[Philoslothical]

Personally, I have no use for this, but I see it as a VERY good move from Pentax. This is an important market segment, as it reaches beginners who would be enthusiasts. Someone who has a good experience with this camera would be much more likely to select a K-5, or its successor, down the road.

The popularity of the Panasonic FZ series shows that there is a market for this kind of bridge camera. Good on Pentax/Ricoh for recognizing that. I wonder what the size of the sensor is in this.

[Alizarine]

I wonder what the size of the sensor is in this.

Same size as the Q, according to pentaximaging...

http://pentaximaging.com/digital-camera/X-5_Silver#!product-specs

[timcatn]

But is it the same one as in the Q? This would be a huge selling point. Unfortunately, it doesn't appear to save RAW files.

It says in the specs that it is slightly smaller. Q is 1 / 2.3" and X5 is 1 / 2.33"

[noVICE]

Personally I think that is a pretty amazing piece of kit considering the price tag. I can't wait to see some photos from this thing.

Ok, now that we have the "bread and butter" lets move onto the dessert.... come on Ricoh let's see that K5 replacement!

[LamyTax]

1cm close focus distance, whatever, the sensor is surely not in the lens .

But 1cm from the front element sounds great for a bridge.

No RAW-files. Look, it's a toy camera!

[DSims]

Don't expect it to be a big seller as all the manufactures have similar cameras on the market.

Maybe they'll sell a few more based on a camera's most important attribute - its looks!

[FullertonImages]

X-5... Y U NO WEATHERSEALED?!?

Seriously. If this were weathersealed, I could see it being a HUGE hit with the outdoor/adventure/travel communities. But right now it's just another superzoom bridge camera, which is fine. lots of people want those, and probably this camera will do well. But it could have a very large built-in user base had it been sealed.

[Adam]

But is it the same one as in the Q? This would be a huge selling point. Unfortunately, it doesn't appear to save RAW files.

Same size & technology, different sensor though, because the Q has 12MP and the X-5 one has 16.

[DSims]

Same size & technology, different sensor though, because the Q has 12MP and the X-5 one has 16.

Oh, that would have been obvious if I'd known the specs better - thanks. I was impressed by the output of the Q's sensor, so I thought if the X-5 has decent glass it could hold some promise.

[zapp]

Good to see that Pentax is alive, let's hope for more serious news in the next couple days. Most people here are not waiting for a bridge camera...

[pinholecam]

Cool! It looks a bit like a MZ series film camera.

[RonHendriks1966]

Good price overhere too with 225 euro. Running on AA (eneloops) makes it attractive to some users. Making the box cheaper, because no Li-ion and charger needed in the price.

[ogl]

[DaveHolmes]

Hopfully the next 'Bridge' offering from Pentax will have a cropped dslr sensor, fixed 35mm f2 lens, weatherseals (for beach use) and be in the body of the old MX or ME (etc...)

[gazonk]

Hopfully the next 'Bridge' offering from Pentax will have a cropped dslr sensor, fixed 35mm f2 lens, weatherseals (for beach use) and be in the body of the old MX or ME (etc...)

But that would be a real "bridge" as in "dslr quality in a smaller and simpler package". The bridge category has somehow degenerated to "cameras that look like dslrs but are nothing like them".