[mike.hiran]

Well maybe this might be a sign that Pentax is serious about getting their cameras into the hands of end users rather than solely relying on word of mouth and internet sales. Granted, Fry's isn't a great store given their displays are often in non working order and their help usually aren't very knowledgeable about cameras, but this is certainly a step in the right direction. And the fact Pentax is featured in an ad shows that maybe Pentax in the US is doing something to get their name out. Hope this continues...

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[aseno]

I saw that too in today's Seattle Times. Though this is first for the Kr, it's not the first for Fry's to carry Pentax DSLR's. I think I've seen Kx & K7 on their ads before.

I wish Pentax can do more road shows, workshops, or clinics etc. I wonder how are they going to spend their marketing budget in '11.

[Musicale]

Yeah,

I think this is somewhat desperation, because there are other more reputable/upscale firms than FRY's. I've seen a couple of the newer DSLR's at the one near me. They were not really functional but at least I could compare the bodies and actually handle the camera. But I also think it's not the same management when they were bought out. So hopefully they'll snap out of this and return to a class act company.

[Quicksand]

But I also think it's not the same management when they were bought out. So hopefully they'll snap out of this and return to a class act company.

As far as I know, Fry's is now and has always been owned by the Fry brothers who started the chain.

I'm not going to go too far to defend them because I've had my share of frustration with the store, but if you just take Fry's for what it is -- a big-box, high-volume, low-information seller, using more of a supermarket paradigm than a traditional consumer electronics store -- you'll be less likely to be disappointed.

Do your research first, and consider it fortunate that they have floor models of anything, at all.

[SpecialK]

I was able actually hold the K100D in person at Fry's a few years back. However, it had no power (or lens?), so it was a bit of a disappointment.

[clockwork247]

my fry have the k-x k-r on display for a while, both works, that's how i test them, they actually have alot of new model camera on display (A33, A55, A580)... prices aren't so hot though, 700 + tax for the basic kit is a bit over kill.

[buttons]

considering the A580 competes with K5/D7000 image quality and around $799 sounds like a bargain to me...

It was $699 around xmas but that $100 rebate is gone.