[NaClH2O]

Really? The 60D and upcoming D7000 are very comparable (both 1080P, both pentaprisms, both 16MP+, both semi-pro), yet the 60D is available for $1099 (msrp) and the D7000 is rumored to be in the $1100-1200 price range (launching next wednesday). So if we already know this, then how can you say that $1600 is what Canon or Nikon would charge?

The 60D is a much much lower speced camera than what is posted here. 60D has an aluminimum frame as opposed to a magnesium frame, 60D is not WR, highest ISO is 6400 not 12,800, 9 AF points instead of the posted 18 etc, etc, etc. And that's just a quick glance at the 60D specs

NaCl(apples to apples)H2O

[Aristophanes]

You'd think the K-r would be offered that way, but the US kits appear to be:

• $799.95 (body only)
• $849.95 (with 18-55mm DAL)
• $899.95(with 18-55mm DAL + 50-200mm DAL)
• $999.95 (with 18-55mm DAL + 55-300mm)

Maybe in Japan?

The K-x was originally (first 6 months) offered ONLY as a kit. You could not buy the body solo. So that's a change.

As for the K-5, I suspect the same set--up with a variety of bundles including a new 18-125 zoom, but no WR so as to preserve that option for the DA* products and their premiums.

The *real* innovation for the zoom would be silent, video-capable AF.

[Aristophanes]

The 60D is a much much lower speced camera than what is posted here. 60D has an aluminimum frame as opposed to a magnesium frame, 60D is not WR, highest ISO is 6400 not 12,800, 9 AF points instead of the posted 18 etc, etc, etc. And that's just a quick glance at the 60D specs

NaCl(apples to apples)H2O

The K-5 looks to be going up somewhere between the D300 and the D90 successor.

US$1,699 seems high, but that over-valued Yen is a serious problem these days.

[pghwarrior23]

Something that goes head to head with the D300s or its replacement would be GREAT for Pentax I think! Nikon will still win with their flash systems, long zooms, and probably some other features. But Pentax will be better with weather sealing, size, shake reduction, etc. But ISO, video, and overall performance of capturing great images the same and it will be a big hit!

!



!!



!!!

Is that last one wireless flash sync with IrSimple?

NO! it says "and" irsimple

hard to say at this point, although the 16mp sensor is pretty much given and it should have more fps than the kr and k7 so 8 sounds reasonable.

1080p hd is to be expected to compete, hopefully with an option for a more compressed codec than mjpeg and 24fps rate. And will it have af or not, I guess not.

actually from these specs, true or not, this one seems like a cool idea
Hybrid VF utilizing translucent LCD to display focus points and framing grid.

actually putting a translucent lcd in the vf to display info on top of the optical view, although I would expect it would make the frame darker, if it somehow could be turned off and then didnt really affect the brightness of the vf then. it would be cool if they had some neat trick like that to set it apart from other cameras using the same sony sensor.

hopefully they will be focusing on the af system, actually the k7 system is quite good but only the single shot af, the continuous one is not good.

flash sync being 1/250 with certain flashes doesnt sound right. its a property of the camera shutter and not affected by which flash you put on it.

dual sd would be cool or at least a functioning slot in the grip, plenty of space in there for it, or maybe let the grip take 2 batteries, so u can get 3 in total.

the specs say: ONLY with the NEW Flashes coming soon!
it doesn't SAY certain or any particular flash!

[deadwolfbones]

"only with new flashes" = "certain flashes"

[civiletti]

It's for the tripod junkies - you know, the corroded old geezers who consider ISO 64 "fast.

Or perhaps if you're sitting on the surface of the sun and want to preserve your narrow depth of field.

Yep, ISO64 is what I use for sports.

[AngryCorgi]

The 60D is a much much lower speced camera than what is posted here. 60D has an aluminimum frame as opposed to a magnesium frame, 60D is not WR, highest ISO is 6400 not 12,800, 9 AF points instead of the posted 18 etc, etc, etc. And that's just a quick glance at the 60D specs

NaCl(apples to apples)H2O

I'm not here to argue ticky-tack point, but your information is incorrect...60D max ISO = 12800. If you only post the ticky-tack K-5 advantages and neglect all the ticky-tack 60D advantages then, sure, you can make the the camera "appear" to have a clear advantage...but that would be flawed logic. At any rate, they ARE comparable cameras on most points. There is some small give-and-take here and there, but the most noticeable hurdle is the $600 variance in MSRP.

[mattdm]

NO! it says "and" irsimple

That's still ambiguous. Is it:

(Wireless-sync with PENTAX dedicated flash) and (IrSimple)

Or

Wireless-sync with (PENTAX dedicated flash and IrSimple)

The fact that it's all under the Flash topic and the fact that that no other line in the description combines two unrelated features both suggest the second interpretation.

On the other hand, the fact that it would be a whole new very revolutionary change suggests the former. (Plus, if they did this, they probably would have announced it with the K-r.)

[deadwolfbones]

@AngryCorgi: What are the advantages of the 60D?

[AngryCorgi]

BTW, I consider the 7D to be loads of fail...so comparing the 7D to the K-5 doesn't win many points with me. The 7D is an over-sized, over-priced waste of time...and that's why its price is now ~$1,525 instead of the ridiculous $1699 launch price. If the K-5, with similar specs is planning on testing those same waters with the same launch price as Canon's King-o-Fail, expect the value to plummet quickly. Early-adopters retreat!

[Asahiflex]

@AngryCorgi: What are the advantages of the 60D?

You can buy it in your local shop.

[LFLee]

I only wish K-5 have interchangable battery with dedicated Litium-ion battery or AA battery, just like the K-r. Is so, I will get this to replace my k200. The only two downsides of K-r for me is weather seal + top lcd.

I think we will never get a k200 replacement from Pentax..


Lee

[AngryCorgi]

@AngryCorgi: What are the advantages of the 60D?

I dunno...640 & 720/60P (rather than 720/30P limit on the K-5), 1030/24P & 30P, 18MP > 16MP, Xsync = 1/250 with existing flashes (not just "flashes to be named at a later date"), higher res LCD screen, AF system works more accurately in lower light (true so far of all SAFOX units, we'll see if they've improved this one), SDXC support, compatability with a much more vast array of modern optics (especially long glass)...

...The thing is, I don't even shoot Canon...I'm using a Nikon system (D700 and some film cameras), so try not to get the idea that I'm a Canon fan-boy (though I have shot with Canon in the past). I just don't like people making silly excuses for any company attempting to gouge its user-base. After the K-7's IQ issues (particularly at higher ISO), you wouldn't expect Pentax to throw the next generation up at a price-point that is clearly failing for Canon already. It just doesn't make any sense. I also don't get why they fattened the K-5 up over the weight of the K-7...the K-7 was perfect in size/weight, IMO.