Originally posted by mutley Pentax should have at least as good performance results as the equivalently priced competition.
But what is "performance", what does this actuall means?
We already have indications that the Pentax will have more resolution than the competition, so in terms of resolution and image quality it is wery likely that Pentax exceeds the level of the competition. I mean, there must be some benefits and advantages with going for a 14Mp sensor instead of the 10Mp sensor in Canon 40D... So in terms of image quality, yes there is a good chance that Pentax will exceed the performance of the Canon. In terms of AF speed and predictive AF - I don't know.
I don't expect the new Pentax to beat the Canon in all areas, but I believe it surely will beat the Canon in some areas. So -
If you want a camera with equal performance in all areas as a Canon, then buy a Canon!
If you want a camera with better performance than Canon in some areas and worse performance in som other areas, then buy a Pentax!
There is nothing as a "free lunch", so Pentax will offer a compromise, like all cameras are offering.
This is the novelty with having different brands and systems, that they are *different* with different strengths and weaknesses. This means that there is a choice for the customers.
If it is a performance like the 40D you really want, then get that camera. Pentax will not make a 40D for you, because that camera already exists. Pentax will provide an alternative with a *different* specification and a *different* mix of performance.