[Saxtonine]

Let me add another voice in favor of the K-3 II. Had mine for a year and a half and "only" racked up a shutter count of 18K. At this rate it'll be 5-10 years before I want or need a new body.

[Paul the Sunman]

I've been patiently waiting for a new Pentax camera. I've been interested in the KP but really was hoping for the K3 replacement. I am not sure a K1 is a great fit for me. I obsessively searched for news around CP+ but now that it seems there is nothing coming for a K3 I find myself at a cross roads of do I continue to invest in the Pentax lineup? Should I jump ship and try out the mirrorless that all the "cool" kids seem to be into?

Have I missed something? Has something been announced about the timing of a K3 replacement?

"Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence"

[boriscleto]

The latest offering from Olympus has me drooling. That MFT camera could be a real winner for them. Awesome SR which can be combined with the lenses internal SR to provide even more stability. A video reviewer did a demo of it where he was moving the camera all over the place and it remained locked on target.


It uses pixel shift technology that can generate 50MP images. Great autofocus. Frame rates that leaves Pentax, and some others, in the dust. Large buffer and two complete processors. 4k video if you want it too. Weather sealing etc. It is also at a price that I am willing to pay for a great camera.


If Pentax is developing something new then let us know. I will be 68 this month. I have no desire to wait "another few years" for something as simple as a new set of teleconverters. Their "wait until next year" approach is not a good strategy as they already use older technology in their latest models. If you want to limit new model introductions then what you do introduce should not already be obsolete when it hits the market.

Then shuffle off to Olympus Land. Ricoh is content with their niche and market position in Japan.

[zzeitg]

The KP is a downgrade on the dynamic shooting aspects but it is an upgrade on other features such as: pixel shift, electronic shutter, accelerator that improves overall perceived image quality and higher ISO settings, as well as K1 style with smart dials and customizable info menu. You have to think not from the old Pentax DSLR perspective but from the Ricoh perspective. Look at the X series from Fuji, when Ricoh saw that a lot of Pentaxians were getting Fuji x series camera, Ricoh designed an clone version DSLR for matching the limited primes. There is no 300 f2.8 or 400 f4 , the fastest long lens for Pentax is the DFA150-450 with AF not comparable with Nikon / Canon primes. What will happen if Ricoh makes a K3 II successor that is not even half a good as a D500? => Big disappointement and big whining again from the Pentaxians.

If your theory was true, it would mean that Pentax rejected all sport, action or wildlife photographers. For me it's simply hard to accept.

[biz-engineer]

If your theory was true, it would mean that Pentax rejected all sport, action or wildlife photographers. For me it's simply hard to accept.

I don't really know. Whether Ricoh will release a K3 III successor or not , I won't even bother looking at the specs. The truth is that I lost interest in long lenses fast shooting and crop sensors, and the K1 in crop mode with the DFA150450 works well for me, AF points cover the whole crop frame and the frame rate and resolution are good enough for me. K1 is the most versatile platform ever, it can do everything, I'll not be hanging for another crop camera.

[gaweidert]

Then shuffle off to Olympus Land. Ricoh is content with their niche and market position in Japan.

As soon as you send me $10,000 in funds I'll do just that. For grins and giggles I priced out a dream setup and that would just about do it.


The problem with niches is that they move around. They are more stable than a fad, but that is about it. Watching Kodak implode from the inside while being content with what they had has affected my outlook on such strategies. They literally sold off their future to concentrate on their past.


I wasn't really looking around for anything but when I happened across the latest MFT offering from Olympus and looked at some of the early reviews. It is a mechanically stunning device.


Sadly, Parkinson's disease seems pretty common in my family and I may be in the initial phases myself. This camera with up to 7.5 stops of shake reduction and smaller lenses may be in my future whether I like it or not. I would certainly be happy to pay $3K for a similar Pentax camera. APSc would be more than fine. FF a dream come true.


As I have stated elsewhere, what I need from Pentax right now is some new FF teleconverters. Knowing if they plan to make them and if so, when to expect them would be a big help for me. Future lens purchases are awaiting this news. My current Tamron TC is starting to get cloudy and will need to be replaced in the not too distant future. I have no desire to pay premium prices for older teleconverters if I can avoid it.

Still liking my K1 and loving my K1-II. So much so that my K5-IIs and K3 sit mostly unused.


It will soon be time to head out to Montezuma NWR. Maybe I will run into you. We will probably be the only two using Pentax gear. But we will be getting the best shots.


Cheers

[Sandy Hancock]

I didn't realize the emotional attachment that I had to this K200....
....But just taking the K200 out of my bag made me feel good. Solid & comfortable and I've taken great shots with it....
....This brand's got it's hooks in me deep.

Somewhere I missed that you were looking to move on from the K200.

Get a second hand K-3. Seriously. You won't believe the difference, and it won't cost you much.

In a year or so, when (or even if!) the new APS-C flagship is released, you'll have a hard time justifying the upgrade.

[normhead]

The latest offering from Olympus has me drooling. That MFT camera could be a real winner for them. Awesome SR which can be combined with the lenses internal SR to provide even more stability. A video reviewer did a demo of it where he was moving the camera all over the place and it remained locked on target.


