future of pentax

BRunner · 08-27-2009, 05:57 AM

I´m optimistic:

Top end: Pentax MF 645D
High end: Samsung FF K
Mainstream: Pentax APS-C K
Low end: Samsung NX

No more direct competetion between Samsung and Pentax and Pentax can still produce FF lenses for K-mount and make many on them.

ogl · 08-27-2009, 07:02 AM

Hmmm...
Pentax offer ONLY 1 camera this year and I see in future without any optimism...

Sony offer new A850, A550 и A500 today. Olympus's line of cameras are very strong too.

Pentax has just K-7. All other cameras are discontinued. Pentax need to announce at least 2 new cameras on September.

thibs · 08-27-2009, 07:17 AM

Originally posted by ogl

Hmmm...
Pentax offer ONLY 1 camera this year and I see in future without any optimism...

Sony offer new A850, A550 и A500 today. Olympus's line of cameras are very strong too.

Pentax has just K-7. All other cameras are discontinued. Pentax need to announce at least 2 new cameras on September.

A least one has been confirmed to me.

Zav · 08-27-2009, 07:20 AM

Originally posted by ogl

Hmmm...
Pentax offer ONLY 1 camera this year and I see in future without any optimism...

Sony offer new A850, A550 и A500 today. Olympus's line of cameras are very strong too.

Pentax has just K-7. All other cameras are discontinued. Pentax need to announce at least 2 new cameras on September.

Agree with you...

ogl · 08-27-2009, 07:26 AM

Pentax likes September.
We are waiting for...

K10D - September, 13
K2000 - September, 22
Pentax *ist DS - September, 13

ogl · 08-27-2009, 07:28 AM

Originally posted by thibs

A least one has been confirmed to me.

Only one is no good.

To change K-m to have camera in the niche 500-600 USD.
And new one - lower than K-7. 800 USD.

Urkeldaedalus · 08-27-2009, 08:05 AM

I'd settle for:

One new camera now, another new camera at the beginning of next year.
Drop the price of the K-7 down to $1,100 or so in the U.S. so it's clearly cheaper than this new crop of $1,800 - $2,000 cameras (make corresponding drops in other countries.)
A few new lenses

I think this would set Pentax up pretty well for a good Christmas. Sony, Nikon, and Canon are going to be battling it out at the top and in the bottom of the price range, which leaves some nice breathing room in the middle. They just have to do something, if nothing else, to prove to consumers that they're still kicking.

MikePerham · 08-27-2009, 08:46 AM

Originally posted by BRunner

I´m optimistic:

Top end: Pentax MF 645D
High end: Samsung FF K
Mainstream: Pentax APS-C K
Low end: Samsung NX

No more direct competetion between Samsung and Pentax and Pentax can still produce FF lenses for K-mount and make many on them.

Well, I don't know that I agree with your "Top end, high end...." categories. I do think, however, that your general hypothesis is correct. I would add that Pentax need some product at the entry level category even if it competes with Samsung in the K mount arena.

thibs · 08-27-2009, 11:56 AM

I didn't say there would be only one new camera. I said one is confirmed, either september or oktober.

**GaryM** · 08-27-2009, 01:03 PM

Originally posted by ogl

Only one is no good.

To change K-m to have camera in the niche 500-600 USD.
And new one - lower than K-7. 800 USD.

If I was a retailer trying to sell Pentax cameras, I would like to see this:
1. K3000 - refreshed K2000 with weather sealing, unchanged except bigger buffer and orientation sensor, aimed to be under $600 USD with sealed kit lens.
2. K300 - Samsung 14.5mp sensor (with Gordon B. Good sensor tweaks!), live-view, 3.5fps, good buffer, weather sealed, under $800 USD with sealed kit lens.
3. K300 Super - Above with movie features like K-7, $999 USD with sealed kit lens.

**Rondec** · 08-27-2009, 03:34 PM

Originally posted by GaryM

If I was a retailer trying to sell Pentax cameras, I would like to see this:
1. K3000 - refreshed K2000 with weather sealing, unchanged except bigger buffer and orientation sensor, aimed to be under $600 USD with sealed kit lens.
2. K300 - Samsung 14.5mp sensor (with Gordon B. Good sensor tweaks!), live-view, 3.5fps, good buffer, weather sealed, under $800 USD with sealed kit lens.
3. K300 Super - Above with movie features like K-7, $999 USD with sealed kit lens.

I could see this, except that I don't see the K300 without a video mode. Video mode is the next "must have" feature. Not necessarily something that every one wants or needs, but something that differentiates cameras. Otherwise, there is nothing that really separates the K300 from the current K20.

