Pentax KP - Specifications

RonHendriks1966 · 01-26-2017, 01:02 PM

Originally posted by normhead

Does Pentax actually have the capability to produce a D500 level camera?

I suspect not, personally.

I don't think so.

normhead · 01-26-2017, 01:06 PM

Originally posted by RonHendriks1966

I don't think so.

The D500 is the result of at least 10 years of high performance camera development. I bet Pentax could cut that to 5 if they tried. "D

Kunzite · 01-26-2017, 01:07 PM

Perhaps they could make a D500-level camera, but being able to produce such a camera is only part of the problem. The other is to avoid losing lots of money in the process

(as well as continuing with the profitable products instead of putting all efforts into one project)
IIRC, the 7D (not Canon's) was the last straw that made Konica-Minolta to sell to Sony. An excellent camera, yet they were overreaching and lost money in the end. Samsung's NX-1 might be another such example.

**geomez** · 01-26-2017, 01:07 PM

Originally posted by audiobomber

9. KP casing is a combination of magnesium and poly.

As is the K-7, K-5, K-5 II (back plate poly), and K-1 (top plate poly)!

**caliscouser** · 01-26-2017, 01:09 PM

Originally posted by Kunzite

What I'm saying is that, perhaps, their APS-C flagship is no longer a $1100-$1200 MSRP camera - and the compromises it brings. This is indeed a mid-range camera, maybe for the APS-C flagship they're targeting higher?

Exactly, someone gets it.
A lot of people seem to be struggling with this concept.

reh321 · 01-26-2017, 01:13 PM

Originally posted by Kunzite

What I'm saying is that, perhaps, their APS-C flagship is no longer a $1100-$1200 MSRP camera - and the compromises it brings. This is indeed a mid-range camera, maybe for the APS-C flagship they're targeting higher.....

Especially if they have the word "Premium" in the back of their minds!!

RonHendriks1966 · 01-26-2017, 01:13 PM

Originally posted by normhead

The D500 is the result of at least 10 years of high performance camera development. I bet Pentax could cut that to 5 if they tried. "D

And if they did....There are not many Pentax users waiting for it. Not now, and certainly not 5 years from now. You need lenses to go with it, you need a photography market where photographers can earn a living and that is getting small.

**Rondec** · 01-26-2017, 01:17 PM - **2 Likes**

I think the two factors here that most folks aren't considering are the yen to dollar/Euro exchange right now and the decreased number of camera sales as a whole. Pentax continues to have four to five percent of the market, but it is a shrinking market and that probably means that yesterdays 800 dollar camera is now 1000 dollars.

It sucks, but it probably is the new reality. (Sad when for awhile it seemed like new cameras came out with higher specs and priced the same or even slightly cheaper then previous generation cameras).

reh321 · 01-26-2017, 01:28 PM

Originally posted by RonHendriks1966

And if they did....There are not many Pentax users waiting for it. Not now, and certainly not 5 years from now. You need lenses to go with it, you need a photography market where photographers can earn a living and that is getting small.

The whole package, perhaps. Individual pieces, perhaps not.

For example, what will "lenses to go with it" mean in a world of increasingly higher usable ISO settings?? As I've commented many many times already here, pictures taken for MSNBC-online at the March 2016 college basketball finals here in the US were shot at ISO 8000, which allowed the photographer to use f/6.3. If an amateur can get "good" JPEG images from a consumer-grade camera at that kind of ISO setting, then the whole concept of a "sports lens" changes, and a whole new market opens for DSLR cameras and lenses. I saw the K-70 {and KAF4} as a first tentative step by Pentax in that direction, and I see the KP as another possible step in that direction.

This kind of camera would not be just for "photographers can earn a living", but would expand the market to include all kinds of parents and grandparents who would see other uses for the camera.

**Erictator** · 01-26-2017, 01:32 PM

Originally posted by Rondec

I think the two factors here that most folks aren't considering are the yen to dollar/Euro exchange right now and the decreased number of camera sales as a whole. Pentax continues to have four to five percent of the market, but it is a shrinking market and that probably means that yesterdays 800 dollar camera is now 1000 dollars.

It sucks, but it probably is the new reality. (Sad when for awhile it seemed like new cameras came out with higher specs and priced the same or even slightly cheaper then previous generation cameras).

I don't know how many of you follow the N*kon forums, but I cast a casual eye in there from time to time being a former N* user myself. (well, back in the film days, N8008, F3 HP, F4)

For YEARS and YEARS they moaned and groaned about no replacement for the D300, wanting a true pro level APSC replacement for it. The D7xxxx series, as good as they are, were deemed unworthy by many and people constantly harped on it every new photokina and CES etc. about no D300 replacement.

