Originally posted by Nicolas06 There indeed market segmentation between models on brands. Some are small/light (and not less expensive), some are with lot of pixels other are optimized for ultimate action/sport with more FPS, better AF, better high iso... Some are oriented toward video...
Ricoh clearly target outdoor/kikers ... But it include both people going with a tripod or on the opposite people that want to pack light. The K3-II is obviously more oriented for the one with the tripod (astrotracer, pixel shift) rather than the ones packing light.
Wrong. With K3-II you do not need to carry the external GPS unit which saves on weight. I haven't used a traditional tripod in a while, instead I use a Gorillapod, one of their sturdier models. Like this one, doesn't weigh more than a fraction of a traditional tripod:
JOBY GorillaPod SLR-Zoom - Portable, flexible tripod for telephoto lens cameras So, you see, it really is a pack light camera and can still utilize the pixel shift feature without any problems. The Gorillapod actually adds a great deal of flexibility as you can firmly attach it to a tree branch, wrap around a suitable rock outcrop, wedge it in crevices etc...
The following is not directed specifically at you, Nicolas, it is a general rant.
I can't believe how people can't think out of the traditional box with anything: "If it's a tripod-only feature, it must use one of those traditional behemoth tripods". "The pop-up flash MUST be there, otherwise it's not a real camera. I do not care that Pentax has actually enabled the simultaneous use of a flash and a GPS unit"
And then we have some here craving for more creativity from Pentax/Ricoh. I think some of us need to find a little creativity in ourselves first. Embracing the thought "think outside the box" is a nice place to start.