The K5 is the logical way to go.
1. The K5 just beats the A55 and maybe the A77 in image quality (if you trust the samples from imagining resource).
Imaging Resource "Comparometer" ™ Digital Camera Image Comparison Page
2. You already some Pentax stuff. If you go to Sony, the quality lenses cost much more. Sony seems to have divide the lens into two very clear segments. The cheap so-so commercial lenses and the really nice and very expensive CZ ones.
They are not even generous enough to give a commercial level 85mm prime at f1.8 or f2, but have one at f2.8 instead.
With Pentax you have a better spread of quality for the money.
As far as Ricoh's takeover goes. It is a good thing. Certainly better than Hoya. If Hoya was more interested in pumping in more money to promote Pentax with the Kx, K5, Kr and 645D, Pentax would have gotten a better foot hold than now. These are all camera models that are good and made some heads turn, just not enough marketing.
Esp. 'lifestyle' products like colored and ltd ed Kx, Kr,K5, these things need marketing and hype to drive them.
Ricoh is more interested in the camera business than Hoya was.
They only have a GXR as a flagship camera, so a DSLR market share that Pentax provides is a plus.
At worst, they will incorporate the K-mount into a new GXR type camera, but I certainly don't see the K-mount dying off.
Ok.. even if they simply (illogically; since Ricoh paid good money for Pentax) just cut the business.
1. There will be other interested buyers if the price is right. (China/India?)
2. We can just use the camera till it dies in 3-5years (if ever) and just use the still superb lenses on the many EVIL cameras that will be avaliable by then (NX, NEX, u4/3, etc)
On the HP sell off of its PC business example, imho, the Japanese way of business has always been more structured, long term and conservative. The Wall Street 'quarterly growth' expectation is just a load of bull. I think even and egg takes longer to develop than just every 3mths