Originally posted by Miserere Well,
here's what I think. In short:
- The K-r looks good; an expected evolution of the K-x, and there's nothing wrong with that.
- The DA L 35mm f/2.4 is an insult to all those who have spent the past 3-5 years requesting an affordable fastish normal prime, a great lack of respect for photographers who've hung on to Pentax because they hoped to be rewarded in the end. Further, this lens is priced at $230, when the Nikon and Sony 35mm f/1.8 lenses are $200, and 0.8 stops faster.
...
I agree with you on the first point. Moreover, it has more FPS and a newer AF than the K-7. In fact it's the fastest Pentax SLR ever. It even outclasses the K-7 in FPS.
The last point however is old thinking... It's a pity for the DOF control, but let's not forget that when the high ISO capabilities go up, there's much less need for fast primes. We have in-body SR, Canon and Nikon haven't. So those brands NEED fast primes.
And of course, they keep the best for the last moment, one day before Photokina. If the K-r already outclasses the K-7 in speed then I have good hopes about the K-7 successor. 8FPS seems feasible and believable...