Quote: it has been proven that the K200D is undoubtedly just a market failure and with such a very short product lifetime. In contrast, the elder Nikon D60 and Canon 450D are still here and they are still selling like hot cakes, aren't they? Why? Well, this market failure did not have no trace, just look at what I reported in July about an Internet Poll which showed that the K200D was the least popular or just the least wanted entry level DSLR body, and that did verify once again that the K200D was just a fault and mistake of Pentax/Hoya in the very beginning.
Huh?
D60 = elder?
Weren't both the D60 and K200D announced Winter 2008?
Now, this being almost winter of 2009 and the average market life of a consumer SLR being 1-1.5 years, that sounds about the right interval to announce an updated model.
Regarding market success...I don't doubt that Nikon and Canon sell more of their low end cameras than Pentax (duh)...however...
I was in my local Ritz Camera yesterday morning and the word there is that sales are brisk for the K200D and on a par with the D60. I was shopping for a friend (Christmas gift for daughter) and had been tasked with comparing the K200D with the D60. The salesperson was very enthusiastic and knowledgeable about both cameras
Initially, I was biased towards the D60. I had helped a coworker visiting from Europe with a "tourist" purchase this last fall and was impressed with the camera at the time. I considered it to be pretty much the ideal solution for a beginner with smaller hands. Having the two units side-by-side allowed for an interesting comparison.
In our market the price is equivalent for a two-lens kit (assuming VR upgrade for the D60). Both cameras were a pleasure to hold in the hand. If my hands were smaller, it would have been even better. The D60 is smaller, but not by much. Weight and balance seemed about equal.
I had a SD card with me and was able to take a series of test shots with each unit. Strangely, although the AF on the D60 was impressively quiet, it was also amazing slow. Reminded me of molasses. It was weird to have it silently hunting for focus in the brightly lit showroom. In/out...In/out... The K200D seemed a little quicker than my K10D and definitely faster than the D60. My test shots showed a consistently snappier image from the Pentax. The Pentax SR/VR also seemed to be more effective. Both cameras had the standard kit zoom.
As I was snapping away, I continued to ask the clerk questions:
Question: "Does the D60 have DOF preview?"
Answer: "No"
Question: "Are you able to change AF points?"
Answer: "Choice of three points on the D60. Choice of nine points on the K200D"
Question: "What lenses are supported for AF on the D60"
Answer: "AF-S and AF-I lenses only, focus confirm for all others."
Question: "Legacy lens support?"
Answer: "Limited for the D60; all screw and K-mount for the K200D, but with potential metering issues for older lenses."
And so it went...
On the plus side for the D60, I was impressed with the improved feel of the current VR kit lens. In contrast to earlier models, it felt more like a tool and less like a toy. They even improved the nasty manual focus ring (barely).
After about 15 minutes I had pretty much formed an opinion. Based on features and bang for the buck, the D60 is not really in the same league. It is a great camera, but just does not have the same value as the K200D. I did not even bother looking at the Canon. Seen it before...was not impressed. It seems the good people at Consumer Reports felt much the same way.
Steve