Originally posted by VoiceOfReason I'm now going to have to make a poll for price points for just a body. Also, at 3500 I would get a used 645D rather than an FF. At 2000 I would get the FF and some of the expensive lenses that will come for it.
$3500 is too much, I agree. The D810 is too much in my opinion at $3200 CAD.
If Pentax spec it out to be a D810/5DMKIII competitor, it will be priced as such, not $2000. Its just unrealistic to think otherwise, period. This is not going to be a loss-leader for Pentax. It would be silly to think so.
I've said it a million times since the announcement. Prepare for a $2500-3000 price point if it's equipped with a 36mp sensor, $2000-2500 if equipped with a 24mp sensor. Since the rumor mill has pretty much settled on a 36mp sensor expect a $2500-3000 price point.
Technology costs money.... so lets add up what the general consensus of the rumor mill has spec'd this camera at:
1/8000" shutter
50-12800 native iso range
screw drive AF
in-lens motor AF contacts
upgraded AF system
hi-resolution tilt screen
in-body shake reduction
36mp sensor with crop function
radio trigger flash system *my theory*
built in WIFI and GPS radios
built in NFC (why not go all the way)
dual SD card slots
mufti-pattern white balance
Beyer array simulation
moire reduction
Doesn't sounds like a Nikon D610, Nikon D750, or Canon 6D competitor to me. Doesn't sounds like its going after the Sony A7 series either. Looks like they are targeting the Nikon D810 and Canon 5DMK3. Both of which are $3000 range cameras.
Then I start hearing the arguments of "Pentax wants to be competitive and will undercut the big two." and "Sony's A7R is not $3000, why does the Pentax have to be? Nikon priced the D810 at $3000 because of the name".
Pentax are not going to be moving these cameras at the same volume as Sony, Canon, or Nikon. They are a small player, Pentax/Ricoh knows this. So they will try and be as competitive as possible with the camera compared to the major players. But they are in this business to make money, so they will not make the flagship camera a loss leader and sell it for a minimal markup. They need to make a profit, and they need to allow the retailers to make a profit as well. I would bet that there is at least a 50% markup at the end of the day between the retailer and manufacture combined.
So if the A7r can be had for a bargain priced compared to the other 36mp camera out there, why can't Pentax? Especially with an "old" sensor. If it's the same sensor as the D810, okay sure its a year old already. But Sony makes the sensors. When they sell Nikon the chips for the D810 they charge them a markup on the part...and I bet you they mark it up handsomely. Does Sony give themselves the same markup on the same sensor? I'm going to guess a big fat no. That reduces costs as it is developed in house
You also will have to deal with consumer perception. As Pentax fans we will all know what the camera is and what it can do. As the average consumer that see's what appears to be an impressive spec chart that is arguing for attention with Nikon and Canon's pro-grade cameras but at an entry level (for full frame) price point, they will start wondering where have shortcuts been taken and then they may not even look at them. Pentax is not the brand it once was. They are underdogs now. Not a main player like they were in the film days. They cannot go on brand recognition like they used to. Many people don't even know that Pentax still exists. They cannot sell the camera on price alone.
It will be a great value for the money, but it will not be $2000.