Originally posted by JinDesu What I mean is - pricewise, it cannot be the k-5 replacement. The k-5 is a semi-pro (or pro) APS-C camera. It competed with the 7D and the D7000. That is it's specific class. It retailed at $1500 with the WR kit lens. To put in perspective, the D7000 was the same price, and the 7D was about $100 more.
A replacement camera should fit into the same category/price level.
The $899-999 category is the enthusiast level APS-C camera. That is the T3i and the D5100.
The $599-699 category is the entry level APS-C camera. That is the T3 and the D3100.
Ricoh official did mention they want to get a more compete line-up to match Canon. Canon has 4 cropped senson cameras. It looks like the K30 will compete with the T3i and the D5100. So I would expect about the same price.
I would expect the K-5 replacement to compete with the Canon 7D and Nikon D7000 replacements. I left out the Canon 60D replacent. I would guess this camera to be released near Photokina in September of this year.
The low-end model will compete with the T3 abd D3100. I would expect it to be released by Black Friday to compete for the holiday sales.
This gives a release about every 3 months (from the K-01 onward) which seems to be about right for Pentax to do.
I really don't know how Pentax will be able to get the 4th cropped sensor dslr camera, but rumors has it they want to release 4 dslr cameras by March and Canon has 4 cropped sensor cameras. I really hope the 4th camera will be a FF camera and be announced in Febuary at CP+. I really can see two FF cameras a low-end matching the K30 and a high-end matching the k3 in features and sharing components with those two cameras.
Now feature-wise I do expect to see an hydbrid viewfinder in at least the high-end (K-5 replacement). Pentax does have a patent for one. It would be a real neat feature and selling point to be able to do both optical and digital (with focus peaking) in the viewfinder. I also hope to see a better AF system in the K-5 replacement. Looks liek the K30 still has the 11 point AF system.
Interesting times ahead for Pentaxians.
Dave