K-3 speculation

ElJamoquio · 07-06-2012, 09:20 AM

Originally posted by traderdrew

The A55 which uses the same sensor as the K-5 but the scores speak for themselves:

It looks to me like the noise is equivalent.

**RuiC** · 07-06-2012, 09:24 AM

Originally posted by Vylen

To bump this thread a bit...

Stumbled upon this blog post. It's apparently referencing a thread on DPReview where a forum member posted saying a B&H Photo employee told him that the K-3 was being demonstrated to employees. I don't know if that thread has been referenced here, but either way!

Hmmm - how many degrees of separation is that?

That is normal practice. I had played with the K20, KM/2000 and the K7 weeks before announcement! And I were not an employee!

Rui

eddie1960 · 07-06-2012, 10:06 AM

Originally posted by RuiC

That is normal practice. I had played with the K20, KM/2000 and the K7 weeks before announcement! And I were not an employee!

Rui

If the K3 is going to be a late summer / Photokina release likely there are some people out shooting with early firmware to iron out bugs already. I think for the D800 one guy was using it almost a year before release under a non disclosure agreement

**luftfluss** · 07-06-2012, 11:05 AM

Originally posted by LeDave

I knew the K-3 would not be a FF and is APS-C, there's no way Pentax would pull a measly K-30 to replace the K-5, the K-30 is just an entry-level with certain mid-end ergonomics such as WR and twin dials. Also there's no way Pentax would call a FF a K-3 after seeing the K-7 being replaced by K-5, if it were a FF it would be called something else. My prediction is Pentax won't be announcing a FF until next year because they'll need to bring some re-ergonomically fabricated FA*'s back to the line-up.

One thing I'm afraid of is that Pentax will bring out another entry-level lower priced than the K-30, meaning there will be two entry-level bodies, only that the K-30 is closer to the mid-end. The price of nearly 900 for a entry-level scares me for a lower priced body coming out.I really hope Pentax keeps the tradition of making one entry-level, one semi-pro, and possibly pull out a full frame. That way they don't go down the road of Canikon making multiple bodies in the same class-range after stripping features one off another, ridiculous.

If this is a Sony 24MP sensor, then my guess is there is no way in hell that it will have better ISO noise levels than the K-5, maybe close, but if close is it then it's good enough because 24MP is a massive jump. Just hope the ISO noise levels don't drop dramatically on this new K-3 model.

The K-30 also sports a pentaprism. It's pretty clear that the K-30 is a mid-level DSLR, compared within the general DSLR market. It's actually pretty much dead even with the K-5, each camera simply has different trade-offs when compared to one another.

**luftfluss** · 07-06-2012, 11:06 AM

Originally posted by Vylen

To bump this thread a bit...

Stumbled upon this blog post. It's apparently referencing a thread on DPReview where a forum member posted saying a B&H Photo employee told him that the K-3 was being demonstrated to employees. I don't know if that thread has been referenced here, but either way!

Hmmm - how many degrees of separation is that?

After a few comments within that DPReview thread, the OP admitted that it could have been the K-30 the B&H folks were talking about, not the K-3.

lammie200 · 07-06-2012, 11:40 AM

Originally posted by luftfluss

The K-30 also sports a pentaprism. It's pretty clear that the K-30 is a mid-level DSLR, compared within the general DSLR market. It's actually pretty much dead even with the K-5, each camera simply has different trade-offs when compared to one another.

I agree that the K-30 is mid level. Not to argue, but I still don't think that Pentax will undershoot it with a cheaper dSLR model. Like I wrote before, look at the K-01. It was originally priced at $900. Do you think that they are working on a cheaper version of the K-01, or a more featured version at a similar price? The latter seemed to be the model for the K-30. A more featured version of the K-r at nearly the same price. (Or, perhaps, a slightly less featured version of the K-5 at a price similar to the K-r.) If there is one thing that PRICL fancies itself as is that it is not a cheap brand. Afterall they brought us that $300 limited edition clutch bag made from bull scrotums. (OK, I embellished that last part.) They want to charge a premium for being different. Where have we seen that before?

**luftfluss** · 07-06-2012, 11:46 AM

Originally posted by lammie200

I agree that the K-30 is mid level. Not to argue, but I still don't think that Pentax will undershoot it with a cheaper dSLR model. Like I wrote before, look at the K-01. It was originally priced at $900. Do you think that they are working on a cheaper version of the K-01, or a more featured version at a similar price? The latter seemed to be the model for the K-30. A more featured version of the K-r at nearly the same price. (Or, perhaps, a slightly less featured version of the K-5 at a price similar to the K-r.) If there is one thing that PRICL fancies itself as is that it is not a cheap brand. Afterall they brought us that $300 limited edition clutch bag made from bull scrotums. (OK, I embellished that last part.) They want to charge a premium for being different. Where have we seen that before?