It uses pixel shift technology that can generate 50MP images. Great autofocus. Frame rates that leaves Pentax, and some others, in the dust. Large buffer and two complete processors. 4k video if you want it too. Weather sealing etc. It is also at a price that I am willing to pay for a great camera.


If Pentax is developing something new then let us know. I will be 68 this month. I have no desire to wait "another few years" for something as simple as a new set of teleconverters. Their "wait until next year" approach is not a good strategy as they already use older technology in their latest models. If you want to limit new model introductions then what you do introduce should not already be obsolete when it hits the market.

Also looked at this camera. it is truly impressive in every way but price. I figured for $5000 I could match everything I have in my K-3 system with much better features. The killer of course is Pentax isn't going to match it or even come close. But the downer is, the capabilities for me would be frill, not a necessity.

[BruceBanner]

The latest offering from Olympus has me drooling. That MFT camera could be a real winner for them. Awesome SR which can be combined with the lenses internal SR to provide even more stability. A video reviewer did a demo of it where he was moving the camera all over the place and it remained locked on target.


It uses pixel shift technology that can generate 50MP images. Great autofocus. Frame rates that leaves Pentax, and some others, in the dust. Large buffer and two complete processors. 4k video if you want it too. Weather sealing etc. It is also at a price that I am willing to pay for a great camera.


If Pentax is developing something new then let us know. I will be 68 this month. I have no desire to wait "another few years" for something as simple as a new set of teleconverters. Their "wait until next year" approach is not a good strategy as they already use older technology in their latest models. If you want to limit new model introductions then what you do introduce should not already be obsolete when it hits the market.

Sounds good, let us know how it goes, keep in touch etc.

I went this morning to put all my stuff on KEH to sell and jump systems. I got all the way to the submit page and I couldn't do it.

It felt like I was going to sell off a family member. I didn't realize the emotional attachment that I had to this K200. It's literally been around the world with me. And if I'm keeping that then I should keep the lenses and so on.

I was looking at Canon's which would make the most sense for me ( EF is on every cinema camera that I have to use for work. ) and playing with some of the 5D's we have at the office and I'm just not excited about them. The EOS line seems like a bit of a train wreck. A Fuji's ergonomics look like it would drive me nuts, and Sony colors don't really do it for me. But just taking the K200 out of my bag made me feel good. Solid & comfortable and I've taken great shots with it.

Maybe Papa_Joe's right to look at a K3 or maybe I'll rent a K1 and see if I get some sort of spark while shooting with that. KP is nice I worry slightly about ergo though on that ( if any one knows a Pentax retailer in LA please let me know. Went to Sammys and they had a Pentax sign but ZERO cameras ) This brands got it hooks in me deep I really hope they come through. Just wish they'd give a few more hints on where they are going.

Have I missed something? Has something been announced about the timing of a K3 replacement?

"Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence"

I don't really know. Whether Ricoh will release a K3 III successor or not , I won't even bother looking at the specs. The truth is that I lost interest in long lenses fast shooting and crop sensors, and the K1 in crop mode with the DFA150450 works well for me, AF points cover the whole crop frame and the frame rate and resolution are good enough for me. K1 is the most versatile platform ever, it can do everything, I'll not be hanging for another crop camera.

Somewhere I missed that you were looking to move on from the K200.

Get a second hand K-3. Seriously. You won't believe the difference, and it won't cost you much.

In a year or so, when (or even if!) the new APS-C flagship is released, you'll have a hard time justifying the upgrade.

For everyone else, K3iii due 2020; Pentax K-3 III Camera to be Announced in 2020 - Best Camera News

Just get a used mint condition K3 or a KP to tie you over

I am holding a K3ii for someone and had to open it up for him the other day to give the serial numbers so that he can add it to his insurance policy. I've never held a K3/ii before but it's lovely, this copy he has looks in mint condition... I mean better than my own K-1
Just find a nice used KP or K3 and I think you'll be happy. We have 1-2yrs wait left for a flagship crop camera, I'm not upset over that timeline at least not if they get it right. Guess we'll have to see if it'll be worth the wait, I'm hoping they are taking their time with it is a sign of truly addressing the issues and not just business constraint stuff.

[lesmore49]

I think it is the grass is always greener syndrome as the OP mentioned.

I used to belong to a camera club and there were some members who were always looking for the newest, greatest, improved equipment . One year they would have the latest Nikon, next year Canon would come out with the latest and greatest and they would be trading in their 'old' Nikon stuff for the new Canon stuff and vice versa....and so it went on...a repeating, non ending cycle. There are some who are always looking for the holy grail of cameras. As an old guy who has been around for many years...I can say there will always be something new to buy...not necessarily better, but certainly new...and to some that's enough.

I've got my K1 a couple of years ago, didn't get the K1, Mk. ll upgrade and I'm more then happy with what my seemingly 'obsolete' K1 can do. It continues to exceed both my expectations and abilities and if I were a futurist , my prediction would be that this camera will continue to do so in the foreseeable future. That maybe more of a comment about my limited abilities then anything, I realize.

