Originally posted by monochrome Pentax right now is like Subaru before it was cool. People won't really switch from some other brand to Pentax. But every year a few different, curious people will try Pentax and stick with the brand. Over time the brand will grow slowly, slowly, and then suddenly.
Pentax doesn't have to be Toyota.
I dont like comparing apples to oranges, but I hope you are right regarding the future of the system.
Nonetheless ...
I dont know where Subaru is cool but i am sure this is not an international trend...
... walking all over Europe, you will not see that much Subaru.
Actually the only model, that looks a bit like something and is powerful enough to make people go "Wow!" is the Subaru Impreza but only as a rally model (STI)...
So yes... maybe its the same with pentax ... suddenly ...a bit more value on the stock market and then... nothing.
(Maybe things look different in the US...)
Since you started comparing car brands
... again.
I will join and say i would rather buy a Honda Civic (tourer)like most americans and europeans do.
or (only in Europe) the new Citroen C3 Aircross... those are cars that will not win a rally, but still they are sturdy, versatile and good for travelling.
Back to where its cooking:
The K-1 actually isnt that bad. (dunno why critics on certain drawbacks that are 100% justified, always end up in sayin one wants to bash the product or even the brand as a whole...)
IMHO comparing the K-1 to the A7(for instance)the K-1 will win for sure. And i like that it is on the market available as a serious tool for people that really feel the need for FF.
(I also would love to work on FF but not with those specs, nonetheless...>) For doing only studio photography it fullfills your needs to the fullest.
But it doesnt attract consumers as much as the A7 does.
Not that it wouldnt look sexy...
if there is any camera on the market that looks like a real camera(despite those wheels and this ridic incy wincy top lcd)
it is the K-1 for sure.
Advantages of the A7 are actually what the most "compulsive" pixelpeepers and MP-fanboys may perceive as its disadvantages.
IMHO, the K-1 doesnt have the attraction factor it would need to make the title the OP chose true in any way.
It may be under the best cameras available on the market specwise(if you dont look to close at its AF system)...
... but it is not would one consider "complaisant" (i hope i chose the right word).. or very attractive to customers...
nor would I choose to immigrate into pentaxland (when i own Canon gear f.i.)where one seriously misses 3rd party support if hes not willing to search for ages for certain accessory.
And for getting more 3rd party support, RICOH would need a blockbuster K-mount camera... and that aint our beloved 36MP DSLR camera for sure. not now.
What makes me think that? ---> Keywords:
"Data Amount", "laggy processing","Fun Factor - Good Video"
If you want to go popular, you will need to build popular instead for the loudest (MP-)fans in some forum.
EOL
I cant await the follow up car comparisons...