[RyanW]

I don't want to see Pentax bankrupt in the next 3-4 years

Ricoh owns Pentax and I think it's a good buy for them, but why would Ricoh abandon what has been a successful camera for them.

I'm sure there will be more synergy in future models and more "mainstream consumer" models produced in addition to things like the GR.

While niche cameras are just that, I don't see Pentax retaking the market with more me too consumer cameras, especially since they have no marketing to scream from the highest mountain top "look, we now make what everyone else makes".

Pentax and Ricoh have the ability to design and make cameras targeted at photographers rather than gadget buyers. At least that's where I see their strength.

[Aristophanes]

They also probably have three to five other cameras they carry around with themselves.

Hardly.

They're dead.

Their modus operandi was usually 1 rangefinder loaded and a backup of the same.

[Kunzite]

I don't want to see Pentax bankrupt in the next 3-4 years

Do you truly believe Pentax is in any danger, because they didn't release a zoom "GR"?
There is an infinity of camera/lens variations; it's impossible for a small-ish company (like Pentax-Ricoh) to make every single combination. We might like some specific ideas, and push them hard on forums like this as "the one true way"; but at some point we have to accept many of them just won't happen, either because they're not so great or because they had other priorities, or both.

[Lukinosity]

I am not picking on raz here, but this post has some quotable bits in it. Basically this is a response to all those who don't understand the nature of a fixed focal length camera. If the camera is not the one you are looking for, start a thread about the kind of camera you want, don't just come in here and complain about this camera. It's going to be great......just like all the GRs that came before it.

And now comes this beautiful small camera, with the large sensor and collapsible lens that will only attract to a specific category of people,

That's called a target market. Knowing who will buy your product before you even produce it. It's a great business model.

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.

The Nokia 808 takes very good photos ....... for a TELEPHONE. Do you realize that the sensor in the GR is the exact same one as in the flagship Pentax K-5IIs? The photos of the GR will LAUGH at the photos from the Nokia 808. The photos from the GR will have more in common with photos from any PENTAX DSLR than from any compact.

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 !

Cameras with zooms either need smaller sensors or need to be physically much larger...... you can't have it be compact and have a big sensor with a zoom lens.....there is some laws of physics and lens design that preclude this from happening. All camera designs are a compromise. If a zoom function is more important to you than ultimate image quality, than this is not the right camera for you.

And that's FINE. There are MANY who will buy this. Many of the same people who bought the original GR or the first digital GR or the GRDii, or the GRDIII or the GRD IV. Some people who own Pentaxes may want a quality pocketable camera for when the DSLR is too big. Not having the ability to zoom does not make the camera a failure. It makes it a camera that will have great IQ in a coat pocketable size, and I will be ordering one as soon as I able.

[Uluru]

Pentax and Ricoh have the ability to design and make cameras targeted at photographers rather than gadget buyers. At least that's where I see their strength.

Bingo!
And that is almost exactly what Pentax and Ricoh managers said in a recent interview, something like "Thank you for entrusting us to deliver cameras and photography experience that no other company can."

[Uluru]

The Sony RX100 is the GR's size and that zoom lens is only possible with a smaller 1" sensor.

And the aperture of f5 at the long end .. only they wrote f4.9 to look less scary ..

[anthony mazzeri]

There are MANY who will buy this. Many of the same people who bought the original GR or the first digital GR or the GRDii, or the GRDIII or the GRD IV.

That video has now had over 50,000 views in just 24 hours so there's definitely considerable interest in this camera.

[bossa]

I don't see the name Ricoh anywhere on that camera. IS it possible they will release this as a Pentax camera? I haven't been following this thread in great detail so forgive me if I've missed this topic somewhere further back in the thread.

[cali92rs]

I don't see the name Ricoh anywhere on that camera. IS it possible they will release this as a Pentax camera? I haven't been following this thread in great detail so forgive me if I've missed this topic somewhere further back in the thread.

I think that would be really confusing because apparently the hotshoe is for Ricoh flashes, not Pentax (a move I do not agree with).

[Lukinosity]

the camera like all the previous GRs is a Ricoh. By accepting Ricoh flashes, all previous Ricoh GR buyers who already own a flash aren't forced to buy a PENTAX flash.

[bossa]

A single company running two overlapping camera lines is crazy. Internal competition is probably great to a certain extent but this just seems like madness to me.

[anthony mazzeri]

The GR hotshoe pins appear to be different from the recent Ricoh pins on the GRD 3/4 and GXR, for which there is only one compatible flash - the GF-1. I have one so I'm wondering now if it will actually work on the GR.

This new pin configuration appears to be more like the original Ricoh pins on the GRD 2 and older cameras, except it's missing the front pin.

PS. I personally would have preferred if they switched to Pentax as the GF-1 is the only choice and it doesn't swivel.

[anthony mazzeri]

A single company running two overlapping camera lines is crazy. Internal competition is probably great to a certain extent but this just seems like madness to me.

You mean like Toyota and Lexus will all end in tears?

[RonHendriks1966]

A single company running two overlapping camera lines is crazy. Internal competition is probably great to a certain extent but this just seems like madness to me.

That is so in my opinion too, also both have tiny marketshares.

[IchabodCrane]

That video has now had over 50,000 views in just 24 hours so there's definitely considerable interest in this camera.

Watching the video is free. The camera is not.

If Pentax/Ricoh intent this new GR to be a specialist or niche camera, they likely will be satisfied. If they intent it to have a broader appeal than Ricoh has traditionally had, it's my view they won't be satisfied.