I admit that my K-5, I've had since 2011 is similar to my K-1. Let's face it, these two cameras are good, real gooood and I would venture to say both are better cameras than many of us (me included) are photographers.

So if my K5 is such a hot piece of machinery why did I get the K1 ? Because I wanted it, I didn't need a K1, I wanted a K1 and I succumbed to desire...pure and simple.

I don't have a K3 , but I'm pretty sure that it's a fine camera and can more than handle a photographer's needs. But if one can't wait for the newest ASP-C Pentax and they don't want the K1, but want another make...get it.

When I say that, I'm not being sour about anyone thinking of crossing over to another camera make and leaving Pentax in their wake.

I am saying if you got the bucks and the desire to get a new Canikonolyuji....then get it. Might be wise to keep your K3, if possible, to guard against buyers remorse..and also why not, it is a very good camera...and that may be reinforced after you have put some miles on your new camera equipment.

[jacobja]

I'm a Pentax user since 2014 (Nikon before) and I love my camera's ( I have a K3 and a K1). I'm a landscape/nature/bird photographer and do some studio work occasionally. My lenses are 24-70, 70-200, 150-450, the new 50mm and a tamron 90mm macro lens. The results I get are really stunning.
I'm also in a photo-club and of course I'm the only Pentax man, many times the are laughing with me since most member's of our club are canon 6d/7d, nikon d810/nikon d850. Our APS-C members are D7500 Canon D760D etc...

Last year I went to Tanzania for vacation, spending 2 weeks and took 4000 pictures. Last month I finished my post-processing and made a presentation in my club around the topic Tanzania, and all canikon guys where flabbergasted, The feedback was "what the f... "


When I explained all the features, like pixel shift, astro tracer and "Cath In Focus" ( love this for bird watching), they are not laughing anymore.

Now one last remark I have, is that indeed there will be always better, more expensive and stunning camera's but remember this statement
The only limitation in my photo camera is ME!
I just have some light gathering devices

[tokyoscape]

... Ricoh is content with their niche and market position in Japan.

I used to believe that too, but to be honest, I am not sure if they sell that much in Japan right now.
I used to see more Pentax user here when they released K3 to early K1 years (no a scientific data, just my feeling from weekend photo shooting and I am doing it a day or 2 every week for many year.)
Big electronic store near me and in Tokyo also reduce size of Pentax counter too. I used to be able to test just about any lens in production during K3 days, now? very limited number, mostly zoom lens and they are all dusty. just in these 2 weeks they put K1II and new released lenses back on the counter, I guess it is because the CP+. I will see if I have time to do the new 50 vs my DA*55 test today after the CP+. I think the size of counters in-store can best tell what sell what not.

IMHO, I see Japanese user with mirror less Sony, Fuji, Olympus a lot now. and just about any new armature shooter (which I believe, if Pentax wants to secure their future, they need more of these people buying power.) I have ever meet in my Tokyo photo tour, they have absolute no interest in large DSLR body. People in my trip buy a camera not because mirror-less looks cool. I can tell they are really interesting in photography and travel. And people before go on a big trip still want a real camera.
I had a person (only one person) in my trip told me he almost buy a KP but switch to Olympus the last minute because first, he just want a camera so he can come to the tour to learn shooting technic before go on to his world tour trip and when he research more into the companies direction and future product release, he had more confident in Olympus direction. He like my night urban shooting style, that's why he apply for my trip and when I show him my work process and talk about Pentax legacy lenses which is relatively cheap and very easy to find in Tokyo, no adapter needs, night shooting on tripod doesn't need auto-focus, real-life night shooing and controlled studio test are not the same so old lens is not a bad choice for modern digital sensor, etc. I can see he sway a bit but I totally understand why he didn't get the KP in the first place. And his selection on Olympus body and lenses are awesome in many ways.

[BrianR]

For everyone else, K3iii due 2020; Pentax K-3 III Camera to be Announced in 2020 - Best Camera News

Link says it is rumoured to be announced in 2020.

I was hoping it would have been out by now, and discontinued when the K3iv replaced it mid 2020. Oh well, my k5iis is showing no signs of imploding on itself, if it croaks suddenly I'll probably pick up a used one to tide me over (or a used k3ii).

[Merv-O]

Gaiwedert: Buy the KP: if you're 68, the KP may be the Baby Boomers ideal "prosumer" body. Fast, light, easy too hold and carry, and, has better imaging than the K-3ii because of its newer sensor and IQ--I have both bodies and while the K-3ii is excellent, it is lagging behind a bit....also, I have more use for the fill in flash at this point than. the K-3ii built in GPS...For less than. $800 bucks, the KP more than holds its own against the 4/3rds Olympus bodies.

Try it--you'll like it....

[zzeitg]

After spending some months with K-1 & DFA 150-450, I took a walk with K-3 & DA560 today.

And oh my God, that's a different world. Rat-a-tat-tat, the difference in speed is enormous.

Not any K-1 or KP, my DA560 deserves to be paired with a new APS-C flagship, K-3 III (or however it might be called)!