Originally posted by Dartmoor Dave Even developing a new camera model entirely from components bought in from other suppliers involves significant costs. You simply cannot bring a new product to market without a substantial capital investment. So the smart money in the camera business right now is on slowing down the pace of development.
We'll end up with a market similar to the film SLR market in the days of the technology's full maturity (although probably with fewer players). Each camera manufacturer will have a low-cost, easy to use beginner's camera for the casual market, a more advanced model with features that appeal to the hobbyist photographer, and a top-of-the-range beast suitable for professional use. And each of those models will have a shelf life of several years before any replacement comes along.
Pentax will have the extra advantage of a medium format offering too.
With respect, but that is the (current) Pentax world. Other manufacturers, if they are slowing down their Dslr production, it is in large part simply to make way for the transition to mirrorless, like with Nikon and Canon. They have two camera lines to maintain now, and a new lens line to develop, at least until the transition is complete (I shoot the 7DII Dslr now myself though). A fully mirrorless camera maker like Sony is far, far from slowing down on camera releases: the A7R is already on its 4th iteration, the A9II on its way, as is the A7SIII. And look at how Canon is building up its new RF lens line.
Not trying to come down on Pentax, but please keep perspective: Pentax is not investing a lot under Ricoh, and be it good or bad from Pentaxians' perspective, it will not grow Pentax at all...