[Into The Lens]

The only question now is whether the K5II/IIs will continue its run in the Pentax lineup or be replaced shortly. Or if there'll be yet another camera above the K5 variants. Whatever the answer, I say bring it on!

After the K-500, the K-50, the K-5, what's left? The K-0.5 ― Full Frame.

[VisualDarkness]

After the K-500, the K-50, the K-5, what's left? The K-0.5 ― Full Frame.

Oh, that's one bad name for a pro camera, "half-a-camera".

[maxfield_photo]

And the wait continues...

[Aristophanes]

That sounds very good, K-50 (sealed) and identical K-500 without sealing.

I suspected that was the path they'd take seeing as how they WR'd and DA-L's the kit lenses. Made sense to do so for the bodies as well. A very large market segment does not have the extra US$180 to spend and does not need WR.

I suspect the K-50 will also have the 18-135 variant kit.

I am a little surprised they did not have a smaller form factor for the K-500. There is some competition coming from Canon with their uber-small SL1. That's ground traditionally given to Pentax. I see the economizing of two versions of the same body, but it does cede market to Canon here.

[nah]

I was hopeful one of them would have been a FF camera. I'm seriously contemplating a Nikon D600 after all these years with Pentax.

[paulsubhajit]

Pentax has just officially announced three new cameras: the intro-level K-500 DSLR, the weather-sealed K-50 DSLR, and the ultra-compact Q7 mirrorless.

You can read all about these news cameras on our homepage:

• Pentax K-500 Preview & Specs ($599)
• Pentax K-50 Preview & Specs ($699)
• Pentax Q7 Preview & Specs ($479)

The Pentax K-50 will be replacing the K-30 as Pentax's weather-sealed upper entry-level offering. The K-50 features a new body design but the specifications are otherwise unchanged, except for the fact that the K-50 supports a maximum ISO of 51,200 (up from 25,600 on the K-30). The K-50's launch price is $100 below that of the K-30, and it will be available in 120 different colors.

The K-500 is identical to the Pentax K-50 except that it is not weather sealed, and it does not have an electronic level. It will not be available as a body-only.

The Pentax Q7 is the same as the Pentax Q10, except that it features a new 1/1.7" sensor, which is almost twice as large as that of its predecessor. The Pentax Q7 will be available in a body-only kit, at at a launch price of just $479, it is $120 cheaper than its predecessor. The Q7's crop factor is approximately 4.5x.

Pentax has also launched new new weather-sealed kit lenses: the DA L 18-55mm and 50-200mm WR. The K-50 will be bundled with these lenses rather than old DA L lenses without weather sealing. The K-500 will be bundled with the old non-sealed lenses.


We have added dedicated forums for the two new dslrs:

• Pentax K-50 - PentaxForums.com
• Pentax K-50 - PentaxForums.com

The Q7 may be discussed in our Pentax Q forum.


Purchase/pre-order links are found below.

K-500:

Pentax K-500 Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 Lens
Pentax K-500 Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 Lens

Pentax K-500 Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 and 50-200mm f/4-5.6 Lenses
Pentax K-500 Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 and 15517


K-50:

Pentax K-50 Digital SLR Camera with 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 Lens (Black)
Pentax K-50 Digital SLR Camera with 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 Lens

Pentax K-50 Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 Lens (Black)
Pentax K-50 Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 Lens 10894

Pentax K-50 Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 Lens (Black/Aqua)
Pentax K-50 Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 Lens 09826

Pentax K-50 Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 Lens (Blue/Brown)
Pentax K-50 Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 Lens 09886

Pentax K-50 Digital SLR Camera Body Only, Black
Pentax K-50 Digital SLR Camera Body Black - B&H Photo Video


Q7:

Pentax Q7 Compact Digital Interchangeable Lens Camera Body (Black)
Pentax Q7 Compact Digital Interchangeable Lens Camera Body 10405

Pentax Q7 Compact Digital Interchangeable Lens Camera with 5-15mm and 15-45mm Lenses (Black)
Pentax Q7 Compact Digital Interchangeable Lens Camera 10737 B&H

Great news

[VisualDarkness]

From Dpreview:

In the words of one Pentax executive that we spoke to at the launch, 'we finally have a DSLR lineup!'. And that's great news.

That is very true, they have covered the segment. The only thing now is that their top APS-C needs an upgrade and maybe minimize the gap between their enthusiast and their pro segment, be it by releasing a new medium format and keep their old model at a lower price or go full frame in the near future. It's at least much easier to run a lineup than start one!

[VisualDarkness]

Wow, this looked very neat, both stylish and sophisticated at the same time to my eyes.

[excanonfd]

Well, so much for for the expectations of Pentax-Ricoh, everything so far has been all Hoya - maybe Hoya wasn't such a demon, after all?

[scratchpaddy]

Full Frame.

Wow, we made it to page 3 before it was mentioned! That's gotta be a record for this section.

[jatrax]

After the K-500, the K-50, the K-5, what's left? The K-0.5 ― Full Frame.

I was going to post that, but I just couldn't do it.

[Allison]

I am happy. I got a k5IIs at a great deal and it's replacement is still yet to come. With continuing the 5 naming scheme, it kind of makes me think that they are going to release a FF at some point and that it would have its own number.

As to the cameras, while I will not own any of these (I am not the target market for these cameras) I think they are well positioned to bring new owners to the Pentax brand.

[Into The Lens]

Wow, we made it to page 3 before it was mentioned! That's gotta be a record for this section.

Do I win something? What do I win? Please tell me!!

[VisualDarkness]

Well, so much for for the expectations of Pentax-Ricoh, everything so far has been all Hoya - maybe Hoya wasn't such a demon, after all?

They actually have a logical line up now at least.

Pro: 645D (Upgrade needed. Left to be a lower cost pro?)
Standard Pro model: ? (Sports wildlife etc or a really affordable MF?)
Enthusiast: K-5II/K-5IIs (upgrade needed)
Amateur: K-50
Beginner: K-500
Mirrorless: Q7/Q10

Looks pretty logical to me and one thing I like is how none of the models are crippled in weird ways to promote the upper segment. The different segments are divided by actual values and not artificial ones.

Now they only need to upgrade the enthusiast to make it pop a bit more, decide on how to work out how to sort out and upgrade their top models.

[Racerdew]

I don't see what the point is to launching these new remake cameras? Pentax has already done this with the current cameras. I guess this is for Brand new Pentax customers and NOT to reach current Pentax owners.
You can go get a k-5 for the same money and have more of a camera. Oh well, it's their money. On the bright side, you can get a bright color! They might make a nice gift for someone who doesn't have a Pentax.