[Kunzite]

With a release schedule of one new camera every 2-3 years

But, is that their release schedule?

[Mistral75]

But, is that their release schedule?

Considering only mid- to high-level cameras:

• 2013: K-3 and Ricoh GR
• 2014: 645Z
• 2015: K-3 II and Ricoh GR II (= GR + Wi-Fi and NFC + some software improvements)
• 2016: K-1
• 2017: KP
• 2018: K-1 Mark II
• 2019: Ricoh GR III
• 2020: Covid-19, delaying the announcement of K-3 Mark III

[angerdan]

But, is that their release schedule?

It seems like one model each year:
Product timeline: Digital Photography Review : Digital Photography Review
Template:Pentax digital interchangeable lens cameras - Wikipedia

[reh321]

It seems like one model each year:

One Ricoh model each year now.
Fewer Pentax models.
If only three Pentax models are maintained {K-70, K-3, K-1}, that could easily mean a model will last four or five years.

One of my employers was a US defense contractor. One of our projects was a command vehicle for the UK where the command scope showed maps from various sources {for example, one used latitude and longitude while another used polar coordinates from current location} - my job was to get everything to match. Using that philosophy, perhaps they can go a little faster. For example, a 24mp "FF" camera might be made by combining K-1 skin with innards beyond sensor of KP ..... if they want one.

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Last edited by reh321; 02-06-2021 at 09:06 AM.

[ThorSanchez]

Considering only mid- to high-level cameras:

• 2013: K-3 and Ricoh GR
• 2014: 645Z
• 2015: K-3 II and Ricoh GR II (= GR + Wi-Fi and NFC + some software improvements)
• 2016: K-1
• 2017: KP
• 2018: K-1 Mark II
• 2019: Ricoh GR III
• 2020: Covid-19, delaying the announcement of K-3 Mark III

K-3ii and K-1ii were mid-cycle refreshes. The GRIII is a Ricoh-branded pocket camera. I understand Ricoh/Pentax shares resources and personnel, but for newly designed ILCs they have released two cameras in five years, the K-3iii will be three.

[Kunzite]

It seems like one model each year:

One Ricoh model each year now.
Fewer Pentax models.

for newly designed ILCs they have released two cameras in five years, the K-3iii will be three.

But, is that their release schedule?
The correct answer is, we don't know. We cannot assume that the gap required by migrating to a new hardware platform will occur for every single camera from now on, for example.

I'm not sure if they'll decide to have 5 (or more) current Pentax cameras at once. If they'd do that, they would have a suitable (though likely slow, from our point of view) release cycle.
They know what they're capable of; we're merely guessing.

[reh321]

But, is that their release schedule?
The correct answer is, we don't know. We cannot assume that the gap required by migrating to a new hardware platform will occur for every single camera from now on, for example.

I'm not sure if they'll decide to have 5 (or more) current Pentax cameras at once. If they'd do that, they would have a suitable (though likely slow, from our point of view) release cycle.
They know what they're capable of; we're merely guessing.

That is true.
I was merely suggesting interpretations.
We do know from the CP+ 2019 interviews that they apparently have one 'finishing' team shared between various Ricoh brands.

[Kiddo70]

I am surprised by KP replacement. It fils well under Knew with attractive pricing. That being said a KP available in the 600-700 USD does not leave much room for a K70 replacement around 500 USD...

I just received a KP to “replace” one of my K-70s. Tried it for a day and sent it back. Just didn’t like the feel or ergonomics. I’ll keep my K-70s until they break and then see what’s new.

[reh321]

I just received a KP to “replace” one of my K-70s. Tried it for a day and sent it back. Just didn’t like the feel or ergonomics. I’ll keep my K-70s until they break and then see what’s new.

I love the ergonomics of the KP.
I dislike the articulated LCD screen of the K-70 which doesn't line up behind the lens and allows subjects to see that I am using it - the KP is much more discrete.

[Mistral75]

Actually, there is an announcement today that they are closing orders for the custom order KP J-Limited version as well, which is logical.
PENTAX KP J limited / ??????????? / ?? | RICOH IMAGING

Regarding J-Limited, that is something that is likely to feature in their CP+ presentations. They've already showed K-1 II and GR III custom models that could be launched officially, if only in Japan.

