Originally posted by stevebrot For reference, last year Nikon launched the D500 to replace the D300 (2009) as flagship for that brand, taking seven years to do so. Over in Canon country, the Canon 7DII (2014) replaced the 2009 7D after five years. Yes, the Canon flagship is longer in the tooth than the K-3II. I suppose anxiety is building over on the various Canon forums regarding a model to match the D500. Some have likely noted that the 7DII is out of stock at B&H (it is) and that it lacks several features of the more recent 80D (2016) and lags in value as a result. Here on the Pentax forums, some will note what the Canon people are seeing and feel that it is expedient that Pentax have something to compete with both the D500 and the new Canon (8D?) or risk utter destruction.
Steve
Interesting comment. My guess is that engineers at Ricoh/Pentax are probably diligently working on getting a competitive AF system going. If the next flagship can have similar AF performance of the Canon 7D Mark II, I'd be be thrilled. If it can track as good as the D500, I'll explode! Hahaha!
I would actually be happy with something that can at least meet or exceed the tracking capabilities of the D7200/D7500 for now plus be able to focus in even darker conditions than the current -3EV limitation. That would be good enough for me, but I'd welcome a 7DII & D500 competitor too.
Who knows what they are crafting up for now. It could be that the K-70 would be a "beginner" camera, the KP will be positioned along the Canon 80D & Nikon D7500, the K-1 will be the ultimate IQ DSLR camera, & the upcoming APS-C flagship will be a speed demon.
Rondec's idea is more along what I think Pentax will do, though.