I have to admit, it's all about advertising/marketing! My first dSLR was an *istDL and it performed quite well. After a couple of years to date, I sold that and upgraded to the K200D. WOW...much better! However, it's hard convincing others of the great quality you will get from Pentax cameras-- the technology, the weatherproofing, the cost-comparison....all these you will get from this manufacturer.
I can tell you guys from first hand knowledge, I work in a camera store and Pentax tends to sit on the shelf collecting dust. When people come in and don't know which camera to go for and have about $500-$800 to spend, I try to point them to Pentax, and not because I am partial, but because for cameras in that price point it beats them. Unfortunately, Pentax doesn't really market themselves, so when these folks come in, they've already "heard" that Nik/Can have the best DSLRs. I literally put the DSLRs side by side and make comparisons. If they still are not convinced, I pull out my weapon: printed images I've done with the K10D, the *istDL, and the K200D. AT THAT VERY MOMENT, THEY ARE LIKE -WOW- . Only at that point can I seal the deal because they have proof that the camera is on par or better in some respects than their comparably priced competitors.
SO, Pentax needs to do commercials, more print ads and whatever to "get the word out" on how fabulous and cost conservative their products are. It's only then will we see more demand for Pentax.
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