Originally posted by Kunzite I'm curious, who would really need usable ISO 51200?
Just solid ISO6400, that's something the next generation of high resolution "FF" sensors should be able to do. Also, let's say I thing the APS-C arena would soon go forward, in terms of usable high ISO.
I'm saying they can't simply jump to a high-end camera. And that "good solid FF" doesn't necessarily means a speed demon (btw, using the K-7 platform doesn't fit with the "much faster" requirement
).
The 645D is an entirely different beast. It is as good as the competition, but with up to date technology and considerably cheaper. They can't pull the same trick in the much more competitive "FF" arena. They can't expect to rule the "FF" market, just by making a product - no matter how good.
Sigma is irrelevant; they're a 3rd-party lens&accessories maker; their camera division is just a hobby for them.
I would look at Sony as an example: that's how it shouldn't be done! Having a "FF" didn't help, maybe that's something you should have in mind
As for MILC I think that's the way they will go if they think they can make a statement that will sell. This would increase sales, market share and make the funds available for more projects. I want FF now but unless they have been getting ready in a serious way, I can't see it happening in the next 18 months. There's too much in addition that needs to be available when the camera is ready to sell.
Ask shooters like
Jeff Ascough who would use ISO 51,200? Or even 102,400. Remember that even though those are
high sounding numbers, they are one stop per step.
I'd sure like that extra 1 or 2 stops if they were available. There's a lot more to high ISO shooting than weddings. Consider the sports shooter or wildlife guy. They may be out in so-so conditions and want the extra latitude for higher shutter speeds or more DOF. Shooting at 51,200 in daylight might just be enough to get that sharp/frozen Bald Eagle diving for fish, shot you've been trying to capture for the last 3 years.
If they can't build a responsive speed demon FF body that is equal to the D700 or better, then don't even bother. In 2010, they have to create a camera that beats a 2008 model for people to come back or switch.
With current models, APSc can't hit those high ISO's and i am guessing it's an engineering battle between having 15+ MP's for marketing reasons and the compressed size of that many pixels on a small chip. Just ask a 7D owner how happy they are with the high ISO's of that model. You'll get a lot of disappointed owners.
I never said, nor ever thought it was possible to "rule" FF for Pentax. What they need is a model that will keep the loyal customers they have, get back many they have lost and earn a few converts.
Consider what a FF buyer will spend. Maybe $2500-3000 for a body and $5000 -10,000 in lenses, flashes and accessories. That's worth a lot to any company. Pentax doesn't get a single one of those deals now and looses High end APSc shooters to other brands when the shooter wants/needs more.