KP on Closeout at Adorama?!

sqrrl · 08-07-2017, 04:16 PM

I pre-ordered one at full price, I frankly don't understand what people are complaining about.

For the sort of photography I do it's great - I basically need a camera I can grab with no notice, often in poor light, and get excellent image results reliably and quickly, then move on to the next thing. It does that just fine. I don't (often) sit in a studio and fire off 2-3000 frames - if I did I'd use a different camera.

My only real criticism of the kp is that the battery depletes quite quickly, but frankly buying a few spare batteries suits me better than paying twice as much for something twice the weight with roughly the same image quality.

I use all manner of cameras on a daily basis, there are better cameras for people who focus on specific tasks like studio, video, sports, etc. But in terms of it's features, build quality, price, and image quality it's pretty good value.

disconnekt · 08-07-2017, 04:24 PM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by stevebrot

Woo! Woo! Helen Oster!

Hey, everybody...the KP LIVES! IT LIVES!!!

Steve

Nicolas06 · 08-15-2017, 03:24 AM

Originally posted by kooks

KP is a nice camera.. but as we all know is not the K3ii replacement, and IMO the price was way to high for a camera that is not an APS-C "top of the line" like K3 were/is.. so maybe sales werent that good, not because of quality but because of price.. the new $950 price sounds much better than the original $1199.... but who knows..

+1

For sure Pentax would not discountinue it but sellers may if they don't manage sales. After all Pentax experienced that less and less sellers are selling their product. The KP is nice but basically a K3 with bit better high iso, bit smaller/lighter body but also quite few missing features too.

For me Pentax shall have made the KP to replace the K70 with same price, be a bit more plastic so it could get K50 weight rather than K5 weight and have some decent APSC flagship asking for $1000-1200. Like everything of KP/K3-II + a new AF sensor covering most of the viewfinder and improved action performance. Both would have sold well.

The other solution would have been to keep the KP price and features set but put a basic FF sensor on it and release it together with a new set of DFA entry level lenses like a DFA35 f/2.4, DFA50 f/1.8 a collapsible 24-70kit lens... This would also have sold like hot cakes too.

But the KP as it is while not a bad camera by any mean, all the contrary, has no market with its mix of features and its price point.

For example, explain me why I should get one as a K3 owner... K3 that has been out for what? 3.5 years. And the same for K3-II. Even for K70 owner, there only really AF as differenciator and people that cared of that brought a K3 then, not a K70. Owner of previous flagships likely want another flagship, and people wanting to replace their K30/K50 would find it too expensive.

Nicolas06 · 08-15-2017, 03:30 AM

Originally posted by sqrrl

I pre-ordered one at full price, I frankly don't understand what people are complaining about.

For the sort of photography I do it's great - I basically need a camera I can grab with no notice, often in poor light, and get excellent image results reliably and quickly, then move on to the next thing. It does that just fine. I don't (often) sit in a studio and fire off 2-3000 frames - if I did I'd use a different camera.

My only real criticism of the kp is that the battery depletes quite quickly, but frankly buying a few spare batteries suits me better than paying twice as much for something twice the weight with roughly the same image quality.

I use all manner of cameras on a daily basis, there are better cameras for people who focus on specific tasks like studio, video, sports, etc. But in terms of it's features, build quality, price, and image quality it's pretty good value.

The thing is all camera can do that now. There isn't a single camera that perform bad in low light, be it m4/3, APSC or FF in today market. The KP is nice. But the same can be said of all other cameras in the market. I get great low light performance out of my K3 too and many people do it with their K5...

biz-engineer · 08-15-2017, 03:57 AM

Originally posted by Nicolas06

For example, explain me why I should get one as a K3 owner...

IF you sold a K3 to buy a K1 and find that sometimes you'd prefer a smaller camera and you still have limited lenses for casual shooting you "might" get a KP. But if you also sold your limited lenses to buy K1 lenses, then the door is open... :-)

Nicolas06 · 08-15-2017, 04:31 AM

Originally posted by biz-engineer

IF you sold a K3 to buy a K1 and find that sometimes you'd prefer a smaller camera and you still have limited lenses for casual shooting you "might" get a KP. But if you also sold your limited lenses to buy K1 lenses, then the door is open... :-)

I agree, that would be a legitimate use case. But if I was to buy the K1 thinking to keep APSC as an option I'd likely keep the K3 too. KP isn't smaller enough (for me) to justify except maybe when it go for $300 used. Especially as a second body. But I guess everyone different.

