Originally posted by chickentender These debates are reaching past comical into "sad" category. This camera line is what it is and does what it does VERY WELL, appealing to a distinct market that has bought and will continue to buy it for it's strengths. If those are not strengths to you, then simply buy a camera that is rather than wishing for a 4th wish on the lantern.
(And again, if you've never tried shooting with this cam, I can't stress enough, for obvious reason, you just don't know.)
(Me walks away now thinking "*this* is why I just *lurk*")
I don't see why you bash me for wishing Ricoh and Pentax go more mainstream with some models and not selling only to "connoisseurs" or specific niche categories. Pentax already did this mistake and what did it brought them ? Is like some guys here like this underdog status of Pentax/Ricoh
And now comes this beautiful small camera, with the large sensor and collapsible lens that will only attract to a specific category of people, not the average photographer who are looking maybe to replace their point and shot with something better or to replace the bulky DSLR with something smaller. Plus, times have changed, look please at the Nokia 808 Pureview with it's fantastic 41 mega pixel sensor and tell me if that isn't good enaugh for street photography.
How long do you think Nikon, Sony or Canon will take to release a similar small camera to the GR, with a large sensor but with a better zoom lens ? Who will buy this GR if the next Canon G1 X will be the same small size, the same IQ but with a zoom lens beginning at 28 mm and ending at 110mm ? I tell you who, only Ricoh fans probably. I don't want to see Pentax bankrupt in the next 3-4 years, I'm a fan like you but I'm upset when I see that they are missing this great category where they could sell really well and where they have great knowledge: miniaturization. Again I'm not saying this GR camera is bad, probably is excellent for street photography but I wish the same camera maybe with a zoom lens, an all rounder, that's it !