Originally posted by walgarch This might sound like a crazy idea, but if Pentax wanted to go mirrorless, why don't they just make a line of mirrorless cameras using the same flange distance as their DSLRs. Manufacturers are realizing smaller isn't better (Looking at you Panasonic S1R). If/when they develop, the much wanted, hybrid ovf/evf then they can just slap that in. Seems like a win/win for everyone?
I think it’s the only way we’ll see a Pentax-badged mirrorless camera in the foreseeable future. They’re simply too small a brand to take a risk on a new mount. Of course, they already tried a mirrorless K-mount in APS-C format with the K-01, but the lack of an EVF and the unusual styling probably contributed to its lack of marketplace success, at least at the initial asking price. You could say that the Q took a different tack, but it was with a much smaller sensor, so a new mount was necessary to make the body small, in keeping with the sensor.
The viewfinder options, as I see them, are:
- produce parallel products with the same body and sensor arrangements, but without a mirror and with an EVF in one, and a conventional DSLR for the other;
- produce a modular body with replaceable viewfinder (and maybe mirror assembly, but a mirror lock-up would be easier);
- produce a single body with a hybrid OVF/EVF; and
- produce separate bodies for DSLR and MILC.
My guess would be that 3. would be the most likely, but only if that technology is to be pursued. If not, 1. would be the most economical (as tooling, component and assembly costs would be minimised, at least).
Technophiles would no doubt favour 2. or 3., but I can’t see the sales of a modular system being enough to justify anything other than a very high price.