If KP only sell as second body to FF buyers once they have some cash available again... Well that would explain why it is discountinued. That market is too small. Pentax isn't Canon.

biz-engineer · 08-15-2017, 04:35 AM

Originally posted by Nicolas06

I agree, that would be a legitimate use case. But if I was to buy the K1 thinking to keep APSC as an option I'd likely keep the K3 too.

Ah, possibly yes. But when I used the K1 in crop mode @ 7FPS / 15Mp , I found the K3 not to be that smaller, and K1 crop IQ not much different from the K3 , so, I sold the K3 before it'd loose more value.

Nicolas06 · 08-15-2017, 11:45 AM

Originally posted by biz-engineer

Ah, possibly yes. But when I used the K1 in crop mode @ 7FPS / 15Mp , I found the K3 not to be that smaller, and K1 crop IQ not much different from the K3 , so, I sold the K3 before it'd loose more value.

Sure but then still no KP isn't it ? As I understand as second body you'd like something even smaller no?

reh321 · 08-15-2017, 11:46 AM

Originally posted by Nicolas06

The thing is all camera can do that now. There isn't a single camera that perform bad in low light, be it m4/3, APSC or FF in today market. The KP is nice. But the same can be said of all other cameras in the market. I get great low light performance out of my K3 too and many people do it with their K5...

I'm not satisfied with low light performance of my K-30. I'm guessing that I'm not the only Pentax owner having a camera more than two years old, and all of us are a natural market for a K-70 or KP.

Nicolas06 · 08-15-2017, 12:29 PM

Originally posted by reh321

I'm not satisfied with low light performance of my K-30. I'm guessing that I'm not the only Pentax owner having a camera more than two years old, and all of us are a natural market for a K-70 or KP.

Mostly it is you that don't manage to get the most of your K30 and I agree many other are in the same bag. You need to learn to post process if you have a K30 for low light. Well you still have to even with latest greatest camera, but it is a bit less important than before.

But the replacement for K30 is K70 that is comparable to KP for JPEG rendering... The KP still asking flagship price for mid level features.

Zygonyx · 08-15-2017, 12:48 PM

Again, those are definitely no mid level features :
- electronic shutter up to 1/26000s
- 5 axis stabilisation
- iso and AF performance (according to Pentax APS-C standard) / best denoised APS-C IQ of the market
Do you insist you need a nespresso ?

Kunzite · 08-15-2017, 01:22 PM

Uhh... right now, the "flagship price" for cropped camera is around 2000 USD/euro; the KP is well below that.

reh321 · 08-15-2017, 05:05 PM

Originally posted by Nicolas06

Mostly it is you that don't manage to get the most of your K30 and I agree many other are in the same bag. You need to learn to post process if you have a K30 for low light. Well you still have to even with latest greatest camera, but it is a bit less important than before.

But the replacement for K30 is K70 that is comparable to KP for JPEG rendering... The KP still asking flagship price for mid level features.

This totally misses the point of my post. The point of my post is that you don't look at owners of "current DSLR's" to find the natural market for K-70 and KP cameras. The natural market for those cameras is people like me, and there is enough of them that your premature burial of those cameras is silly.

Adam · 08-15-2017, 05:48 PM

Originally posted by Kunzite

Uhh... right now, the "flagship price" for cropped camera is around 2000 USD/euro; the KP is well below that.

Yup, definitely expect the K-3 replacement to bounce back to at least 1400-1500.

shiner · 08-15-2017, 06:49 PM - **1 Like**

The KP is really, really great and reeks of quality everywhere- my favorite camera ever and well worth the price IMO. I'm sure I will love a K-1 if I decide to acquire one, but I like a small and light kit so APS-c it is for now. A K-3 replacement better have UFO technology if I'm to be tempted by it.