I completely agree with you. And, I agree with this strategy, particularly if the successor to the K-01 includes an EVF (even if it's an optional attachment).

lammie200 · 07-06-2012, 11:53 AM

Originally posted by luftfluss

...particularly if the successor to the K-01 includes an EVF (even if it's an optional attachment).

I don't think that PRICL has a choice. OVF's might not ever go away completely, but MILC's are made to have EVF's. At least if they want their MILC offerings to have broad appeal. I am not sure the K-01 has that.

Docrwm · 07-06-2012, 12:08 PM

Originally posted by beholder3

Well here: Kawauchi Interview Transcript and Reflections - Pentax Camera News & Rumors - PentaxForums.com its only said that two new bodies will appear this year...

Ok, got it: We Interview Pentax UK GM Jonathan Martin It seems that was only a local guy, not one from HQ in Japan.

Yes, but the Brits have gotten it right nearly every time - while the spokesmen for PRIC have batted around .000. So, I'll take the comments from the UK General Manager with a lot more faith than those of anyone outside Pentax Japan.

Winder · 07-06-2012, 08:54 PM

I really want to believe the FF Pentax rumors, but I wont hold my breath. I will probably move to Sony once I see the A99 tested and the results.

Williunck · 07-09-2012, 11:06 AM

Originally posted by luftfluss

The K-30 also sports a pentaprism. It's pretty clear that the K-30 is a mid-level DSLR, compared within the general DSLR market. It's actually pretty much dead even with the K-5, each camera simply has different trade-offs when compared to one another.

and they have them priced the same almost the same at this point, which is why it only makes sense that a newer version of the K5 will be announced this fall in the $1500.00 dollar range. There would be no reason to keep making the K5 and the K30, since really they compete with one another and and K5 is now almost 2 years old. Just my opinion.

Blue · 07-09-2012, 12:30 PM

Originally posted by lammie200

Was the K-r entry level?

The K-30 is being introduced at an MSRP of only $50 more than the K-r was. What features would a body below the K-30 have that the K-r didn't have? Maybe a 16mp sensor, improved low light AF, 100% VF, and focus peaking, that's probably it. Is it worth it to produce another body that only has those upgrades from the K-r, and be initially priced cheaper than the K-r was? Cheaper so that with the K-30 at $850, the entry level body would be $650-ish. I doubt it all, but I could be wrong. Considering the price the K-01 was introduced at, do you think that they will produce a cheaper version of the K-01? What features would they strip out of that?

While they had good specs and features, yes, the K-r (and K-x) were entry level. They had penta-mirror. The also had the 12mp processor instead of the K20d or K-7 processor. They also only had 1 dial and no sealing.

Blue · 07-09-2012, 12:33 PM

Originally posted by lammie200

I don't think that PRICL has a choice. OVF's might not ever go away completely, but MILC's are made to have EVF's. At least if they want their MILC offerings to have broad appeal. I am not sure the K-01 has that.

Many of the m4/3 don't have an EVF or an OVG. I have an optional optical matched VG for the 17mm lens. My GF2 has an optional EVF available for it. They could do something like that for the K-02.

Plus, there can be mirrorless cameras with a viewfinder, a la rangefinder. Look at what Fuji has done or Leica.

Docrwm · 07-09-2012, 01:01 PM

Originally posted by Blue

Many of the m4/3 don't have an EVF or an OVG. I have an optional optical matched VG for the 17mm lens. My GF2 has an optional EVF available for it. They could do something like that for the K-02.

Plus, there can be mirrorless cameras with a viewfinder, a la rangefinder. Look at what Fuji has done or Leica.

How are you liking your GF2? Are you using a converter for your array of Pentax lenses with it?

Blue · 07-09-2012, 01:08 PM

Originally posted by Docrwm

How are you liking your GF2? Are you using a converter for your array of Pentax lenses with it?

I have a convertor. I seem to like it more for video than pics. I prefer the dSLR for serious work. I have been leaning towards selling m4/3 stuff because of that. I have left the dSLR behind a few times and ended up regretting it. If I keep it, I am going to get some primes for it, at least one such as the Oly 45/1.8

07-09-2012, 11:06 AM	#701
Williunck Inactive Account Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 58	Originally posted by luftfluss The K-30 also sports a pentaprism. It's pretty clear that the K-30 is a mid-level DSLR, compared within the general DSLR market. It's actually pretty much dead even with the K-5, each camera simply has different trade-offs when compared to one another. and they have them priced the same almost the same at this point, which is why it only makes sense that a newer version of the K5 will be announced this fall in the $1500.00 dollar range. There would be no reason to keep making the K5 and the K30, since really they compete with one another and and K5 is now almost 2 years old. Just my opinion. Last edited by Williunck; 07-09-2012 at 12:40 PM.

