¿Will Olympus announce a 24x36mm sensor based camera? No. They are developing the 4/3 system.
¿Will Pentax?
To me it seems Pentax is developing an APS-C-sized system, and much can be developed as has been seen recently from different sensor manufacturers, regarding dynamic range, image quality, noise levels etc (and high quality and unforseen versatility (high ISO) has been increasing). And APS-C sized sensors seem as quite an adequate compromise — in between the 4/3 and 24mmx36mm-sized sensors — both from a noise, image quality etc, and lens and body size and ergonomics perspective.
And from some opinions I've read, many photographers (Olympus shooters, Mike Johnston, and quite a few pentaxians) don't seem any bit concerned about sensor size, given the practical results they seem to be obtaining and the plenty of room left for improvement and further development.
I'd say that if someone really needs and can afford a 24mmx36mm-sized sensor, they should choose from those readily available. Or buy into the Sony system which seems to be slated for a 24mmx36mm-sized sensor with the a900.
But I think Pentax (and maybe quite wisely) is building a system based on a different approach to photography. Maybe catering to another group of photographers, with specific needs and views. Hence the special attention to developing primes and the limited series of lenses.
Maybe in the future (and this would be wise if demand and production capacity could reach profitable levels) possibly preparing an upgrade path to large sensors with a ~48mmx36mm sensor based cameras, a.k.a "medium format" DSLRs (which won't be machine guns too :-). This path would be in line with their actual
Originally posted by Tbear Here is why: Pentax has millions of old 35mm film lenses still in circulation. Can you imagine being able to use these vintage lenses on a state of the art Pentax/Samsung FF sensor?
A company does not live on already circulating lenses. Pentax wants to sell new lenses.
Some people complain about the lacking of certain lenses for APS-C. Less than 10 lenses (FA 31, FA 35, FA 43, FA 50, DFA 50, FA 77 and DFA 100) do not make a SLR lens system. And Pentax certainly would not rely on third-party lens makers to build it's system.
Cheers,