Originally posted by rparmar The K-7 is a great camera feature for feature, but Pentax has some way to go to find their "soul". Maybe the 645D will be the camera that does it. I remain optimistic but refuse to get swept away in hype without substance.
Thanks Robin. I appreciate your comments and have read with interest your K7 evaluation on Theatre of Noise. I am delighted that the notions of 'Pentax spirit' is one that evidently resonates among the user community. I really hope that Hoya and Pentax will pick-up on this because, from my experience, most Japanese consumer electronics firms are technology/production-led; they benchmark each other and rarely pick-up on consumers' emotional responses (look how staggered they all were when ipod appeared from 'nowhere' and stole the personal audio sector from their own back yard!).
I found your evaluation to be refreshingly down-to-earth and it certainly cuts-through the pre-launch hype to give a sober analysis of the forthcoming product.
From my point of view, I have no quarrel with Pentax owners surfing the euphoria of launch hype. We have all waited long enough for this new model which comes despite many nay-sayers proclaiming the end for Pentax. We are enjoying those exciting moments before the party begins and, secretly, all know that we might be getting just a little carried away! But I, for one, am thrilled that it shows a move in the right direction, back to the true spirit of the brand rather than being tempted to ape the market leaders with the big, ostentatious, overly-specified hunks of technology and features that true photographic enthusiasts don't really need (articulated live-view screens, epic fps levels, etc.).
While the K7 may be no MX, LX or even the MZ-5N, it was a brave move to reverse the direction taken with the K10D and K20D in the direction of conformity and to try to recapture the distinctive Pentax spirit. I expect it has taken the competition by surprise and I applaud Pentax for having the courage to do it. If the Pentax community shares that enthusiasm and supports the product I believe it could mark a renaissance of the brand we love.
If, by your analysis, it is moving in small increments, is not really the point. It is bucking the industry trend and ploughing its own furrow; that, for me, is admirable.