08-15-2017, 05:48 PM	#74
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,594	Originally posted by Kunzite Uhh... right now, the "flagship price" for cropped camera is around 2000 USD/euro; the KP is well below that. Yup, definitely expect the K-3 replacement to bounce back to at least 1400-1500. Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

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08-07-2017, 04:16 PM	#61
sqrrl Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Otago, New Zealand Posts: 422	I pre-ordered one at full price, I frankly don't understand what people are complaining about. For the sort of photography I do it's great - I basically need a camera I can grab with no notice, often in poor light, and get excellent image results reliably and quickly, then move on to the next thing. It does that just fine. I don't (often) sit in a studio and fire off 2-3000 frames - if I did I'd use a different camera. My only real criticism of the kp is that the battery depletes quite quickly, but frankly buying a few spare batteries suits me better than paying twice as much for something twice the weight with roughly the same image quality. I use all manner of cameras on a daily basis, there are better cameras for people who focus on specific tasks like studio, video, sports, etc. But in terms of it's features, build quality, price, and image quality it's pretty good value.

08-07-2017, 04:24 PM - 2 Likes	#62
disconnekt Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: SoCal/I.E. Photos: Albums Posts: 1,699	Originally posted by stevebrot Woo! Woo! Helen Oster! Hey, everybody...the KP LIVES! IT LIVES!!! Steve

08-15-2017, 03:24 AM	#63
Nicolas06 Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 4,854	Originally posted by kooks KP is a nice camera.. but as we all know is not the K3ii replacement, and IMO the price was way to high for a camera that is not an APS-C "top of the line" like K3 were/is.. so maybe sales werent that good, not because of quality but because of price.. the new $950 price sounds much better than the original $1199.... but who knows.. +1 For sure Pentax would not discountinue it but sellers may if they don't manage sales. After all Pentax experienced that less and less sellers are selling their product. The KP is nice but basically a K3 with bit better high iso, bit smaller/lighter body but also quite few missing features too. For me Pentax shall have made the KP to replace the K70 with same price, be a bit more plastic so it could get K50 weight rather than K5 weight and have some decent APSC flagship asking for $1000-1200. Like everything of KP/K3-II + a new AF sensor covering most of the viewfinder and improved action performance. Both would have sold well. The other solution would have been to keep the KP price and features set but put a basic FF sensor on it and release it together with a new set of DFA entry level lenses like a DFA35 f/2.4, DFA50 f/1.8 a collapsible 24-70kit lens... This would also have sold like hot cakes too. But the KP as it is while not a bad camera by any mean, all the contrary, has no market with its mix of features and its price point. For example, explain me why I should get one as a K3 owner... K3 that has been out for what? 3.5 years. And the same for K3-II. Even for K70 owner, there only really AF as differenciator and people that cared of that brought a K3 then, not a K70. Owner of previous flagships likely want another flagship, and people wanting to replace their K30/K50 would find it too expensive.

08-15-2017, 03:30 AM	#64
Nicolas06 Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 4,854	Originally posted by sqrrl I pre-ordered one at full price, I frankly don't understand what people are complaining about. For the sort of photography I do it's great - I basically need a camera I can grab with no notice, often in poor light, and get excellent image results reliably and quickly, then move on to the next thing. It does that just fine. I don't (often) sit in a studio and fire off 2-3000 frames - if I did I'd use a different camera. My only real criticism of the kp is that the battery depletes quite quickly, but frankly buying a few spare batteries suits me better than paying twice as much for something twice the weight with roughly the same image quality. I use all manner of cameras on a daily basis, there are better cameras for people who focus on specific tasks like studio, video, sports, etc. But in terms of it's features, build quality, price, and image quality it's pretty good value. The thing is all camera can do that now. There isn't a single camera that perform bad in low light, be it m4/3, APSC or FF in today market. The KP is nice. But the same can be said of all other cameras in the market. I get great low light performance out of my K3 too and many people do it with their K5...