I also don't really see adding in the weather sealing to the K2000. The whole point of that model is to be light, hence the 'L' lenses that were designed for it with plastic mounts. Weather sealing would significantly add size to that camera and also make it pretty expensive for an entry level camera. I guess I would see them more adding the orientation sensor, increasing the buffer size and if possible adding live view and continuing to sell for slightly less than 500 US Dollars.

johnmflores · 08-27-2009, 03:41 PM

Originally posted by Rondec

I also don't really see adding in the weather sealing to the K2000. The whole point of that model is to be light, hence the 'L' lenses that were designed for it with plastic mounts. Weather sealing would significantly add size to that camera and also make it pretty expensive for an entry level camera. I guess I would see them more adding the orientation sensor, increasing the buffer size and if possible adding live view and continuing to sell for slightly less than 500 US Dollars.

I don't buy the weather sealing = size and cost argument. The K-7 is weather sealed and it's smaller than the K20d and enters the market at the same price the K20d did.

And the kit lens 18-55 WR is from what I understand just a weather sealed version of the 18-55 II. The WR costs no more than the non-WR on B&H, and it looks to be very similar in size.

**Rondec** · 08-27-2009, 04:59 PM

Yes, but we'll see how much the K7 will drop over the next 12 months. The K20 body is currently selling for around 620 US Dollars. I doubt that the K7 will drop much below 900. Everything you add costs something.

Chwisch87 · 08-27-2009, 05:31 PM

Pentax does not need more cameras .... the last thing we need is some grand confusion like nikon or canon ...

KungPOW · 08-27-2009, 06:12 PM

Originally posted by Chwisch87

Pentax does not need more cameras .... the last thing we need is some grand confusion like nikon or canon ...

Pentax has two models. An entry level and an advanced enthusiast.

The only confusion I see is Pentax not able to concurently have more then two models in production.

As for Canon level confusion at the entry level, that you will never see out of Pentax. They need to produce more then two bodies before you can create confusion.

08-27-2009, 08:05 AM	#67
Urkeldaedalus Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Iowa Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,369	I'd settle for: One new camera now, another new camera at the beginning of next year. Drop the price of the K-7 down to $1,100 or so in the U.S. so it's clearly cheaper than this new crop of $1,800 - $2,000 cameras (make corresponding drops in other countries.) A few new lenses I think this would set Pentax up pretty well for a good Christmas. Sony, Nikon, and Canon are going to be battling it out at the top and in the bottom of the price range, which leaves some nice breathing room in the middle. They just have to do something, if nothing else, to prove to consumers that they're still kicking.

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08-27-2009, 05:57 AM	#61
BRunner Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Czech Republic Posts: 27	I´m optimistic: Top end: Pentax MF 645D High end: Samsung FF K Mainstream: Pentax APS-C K Low end: Samsung NX No more direct competetion between Samsung and Pentax and Pentax can still produce FF lenses for K-mount and make many on them.

08-27-2009, 07:02 AM	#62
ogl Banned Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Sankt Peterburg Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,382	Hmmm... Pentax offer ONLY 1 camera this year and I see in future without any optimism... Sony offer new A850, A550 и A500 today. Olympus's line of cameras are very strong too. Pentax has just K-7. All other cameras are discontinued. Pentax need to announce at least 2 new cameras on September.

08-27-2009, 07:17 AM	#63
thibs Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Belgium Photos: Albums Posts: 7,001	Originally posted by ogl Hmmm... Pentax offer ONLY 1 camera this year and I see in future without any optimism... Sony offer new A850, A550 и A500 today. Olympus's line of cameras are very strong too. Pentax has just K-7. All other cameras are discontinued. Pentax need to announce at least 2 new cameras on September. A least one has been confirmed to me.

08-27-2009, 07:20 AM	#64
Zav Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,371	Originally posted by ogl Hmmm... Pentax offer ONLY 1 camera this year and I see in future without any optimism... Sony offer new A850, A550 и A500 today. Olympus's line of cameras are very strong too. Pentax has just K-7. All other cameras are discontinued. Pentax need to announce at least 2 new cameras on September. Agree with you...

08-27-2009, 07:26 AM	#65
ogl Banned Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Sankt Peterburg Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,382	Pentax likes September. We are waiting for... K10D - September, 13 K2000 - September, 22 Pentax *ist DS - September, 13

08-27-2009, 07:28 AM	#66
ogl Banned Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Sankt Peterburg Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,382	Originally posted by thibs A least one has been confirmed to me. Only one is no good. To change K-m to have camera in the niche 500-600 USD. And new one - lower than K-7. 800 USD.

