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09-17-2009, 05:20 PM   #1
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anything else coming in 2009?

So, we now have
  1. the K-7 replacing the top-of-the-line K20D, and
  2. the K-x, replacing the K200D, and
  3. the K2000, replacing - um, well, does this replace anything? I'm not sure.
So that's the Pentax DSLR product line today (9-17-2009). I'm omitting the K20D and K200D which are still listed on Pentax's web site but are (I assume) being phased out as soon as the warehouses are emptied.

Here's my question: Is anything else coming? I'm just wondering if anybody has heard any rumors (or read any interviews or press releases) that include clues about what's in the pipeline in the relatively near term - say before the end of Feb 2010? Does Pentax reveal its plans?

Will

09-17-2009, 05:25 PM   #2
Ash
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Will, this would be the big question, as the next step in my mind would be to find a true K20D successor (considering the K-7 being a new conceptual camera altogether rather than a K20D replacement).

I also see the K-x more of a K-m upgrade, and another step is missing in the mid-range level...
So for me a K30D, K300D announcement would be music to my ears...
09-17-2009, 05:27 PM   #3
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answering my own question, kind of

I'm putting this in a quasi-reply to my own question. Would like the question to stand on its own so you can reply any way you like.

A little earlier this year, I didn't jump to buy a K-7 for two reasons. First, it seemed to me just to close in features and capabilities to the K20D. (I'm not interested in the video at all.) And second, somebody here who apparently had their ear to the ground said that something else was coming later in the year. Now something else has appeared: the K-x.

My really ignorant guess - honestly, I know nothing about Pentax's corporate culture or plans - is that Pentax will not be released a full-frame camera any time soon. So I am not holding my breath for that.

And I can't imagine that there's a better camera coming than the K-7. I mean, if they stick with APS-C, I can't see how they could possibly make a camera that would sit ABOVE the K-7 in the same product line.

Seem reasonable?

Will
09-17-2009, 06:02 PM   #4
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QuoteOriginally posted by Ash Quote
Will, this would be the big question, as the next step in my mind would be to find a true K20D successor (considering the K-7 being a new conceptual camera altogether rather than a K20D replacement).

I also see the K-x more of a K-m upgrade, and another step is missing in the mid-range level...
So for me a K30D, K300D announcement would be music to my ears...
Ash,

Interesting. You think I've got the genealogy lines (so to speak) mixed up, then? I admit that I did forget about the K-m, which never really made an impression on me.

So what would a K30D look like? I'm really having trouble imagining it.

Of course I can't really figure out what the Nikon D300's raison d'etre is, either. Specs of the D300 are nearly identical to the specs of the D90 (D300 has a 1/8000th sec shutter, twice as fast as the D90, and has a faster fps rate, but the D90 does video, so it seems like a wash - especially considering the D300 is several hundred dollars more expensive).

I don't see a point in Pentax releasing another camera right now that is only incrementally better than the K-7. A year from now, of course. I recognize that you have to keep releasing new products and they don't have to be dramatically better than the products they're replacing.

So, is there a K30D in the pipeline? And what will it be like?

Will

09-17-2009, 06:12 PM   #5
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Well there is the 645D coming at the beginning of 2010. It may conceivably be announced at the end of 2009 and therefore count as a "2009" camera.

A slightly updated K20 (a K20DSuper) could be an idea--the remaining K20's are going for pretty cheap, so a slight update may easily place right between the K-x and K-7.
09-17-2009, 06:23 PM   #6
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IMHO, it is pretty obvious:

K10D/K100D: 2 lines
K20D/K200D: 2 lines
K-7/K-x: 2 lines

When they finished the K20D/K200D they started to develop a new generation. K-m was a "half step" (M5 processor, new body), K-7 the next (Prime II) and K-x complements it. There are no and have never been three lines. Just a temporal overlap in development cycles.

In retrospect, it is interesting how the K-m was called K2000 like there was a fight at Pentax themselves whether K-m was a third line or a new line ... Now we know.

And as the two lines are complete for 2009, there won't be (IMHO) any further upgrades until March 2010 (my speculation only!).
09-17-2009, 06:29 PM   #7
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...although they had the D/DS/DL for a while, then the K110/K100/K10, and more recently the K-m/K200/K20.

Not sure how these were timed or if this was merely "temporal overlap", but it at least gave the impression that there were 3 lines at various time points.

09-17-2009, 06:46 PM   #8
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The K-2

This is what I think is missing in the current lineup, basically a replacement for the DS mid-grade line:

Here are the specs:

Price:
US: $849.95 (with 18-55mm DA lens)

Body material:
Plastic on stainless steel chassis (no weather sealing).

Sensor:
23.6 x 15.8 mm CMOS sensor

Effective pixels:
14.2 million

Shake Reduction:
Sensor-shift system

Dust removal:
Image sensor moving mechanism and SP coating

Rotating dials:
One, in the back.

Image formats:
• JPEG (Conforms to Exif 2.21), (Best, Better, Good)
• PNG (Best, Better, Good)*
• Compressed RAW ( PEF )
• Non-compressed RAW ( DNG )

AF point selection:
• Select
• Center
• Auto Area AF

AF assist:
Built-in AF illuminator lamp*

AE bracketing:
• 3 or 5 frames, +- 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 (1/5 EV steps)
• 3 or 5 frames, +- 0.3, 0.7, 1.0, 1.3, 1.7, 2.0 (1/3 EV steps)

Other bracketing:
None.

