Originally posted by mee The answer is all of those things. Because all of those things are drivers in selling cameras today. Ricoh just has to pick, show obviously that they have picked, and stick to that plan. It seems in the past few years they've deviated all over the place trying to find a niche with which they are happy.
Either way advertising is a crucial aspect to any brand.. if the buying public doesn't know you exist or why you should be considered in a purchase decision, then you've already lost.
Advertising is important, but doing it wisely is probably key (whatever that means).
I think too that certain things like small size aren't as important in the marketplace as we think they are and value pricing is probably more important. I don't know how important a "full lens line up" is to the average photographer. It certainly seemed as though Sony sold a bunch of cameras when they didn't have a complete lens line up. Improving auto focus is important, but probably just as important would be training people on the best settings for their camera and how to make the most of it. I'm convinced that at least some of the issues that people have with Pentax auto focus are related to user error.
Regardless, as you say, it would be nice if Ricoh was a little more forthcoming with their plans and have clarity on how they plan to meet the challenges in front of them (and in front of all camera makers).