AM	#2
bymy141 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,563	Hum, that did not reveal a thing. I wonder if the changed Pentax will also include change in its: marketing strategy, distribution approach, and pricing strategy. - Bert

05-06-2010, 07:29 AM	#3
Voe Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Sydney Photos: Gallery Posts: 719	The only two changes I want from Pentax is a FF camera with up to standard autofocus system ala Nikon or Canon. I'm sick of missing street photography shots due to focus hunting and misfocusing. I would have switched to Nikon if it wasn't for the Pentax Limiteds.

05-06-2010, 07:33 AM	#4
Urkeldaedalus Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Iowa Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,369 Original Poster	Originally posted by bymy141 Hum, that did not reveal a thing. I wonder if the changed Pentax will also include change in its: marketing strategy, distribution approach, and pricing strategy. - Bert It revealed that Pentax is working on something big for this year. I haven't heard an indication of that yet in any other article. It also was the closest that I've seen a Pentax rep come to confirming they are going to make an EVIL camera of some sort, even if he only confirmed it to the extent that he said Pentax Japan might be open to the idea. Full of vagueness, sure, but what else were you expecting, prices and release dates?

05-06-2010, 07:37 AM	#5
reeftool Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Upstate New York Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,553	Whether or not everybody likes it or not, the smaller, mirrorless cameras are the future. Of course Pentax is considering them, along with every other camera manufacturer. It isn't if, it's when.

05-06-2010, 07:39 AM	#6
Urkeldaedalus Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Iowa Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,369 Original Poster	Originally posted by Voe The only two changes I want from Pentax is a FF camera with up to standard autofocus system ala Nikon or Canon. I'm sick of missing street photography shots due to focus hunting and misfocusing. I would have switched to Nikon if it wasn't for the Pentax Limiteds. I don't really need an EVIL camera either, I mostly just posted the link because I know other people are interested. I'd switch to Nikon D700 and that new 24 f/1.4 they released (and the rumored 85 f/1.4 to come)...if only I had $6,000+ available to do so.

05-06-2010, 07:46 AM	#7
i83N Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Lithuania Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,203	I think pentax will role out that "in optical viewfinder digital preview" that they patented years ago.

05-06-2010, 07:56 AM	#8
Urkeldaedalus Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Iowa Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,369 Original Poster	Originally posted by i83N I think pentax will role out that "in optical viewfinder digital preview" that they patented years ago. That would certainly fit the "we want to be different" hinting they've been doing lately.

05-06-2010, 08:01 AM	#9
i83N Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Lithuania Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,203	Other possibility that they will make a FF DSLR with moving back and forward sensor to change from FF to APS-C

05-06-2010, 08:09 AM	#10
eurostar Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Albareto, Italy Photos: Gallery Posts: 819	Pentax being Pentax, they will present a bulky EVIL FF camera, with extra-slow contrast detect AF.

05-06-2010, 08:25 AM	#11
eurostar Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Albareto, Italy Photos: Gallery Posts: 819	Originally posted by i83N Other possibility that they will make a FF DSLR with moving back and forward sensor to change from FF to APS-C The difference between FF and APS-C is area of sensor, not register distance.

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05-06-2010, 08:43 AM	#12
Miserere Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Boston Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,993	Originally posted by reeftool Whether or not everybody likes it or not, the smaller, mirrorless cameras are the future. Of course Pentax is considering them, along with every other camera manufacturer. It isn't if, it's when. You, sir, are correct. ...

05-06-2010, 01:05 PM	#13
junyo Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 418	In other news, I have not ruled out dating supermodels. There is a very, very, long way between 'not ruling out' something, and actually having a product to deliver. Originally posted by eurostar Pentax being Pentax, they will present a bulky EVIL FF camera, with extra-slow contrast detect AF. I've been shouting from the rooftops that an EVIL mini-K-x would be brilliant, FF or not. Why? Because the one huge thing it would do is put lots of legacy glass on small(ish) EVILs, today. Without adapters, how many native lenses exist for m43? For NX? A K mount EVIL wouldn't be the smallest thing going (but honestly a K-x minus the prism hump wouldn't be that big), however it would spring to life fully supported, which would seize a certain amount of the initiative. And for existing Pentax users, it would maintain the focus and economy of a single lens mount, which would be worth it for a lot of people..

05-06-2010, 01:19 PM	#14
bdery Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Quebec city, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,357	I believe if Pentax want to sell more cameras, they can do three things: 1-keep improving the Kx and K7 lines, which are killer as they are 2-get their cameras on the shelves! Too many photo shops stock little or no Pentax cameras. 3-Educate the sales clercks. Give training, present the cameras, show the PPG to convince new clercks who might not know the brand. If they get excited about the products, they will sell them. Otherwise, they will continue to sell what they know : Canon.

05-06-2010, 03:36 PM	#15
aliquis Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Örebro Posts: 207	Of course it won't. Anyone would be stupid to rule it out, and some goes for video. The questions is if/then, not if it's a bad idea or not The thing I wonder though is: * To make a camera with decent video and in this case without a mirror you need fast contrast-detect focus? Right? * And when you got fast enough contract-detect focus why should you keep the mirror and the pentaprism? * And if you throw them out will you really want to keep the current line of lenses and big frames? I assume not? So.. If I buy into a system now will all the current gear be kinda outdated because the mirror and pentaprism and optical viewfinder system is dying? Because there is a need for the specific distance between the lens and the sensor with or without mirror isn't it? I like the specs of the Panasonic cameras but micro four-thirds atm gives longer DOF (and it will always be that way), glass is slow (compared to regular four-thirds), glass is quite mediocre (even the 20/1.7 isn't all that great uncorrected) and finally all of it is also expensive .. Will these be issues for all other systems going mirror less? I assume no-one want to keep current lenses/distances if going mirrorless? So I guess I shouldn't be buying into it. I need/want to choose system but I'm not convinced where to go really.