Sensitivity:
200-6400

Shutter:
• 30 - 1/8000 sec
• 1/3 or 1/2 EV steps
• Flash X-Sync: 1/180 sec
• Bulb

Viewfinder:
• Eye-level pentaprism
• 100% frame coverage*
• Magnification: 0.92x (with 50 mm F1.4 lens at infinity,-1m-1)
• Dioptre adjustment: -2.5 to +1.5 dioptre
• Natural Bright Matte II focusing screen

AF point selection:
• Select
• Center
• Auto Area AF

Viewfinder info:
• AF points
• Focus confirmation dot
• Flash ready
• Shutter speed
• Aperture
• E-dial enabled
• AE lock
• Remaining shots/ISO sensitivity (custom function)
• EV compensation
• Flash compensation
• Manual focus
• Shake Reduction
• Metering / EV bar

LCD monitor:
• 3.0 " TFT LCD
• 921,000 dots
• Brightness level adjustment
• Color adjustable, 15 steps G-M, 15 steps A-B

Live view:
• TTL using imaging sensor

Battery:
AA (4) batteries (lithium, alkaline or rechargeable Ni-MH)

Storage types:
SD/SDHC card

Lens mount:
• Pentax KAF2 bayonet mount
• Pentax KAF3, KAF2, KAF or KA mount lenses
• Pentax K mount lenses with restrictions

Control Panel LCD:
Yes, with backlight.

* Uncertain Features (a.k.a. "wishful thinking", a.k.a. "willing to compromise".)
09-17-2009, 06:57 PM   #9
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Anything Else In 2009?

We've mentioned camera bodies; any word of new lenses or the appearance of a new lens road map? (Pentax please start making lenses with aperture rings again! Be Different than the competition!)
09-17-2009, 07:23 PM   #10
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QuoteOriginally posted by falconeye Quote
IMHO, it is pretty obvious:

K10D/K100D: 2 lines
K20D/K200D: 2 lines
K-7/K-x: 2 lines

When they finished the K20D/K200D they started to develop a new generation. K-m was a "half step" (M5 processor, new body), K-7 the next (Prime II) and K-x complements it. There are no and have never been three lines. Just a temporal overlap in development cycles.

In retrospect, it is interesting how the K-m was called K2000 like there was a fight at Pentax themselves whether K-m was a third line or a new line ... Now we know.

And as the two lines are complete for 2009, there won't be (IMHO) any further upgrades until March 2010 (my speculation only!).
You make a fair point, Falk, assuming that Pentax will follow in this line of thinking.
Although who's to say they will limit themselves to 2 lines? And wouldn't a K30D/K300D be another tier in the 2 lines supposed by you?

I agree that it would be far too soon to speculate or wish for another couple of lines to replace the K20D/K200D, but it is a forseeable step up in the not too distant future...
09-17-2009, 07:23 PM   #11
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I hope something around maybe a $900-1000 introduction MSRP. With the same bells and whistles that the K-7 and K-x share(distortion correction for lenses, video, etc.). With weathersealing, maybe the same VF as the K-7, but with the sensor of the K-x. Basically, something with weathersealing between the K-7 and K-x.

I just think it would be a huge mistake for Pentax to only have their $1200+ body have weathersealing, since they've been pushing their outdoor image a lot lately.
09-17-2009, 07:39 PM   #12
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I think putting something in between the K-7 and K-X would be odd... since the two models share a lot in common, with the K-7 only having an edge in ergonomics (a big part for sure). Maybe they should really do something like Canon with the 50D and 7D, both APS-C cameras with similar specs but the 7D is far more advanced.

My thoughts:
Maybe a better AF system with more points?
A new APS-C sensor with 14-16MP but with better ISO performance than K-7
a much bigger body possibly with grip already attached like D3 and 1Ds
bigger viewfinder with .96X?
full HD recording
I am thinking Pentax will put a model higher than the K-7. It explains why the K-7 "only" manages 1024p. They probably could of easily of done 1080p, but maybe they are reserving it for a higher model (correct me if there actually is a limitation in the sensor that I am not aware of).
09-17-2009, 07:51 PM   #13
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If there's something right in the middle, then that is what everyone will buy. Nobody will buy a K-x and nobody will buy a K-7. The current lineup is perfect.
09-17-2009, 08:05 PM   #14
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QuoteOriginally posted by jct us101 Quote
If there's something right in the middle, then that is what everyone will buy. Nobody will buy a K-x and nobody will buy a K-7. The current lineup is perfect.
Not everyone. Others who think the k-7 is too expensive for them and that the k-x is too stripped down will either not upgrade from their current camera, upgrade to a used one, or look elsewhere for what they want.
09-17-2009, 08:17 PM   #15
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QuoteOriginally posted by rm2 Quote
Not everyone. Others who think the k-7 is too expensive for them and that the k-x is too stripped down will either not upgrade from their current camera, upgrade to a used one, or look elsewhere for what they want.
The K-x has more features than any other entry level camera.
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