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07-06-2012, 09:20 AM	#691
ElJamoquio Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 4,873	Originally posted by traderdrew The A55 which uses the same sensor as the K-5 but the scores speak for themselves: It looks to me like the noise is equivalent.

07-06-2012, 09:24 AM	#692
RuiC Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Lisboa - The best destination in Europe Posts: 633	Originally posted by Vylen To bump this thread a bit... Stumbled upon this blog post. It's apparently referencing a thread on DPReview where a forum member posted saying a B&H Photo employee told him that the K-3 was being demonstrated to employees. I don't know if that thread has been referenced here, but either way! Hmmm - how many degrees of separation is that? That is normal practice. I had played with the K20, KM/2000 and the K7 weeks before announcement! And I were not an employee! Rui

07-06-2012, 10:06 AM	#693
eddie1960 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 13,666	Originally posted by RuiC That is normal practice. I had played with the K20, KM/2000 and the K7 weeks before announcement! And I were not an employee! Rui If the K3 is going to be a late summer / Photokina release likely there are some people out shooting with early firmware to iron out bugs already. I think for the D800 one guy was using it almost a year before release under a non disclosure agreement

07-06-2012, 11:05 AM	#694
luftfluss Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: NJ Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,619	Originally posted by LeDave I knew the K-3 would not be a FF and is APS-C, there's no way Pentax would pull a measly K-30 to replace the K-5, the K-30 is just an entry-level with certain mid-end ergonomics such as WR and twin dials. Also there's no way Pentax would call a FF a K-3 after seeing the K-7 being replaced by K-5, if it were a FF it would be called something else. My prediction is Pentax won't be announcing a FF until next year because they'll need to bring some re-ergonomically fabricated FA*'s back to the line-up. One thing I'm afraid of is that Pentax will bring out another entry-level lower priced than the K-30, meaning there will be two entry-level bodies, only that the K-30 is closer to the mid-end. The price of nearly 900 for a entry-level scares me for a lower priced body coming out.I really hope Pentax keeps the tradition of making one entry-level, one semi-pro, and possibly pull out a full frame. That way they don't go down the road of Canikon making multiple bodies in the same class-range after stripping features one off another, ridiculous. If this is a Sony 24MP sensor, then my guess is there is no way in hell that it will have better ISO noise levels than the K-5, maybe close, but if close is it then it's good enough because 24MP is a massive jump. Just hope the ISO noise levels don't drop dramatically on this new K-3 model. The K-30 also sports a pentaprism. It's pretty clear that the K-30 is a mid-level DSLR, compared within the general DSLR market. It's actually pretty much dead even with the K-5, each camera simply has different trade-offs when compared to one another.

07-06-2012, 11:06 AM	#695
luftfluss Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: NJ Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,619	Originally posted by Vylen To bump this thread a bit... Stumbled upon this blog post. It's apparently referencing a thread on DPReview where a forum member posted saying a B&H Photo employee told him that the K-3 was being demonstrated to employees. I don't know if that thread has been referenced here, but either way! Hmmm - how many degrees of separation is that? After a few comments within that DPReview thread, the OP admitted that it could have been the K-30 the B&H folks were talking about, not the K-3.

07-06-2012, 11:40 AM	#696
lammie200 Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: San Francisco Photos: Albums Posts: 1,033	Originally posted by luftfluss The K-30 also sports a pentaprism. It's pretty clear that the K-30 is a mid-level DSLR, compared within the general DSLR market. It's actually pretty much dead even with the K-5, each camera simply has different trade-offs when compared to one another. I agree that the K-30 is mid level. Not to argue, but I still don't think that Pentax will undershoot it with a cheaper dSLR model. Like I wrote before, look at the K-01. It was originally priced at $900. Do you think that they are working on a cheaper version of the K-01, or a more featured version at a similar price? The latter seemed to be the model for the K-30. A more featured version of the K-r at nearly the same price. (Or, perhaps, a slightly less featured version of the K-5 at a price similar to the K-r.) If there is one thing that PRICL fancies itself as is that it is not a cheap brand. Afterall they brought us that $300 limited edition clutch bag made from bull scrotums. (OK, I embellished that last part.) They want to charge a premium for being different. Where have we seen that before?

