Originally posted by Angevinn Pentax was in really bad shape before Hoya took them over. Don't kid yourself. Hoya has had their work cut out for them in reviving Pentax. [...] Not bad considering Pentax has been losing market share since the late 1970's
I don't think this is true.
The annual turnover/ profit figures (in million Yen) for Pentax (incl. medical) have been:
Apr.2005-Mar.2006: 142k / +2.1%
Apr.2006-Mar.2007: 157k / +3.6%
Apr.2007-Mar.2008: 174k / -0.2% (when Hoya aquired Sep.2007 / +3.9%)
Apr.2008-Mar.2009: 122k / -9.5% (Jan.-Mar.2009: -35.7%!!)
Apr.2009-Mar.2010: 106k / +2.6%
In 2009, Pentax market share has dropped from 6% (2007) to 3% (figure are my own research). It is recently only the market share increased again, mainly due to the success of the K-x and Sony's inability to deliver. I assume it currently to be 4% (more in Japan and France).
So, in summary, the aquisition almost destroyed Pentax and halfed its market now taken by Sony and others. It's recently only Pentax recovered and is healthy again.
To say "Hoya revived Pentax" is a joke if you look at the facts.
Pentax had a splash hit with the K10D camera which brought a lot of new customers and sold like hot cake. Not even the K-x comes close to the success of the K10D.
I think it's fair to say that Hoya initially had little interest in the imaging business of Pentax and tried to get rid of it and its operating costs. Esp. as they had no strategy for them and didn't trust the (now former) Pentax management.
But according to undisclosed sources, this has changed and Hoya developped an active strategy for the imaging business which aims at more than surerect Pentax' former market share and aims at outperforming Sony and Olympus.
So, it may be that eventually, Hoya invests into the Pentax brand now.
I think and hope so. But then it is a sure thing Hoya has an active FF strategy at work. I only recommend they don't stay silent about it.
Anyway, Pentax needs another splash hit like the K10D was. K10D brought professional features into the affordable realm. A new splash hit would have to do the same. It's simple actually. And it only can be an uncrippled FF camera for under $1800.
To understand what I mean, look at Google trends for K10D, K-x and K-7:
Only K-x is able to maintain an interest level exceeding that of the old K10D. But whoa, look at the initial interest the K10D stirred up.