[Cynog Ap Brychan]

The K-50 is a better looking camera than the K-30, and to my eye, doesn't look like a Canon at all. There, I've said it! You can't really draw any conclusions without seeing the cameras in the flesh. I thought that the K-30 was an oddball design and, while it certainly has its supporters on this forum, I think it was the black sheep in the Pentax design stakes. To my eye, there's plenty of Pentax DNA in the K-50/500. These new cameras are not for me, but I hope they sell in bucket loads to keep the Pentax brand (which I have loved for a very long time) healthy.

[Alizarine]

It seems the Q7 is also a polycarbonate body instead of the OQ's mag-alloy....

[Poit]

Sets up the table pretty well for some big additional announcements in the fall, whatever they may be.

I agree, and they've now re-repositioned and re-released just about every segment of their line-up, except the top-end.

[delegopa]

Well, it's only some months ago that I got me the K30. Hearing those news I thought: "Don't let me regret my purchase!". Seeing the minor differences to the K50, I can remain happy with the K30.
Especially the styling is still far superior to this boring standard DSLR look. But I hope they will return to more uncommon design when I need a new body in some years...

I like the move of getting a larger sensor in the Q7. My good old Samsung EX1 showed me the possibilities of this sensor size.

[Cynog Ap Brychan]

Especially the styling is still far superior to this boring standard DSLR look

Not everyone will agree with you. I don't for a start. That said, I don't buy cameras on looks, unless all other features are the same.

[jockey0]

well reading the review below it looks like pentax are still keeping the k30 = why its the same as the k50.

http://www.whatdigitalcamera.com/news/538860/pentax-k-50-and-k-500-unveiled-first-look.html

[gazonk]

This scenario is a little like the halcyon film days, when Pentax had the KM, KX, K2, K2DMD and the LX.

Don't want to get OT here, but was the K2DMD actually sold all the time until the LX was introduced? It appeared to disappear quite quickly from the spotlight when the MX (and later, the ME Super) arrived.

Far from being the poor strategy that a few Eeyores here seem to think, I suspect the famous Ricoh plan is being unfolded for us, in a logical sequence. Time will tell. Anyway, for us gear heads (well, some of us) there's the Q7 to contemplate, now. If only it had an EVF....

Yes, I think this look very well planned. It's been obvious that they needed the K500, and it's a stunningly capable camera for the entry level segment. It's just amazing that it has a 100% pentaprism viewfinder, but also logical: These days, it's really only the OVF that distinguishes DSLRs from mirrorless cameras. I think the K500 will also help sell the K50 ("Look, for just a few $$ more, you can get this version which is weather sealed and comes in a gazillion colors!").

Well done, Pentax!

[senn]

I don't want to sound pessimistic, but all this announcement looks like a complete joke.. Bad joke.

Who on earth would pay 600$ for K-500 when you can have K-30 (a better camera) for 500$? Absurd!

Maybe I don't understand something.

you're comparing street price of one with official launch prices of others .. get patient .. wait and see .. and then judge

[Asahiflex]

The K-50 and K-500 will prove what the customers of Pentax want in that market segment: weathersealing or a cheaper camera without WR.

[Aristophanes]

Entry level with a pentaprism. Awesome.

[RonHendriks1966]

Entry level with a pentaprism. Awesome.

Probably cheaper to just have one productionline where this body is made, with the difference in sealing. I think a great move. Downgrading the K-500 is simply not in IQ but in a few things that make it cheaper (no sealing and no Li-ION battery and charger and a cheaper kitlens).

[ilfiniol]

I found this on ephotozine website : Pentax K-500 DSLR Hands-On Preview

The camera has the same focus system as the K-30, however the K-500 doesn't feature super-imposed focus confirmation in the viewfinder, insted this feature is found in the Pentax K-50.

[altopiet]

Pentax K-50 and K-500 unveiled: First Look | What Digital Camera
"A further difference between the K-50 and K-500 is that the former will feature focus point indicators in the viewfinder and also a digital level, while the latter will offer neither"


K-500 no focus point indicators=back to K-x?

EDIT: I must say, although I still use my K-x a lot, the focus point indicators in my K-30 is very nice...

[Tonto]

I think everyone is forgetting that for $500 you can get a 100% FoV optical viewfinder. That's a pretty big fricken deal actually.

Hell yes! and Pentaprism, one of the reasons I grabbed my K7 originally over the competition at the time. Not to mention TWIN E-DIALS

[ogl]

K-500 doesn't feature super-imposed focus confirmation in the viewfinder