[anomaly]

I am a bit brand loyal, would probably still go with a Pentax camera if it were priced above.

I am also a bit neurotic. Would drive me crazy to have one samsung and one pentax camera using the same lenses!

I would have to sell one.

[clevo]

HN don't stock them here either, but we have a different importer, Ian Little or something, so they must be as bad as each other or we are under orders from the Aussie HQ.

Ian R Little Arpe, based in Christchurch. My experience so far has been good with them as far as rapid delivery of items held in stock. At least we have the k20 readily available here, I was in Sydney last week and both JB hi fi, oposite QVB and Georges by King Street had K10Ds on the shelves but no K20ds. In fact Georges had the DFA 100mm macro f2.8 on special for AU$919 which is quite a bit more in Australian dollars than what I paid for mine in NZ dollars. I have no experience with Littles for service or getting something out of the ordinary and so can't comment on that. I note the Crusaders are still going well - real sad that Robbies going to Australia, they will take the next world cup.

Cheers
Brian

[SupremeMoFo]

I'm not sure I understand the tactic, but it would appear the Australian Pentax importer is in for a bit of a shock.

Probably not, their website lists 37 brands other than Pentax which they import. Probably won't register a dent.

[Peter Zack]

Looking at the total market figures for 2007 (P&S + dSLR), I believe you. Samsung went from a distant 7th place iin 2005 to 4th overall and only slightly behind 3rd-place Kodak.

With the new CMOS, Watch them go after a lot more of Sony's market share to the DSLR makers as well.

[Mallee Boy]

Probably not, their website lists 37 brands other than Pentax which they import. Probably won't register a dent.

Which is probably the underlying point. They really don't need to promote or market Pentax in any aggressive manner...if it doesn't sell undre their terms, oh well, plenty of other marques to make money from.

Which is why the Samsung entry could be very good for consumers.

[Dark_Mist]

That is just as much the fault of the retailer. Yes, the retailer I deal with is only offering the same packages so the blame for that would seem to rest with CRK. BUT my retailer offers me a reasonable discount on bodies and lenses because he looks after his customers. I get the discount because I buy everything from him though. It's swings and roundabouts, I don't buy my camera bags from a furniture emporium like HN and I don't buy my memory cards from radio rentals either.

[Mallee Boy]

An update for you all.
Samsung will now release the camera after some upcoming tradeshow. Information is now a little less certain or clear cut.

Sorry Samsung, can't wait for you, have bought the Pentax instead.

Cheers.