Originally posted by Chris Mak There is a thin line between "rumors" and "facts" so closely before an event like CP+. The new spec sheet for the K1 is 'only a rumor', still a thread is quickly filling without any disclaimers regarding it only being "a rumor".
If sustained by sound reasoning, and some likely credible behind the scenes info, I do not see any harm in posting my view on where Pentax is taking APS-C. Anyone is fully free to disagree, and maintain a K3mkIII is coming at CP+, which b.t.w. is also a rumor, and a fully unsubstantiated one at that, supported by absolutely nothing but wishful thinking.
As much as I would have wanted a K3mkIII, I do not see it coming. I do see a KP successor coming in due time, and perhaps Adam can put some peppered questioning into his interview with Ricoh/Pentax, asking whether they are going to fit the KP successor, whatever it should be called, with some decent burst rate, buffer depth, dual card slots etc.
Chris
I understand where you are coming from. Pentax didn't do anything really visible last year except release the KP. The K3 II was a relatively small update to the already old K3 and people have been waiting for a sequel to both those cameras for quite awhile. I am not sure about the timing of a K1 II versus working on getting another APS-C camera out the door. It may be harder to hit performance targets for them with regard to tracking auto focus and add in additional focus points. They may be using an updated engine from the Millbeaut one they've used forever and are figuring that out.
In the end, Pentax is only able to hit one ball at a time. If they are focused on full frame, they don't have resources to get a top end APS-C camera out the door as well. That said, asahiman and kenspo both have indicated that they are going to be working on top end APS-C and that that will be coming "later." They don't have official dates on it and so anything more we say is pure speculation, but it certainly doesn't seem to coming for CP+.
I guess the question each one of us has to deal with is if we can wait for camera releases that aren't on any sort of schedule and seem to be slower in gestation than the competitors. For me, personally, it is easier on my wallet when they are spaced out and my current gear does what I need it to, but I can fully understand that the grass may look greener elsewhere.
I would add that while Nikon looks nice with regard to the gear they have out, I think they are in a bit of tough spot and are reevaluating their position. It is entirely possible that they too will emulate Sony and start bringing out mirrorless cameras with a new mount in an attempt to stabilize revenue and lost market share and if they do that, folks with large portfolios of F mount lenses may start to get nervous.