Originally posted by Mark Ransom The problem is that Pentax muddled their product line. The K-3 II didn't have the best IQ, and the KP didn't have the best features. The K-3 II probably suffered sales because of it. They need an APS-C model that is clearly better than both, and they don't have one yet.
This is exactly right, Mark. There is nothing wrong about the Pentax K3. It's a fine camera, but it's not the best Pentax ASP-C dSLR available at the moment. The KP made significant strides on it, but in a different form factor with different priorities.
Honestly, I have wanted to like the KP, but haven't been able to quite get there. I'm starting to understand it and it's making me think seriously about them again. That quality of crop dSLR in that form factor at that price? Quite compelling, actually. I want it to feel like my K5 in my hands, but maybe that's just something to get used to. I want it to have a top LCD, but maybe I should consider how I would take in that information without one instead of rejecting it because it's not what I'm use to...or maybe I should stick to the line that I'm currently in.
But, that's where the rub comes in. My K5 is still a great camera, but probably needs a month a Precision at a cost equivalent to a used K3. A new camera in that form factor is a significant step below the KP in ways that matter to me, so I can't feel good about doing that.
The K1 is also really compelling for it's size and price compared to the market and most of my lenses are compatible with it. It's tempting, but I don't really "need" to go Full Frame. Might do it anyway if the current choices are still the choices when it's time to act.
The hole in the lineup right now is an updated K7/K5/K3-line model. When it comes out, I might take a look and say "it's close enough in price and size to the K1 that I should just go that way" or it might send me back toward the KP.
It's hard to convince myself of a body purchase until that model gets announced. My gut tells met that it's coming, probably at Photokina but this year either way, but my gut isn't always truthful.