Originally posted by Paul MaudDib Not much at this point. Again, most of the niches have been filled, and Pentax's FF lens lineup mostly consists of leftovers from the early 90s.
FF SR sensor would be innovative. Astro tracker is innovative. An APS-C camera with a built in Speed Booster would also be an innovative product in the FF market. A fully modular Ricoh GX-R style full frame camera would be innovative. Open source scripting language ala CHDK or SONY Nex apps?
Everything else has been filled by someone else already, or someone else is already working on prototype products for that niche (eg variable-register-distance cameras are being worked on by Sony). Native compatibility with M42 and Pentax-mount lenses is about the only other major advantage Pentax holds, and it's severely degraded because they don't meter non-electrical lenses and Pentax hasn't done significant improvements in its FF lens lineup for 20 years.
Why, what do you think could be innovative? LEDs on the front? Neon-colored bodies?
As i formerly wrote in this thread: I do not think the LED's are a bad idea. Neon coloured bodies? Why not? But i would not feel in need for that, when thinking about a full frame camera.
Again:
I like the idea that that the camera indicates video mode or photo mode with the LED ring around the main button(shutter release) and i like the new mode dial(on the KS-1) next to the display.(Yes it is a shame that it is missing a second wheel on the front for quickly manipulating shutter time and overall the wheel is a bad idea on the back)
And the rest... Just imagine all of the K-3's technical features with a full frame sensor... Isn't that enough? I think it is. Some would also wish for a Crop Mode. when he wants to use a recent DA-Zoom lens. or some of those wide angle lenses. The AA (anti-aliasing) filter simulator ...mhmmmm :-D
I would also like to see a user removable ir-filter like many people who have a look at astrophotography...
And one more axis for shake reduction.(Which could also be used for a slight tilt effect. and some kind of slight 3D bracketing...don't beat me for that one, i am no scientist.>just 'n idea)
So, let's go on. Weather Resistancy(no question), Bumpers that protect the camera when it falls down onto the ground. And hey,... why not make it really water resistant?
Just like the Nikon AW 1... But this time down to 30metres please. Just go to a photo store and take a look at the AW 1... and then think about an elevated mount with 2 o-rings around it...like the one on the AW 1.
4K Video Mode...
A new mirror technology alike Kent Optronics - Switchable Mirror / Switchable Glass but so that the mirror could also be used the traditional way...
Lightpainting mode, where you take a sample shot of the light source u will use to "paint" and than you give it the time u will need to do the whole action and the camera computes shutter time, aperture and if needed, what ND Filter you would need to use.
Lenses with filter mounts for smart glass. How dense exactly would you like your ND filter. Custom graduated filters...
Built in WLAN...
NFC... and not only for connecting to your mobile device.. just imagine. NFC-Tags that invoke custom defined user modes.
Custom noise patterns(according to the situation/location the camera is in. That would concern electromagnetic radiation, lighting amount and kind of light) for in cam noise reduction.
Focus Level Bracketing.!!!!
And think what you want about me, i still think that intelligent autozoom(and power zoom) is still a huge idea, and now it would be just the right time for it, since SDM technology is mature now. (would make some people smile, when you think about what happened with AF.... Pentax was also first.. and now.. Powerzoom. -> Nikon recently did another attempt with some Nikon 1 lens... "1 NIKKOR VR 10–100 mm 1:4,5–5,6 PD-ZOOM")
Built in variable Flash with a guide number around 20, that sports HSS and strobing.
Firmware that allows tagging photos with predefined keywords, when reviewing photos.
built in ftp and stock service upload function.
Maybe i could write a little more... But i will stop it now, because i gotta go to Photokina now.
That is what could be different. I think so. ;-)
Yeah, maybe i really lost it here at some points. But all that is better than beefing around.
And no, the K-3 is definitely a better APS-C camera than any samsung mirror less.(when it comes to make photos, not playing around with software features)
I would go so far to say, that it is the best bang for the buck in the APS-C DSLR market. And I don't really feel in need to explain here why it is.