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01-25-2008, 05:05 PM   #1
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Joe Smith goes camera shopping...

Mr Smith recently got interested in photography.

After buying his first P&S and finding it too restrictive in the lens department, he rapidly graduated to a super zoom bridge camera but quickly found out that the tiny sensor was frustrating him on the IQ dept., especially in anything low lightish.

So off goes Mr Smith to buy a spanking new DSLR.

He enters the camera shop and sees all these marvelous beasts staring at him with their small tags covered in barbaric terms.

This time, he wants something "serious", entry level won't do.

So he goes to the "expert section: there, on the shelf seat 5 DSLRs: a 40D, an A700, an E3, a K20 and a D300.

They all look quite the same: serious impressive and well built.

OK, lets look at the tags (by MSRP price):

K20 says: 14,6MP, ISO 100-6400, Live view, Shake Reduction, Weather resistant - $1199
40D says: 10MP, ISO 100-3200, Live view, Dust resistant -$1199
A700 says: 12,5MP, ISO 100-6400, No Live View Anti Shake Weather resistant - $1399
E3 says: 10MP, ISO 100-3200, Live view, Anti Shake, Weather resistant - $1699
D300 says: 12,5MP, ISO 100-6400, Live View, Weather Sealed - $1799

Mmmmhhhh... what will Mr Smith choose...

01-25-2008, 05:26 PM   #2
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No contest! And the winner by a knockdown is...

Seriously, Pentax have got it right. OK, forum visitors were hoping for more AND at that price BUT it really is "no contest".
01-25-2008, 05:27 PM   #3
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Unfortunately, he'll probably say, "well, the D300 costs the most, so it must be the best. And the K20D costs the least, so it must be the worst of the bunch. Besides, I never see any ads from this 'Pentax' company...."
01-25-2008, 05:32 PM   #4
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QuoteOriginally posted by Duck Dodgers Quote
Unfortunately, he'll probably say, "well, the D300 costs the most, so it must be the best. And the K20D costs the least, so it must be the worst of the bunch. Besides, I never see any ads from this 'Pentax' company...."
I didn't say Mr Smith was rich... poor guy has a wife and two children waiting at home to see what camera daddy bought and the lady, while very nice, still keeps the spendings in check

Mr Smith must be wise, he must bring home what seems to be the best bargain and explain why he picked this one to Mrs Smith...

01-25-2008, 05:35 PM   #5
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Joe's next question

Exellent argument, and that was basicaly what sold me on the k10 a year ago, as i was joe smith then.

But then there is the next obvious question joe will ask himself. Is it safe to go in to the nasty
ocean adrift away from the canikon ship? I mean I'm joe smith and i've seen the advertisements on TV, and those big lenses that they use. I know that canon and nikon make good cameras, and if they have enough money to be on TV then they must be doing something right. What about support with Pentax? And how come the Expert salesman keeps talking about the 40D?

Basically I think many potential future first time pentaxians are lost by fear. This will of course lesten as sales staff gains confidence in the brand and can recomend pentax because they have a well rounded line of lenses. Its a fact of life that Pentax needs to have these smiley faces behind the check boxes to overcome the fear of the unknown manufacturer frowny face. Pentax knows this.


just my contribution

-Cory
01-25-2008, 05:39 PM   #6
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I have it! Pentax needs a Superbowl ad! (But not one of those obscure ones that leave you wondering just what was advertised...)
01-25-2008, 05:41 PM   #7
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1 superbowl ad, $3,000,000
1 year of R&D, Priceless

I think we know what the pragmatic pentax designers/marketeers will choose.

01-25-2008, 05:50 PM   #8
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QuoteOriginally posted by lol101 Quote
Mr Smith recently got interested in photography.

After buying his first P&S and finding it too restrictive in the lens department, he rapidly graduated to a super zoom bridge camera but quickly found out that the tiny sensor was frustrating him on the IQ dept., especially in anything low lightish.

So off goes Mr Smith to buy a spanking new DSLR.

He enters the camera shop and sees all these marvelous beasts staring at him with their small tags covered in barbaric terms.

This time, he wants something "serious", entry level won't do.

So he goes to the "expert section: there, on the shelf seat 5 DSLRs: a 40D, an A700, an E3, a K20 and a D300.

They all look quite the same: serious impressive and well built.

OK, lets look at the tags (by MSRP price):

K20 says: 14,6MP, ISO 100-6400, Live view, Shake Reduction, Weather resistant - $1199
40D says: 10MP, ISO 100-3200, Live view, Dust resistant -$1199
A700 says: 12,5MP, ISO 100-6400, No Live View Anti Shake Weather resistant - $1399
E3 says: 10MP, ISO 100-3200, Live view, Anti Shake, Weather resistant - $1699
D300 says: 12,5MP, ISO 100-6400, Live View, Weather Sealed - $1799

Mmmmhhhh... what will Mr Smith choose...
He will end up with which ever one the salesperson has an incentive to sell.
That's why you do your homework before you ever go to the store
01-25-2008, 06:13 PM   #9
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QuoteOriginally posted by jbcampbell Quote
He will end up with which ever one the salesperson has an incentive to sell.
That's why you do your homework before you ever go to the store
While it's true the salesperson can influence decisions ( depending on how well they sell ) I find when I sell a DSLR most people have done their homework.

I do not work on comission so I am free to speak my mind and offer the customer the camera I think is right for them. I think that "Joe Smith" may very well be drawn to the K20 by the value.

I can see how some would find it hard to upgrade to a K20 from a K10. I myself have a ist*DS2 and if I had the money to do so I would more than likely be buying one this summer.
01-25-2008, 06:46 PM   #10
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QuoteOriginally posted by lol101 Quote
So he goes to the "expert section: there, on the shelf seat 5 DSLRs: a 40D, an A700, an E3, a K20 and a D300.
Mmmmhhhh... what will Mr Smith choose...
The real problem is in 80% of the stores Mr. Smith goes into there will only be 3 of 5 to choose from and Pentax won't be one of them.
01-25-2008, 06:49 PM   #11
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QuoteOriginally posted by kdoggydog Quote
I do not work on comission so I am free to speak my mind and offer the customer the camera I think is right for them.
I'm not saying you or anyone else here doesn't give their honest sales advice, but even if one doesn't work on commission, one's salary and performance is usually linked to how much money one makes for the store. So the "I don't work on commission" line seems a bit, I dunno, not-telling-the-whole-story -- as anyone who's gotten the hard sell for extended warranties and gold-plated gamma-radiation-shield cables from a not-on-commission Best Buy employee can attest.
01-25-2008, 06:49 PM   #12
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I thought the new k20 was 200-6400 ISO? I was looking at a video on the K 20 and I think they did mention that? Could be wrong and still a good deal on the product. Well layed out cost comparisons JB. JIMBO

masterchong.com*-*Pentax K20D and K200D Introduction Video
01-25-2008, 06:53 PM   #13
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Same logic sold me on the K10D....
01-25-2008, 07:05 PM   #14
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Yes, but Mr. Smith has been married long enough to know that he just wont mention that there was a perfectly good camera for $500 less.
01-25-2008, 07:26 PM   #15
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I know throngs of people who have never heard of Pentax in their life, but to whom SONY sure rings a good bell.
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