Originally posted by RonHendriks1966 So here's my crazy idea: MAKE TWO NEW CAMERA'S
The base for this is an APS-H sensor of about 28-21mm with a surface of 588^2 mm and pixelsize of 7 microns or 4,75 microns.
- New Hi-iso performance (sports/action orientated) camera with big pixels and a resolution of 12 megapixel.
- New Hi-resolution performance (for those big prints) camera with pixels the size of current K-5 and a resolution of 26 megapixel.
Just to bring it up. It is one camera with two different sonsor, where the customer has to descide wich one to buy. Or even buy one of each when you are a professional. This camera should be targeted at professional's (wich aren't a lot Pentax users at the time) and advanced amatures that want a great camera. It should not be an attempt to take on with 1Dx or D4, but setting a new niche for Pentax that has not to many competition. A camera that has some nice pro- futures and can deliver excellent images. For use for action/sports (at 8 fps and excellent imagequality up to iso 6400) without the trying to be a 1Dx or an excellent camera for weddings/reportages (with 26 megapixels at the excact smae quality as K-5 delivers) without the attempt to copy a D4 (or D3x).
Originally posted by Kunzite I'm not sure the market share is big enough to support two otherwise similar cameras. In fact I'm quite sure it isn't
Otherwise the idea is not bad; Nikon did the same with the D3s and D3x.
But the main issue is the sensor. Not using a "mainstream" sensor is a huge risk; what if it doesn't perform as well as the competition? What if it's too costly? What if the sensor maker cannot keep up with technological improvements (this can have a big impact if the format is different)?
Otherwise, a "Limited" (exquisite mechanical quality) camera with APS-H sensor instead of a high-end APS-C model (if the price is in "FF" range it's no good) has it's appeal. If the viewfinder will be bigger.
Of course the market isn't big enough. The question is, will the market grow when you have a double pack to offer and save on R&D investment by creating two identical camera's that only future a different sensor?
On that sensor: The 26 megapixelsensor would be in my mind just a larg K-5 sensor with the excactly same specs for the sensor and quality for the pixels that is now in our K-5. Or would you considder that not good enough?
The 12 megapixelsensor is different. So how to get your hands on that design is the question. I have no idea if it is for sale in future for Pentax.
And yes ofcouse would this be that need small rugget camera that tops above the current K-5 that still would be the APS-C topcamera for another year. At the right price you can sell enough of them I think. Targeting for two different styles of users would make them sell easier.
Originally posted by ogl No any sense. Strange focal ranges. No lenses for APS-H. No manufacturer of such sensor.
Wel a lot of our current lenses can be used on this camera. Non of the zooms, except DA*60-250mm), non of the wide-angle lenses. But with 31mm, 35mm, 40mm, 43mm, 50mm, 55mm, 70mm, 77mm, 100mm, 200mm, 300mm and 60-250mm there is a start. Still a need for 28-70 and 80-200 or something a like in fast zooms and a few good wide-angle options (as is with Full Frame).
Originally posted by Aristophanes I agree. APS-H was Canon's attempt to keep a full feature, ultra-durable "pro" camera for journalists. . . The sensor just happened to be the most economical size both for production and IQ, at least for print journalism, and that's what led to its being.
Maybe this sensor still is the most economical answer for Pentax to future a relative compact size camera with a large sensor.
What would your choice be if it was this APS-H or only APS-C? Originally posted by thibs APS-H is not a solution, it is a new crop and would prevent SR. That's really a lot of efforts and money to create something still not much better. Pentax should stay with APS-C rather than going with APS-H. And yes, sensor producers can produce whatever you ask them, but at what price?
Why do you think Sony does not provide Pentax with a MF CMOS uncropped 80Mpix for their 645D? Too costly. But they could do it.
I have no idea why it should prevent SR. It needs a new modelled SR system, but the input of R&D could also spin-off to the APS-C camera's. It can be better, because I think that 12 large megapixels can bring great image quality and 26 (K-5) megapixels can produce the detail of Sony's A77 at a better quality due to bigger sensils. Maybe Pentax descided to use for 645D a ready sensor due to not having any budget to experiment on a new sensor. When 645D-II hits the streets with a full sized MF sensor then it will be more expensive then the current 645D. So choosing that 40 megapixelsensor was a wise start.