Originally posted by bossa If Ricoh are limiting themselves to compacts and Pentax to DSLRs and ILC's then how are Pentax supposed to develop their market?
I think it's more complex than that.
In reality, Ricoh Imaging is much bigger idea than optics or system cameras part that Pentax brought in. It may cover everything, from consumer electronics and optics to scientific, industrial and medical applications, factory autonomation, production supervision, inspection, security, all levels of image capture and printing technologies, TCO imaging and document solutions, etc.
When we see a shiny box coming out of Ricoh Imaging in consumer market, it is just a tip of the iceberg of their overall work and strategic commitment.
Both 'Pentax' and 'Ricoh' brands, in the past and now, worked for government, on military projects too (one deal they got recently). Say, a by-product of such work for government once was the SMC coating, now famed and used one consumer lenses.
As a Ricoh Imaging, things are just simpler and allow for easier integration of many vital parts of the company.