[Clavius]

Has anyone considered that they might go halfway to FF and release an APS-H camera like the Canon 1D?

Yes, personally I would love APSH, because all DA lenses will still work on that format. But I'm the only one here, I think.

[gazonk]

Will be competitive only if it's 1/2 price & 1/2 size.

Doesn't have to be 1/2 the size, just reduce depth a bit (there's a lot of room to save behind the sensor) and reduce weight by 1/3, and it should be highly competitive:

Nikon D800 is 6% (10 mm) narrower and 5% (6 mm) taller than Pentax 645D.
Nikon D800 is 32% (37.5 mm) thinner than Pentax 645D.
Nikon D800 [1000 g] weights 32% (480 grams) less than Pentax 645D [1480 g] (*inc. batteries and memory card).

Compare camera dimensions side by side

[NightPorter]

I prefer 24mp APSH senor rather than 24mp APSC senor

[ogl]

645D2 will be announced. not FF. IMO

[eurostar]

I want a Q with a plug for cable release.

[Clavius]

LOL! What if it's a APSH sized Nokia (808) Sensor? How much MP's would that be? That would certainly be a surprise.

[ogl]

I prefer 24mp APSH senor rather than 24mp APSC senor

APS-H sensor is the history.

[gtl]

Being dependent on Sony for sensors, I don't see aps-h coming for Pentax.

[ElJamoquio]

There are several sensor manufacturers. That said I agree with your conclusion.

[Caat]

The problem with Pentax using the 645 mount as their FF competitor is that K mount and 645 mount lenses are not interchangeable like APS-C and 35mm. Whilst cheap medium format may well be able to compete with 35mm (especially with competitive bodies and sensor technology) existing Pentax users can't 'upgrade' to 645 any easier than anyone else. In other words it doesn't leverage Pentax's existing user base in the same way as a FF camera would.

Additionally medium format sensors need technology investment to keep ahead of rapidly improving 35mm sensors. Finally 645 registration distance means that the cameras will always been larger than similarly designed 35mm based bodies.

[RonHendriks1966]

Good news as expected!

[Docrwm]

A new improved Q and a re"designed" K-01 - yeah!

[bobell69]

While the response from Pentax Australia is encouraging, it doesn't exactly specify that a full frame is imminent. It does however indicate that perhaps the upcoming K3 may indeed be a landmark professional camera. However for a camera to be classed as professional in this day it requires a flash system that is competitive if not leading edge.

I'm still of the opinion that Pentax does indeed need a full frame if it plans on playing in the same sand box as Canikon. Several Stock Photo sites are now only accepting photographs taken on full frame cameras.

Since my comment on full frame purchases in our local camera club this last week a further three people have purchased D800's. I anticipate that once the D600 comes out the majority of the Nikon APSC owners in our club will move to full frame when the time comes to upgrade their gear. Their D300's will make great backup cameras.

[eddie1960]

While the response from Pentax Australia is encouraging, it doesn't exactly specify that a full frame is imminent. It does however indicate that perhaps the upcoming K3 may indeed be a landmark professional camera. However for a camera to be classed as professional in this day it requires a flash system that is competitive if not leading edge.

I'm still of the opinion that Pentax does indeed need a full frame if it plans on playing in the same sand box as Canikon. Several Stock Photo sites are now only accepting photographs taken on full frame cameras.

Since my comment on full frame purchases in our local camera club this last week a further three people have purchased D800's. I anticipate that once the D600 comes out the majority of the Nikon APSC owners in our club will move to full frame when the time comes to upgrade their gear. Their D300's will make great backup cameras.

Well since the current flashes are at the end of the line i imagine there is a new flash system to announce as well (hopefully WR and better built than the current crop)

[janneman]

I am not in the market for FF, I think it will be bigger than the K20D which was acceptable for me in size but no more than that.
However, we are spoiled by sealed bodies an FF leak in a camera won't sell at all.

The sad fact that some stock photo sites only accept FF camera images has not much to do with the IQ of FF cameras. they just dont want to be swamped by any amateurs pictures... and are too lazy to check all these images or only accept people who have proven they can take pictures (this ofcourse requires some effort of the stock agency to check out a portfolio, but again, they cant be bothered).