That was quick: five days ago they announced they would discontinue the KP J Limited around mid-February, today they announce that orders are closed.

PENTAX KP J limitedは受注終了いたしました。

Source: PENTAX KP J limited / デジタル一眼レフカメラ / 製品 | RICOH IMAGING

[reh321]

I am thinking now that the much-discussed mythical "K-new"
New K-New? Who Knew? - PentaxForums.com
may be the K-70 followup. There is little in the rumor other than it would be good at video.
Put the sensor, processor and some of the firmware from the K-3iii into a K-70, and you would have a camera which is good at 4K video.
As I've already commented, I am not thrilled by articulated LCDs, but video makers seem to love them.
I don't know when this would happen - possibly in another year or two.
The price could be $1K or more - but Pentax could continue the K-70 as the "introduction to the brand camera" with this K-90 as an "introduction to the premium brand" camera.

[totsmuyco]

I sure do hope that there will be a k-70 successor. Pentax needs to have a good entry level camera. I just hope they'll resolve the aperture block problem. That's the only fault I can find in that camera.

I'm wishing they'll continue the KP line. I love the retro look not to mention its performance.

I think that despite the negative reviews of anti Pentax people, the k-3III will bring in the sales.

[thibs]

The price could be $1K or more - but Pentax could continue the K-70 as the "introduction to the brand camera" with this K-90 as an "introduction to the premium brand" camera.

K90 as 'KP replacement' then?
'cos I really don't think they will add one more camera to the lineup.
They even killed KP so they could launch K3III.

[Smolk]

I am thinking now that the much-discussed mythical "K-new"
New K-New? Who Knew? - PentaxForums.com
may be the K-70 followup. There is little in the rumor other than it would be good at video.
Put the sensor, processor and some of the firmware from the K-3iii into a K-70, and you would have a camera which is good at 4K video.
As I've already commented, I am not thrilled by articulated LCDs, but video makers seem to love them.
I don't know when this would happen - possibly in another year or two.
The price could be $1K or more - but Pentax could continue the K-70 as the "introduction to the brand camera" with this K-90 as an "introduction to the premium brand" camera.

I had forgotten about that rumour. That it would be video-orientated is to be expected. Whether it would be K-70 or KP, I don't know - it may depend on what gives the highest return. I don't know what the margins on either would be, or the expected sales. Ricoh did once say that the sales of the KP had disappointed them.

[photogem]

I see a number of retailers in Canada are listing both the K-70 and KP as discontinued - unavailable for order........
...... I also see the DA 18-135 lens listed as discontinued in places.

Neither the K-70 nor the DA18-135 are discontinued:
Products | RICOH IMAGING
Products | RICOH IMAGING

The KP can still be ordered, but ranges under "discontinued models":

Considering only mid- to high-level cameras.......

IMO the K-70 is missing. Introduced in 2016 it is now the 5th year in production!
I don't see it at all as entry-level, it has much more to offer but of course that is relative!

Entry-level to me were: *ist-DL, K100/110D, K-m, K-x.

Between entry and mid: K200D, K-r, K-S1 (K-S1 as an effort to produce a small fully equipped KAF body, quite an achievement after the almost similar sized and quite inferior K-01)

The aperture-block-problem is almost solved, I am pretty sure they can solve that fully.
Pentax DSLR with solenoid built since Dec. 2015 range within the 2% failure-rate (not all due to a stuck solenoid though!)
That is quite an achievement because failure-rate of pre-2015 models with solenoid was high.
Every Pentax DSLR with solenoid pre-12/2015 owned by family, friends and collegues developed ABF!
Every without any exception (That includes K30/50/K-S1/K-S2).
And every of them was repaired by myself with the Japan-Solenoid and works perfectly since.

The culprit is only that tiny solenoid which was modified, works now much better and could even be bettered.

The demand, to use the stepper-motor of the high-level models in the mid-level bodies instead of the solenoid is based on (understandable) wishful thinking but (understandable) lack of knowledge. I have added information HERE which explains the why.