Originally posted by vinzer Is this a hint?
No, just a wish!
Plus I keep dropping big hints to anyone associated with or at Pentax!
It is pretty clear that there will be a 3 tier APS-C body line-up by 2009, entry, mid-point and upper. How up-market the top one will be is not known outside the company.
To me it makes some sense to build a body that can fill the gap left by the D2x, with very simlar features. The D2x was an immensly popular camera (justifiably) and many D2x users feel rightly upset that they have been left in the situation that they cannot replace their workhorses, but are forced into a replacement that costs twice the price and gives them 5MP with their DX lenses, or buy a less well specified and capable camera in the D300.
Pentax need to build a uper model that exceeds the D300 and of course the Canon 5D or it's replacement, It is now very obvious that APS sensor technology can match the larger sensors.
Another point is that Canon users don't have an APS body above the mid-point 40D and it looks that it will stay that way. The poor guys have to upgrade to either a 5D (more of a downgrade really) or to the 1D mkIII, which is probably the most popular of the pro-Canons, at least you get a 1.3x tele-extender! (This is very important to the paparazzi, they need long reach - Think about it!) The 1DS sales are well below that of the 1D, even though it's FF.
I believe, that with Nikon and Sony entering the FF market place along with Canon, as their level above their mid-point cameras, it leaves a huge opportunity for Pentax to jump in with a pro-spec camera with the right goodies just above the D300. It will be a very attractive option for those who want to stay with APS-C (for all the obvious reasons, weight, free 1.5x tele-extender, better DOF etc, etc) but get true pro-level performance for maybe around a £1800-2000 (inc our VAT) or US $3000-3500 (w/o tax) price point. That sector of the market would generate far greater sales than any FF'ng nonsense, let C, N and now Sony battle it out for the 2-4% market share, I reckon they're nuts myself.
With all the new lenses now becoming avialable for Pentax, plus the already established ones, I could see that being a real winner!
After that, I do believe that could eventually see Pentax launch a larger sensor body, i.e. a 645 1.3 crop (the 645D), or APS x2, around the 645 lens mount with SR, SDM and all the benefits gained from their current and up-coming APS models. They could even reduce the registration distance between mount and sensor to allow for easier WA lens design, but still have the ability to use existing 645 lenses with the use of a spacer adaptor, to account for the different registration distance, similar in concept to the Olympus OM to 4/3rds adaptor.