[nosnoop]

When every other camera company is delivering new AF technologies or new types of cameras altogether, being sold the latest version of SAFOX whatever in a body with a slightly taller knob as the sole ergonomic improvement seems conservative to say the least.

It is simply mind boggling that you can write off a product completely before it is announced, let alone anyone laying his/her hands on one! Whatever they name the AF system is irrelevant, it is how they perform in real life which counts!

[freeload]

The Norwegian photography site Akam.no has updated their product guide with these specs:
Google translate(http://produkt.akam.no/product.php?productId=141363&view=specifications)

No big surprises there...

[kevinschoenmakers]

EDIT: Actually, this is just a pricewatch kind of website, not a website you'd expect would have pre-announcement information. So these people don't know anything more than we do...

[freeload]

No ISO80
A new AF mode: 'Predictive focus tracking:Yes'

I think both have been discussed previously in this thread - at least I'm confident the ISO 100 has been noted.
The predictive AF have just been a rumor.

I would not be surprised if they used some of the "official" pictures floating round the net until the official release.

[illdefined]

It is simply mind boggling that you can write off a product completely before it is announced, let alone anyone laying his/her hands on one! Whatever they name the AF system is irrelevant, it is how they perform in real life which counts!

i started by saying IF the leaked specs were true. and since its the same body as a K-7, then for all intents and purposes I have "laid my hands on one".

SAFOX is an AF technology going back to film days, and AF is commonly regarded as one of Pentax's weaknesses throughout all its various iterations. By naming it SAFOX IX+, with the same 11 pts its had for generations, its clearly fundamentally the same (often criticized vs. others) technology.

again, it may be more than good enough for you and me, but in a spec-driven market, it is not good enough in terms of its competition at its price point.

i love my K-7 and don't want to change systems. what i genuinely fear, is that someday i may have to if lenses or parts stop getting made.

[Kunzite]

(Nikon's) Multi-CAM is an AF technology going back to film days. By naming it Multi-CAM 3500, it's clearly fundamentally the same technology.

[freeload]

EDIT: Actually, this is just a pricewatch kind of website, not a website you'd expect would have pre-announcement information. So these people don't know anything more than we do...

Yes and no. It appeared this morning and this pricewatch thing is tightly connected to the editorial part of the site Akam.no

[illdefined]

(Nikon's) Multi-CAM is an AF technology going back to film days. By naming it Multi-CAM 3500, it's clearly fundamentally the same technology.

major difference being Multi-CAM is a highly praised technology. its always been an industry leading strength for Nikon, not a weakness in stark contrast to Pentax. even if it wasnt the same technology, smart marketers would keep that name, not lose it.

[Asahiflex]

major difference being Multi-CAM is a highly praised technology. its always been an industry leading strength for Nikon, not a weakness in stark contrast to Pentax.

I'm getting a bit fed up with all this AF whining. I have a MUCH higher keeper rate with my K-7 than I ever had with my K20D, K20D and *ist DS before that. And that's not due me being a better photographer, the K-7 is clearly a better camera with few weaknesses. If the new SAFOX in the K-5 is much better again then who am I to complain?

This saturday I got this shot with my K-7 and Sigma 500/4.5 APO EX, handheld! Of course it's not a BIF shot but the AF to me is just superb and consistent. And I wouldn't want to miss the built-in SR which makes ALL of my lenses stabilized.

[illdefined]

great shot. as i've said, my K-7 makes me happy me as well, and I personally have little problem with its AF (except at F 1.4 at low-light, when i need 1.4).

Still, I know better than to think MY single opinion counts for anything to the market. the MARKET cares what the reviewers, the spec-sheets, and the camera store buyers and salespeople think, and like it or not, TRUE or not, that narrative is what will decide Pentax's profits and general health as a company. alas, not your (or my) individual experience for our individual photographic needs.

[ogl]

I'm getting a bit fed up with all this AF whining. I

Try to catch flying sparrow. Or several birds close to the evening.

[robbiec]

Try to catch flying sparrow. Or several birds close to the evening.

Easy... Put out some bread, wait for a couple of mins and shoot away

[Asahiflex]

great shot. as i've said, my K-7 makes me happy me as well, and I personally have little problem with its AF (except at F 1.4 at low-light, when i need 1.4).

I'm also happy with the accuracy of my FA* 85/1.4 at f/1.4 and low light.

Still, I know better than to think MY single opinion counts for anything to the market. the MARKET cares what the reviewers, the spec-sheets, and the camera store buyers and salespeople think, and like it or not, TRUE or not, that narrative is what will decide Pentax's profits and general health as a company. alas, not your (or my) individual experience for our individual photographic needs.

And that's quite unfortunate indeed. I do trust the Pentax engineers this time though and I'm sure the new SAFOX is indeed better.

[Asahiflex]

Try to catch flying sparrow. Or several birds close to the evening.

You can't even do that with a Canon or Nikon unless you have the technique. The technique is super important for BIF shots of super fast and small birds. Of course the AF of my K-7 wouldn't cut it. But no AF will make it if your technique is bad to begin with.

(The normal reflex viewfinder at 500mm for BIF shots is completely useless, regardless of brand, because it's hard to keep the bird in the viewfinder. Because of this I'm thinking of getting a red-dot sight to put on top of my camera. The bird can be followed easier and more consistent, and hopefully the AF will be able to keep track of the bird because it's in the AF field most of the time.)

[janneman]

It's not about how many units each sells. The thing is Pentax flagships (K10D, K20D & K-7) used to be compared with Nikons in a higher class (D200, D300 & D300s) and Nikons in that class were always more expensive. Now they are compared to a consumer camera from Nikon which is apparently less expensive.

Errr, the D7000 is effectively regarded , also by Nikonians BTW, as the continuation of the D300 line, be it at a lower price...