[JensE]

Considering medium format he states that working for the 100 Megapixel sensor will require much higher engineering standards for lenses ...

This is what I thought first too, but continuing he explained the much higher standards, which the photographer has to work to - mentioning that with the DFA50, there is not only the focus on the nose or the eyes, but many layers in between.

My conclusion on the whole interview is that he did not really have too much more information than previously expressed in terms of product development, but he drew and shared rather well-reasoned conclusions from his sales figure knowledge and long experience with Pentax.

[Snafu711]

You‘re right: he voices his opinion that pentax should release a worthy flagship in 2019.

[RobA_Oz]

I mean option of removing OVF with prism and mounting EVF instead when you want/need.

You’re in good company here, with that notion. Several of us have suggested the possibility over the last couple of years, and I think it would be a major breakthrough for Pentax, if they got it right. “Getting it right” though, also involves bringing the rest of the camera up to somewhere close to the opposition in terms of the full range of specifications. It would also be the most expensive Pentax ever in this segment, but that’s the way things are going, anyway.

[ogl]

Yes, the problem is that all he said it's his own point of view and wishes. The real situation is unclear. We hope for upgrade KP and K-70 and new high-end APS-C camera next year too.

[beachgardener]

I mean option of removing OVF with prism and mounting EVF instead when you want/need.

Maybe!! But hey, OVF rules for me

[Davidparis]

There will still be 12 long months in 2019...but we're used to (or disgusted by) waiting for a new Pentax APS-C ...
Maybe rain, maybe snow. maybe 2019, maybe no.

[x4rd]

I wonder on what level this sort of interview has been accepted by the HQ, and (the most important question) do local Ricoh / Pentax managers know what is going on in the Japan in terms of product development.

[superdave]

Does the interview speaks about 11-18mm or/and possible renew of DA* lenses?

[RonHendriks1966]

There will still be 12 long months in 2019...but we're used to (or disgusted by) waiting for a new Pentax APS-C ...
Maybe rain, maybe snow. maybe 2019, maybe no.

I would say that if we don't hear anything about it on CP+ or Photokina. ......then we won't see it in 2019. That makes the waiting shorter, since it ends on may 11th.

[repaap]

Does the interview speaks about 11-18mm or/and possible renew of DA* lenses?

It says that 11-18 is coming. No question or talk about renew of DA*. also talk about that coming up 70-200/4 and 85 and also that 35. that sounds quite much already.

---------- Post added 10-01-18 at 10:34 ----------

I would say that if we don't hear anything about it on CP+ or Photokina. ......then we won't see it in 2019. That makes the waiting shorter, since it ends on may 11th.

Id say that by march there will be somithing, so agreed.

---------- Post added 10-01-18 at 10:35 ----------

I wonder on what level this sort of interview has been accepted by the HQ, and (the most important question) do local Ricoh / Pentax managers know what is going on in the Japan in terms of product development.

It might be the reason why he speaks like 'in my opinion'. He can't let any official things out and loud.

[Chris Mak]

Nice to see this interview!
He seems to steer quite a bit between his own view and wishes for Pentax, and the course dictated by the Japanese management, but he does seem well in on what is going on in the company.
He defends the weight of the DFA50/1.4 in style, and in general seems to be aware of a lot of user feedback at Pentax.
Crucial is the part indeed, where he says that the K1, KP, and K70 are getting old, and that something new is needed for the next (anniversary) year.
He is actually the first Pentax guy to (finally!) flat out state in the open (asahiman said it unofficially earlier already) that the KP was and is the intended K3 successor. He also says that Pentax, and he himself for that matter, were not happy with the KP sales, because the KP was a smaller package than some mirrorless options, with built in SR before mirrorless (read: Fuji) had it, and still people would not buy the KP. They clearly expected (much) larger sales with the KP.
(edit: in a weird way, you could say that Pentax' current possible hesitation to bring out a new APSC body next to FF, was brought on by the Pentax user base itself: by refusing to buy the KP which in doing would be legitimizing and funding ongoing APSC support. In my defense: I díd buy a KP, although quickly sold it again and bought a K3II).