It took a long time to see the D500 come to fruition, and they skipped the whole idea of a D400 just to make it clear how new and different the D500 was I guess.

So there is a precedent, even for the big boys, to take quite some time to come up with something better than their current top dog.

Eric

**monochrome** · 01-26-2017, 01:44 PM

Originally posted by Rondec

I think the two factors here that most folks aren't considering are the yen to dollar/Euro exchange right now and the decreased number of camera sales as a whole. Pentax continues to have four to five percent of the market, but it is a shrinking market and that probably means that yesterdays 800 dollar camera is now 1000 dollars.

It sucks, but it probably is the new reality. (Sad when for awhile it seemed like new cameras came out with higher specs and priced the same or even slightly cheaper then previous generation cameras).

Dollar and to a lesser extent Euro have recovered 90% of their losses from 2016 (accordingly, the US launch street price is $100 less than 'List'), and Dollar will continue to rise versus both. Currency is a factor, but the real business decision / pricing input is projected Unit volume. Units are down 50%. They'll likely stay there. Price has to go up accordingly.

surfar · 01-26-2017, 01:56 PM

Originally posted by monochrome

Currency is a factor,

The Dow broke 20k for first time.

**RGlasel** · 01-26-2017, 02:09 PM

Originally posted by monochrome

Unit volume down 50% = prices up 50%

You must have been in a rush. Volume down 50% means per unit profit margin must increase 100%. Assuming a 10% operating margin in the past means that prices have to increase 10% (every $100 of income came from $90 cost of goods in the past must now be $110 of income coming from same $90 of cost of goods).

Yeah, fixed costs have to be spread over a smaller volume, but that's what closing marketing offices is for.

**RobA_Oz** · 01-26-2017, 02:11 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by surfar

The Dow broke 20k for first time.

The road to Hell is paved with good indexes...

(Yes, I know: indices, but it doesn't scan as well.)

surfar · 01-26-2017, 02:27 PM

Originally posted by RobA_Oz

The road to Hell is

Down there, you guys are very close...the apples wont save yas!

01-26-2017, 01:28 PM	#339
reh321 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: South Bend, IN, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,180	Originally posted by RonHendriks1966 And if they did....There are not many Pentax users waiting for it. Not now, and certainly not 5 years from now. You need lenses to go with it, you need a photography market where photographers can earn a living and that is getting small. The whole package, perhaps. Individual pieces, perhaps not. For example, what will "lenses to go with it" mean in a world of increasingly higher usable ISO settings?? As I've commented many many times already here, pictures taken for MSNBC-online at the March 2016 college basketball finals here in the US were shot at ISO 8000, which allowed the photographer to use f/6.3. If an amateur can get "good" JPEG images from a consumer-grade camera at that kind of ISO setting, then the whole concept of a "sports lens" changes, and a whole new market opens for DSLR cameras and lenses. I saw the K-70 {and KAF4} as a first tentative step by Pentax in that direction, and I see the KP as another possible step in that direction. This kind of camera would not be just for "photographers can earn a living", but would expand the market to include all kinds of parents and grandparents who would see other uses for the camera. Last edited by reh321; 01-26-2017 at 01:31 PM. Reason: added 3rd paragraph

01-26-2017, 01:56 PM	#342
surfar Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: mid nth coast,nsw Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,141	Originally posted by monochrome Currency is a factor, The Dow broke 20k for first time. Last edited by MarkJerling; 01-26-2017 at 08:07 PM. Reason: Political.

01-26-2017, 02:09 PM	#343
RGlasel Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Saskatoon Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,228	Originally posted by monochrome Unit volume down 50% = prices up 50% You must have been in a rush. Volume down 50% means per unit profit margin must increase 100%. Assuming a 10% operating margin in the past means that prices have to increase 10% (every $100 of income came from $90 cost of goods in the past must now be $110 of income coming from same $90 of cost of goods). Yeah, fixed costs have to be spread over a smaller volume, but that's what closing marketing offices is for. Last edited by RGlasel; 01-26-2017 at 02:15 PM.

01-26-2017, 02:11 PM - 1 Like	#344
RobA_Oz Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Tasmania, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,197	Originally posted by surfar The Dow broke 20k for first time. The road to Hell is paved with good indexes... (Yes, I know: indices, but it doesn't scan as well.) Last edited by MarkJerling; 01-26-2017 at 08:08 PM.

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01-26-2017, 01:02 PM	#331
RonHendriks1966 Banned Join Date: Jan 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,675	Originally posted by normhead Does Pentax actually have the capability to produce a D500 level camera? I suspect not, personally. I don't think so.

