Originally posted by Priyantha Bleeker Well if there is really a more high-end model in the pipeline like a Nikon D2/D3-series and Canon 1-series it is just now the time to start saving money
Or will it be a model in between the K20 and a 'top-model' ? Such as a D300 ?
If it will a camera with a built-in grip and all the other neat features it should have(mount,af,fps etc, see the other threads
) than it would be very very interesting to see.
The way I see it, the Pentax lineup is quite similar to the Nikon lineup... only they miss the >$1500 part.
The only camera that was in the same class as the K10 was the D80.
The only camera that will be in the same class as the K20 will be the D90. Only for once, K20D precedes D90 (possibly for more than 6 months) instead of coming after AND it will have a different imaging system to set it appart.
Now think about the D90... what will it be like?
Guess: around $1000 body only, 12MP CMOS Sony (same as D300) no surprise here. 1/4000s shutter. LV. ... nothing on the K20 so far.
Comes to fps. D80 has 3fps, do you think D90 will have 5-6? But then why would you buy a D300 for? I vote for 4fps just to say they improved things.
So in all probabilities, Nikon is going to have REALLY hard time producing a D90 that has anything on the K20: Pentax has basically killed the D90 already!
Of course, K20 will be compared to 40D/D300/A700/E3 on IQ and my guess is that it will stand its ground, maybe even better. It will come a bit short in the action photo dept., like K10 did compared to 30D/D200: no real news, it's a K20, not a K2.
So what will 2008-2009 offer us?
Well can anyone think that Pentax/Samsung are not going to capitalize on the sensor they have used more than 2 years of good R&D money to conceive and take to the market?
I see a K2000D with a 6-10MP around $500.
But I also see Pentax/Hoya/Samsung now able to direct R&D towards AF and fps and doing the same step in that category that they did with the imaging system on the K20 because now the sensor part is pretty much secured for the next 2 years.
Bingo! You got your D300 (and even D400 I think) concurent!
With that, Pentax will have a coherent lineup of 4 APS-C cameras with an equally excellent APS-C lens lineup and these will sell and earn money.
What will they do with their money then you ask?
Well, you're in luck, my crystal ball is on fire this morning!!!
Well they will release the 645D with a super duper ubber Samsung MF sensor of course
. (OK it migh be a FF but it would make more sense to go B.I.G.)
How's that for seing the sunny side of things?