I have been a Pentaxian since 2010 when I bought my first Pentax - the K-7. Since then, the same exact process has occurred over, and over, and over, and over again without fail. Has it not grown tiresome?
Just the past month there have been complaints about how Pentax is clearly falling behind because the releases expected in March, April, and May never came. "WHERE ARE YOU PENTAX?! WAKE UP!! JUST RELEASE A NEW CAMERA ALREADY!!" And now that they have, we can add another "and over" to the above cycle.
K-30, May 2012: Quote: The main reason though that I just don't like the K-30 though is the body. I find it very unattractive. It reminds me way too much of the boxy plastic cameras they made in the late 80's and 90's.
Quote: The design of this camera is just ugly.
Quote: It looks almost like something a kid would carry, a fake toy camera and I don't mean that in a cute way. They could make it in hot Barbie pink with high end Swarovsky bling and I'd still think it was butt ugly. They're trying to market that camera to us all but that camera just doesn't really appeal to the eye, I don't think. There's nothing wrong with the innards but the body could use a better design for sure.
Quote: I agree the K30 is hideous, especially compared to the near utilitarian perfection of the K5
Quote: I look at that camera actually and I just cannot believe that the same company that made the K-30 made it until I look at my P3 that is. That's the same thing to me. It's actually a very good camera, but the design just doesn't appeal to me at all.
K-50, June 2013: Quote: I hope this hoax......the body design si terrible.....no character
Quote: epoch of degradation
Quote: K-30 is more sexy with outstanding design. K-50 is.....no design.
Quote: The design of this camera is just ugly.
I personally don't find it attractive, and would agree with it being very "canon-esque," however we seem to have this incredible proclivity for being completely blind to the forest while we focus on just the trees.
The truth is, even if Pentax put "one too many zero's" on the order form for the 16mpx Sony Sensor, that it is a phenomenal sensor, especially for this demographic of potential consumers targeted - beginners, firsttimers, and casual hobbyists. Does it appeal to me? Absolutely not. But are we unable to appreciate that this is
- a new PENTAX, resulting in new Press Releases (DPR, Photorumors, etc), ensuing in free marketing
- a new PENTAX, resulting in new reviews (DPR, Photozone, Image Resource, The Phoblographer, etc), ensuing in free marketing
- a new PENTAX, resulting in an addition to the lineup that is 100% competitive in this bracket with class-leading features of weather sealing, dual control wheels, 100% OVF, Focus Peaking, Full HD Video, IBIS, etc
- a new PENTAX, resulting in the perception that Pentax covers all (APS-C) tiers to the beginner (K-50, K-30, K-5 II, K-5 IIs - that's pretty damn good from a "looking-in-from-outside perspective"), giving faith into the investment of Pentax, often discouraged as "Pentax is dying, and it's just a matter of time."
- a new PENTAX, resulting in new buyers even if it is just a refresh. How many consumers sprung for the T3i over the T5i despite being the same camera with a couple new tricks and three years newer and over twice the price? Negligible - Canon may be despised for their God-awful, repackaged entry level products, but they aren't dumb. They know how to sell cameras and do it better than anyone. Different market but related - why do chips and cereals change their entire package - "NEW LOOK, SAME GREAT TASTE!" - because "Fresh" and "New" is fundamental to a product's perceived value, even if it's the same exact thing
- a new PENTAX, resulting in more sales, that then provides resources for great lenses and that mythical FF that apparently will be received with the same fervor as the second coming. Canon's and Nikon's 1DX/5DIII/D4/D800's and 300 f/2.8 or 600 f/4's wouldn't exist if it weren't for their ###D/D####'s.
- If the DA L WR rumors prove true, then Pentax has just re-solidified its commitment to industry leading (not just in the quality of it, but both its ubiquitousness to the lens lineup and afffordability compared to the competition)
I could go on, but I would hope that isn't necessary. Regardless, the overwhelming theme is that it is
a new PENTAX. And we would all be fools to claim that it is a junk camera even if it didn't appeal to us. I can't think of a DSLR that Pentax made that was utter crap in the past 7 years whereas it's no secret that Canon/Nikon intentionally cripple their own entry levels. With the same exact specs, how many would have killed for this K-50, knowing what that sensor and the K-30 can do, 5 years ago as a premium APS-C DSLR for $2,000, and yet it is Pentax's entry level standard today? Pentax is known for quality, and I am entirely confident that this will push that envelope even further, albeit in the entry level segment. A dark, unnavigable place which I realize is where the majority of us forum dwellers have escaped from eons ago in nothing short of spectacular fashion.
Don't lose sight of the forest for the trees.
-Heie