[JamieP]

There has been a lof debate about the positioning of the K-x in numerous threads, so I thought I'd start a new one to put this to rest.

As was recommended here: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/746758-post124.html, I emailed Pentax customer support and asked about the positioning of the K-x. Here is the response:

Thank you for contacting Pentax.

The K-x is being positioned as an entry level dslr, replacing the K-m/K2000 model.

If you are in need of further assistance, please respond to this email or call our technical support center at 800-877-0155.

Sincerely,
Rxxxxxx Sxxxxxxxxx
Pentax Imaging Technical Support

I have replied back asking about any replacement for the K200d or another model between the K-x and K-7 (since they conveniently ignored that part of the question). Will let you know if I hear anything further. I wil also look into passing this to dpreview since they have created much of this confusion.

Thanks,

Jamie

[thibs]

Not surprised but now officialy confirmed.
They won't comment on unanounced products, ya know, but you've nothing to lose asking

[gazonk]

The K-x is being positioned as an entry level dslr, replacing the K-m/K2000 model.

Still, it seems like they're going to keep the K-m for a little while too, it is not yet listed as discontinued on pentax.jp (if Google translates properly for me): Their SLR overview page lists three cameras as current, K-x, K-7 and K-m.

[nostatic]

The Km will stay on the site until they clear out the inventory channels.

[RawheaD]

I don't know why people continue to beat on this dead horse. There will not be a "K20D" replacement. That is the K-7. There will not be a K200D replacement. That was the K-m, and now the K-x. Why would they want to put out anything between the two, already feature similar cameras?

[cyg]

It seems odd to think that Pentax would be the only major dslr manufacturer to be incapable or unwilling to market more than two models at the same time. (Although Sony may be stretching the segmentation to something ridiculous)

There is plenty of room both price-wise and feature-wise for at least one intermediate model.

[Prognathous]

It seems odd to think that Pentax would be the only major dslr manufacturer to be incapable or unwilling to market more than two models at the same time. (Although Sony may be stretching the segmentation to something ridiculous)

Sony has 7 models in the line-up, which is the same number as Canon and Nikon; Olympus has 6 (one of them is the E-P1, which isn't technically a DSLR's).

Prog.

[cyg]

Sony has 7 models in the line-up

Here is Canada they have 6 models in their APS-C line-up only, from 550$ to 1150$ (MSRP).

This kind-of reinforces the point that there may be some room between the 700$ K-x and the 1600$ K-7...

[Kunzite]

But Pentax just launched ~100 models in the 650-650$ range! Granted, in Sony's case the differences are slightly larger

[gazonk]

But Pentax just launched ~100 models in the 650-650$ range! Granted, in Sony's case the differences are slightly larger

It's quite fun to look up cameras at Yodobashi.com. Clicking through to DSLR cameras, you get the following search refinement options:

Manufacturer
Pentax (212)
Panasonic (21)
Nikon (17)
Canon (15)
Olympus (14)
Sony (11)
Fujifilm (1)
Mamiya (1)
Leica (1)

[ytterbium]

I don't know why people continue to beat on this dead horse. There will not be a "K20D" replacement. That is the K-7. There will not be a K200D replacement. That was the K-m, and now the K-x. Why would they want to put out anything between the two, already feature similar cameras?

IMHO it's the golden middle road. If k-7 is expensive almost-pro and K-(whatever) cheap and limited entry level i'm neither. Well K-x may change this (at least it's specs are good), but still it is heavily based on entry level body.
You cant disable DFS on K-7.
*most* people will never use, sync-socket, stereo microphone, wont cry without the penta-prism and second dial, prefer AA's (and most likely already have few sets of them as well as an advanced charger), count every gram, and don't have 16 Gb SD's for useless 14 Megapixels. Still many of them want a fully functional (emphasis on focus points here) camera which has such a practical features as weather sealing and maybe focus fine adjustments.

Does K-m support remote assistant?

[Aristophanes]

IMHO it's the golden middle road. If k-7 is expensive almost-pro and K-(whatever) cheap and limited entry level i'm neither. Well K-x may change this (at least it's specs are good), but still it is heavily based on entry level body.

Absolutely.

Entry-level models are poor at up-selling after-market accessories and lenses. And likely why Pentax has marginally lowered the specs on the kits lenses and variant 55-300 to bundle and move product, keeping the assembly lines moving. That's still not going to help the primes and pancake market where Pentax shines (Oly is bundling a pancake prime with the Ep-1, why not Pentax?). We get really expensive lenses now (DA*55 has an awful price) from Pentax but affordable bodies? Hmmmm....

But that $600-$800 price gap between the K-x and the K-7 is the meat of the market and is too vast to compete.

The ideal situation is the K-7 should come down in price. If it gets into the D90, body-only price range, it will smack serious volumes sales. It's got terrific press and is the exact kind of camera prosumers will buy up to, especially when bundled with a quality WR kit lens. But it has to get below US$1,000—tough to do with the Yo-Yo Yen right now.

Until that happens, the price/model gap will keep Canikon, Oly, and Sony really happy as they have one less competitor to worry about.

[monochrome]

. . . .

The ideal situation is the K-7 should come down in price. If it gets into the D90, body-only price range, it will smack serious volumes sales. It's got terrific press and is the exact kind of camera prosumers will buy up to, especially when bundled with a quality WR kit lens. But it has to get below US$1,000—tough to do with the Yo-Yo Yen right now.

Until that happens, the price/model gap will keep Canikon, Oly, and Sony really happy as they have one less competitor to worry about.

US demand for the K-7 is too great right now for the price to come down much. Pentax is selling all it can make at this price. From their short term perspective, why would they lower the price to sell more units they cannot make?

Longer term, Pentax needs to invest serious capital in production facilities, an investment Hoya is reluctant to make given global economic uncertainties. Wouldn't it be ironic if we had another economic crisis / deep recession in 9 - 12 months and Oly or Sony fell out of the market, Canon and Nikon were strained and HoyaTax emerged comparatively healthy?

[Kguru]

It seems odd to think that Pentax would be the only major dslr manufacturer to be incapable or unwilling to market more than two models at the same time.
There is plenty of room both price-wise and feature-wise for at least one intermediate model.

The K-7 IS the intermediate model. A year from now its price will have dropped to $900-1000, ripe time for Pentax to then release a $1500 near-FF body

[ogl]

If we read OFFICIAL press-conference of HOYA
ƒyƒ“ƒ^ƒbƒNƒX�A�uK-x�v”*•\‰ï‚Å�gƒRƒŒƒWƒƒƒiƒCƒ�ƒ{ƒ‚ƒfƒ‹�h‚ð”*•\ - ƒfƒWƒJƒ�Watch

we can understand that HOYA present K-x as K-x is new middle-end camera for EVERYONE, NOT K-m replacement.



left - entry-level, right - middle-end.

HOYA declares that 4.7 FPS, VIDEO, LV, ISO6400 and 1/6000 makes K-x as MIDDLE-END camera with price of entry-level.

I will test it.