[rawr]

there is no reason to change model yet. Other maker doens't change their flagship every year neither.

Very true.

Just look at the Canon 7D, the 'flagship' Canon APS-C - introduced in 2009, not officially discontinued yet. Along the way Canon introduced a plethora of other APS-C's, but kept the 7D in production.

Nikon have also been rather slow. Their current 'professional grade' APS-C flagship - the D300s - was also released in 2009, and still hasn't been replaced.

[RonHendriks1966]

Very true.

Just look at the Canon 7D, the 'flagship' Canon APS-C - introduced in 2009, not officially discontinued yet. Along the way Canon introduced a plethora of other APS-C's, but kept the 7D in production.

Nikon have also been rather slow. Their current 'professional grade' APS-C flagship - the D300s - was also released in 2009, and still hasn't been replaced.

Actually that the both of those haven't been replaced is absurd. Canon did a long time with the sensor and Nikon has simply better camera's (sensorwise).

[mee]

They haven't had to change the body because no one has challenged their position there.. and if the camera is still selling, why spend money on r&d and manufacturing when what is already paid for is selling well? Less advancement means they have less cost and more room to grow in the future..

[ElJamoquio]

Very true.

Just look at the Canon 7D, the 'flagship' Canon APS-C - introduced in 2009, not officially discontinued yet. Along the way Canon introduced a plethora of other APS-C's, but kept the 7D in production.

Nikon have also been rather slow. Their current 'professional grade' APS-C flagship - the D300s - was also released in 2009, and still hasn't been replaced.

I'd rather have a D7100 than a D300s.

I think a lot of people would be satisfied if Nikon had just chosen 'D310s' as the name, instead of D7100. The only thing that's 'missing' on the D7100 is buffer in my thought-process.

[Uluru]

This makes a lot of sense. Unfortunately, there is a vocal minority always hungry for the latest developments, whether or not it actually helps their photography (and I'm not particularly talking about this forum). I would guess the majority of photographers are content with their current gear, and upgrade only when it makes sense to them to do so.

That is very true. Pentax users are more realistic photographers that most users are. They are not typical gear heads. Or, Pentax users aspire more, they at least subconsciously understand that they need to do work on themselves to improve their skills. And for that matter having best and latest is not the ticket.
On the other hand, Pentax's only fault is that it has a very rich history and lots of legacy that, somewhat, was not so well emphasised in the age of digital photography. For that reason some users moan about "lack of this or that" and would love Pentax to come with more choices. Not so for the sake of themselves, but for the sake of their own pride in an iconic brand, so they can tell everyone "See, we have that too, we are not behind". And that is the whole underlying issue behind the FF saga.

[rawr]

The only thing that's 'missing' on the D7100 is buffer in my thought-process.

Nah. While D7100 is of course a decent camera, the D300/ D300s are built like tanks.

Furthermore, the D300s qualifies you for Nikon Professional Services [in Australia], the D7100 does not.

"...own 2 or more professional camera bodies listed below plus 3 or more professional Nikkor lenses,
Digital SLR Cameras: D4 series, D3 Series, D800e, D800, D700, D610, D600, Df, D300s;

[Alizarine]

the Df counts for Nikon Pro Services? Thought it was.actually targeted more to hyper-enthusiasts than pro's.

But anyway, the Prestige edition seems released rather early. Usually these limited ed ones come up around close to a year after the original's release. The K-3 has 4 months to go before it hits 1

[VisualDarkness]

the Df counts for Nikon Pro Services? Thought it was.actually targeted more to hyper-enthusiasts than pro's.

But anyway, the Prestige edition seems released rather early. Usually these limited ed ones come up around close to a year after the original's release. The K-3 has 4 months to go before it hits 1

I think pro street togs are targeted too.

[rawr]

the Df counts for Nikon Pro Services?

I'm more surprised that the D600/610 qualifies as pro

I remember someone saying the K-3 resembles the pro-grade APS-C that the Nikon D400 should have been, had it ever been released. Probably quite an accurate statement.

[ElJamoquio]

the Df counts for Nikon Pro Services? Thought it was.actually targeted more to hyper-enthusiasts than pro's.

But anyway, the Prestige edition seems released rather early. Usually these limited ed ones come up around close to a year after the original's release. The K-3 has 4 months to go before it hits 1

Put another way, limited edition cameras usually come around when a new flagship is coming... hint hint...

[dfujevec]

I'm more surprised that the D600/610 qualifies as pro

I remember someone saying the K-3 resembles the pro-grade APS-C that the Nikon D400 should have been, had it ever been released. Probably quite an accurate statement.

Pentax K3 is pro-grade camera, but Pentax system is far away from pro grade system.

[Nicolas06]

For me honestly the latest and greatest Nikon APSC was D7100... The D300s sound great but only for AF, for the rest it is more competing with a K5 - K5-II than a K3.

[Zygonyx]

12 Mega pixel sensor makes D300s actually competing (and loosing in high ISOs) with K-x, as far as IQ is concerned.

Pentax K3 is pro-grade camera, but Pentax system is far away from pro grade system.

May i contest or at least challenge : what are your criteria for "pro grade" ?
+ does it concern a single camera, a complete system, or a customer service for example ?
Or both the two last items ?

[goubejp]

Pentax K3 is pro-grade camera, but Pentax system is far away from pro grade system.

I agree; unfortunately pro grade lenses have all been discontinued - I mean, Fa*600, FA*300f2.8, A*400f2.8, FA*200 macro... all are available on second hand market only.

[Zygonyx]

WR and DC engined DA 560mm is not pro grade ?
Obviously there is a "language problem"