Originally posted by normhead
A K-3 produces terrific images… I'm not sure how that is in any way relevant… no one is saying you can't take a good picture with an FF, there are advantages, well documented, but to say there are advantages, without pointing out there are also disadvantages, is just propaganda. This whole "anything you can do on APS-c you can do on FF" is pointless propaganda. Both systems have strengths and weaknesses. But with equal Mp, they are pretty close to the same images produced on both with some differences that probably don't matter, 95% of the time, for daylight shooters.
I am getting the sense, with your constant "propaganda" accusations, that you are assuming that I am some FF fanatic trying to sell people FF cameras. I am not interested in "converting" anyone to the "FF cause". I am simply trying to provide objective information to a discussion about the properties of formats, and clear up the misrepresentations being thrown around as fact. Spin it as "propaganda" all you want.
I am not opposed to smaller formats than even APS-C, being a multi-system user, currently with both a Pentax APS-C and Micro Four Thirds system. I am well aware of the relative mertis of every system. I bought Pentax APS-C for their rugged, smaller, feature packed cameras compared to other manufacturers' price-class equivalents. Later, I decided I wanted a system with smaller, high quality zooms for everyday carrying around, and dead on focusing accuracy for situations where I don't have the time and/or inclination to double check the focusing accuracy of PDAF, which led me to the Micro 4/3 system.
I don't try to sell people cameras that they don't need, formats or brands. I try to give objective information for questions so as to give people the clearest picture. When my friends and family ask me why my photos look better than their cell phone shots, I don't tell them it's "because my sensor is bigger", which is a gross oversimplification/misrepresentation of the advantages of large sensor system cameras, nor do I bombard them with specs about specific cameras, which is not meaningful information to them or their fundamental question. I tell them that system cameras have the capability (indirectly tied to sensor size) and direct control to get the photos I want. If they want my old cameras, or want to buy a camera like mine, I usually end up suggesting they get an advanced compact like the RX100 which gives them manual control if they care to really learn photography, while still having plenty of automatic functions and pocketable size for when they inevitably don't (even if I give them a photography book or offer to teach them). Pushing any format for whatever reason doesn't help them if they don't really understand the capabilities, or how to take advantage of them. I'm assuming people on this forum are more informed on the principles of photography, and so information on the inherent properties of different formats is more relevant to them, particularly with the prevalence of these FF rumors which inevitably degenerate into theoretical FF vs APS-C arguments.
Now, if you want my "real world", subjective opinion on FF, I will say I believe Ricoh should come out with one, not because I believe it is the ultimate format, or that everyone should buy one, but that it will give people actively dissuading people from Pentax less excuses to use. I have seen discussions on Amazon about people buying their first DSLR and considering Pentax, with others directly telling them that it's a "dead end" system because there is no "FF upgrade path". Even if most people probably will not buy one even if it did come out, the halo effect will boost the standing of the entire brand.
If Ricoh does come out with a FF that follows the Pentax philosophy of small, rugged and feature packed, I will probably get it because low light performance and fast wide angles appeal to me for my own shooting interests. Even if I do get it, it would not replace APS-C and M4/3 as my everyday cameras, with the zoom lenses being too big and heavy to carry around all day. If they don't release one, then I don't see myself picking up a FF anytime soon. I have held a D800, 5D Mark III and A99 in my hands, and I did not like them because they are huge. The Sony A7s don't appeal to me either, as I would like to AF with my FA lenses, and the current Sony FE lenses are relatively slow, meaning they don't allow you to take advantage of many of the inherent capabilities of FF.
(Sorry to all for the triple post

)