07-06-2012, 11:46 AM	#697
luftfluss Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: NJ Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,619	Originally posted by lammie200 I agree that the K-30 is mid level. Not to argue, but I still don't think that Pentax will undershoot it with a cheaper dSLR model. Like I wrote before, look at the K-01. It was originally priced at $900. Do you think that they are working on a cheaper version of the K-01, or a more featured version at a similar price? The latter seemed to be the model for the K-30. A more featured version of the K-r at nearly the same price. (Or, perhaps, a slightly less featured version of the K-5 at a price similar to the K-r.) If there is one thing that PRICL fancies itself as is that it is not a cheap brand. Afterall they brought us that $300 limited edition clutch bag made from bull scrotums. (OK, I embellished that last part.) They want to charge a premium for being different. Where have we seen that before? I completely agree with you. And, I agree with this strategy, particularly if the successor to the K-01 includes an EVF (even if it's an optional attachment).

07-06-2012, 11:53 AM	#698
lammie200 Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: San Francisco Photos: Albums Posts: 1,033	Originally posted by luftfluss ...particularly if the successor to the K-01 includes an EVF (even if it's an optional attachment). I don't think that PRICL has a choice. OVF's might not ever go away completely, but MILC's are made to have EVF's. At least if they want their MILC offerings to have broad appeal. I am not sure the K-01 has that.

07-06-2012, 12:08 PM	#699
Docrwm Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Somewhere in the Southern US Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,285	Originally posted by beholder3 Well here: Kawauchi Interview Transcript and Reflections - Pentax Camera News & Rumors - PentaxForums.com its only said that two new bodies will appear this year... Ok, got it: We Interview Pentax UK GM Jonathan Martin It seems that was only a local guy, not one from HQ in Japan. Yes, but the Brits have gotten it right nearly every time - while the spokesmen for PRIC have batted around .000. So, I'll take the comments from the UK General Manager with a lot more faith than those of anyone outside Pentax Japan.

07-06-2012, 08:54 PM	#700
Winder Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Tennessee Posts: 6,617 Original Poster	I really want to believe the FF Pentax rumors, but I wont hold my breath. I will probably move to Sony once I see the A99 tested and the results.

07-09-2012, 12:30 PM	#702
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	Originally posted by lammie200 Was the K-r entry level? The K-30 is being introduced at an MSRP of only $50 more than the K-r was. What features would a body below the K-30 have that the K-r didn't have? Maybe a 16mp sensor, improved low light AF, 100% VF, and focus peaking, that's probably it. Is it worth it to produce another body that only has those upgrades from the K-r, and be initially priced cheaper than the K-r was? Cheaper so that with the K-30 at $850, the entry level body would be $650-ish. I doubt it all, but I could be wrong. Considering the price the K-01 was introduced at, do you think that they will produce a cheaper version of the K-01? What features would they strip out of that? While they had good specs and features, yes, the K-r (and K-x) were entry level. They had penta-mirror. The also had the 12mp processor instead of the K20d or K-7 processor. They also only had 1 dial and no sealing.

07-09-2012, 12:33 PM	#703
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	Originally posted by lammie200 I don't think that PRICL has a choice. OVF's might not ever go away completely, but MILC's are made to have EVF's. At least if they want their MILC offerings to have broad appeal. I am not sure the K-01 has that. Many of the m4/3 don't have an EVF or an OVG. I have an optional optical matched VG for the 17mm lens. My GF2 has an optional EVF available for it. They could do something like that for the K-02. Plus, there can be mirrorless cameras with a viewfinder, a la rangefinder. Look at what Fuji has done or Leica.

07-09-2012, 01:01 PM	#704
Docrwm Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Somewhere in the Southern US Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,285	Originally posted by Blue Many of the m4/3 don't have an EVF or an OVG. I have an optional optical matched VG for the 17mm lens. My GF2 has an optional EVF available for it. They could do something like that for the K-02. Plus, there can be mirrorless cameras with a viewfinder, a la rangefinder. Look at what Fuji has done or Leica. How are you liking your GF2? Are you using a converter for your array of Pentax lenses with it?

07-09-2012, 01:08 PM	#705
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	Originally posted by Docrwm How are you liking your GF2? Are you using a converter for your array of Pentax lenses with it? I have a convertor. I seem to like it more for video than pics. I prefer the dSLR for serious work. I have been leaning towards selling m4/3 stuff because of that. I have left the dSLR behind a few times and ended up regretting it. If I keep it, I am going to get some primes for it, at least one such as the Oly 45/1.8