Originally posted by Parallax You're right, but this isn't a beginner camera and won't be marketed as such. If anything, to me, leaving the flash out further elevates it from beginner cameras. Marketing approach something like:
I don't know anything about photography and don't want to: P&S or cell phone
I want to take better pictures but don't want to have to put much effort into it: Bridge camera
I want to learn a bit about actual photography: Entry level interchangeable lens DSLR K30, K50, etc
I know what I'm doing and I don't need gimmicks*, I need useful features: K-3ii, FF, MF.
* (yes, though admittedly I use mine occasionally, I class the internal flash a gimmick)
Fair enough. I see it that way too. Though a gimmick that can be useful at times. Usually when I set it to the green mode and hand the camera to someone else so we get a group shot.
Thing is the K-3 is compact enough to be the only camera for a professional photographer (maybe with a backup K-5 for example). Use it for work, but also for leisure, those occasions where you want to travel light, without additional lighting gear, say you go to a pub with friends and then may want to take a group shot. No one in their right mind would bring a 5D or 1D for that purpose, but a K-3? I have my K-5 with me pretty much wherever I go, sometimes even when I go shopping groceries.
Sadly it feels like the video functionality of their single digit cameras is meant for beginners... not too many options (IIRC no different quality levels?), keep it as simple as possible, when it should be the "I know what I'm doing" category.
To be honest I wouldn't be surprised if the K-3 II successor has a flash again, as they have found a way to fit the GPS module, WiFi and NFC into a body that was designed for those features in the first place. Or if they finally drop the flash, do it for an OVF/EVF hybrid viewfinder.