01-26-2017, 01:06 PM	#332
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	Originally posted by RonHendriks1966 I don't think so. The D500 is the result of at least 10 years of high performance camera development. I bet Pentax could cut that to 5 if they tried. "D

01-26-2017, 01:07 PM	#333
Kunzite Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Romania Posts: 15,132	Perhaps they could make a D500-level camera, but being able to produce such a camera is only part of the problem. The other is to avoid losing lots of money in the process (as well as continuing with the profitable products instead of putting all efforts into one project) IIRC, the 7D (not Canon's) was the last straw that made Konica-Minolta to sell to Sony. An excellent camera, yet they were overreaching and lost money in the end. Samsung's NX-1 might be another such example.

01-26-2017, 01:07 PM	#334
geomez Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Roanoke, Virginia, USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,760	Originally posted by audiobomber 9. KP casing is a combination of magnesium and poly. As is the K-7, K-5, K-5 II (back plate poly), and K-1 (top plate poly)!

01-26-2017, 01:09 PM	#335
caliscouser Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: SF Bay Area, CA Photos: Albums Posts: 1,037	Originally posted by Kunzite What I'm saying is that, perhaps, their APS-C flagship is no longer a $1100-$1200 MSRP camera - and the compromises it brings. This is indeed a mid-range camera, maybe for the APS-C flagship they're targeting higher? Exactly, someone gets it. A lot of people seem to be struggling with this concept.

01-26-2017, 01:13 PM	#336
reh321 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: South Bend, IN, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,180	Originally posted by Kunzite What I'm saying is that, perhaps, their APS-C flagship is no longer a $1100-$1200 MSRP camera - and the compromises it brings. This is indeed a mid-range camera, maybe for the APS-C flagship they're targeting higher..... Especially if they have the word "Premium" in the back of their minds!!

01-26-2017, 01:13 PM	#337
RonHendriks1966 Banned Join Date: Jan 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,675	Originally posted by normhead The D500 is the result of at least 10 years of high performance camera development. I bet Pentax could cut that to 5 if they tried. "D And if they did....There are not many Pentax users waiting for it. Not now, and certainly not 5 years from now. You need lenses to go with it, you need a photography market where photographers can earn a living and that is getting small.

01-26-2017, 01:17 PM - 2 Likes	#338
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,653	I think the two factors here that most folks aren't considering are the yen to dollar/Euro exchange right now and the decreased number of camera sales as a whole. Pentax continues to have four to five percent of the market, but it is a shrinking market and that probably means that yesterdays 800 dollar camera is now 1000 dollars. It sucks, but it probably is the new reality. (Sad when for awhile it seemed like new cameras came out with higher specs and priced the same or even slightly cheaper then previous generation cameras).

01-26-2017, 01:32 PM	#340
Erictator Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2011 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,345	Originally posted by Rondec I think the two factors here that most folks aren't considering are the yen to dollar/Euro exchange right now and the decreased number of camera sales as a whole. Pentax continues to have four to five percent of the market, but it is a shrinking market and that probably means that yesterdays 800 dollar camera is now 1000 dollars. It sucks, but it probably is the new reality. (Sad when for awhile it seemed like new cameras came out with higher specs and priced the same or even slightly cheaper then previous generation cameras). I don't know how many of you follow the Nkon forums, but I cast a casual eye in there from time to time being a former N user myself. (well, back in the film days, N8008, F3 HP, F4) For YEARS and YEARS they moaned and groaned about no replacement for the D300, wanting a true pro level APSC replacement for it. The D7xxxx series, as good as they are, were deemed unworthy by many and people constantly harped on it every new photokina and CES etc. about no D300 replacement. It took a long time to see the D500 come to fruition, and they skipped the whole idea of a D400 just to make it clear how new and different the D500 was I guess. So there is a precedent, even for the big boys, to take quite some time to come up with something better than their current top dog. Eric

01-26-2017, 01:44 PM	#341
monochrome Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Working From Home Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 26,276	Originally posted by Rondec I think the two factors here that most folks aren't considering are the yen to dollar/Euro exchange right now and the decreased number of camera sales as a whole. Pentax continues to have four to five percent of the market, but it is a shrinking market and that probably means that yesterdays 800 dollar camera is now 1000 dollars. It sucks, but it probably is the new reality. (Sad when for awhile it seemed like new cameras came out with higher specs and priced the same or even slightly cheaper then previous generation cameras). Dollar and to a lesser extent Euro have recovered 90% of their losses from 2016 (accordingly, the US launch street price is $100 less than 'List'), and Dollar will continue to rise versus both. Currency is a factor, but the real business decision / pricing input is projected Unit volume. Units are down 50%. They'll likely stay there. Price has to go up accordingly.

01-26-2017, 02:27 PM	#345
surfar Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: mid nth coast,nsw Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,141	Originally posted by RobA_Oz The road to Hell is Down there, you guys are very close...the apples wont save yas!