08-15-2017, 03:57 AM	#65
biz-engineer Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2015 Photos: Gallery Posts: 12,231	Originally posted by Nicolas06 For example, explain me why I should get one as a K3 owner... IF you sold a K3 to buy a K1 and find that sometimes you'd prefer a smaller camera and you still have limited lenses for casual shooting you "might" get a KP. But if you also sold your limited lenses to buy K1 lenses, then the door is open... :-)

08-15-2017, 04:31 AM	#66
Nicolas06 Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 4,854	Originally posted by biz-engineer IF you sold a K3 to buy a K1 and find that sometimes you'd prefer a smaller camera and you still have limited lenses for casual shooting you "might" get a KP. But if you also sold your limited lenses to buy K1 lenses, then the door is open... :-) I agree, that would be a legitimate use case. But if I was to buy the K1 thinking to keep APSC as an option I'd likely keep the K3 too. KP isn't smaller enough (for me) to justify except maybe when it go for $300 used. Especially as a second body. But I guess everyone different. If KP only sell as second body to FF buyers once they have some cash available again... Well that would explain why it is discountinued. That market is too small. Pentax isn't Canon.

08-15-2017, 04:35 AM	#67
biz-engineer Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2015 Photos: Gallery Posts: 12,231	Originally posted by Nicolas06 I agree, that would be a legitimate use case. But if I was to buy the K1 thinking to keep APSC as an option I'd likely keep the K3 too. Ah, possibly yes. But when I used the K1 in crop mode @ 7FPS / 15Mp , I found the K3 not to be that smaller, and K1 crop IQ not much different from the K3 , so, I sold the K3 before it'd loose more value.

08-15-2017, 11:45 AM	#68
Nicolas06 Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 4,854	Originally posted by biz-engineer Ah, possibly yes. But when I used the K1 in crop mode @ 7FPS / 15Mp , I found the K3 not to be that smaller, and K1 crop IQ not much different from the K3 , so, I sold the K3 before it'd loose more value. Sure but then still no KP isn't it ? As I understand as second body you'd like something even smaller no?

08-15-2017, 11:46 AM	#69
reh321 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: South Bend, IN, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,177	Originally posted by Nicolas06 The thing is all camera can do that now. There isn't a single camera that perform bad in low light, be it m4/3, APSC or FF in today market. The KP is nice. But the same can be said of all other cameras in the market. I get great low light performance out of my K3 too and many people do it with their K5... I'm not satisfied with low light performance of my K-30. I'm guessing that I'm not the only Pentax owner having a camera more than two years old, and all of us are a natural market for a K-70 or KP.

08-15-2017, 12:29 PM	#70
Nicolas06 Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 4,854	Originally posted by reh321 I'm not satisfied with low light performance of my K-30. I'm guessing that I'm not the only Pentax owner having a camera more than two years old, and all of us are a natural market for a K-70 or KP. Mostly it is you that don't manage to get the most of your K30 and I agree many other are in the same bag. You need to learn to post process if you have a K30 for low light. Well you still have to even with latest greatest camera, but it is a bit less important than before. But the replacement for K30 is K70 that is comparable to KP for JPEG rendering... The KP still asking flagship price for mid level features.

08-15-2017, 12:48 PM	#71
Zygonyx Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Ile de France Posts: 4,033	Again, those are definitely no mid level features : - electronic shutter up to 1/26000s - 5 axis stabilisation - iso and AF performance (according to Pentax APS-C standard) / best denoised APS-C IQ of the market Do you insist you need a nespresso ?

08-15-2017, 01:22 PM	#72
Kunzite Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Romania Posts: 15,132	Uhh... right now, the "flagship price" for cropped camera is around 2000 USD/euro; the KP is well below that.

08-15-2017, 05:05 PM	#73
reh321 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: South Bend, IN, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,177	Originally posted by Nicolas06 Mostly it is you that don't manage to get the most of your K30 and I agree many other are in the same bag. You need to learn to post process if you have a K30 for low light. Well you still have to even with latest greatest camera, but it is a bit less important than before. But the replacement for K30 is K70 that is comparable to KP for JPEG rendering... The KP still asking flagship price for mid level features. This totally misses the point of my post. The point of my post is that you don't look at owners of "current DSLR's" to find the natural market for K-70 and KP cameras. The natural market for those cameras is people like me, and there is enough of them that your premature burial of those cameras is silly.

08-15-2017, 06:49 PM - 1 Like	#75
shiner Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: N GA USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,127	The KP is really, really great and reeks of quality everywhere- my favorite camera ever and well worth the price IMO. I'm sure I will love a K-1 if I decide to acquire one, but I like a small and light kit so APS-c it is for now. A K-3 replacement better have UFO technology if I'm to be tempted by it.