So with that out of the way, and no K3 successor, he looks to the future. The K1 was in some ways outdone on technological features, by the KP (is what he says). They don't want the new body to be less than an older model, so if it is going to be an APSC camera, it is going to be better than the K1 in some regards, making people want the new APSC, despite already having the K1, because of some higher performance features.
Summarizing, it seems clear a new body is to arrive next year. If it is an APSC body, it will be a top model. Otherwise, it could also be a new higher performing FF model. He does not clearly state which it will be, but hints at an APSC body. Note that he says "Ich wünsche mich...": "My wish is that....".
He also talks a lot about how a new high performing DFA lens is actually two lenses, eg. 50mm (on FF) ánd 85mm when put on APSC. It appears that that was the reason for going with 50mm first, because a 85mm lens would take them all the way into 135mm on crop. He admits he does not like 50mm himself. So they do seem to take an APSC body seriously as a body for their new high performing lenses. The fast wide prime will most likely be 35mm, he clearly says that a 28mm lens does not need to be very fast.

Given that asahiman clearly stated that "nearly all the development power at the moment is going to full frame, in two classes, and lenses", I would still think it most likely, that the new top body will be FF.

Chris

[beholder3]

Around 26:40 is a very clear statement that video is and will stay a non-priority.

[fsge]

Interesting interview and extracts. I hope his wishes will translate into something big next year. Another FF would be a huge disappointment ...

[Pikselisiirto]

I bought K-1 and DFA*50 because I want sharp photos, color accuracy and natural out of focus with great value. Some things are now stopping me when I always seek highest sharpness. Today I tested shutter shock. It blurs fine details starting become noticeable at 1/160s, being worst at 1/80s - 1/40s and still blurring at 1/10s. DFA*50 potential is quite wasted in these situations. There is some tricks I can use. Pentax has first curtain electronic shutter mode and blurring doesn't occur with it. There are still some problems. It actives only in live view, so I can't do careful optical viewfinder composition. Second problem is that shake reduction doesn't work. This is quite bad because, if I want maximum sharpness the shake reduction is useless when I need it most! What is the reason to disable it? What is the reason to not to activate electronic shutter mode when using optical viewfinder? Why Pentax didn't give an option to enable electronic shutter at custom shutter range? I would had asked these three questions because now I need to use a tripod when using anything below 1/60s and tolerate higher risk for motion blur (ES 1/13s?) to get most out of my camera and lens. I can partially fix the optical viewfinder activation by using pixel shift mode, but it adds manual work because I have to extract a single frame later, it eats four times more space and I can't do proper in-camera review.

[MarkJerling]

I bought K-1 and DFA*50 because I want sharp photos, color accuracy and natural out of focus with great value. Some things are now stopping me when I always seek highest sharpness. Today I tested shutter shock. It blurs fine details starting become noticeable at 1/160s, being worst at 1/80s - 1/40s and still blurring at 1/10s. DFA*50 potential is quite wasted in these situations. There is some tricks I can use. Pentax has first curtain electronic shutter mode and blurring doesn't occur with it. There are still some problems. It actives only in live view, so I can't do careful optical viewfinder composition. Second problem is that shake reduction doesn't work. This is quite bad because, if I want maximum sharpness the shake reduction is useless when I need it most! What is the reason to disable it? What is the reason to not to activate electronic shutter mode when using optical viewfinder? Why Pentax didn't give an option to enable electronic shutter at custom shutter range? I would had asked these three questions because now I need to use a tripod when using anything below 1/60s and tolerate higher risk for motion blur (ES 1/13s?) to get most out of my camera and lens. I can partially fix the optical viewfinder activation by using pixel shift mode, but it adds manual work because I have to extract a single frame later, it eats four times more space and I can't do proper in-camera review.

You may wish to create your own thread in either the K-1 part of the forum, or in Troubleshooting and Beginners Help for this query rather than post in an existing thread in the News and Rumors section.