Originally posted by WMBP Pentax really needs to advertise -- and they need to find something to boast about that makes Pentax sound innovative and unique, because innovative and unique is memorable and it also attracts more free publicity. Right now, there's very little about the Pentax DSLRs that will attract free press attention. Olympus has the innovative four-thirds system. Sigma has the innovative/different Foveon processor. Not sure what makes Sony so special but its cameras do seem to be well reviewed. But Pentax doesn't have a full-frame, doesn't support four-thirds, doesn't have Foveon processor, doesn't boast spectacular performance at high ISO or super-fast fps rates. The K10D is simply a really great, usable camera in the old-fashioned sense. That's not enough to get a lot of attention. If simply being really good were enough, Apple would have 90% of the computer market, rather than 5% of whatever it's got.
What's amazing to me in that poll is that Leica got almost 9%. As far as I am aware, they make only one digital camera, it costs $5000, it's not a digital SLR (it's a rangefinder), and even rangefinder users don't like it very much!
Will
Pentax is advertising but at a retail stance. Pentax has been giving retailers tons of benefits to carry their product and spread the word, but many stores like the store down the street from us don't know squat about the K10D and frankly don't care. The majority of camera stores carry one of these setups:
1. Canon, Nikon, Sony, Olympus
2. Canon, Sony, Olympus, Pentax
3. Canon, Pentax, Olympus
4. Nikon, Sony, Olympus
5. Nikon, Canon, Olympus, Sony
6. Canon, Nikon
7. Pentax, Canon, Sony
As you can see Pentax is the lowest ranking and if you access to some of the dealer forums you'd see that the majority don't care for Pentax because they aren't a "drive you into the store" camera. Our store is the last setup and what we've learned is that even though Pentax isn't a driving force it's a great bargain for such a great camera plus the margins are bigger so we make more money than a store selling the same amount of Canon or Nikon equipment. Plus there are stores like Creve Ceour (sp?) and Mikes that are million dollar Pentax accounts. Those stores are amazingly successful with the number 7 model and love doing it, but it takes a Pentaxian behind the orders and an owner that believes in the brand. If more stores believed in the brand then they'd sell more of the camera and Pentax would grow and grow.
In my store Pentax has 70% of the market share and Canon+Sony are the other bit. Heck I even shoot with 2 other Pentaxians and there are a ton of Pentax users out here thanks to the store here.