08-27-2009, 08:46 AM	#68
MikePerham Veteran Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Prince George, BC Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 642	Originally posted by BRunner I´m optimistic: Top end: Pentax MF 645D High end: Samsung FF K Mainstream: Pentax APS-C K Low end: Samsung NX No more direct competetion between Samsung and Pentax and Pentax can still produce FF lenses for K-mount and make many on them. Well, I don't know that I agree with your "Top end, high end...." categories. I do think, however, that your general hypothesis is correct. I would add that Pentax need some product at the entry level category even if it competes with Samsung in the K mount arena.

08-27-2009, 11:56 AM	#69
thibs Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Belgium Photos: Albums Posts: 7,001	I didn't say there would be only one new camera. I said one is confirmed, either september or oktober.

08-27-2009, 01:03 PM	#70
GaryM Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Montclair, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 426	Originally posted by ogl Only one is no good. To change K-m to have camera in the niche 500-600 USD. And new one - lower than K-7. 800 USD. If I was a retailer trying to sell Pentax cameras, I would like to see this: 1. K3000 - refreshed K2000 with weather sealing, unchanged except bigger buffer and orientation sensor, aimed to be under $600 USD with sealed kit lens. 2. K300 - Samsung 14.5mp sensor (with Gordon B. Good sensor tweaks!), live-view, 3.5fps, good buffer, weather sealed, under $800 USD with sealed kit lens. 3. K300 Super - Above with movie features like K-7, $999 USD with sealed kit lens.

08-27-2009, 03:34 PM	#71
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,663	Originally posted by GaryM If I was a retailer trying to sell Pentax cameras, I would like to see this: 1. K3000 - refreshed K2000 with weather sealing, unchanged except bigger buffer and orientation sensor, aimed to be under $600 USD with sealed kit lens. 2. K300 - Samsung 14.5mp sensor (with Gordon B. Good sensor tweaks!), live-view, 3.5fps, good buffer, weather sealed, under $800 USD with sealed kit lens. 3. K300 Super - Above with movie features like K-7, $999 USD with sealed kit lens. I could see this, except that I don't see the K300 without a video mode. Video mode is the next "must have" feature. Not necessarily something that every one wants or needs, but something that differentiates cameras. Otherwise, there is nothing that really separates the K300 from the current K20. I also don't really see adding in the weather sealing to the K2000. The whole point of that model is to be light, hence the 'L' lenses that were designed for it with plastic mounts. Weather sealing would significantly add size to that camera and also make it pretty expensive for an entry level camera. I guess I would see them more adding the orientation sensor, increasing the buffer size and if possible adding live view and continuing to sell for slightly less than 500 US Dollars.

08-27-2009, 03:41 PM	#72
johnmflores Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Somerville, NJ Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,361	Originally posted by Rondec I also don't really see adding in the weather sealing to the K2000. The whole point of that model is to be light, hence the 'L' lenses that were designed for it with plastic mounts. Weather sealing would significantly add size to that camera and also make it pretty expensive for an entry level camera. I guess I would see them more adding the orientation sensor, increasing the buffer size and if possible adding live view and continuing to sell for slightly less than 500 US Dollars. I don't buy the weather sealing = size and cost argument. The K-7 is weather sealed and it's smaller than the K20d and enters the market at the same price the K20d did. And the kit lens 18-55 WR is from what I understand just a weather sealed version of the 18-55 II. The WR costs no more than the non-WR on B&H, and it looks to be very similar in size.

08-27-2009, 04:59 PM	#73
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,663	Yes, but we'll see how much the K7 will drop over the next 12 months. The K20 body is currently selling for around 620 US Dollars. I doubt that the K7 will drop much below 900. Everything you add costs something.

08-27-2009, 05:31 PM	#74
Chwisch87 Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Atlanta, GA Photos: Gallery Posts: 317	Pentax does not need more cameras .... the last thing we need is some grand confusion like nikon or canon ...

08-27-2009, 06:12 PM	#75
KungPOW Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Vancouver, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,699	Originally posted by Chwisch87 Pentax does not need more cameras .... the last thing we need is some grand confusion like nikon or canon ... Pentax has two models. An entry level and an advanced enthusiast. The only confusion I see is Pentax not able to concurently have more then two models in production. As for Canon level confusion at the entry level, that you will never see out of Pentax. They need to produce more then two bodies before you can create confusion.