Originally posted by Clavius But when it's at the D610 pricepoint customers would rather go for the D610 itself because of all kinds of reasons. So it would have to be even cheaper to motivate them. And that will earn them the mark of being the "cheap" brand. I don't want that, and I don't think I'm alone in that. I had that name once and they're still not quite done trying to shake it.
I can honestly say that if and when Pentax releases a FF DSLR, I wouldn't 'rather go for the D610' on price alone.
All those usual suspects; features, ergonomics, lens compatibility, etc, all come to play. Given the previous track
records for both companies, I'm pretty confident I would choose the Pentax FF over the D610.
As for Pentax being perceived as a cheap brand, I think they're already shaking that image. Older, stuck in the mud
photographers might carry that torch but they're fading away to a younger audience who is discovering Pentax solely
on current product. And from my admittedly limited experience, Pentax is seen as something exotic and upscale
among that young audience.
I do see the shift happening, even if it appears to be happening slowly on a daily or monthly basis. But it is
happening. Young shooters are often excited by my 'exotic' camera. And here on PF we're seeing more and
more "I sold my Canon gear and bought a K-(*)" posts than I recall seeing in the past.
None of that answers whether Pentax actually needs to release a DSLR FF camera...., but I think the brand
is doing just fine at present and is perhaps healthier than it's been in 2+ decades.