Specs for the new Pentax K-series

[MarkCook]

Anyone got any specs yet on the new Pentax K-series announced on their website as per the AP news post today ?

[Monobod]

One thing is for sure, if it is the K30D (or whatever) then they will have to wait for my money for a while. If it is a lesser model, then I'm not really interested in buying it anyway. So the long and the short of it for me is 'interesting' but that is all.

I do hope it is a success, whatever it is, as this will prolong the life of the brand name. It seems that Pentax are doing well in France, as they are talking of relocating there for the European Headquarters, so not all is lost for Pentax.

[Benchista]

There are plenty of rumours all over the place, but the usual rule applies - those that know aren't saying.

[FujiSigmaNolta]

Full Frame anyone? It is the order of the day in DSLR world after 15MP me thinks... they can't or shouldn't go under 14.2MP, 15MP is not enough of an improvement, so I think 18MP Full Frame? I look forward to see what's in the hatch.

[Zou]

http://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-news-rumors/

Mostly from here: http://ricehigh.blogspot.com/

That should keep you going for a while.

So long as it makes Pentax enough money to stay in the game and bring out the 645D next year as planned, I'll be happy.

[MarkCook]

Yeah, I'm on the verge of a GX10 and K10D (got one of each) upgrade to either the GX20 (prefer the menus!) or a K20D (Pentax quieter than Samsung mirror action!) but now I shall wait until next week and see what the new kit spec's are which in turn will hopefully push down the K20D price at least !!!

Yummy, don't ya just love the suspense LOL

[FujiSigmaNolta]

(Pentax quieter than Samsung mirror action!)

I am not sure about that, I have a GX20 and in the last G20 protest I was next to someone shooting a camera which sounded exactly with a GX20 (I though to myself "Who's shooting Samsung?") but it turns out with was a K20D. The shutter sound sounded exactly the same to me, but I haven't compared side by side.

[Done_rundleCams]

...... my Pentax rep, when talking to him last month, said that the next Pentax camera <u> Would Not</u>
be between the K-m/K2000 and the K20D ......mind you, he didn't say whether it would be below or
above either

Cheers,

Jack

[MarkCook]

(Pentax quieter than Samsung mirror action!)

I am not sure about that, I have a GX20 and in the last G20 protest I was next to someone shooting a camera which sounded exactly with a GX20 (I though to myself "Who's shooting Samsung?") but it turns out with was a K20D. The shutter sound sounded exactly the same to me, but I haven't compared side by side.

I have both a Pentax K10D and a Samsung GX10 and my K10D shutter action is definately quieter and sounds a little smoother than the GX10 !

[Monobod]

Are you talking about mechanical or digitally produced shutter sounds?

There is a difference, you can turn off the latter!

[MarkCook]

Mechanical, is there an electronic shutter sound on the K10 or GX10 ??? Don't worry about answering that

[Monobod]

Mechanical, is there an electronic shutter sound on the K10 or GX10 ??? Don't worry about answering that

No there isn't, confusing myself with the G10, sorry.

[johnriley1uk]

It's the same beast so it must be variation between samples.

[Monobod]

Yes, all the Samsung ones are noisier!

I ducked and you missed!

[FujiSigmaNolta]

I feel a Full Frame Pentax comin', I mean, to what extent can you push an APS-C sensor? I think 14.2MP or 15MP is pretty much hitting the limit, it's gotta go bigger sensor from that, I am sure. And I know Pentax wants to play ball with the big dogs now.

[MarkCook]

And I know Pentax wants to play ball with the big dogs now.

Let's hope so

[Monobod]

Don't forget there is room for improvement to the live view and the possible addition of HD movie mode, a higher dot resolution and bigger back screen. Two memory card slots like the Olympus would also be useful.

[Zou]

I feel a Full Frame Pentax comin'

Why? The range of useful lenses would be very limited (no pun intended!) and the costs of developing a third line of lenses (after DA and DA645) prohibitive.

[johnriley1uk]

The lens development is probably already there - Pentax have a very long heritage of high quality full frame lens production. It's not been in production for a while, but I guess it could be if required. Some FF lenses are still produced now, and some that are not billed as FF actually are.

But to be honest, since the wide angle lens requirement has been fulfilled with APS-C, I don't feel any need whatsoever for bigger and more expensive cameras and lenses.

[PentaxManiac]

A good point, some 35mm/full frame lenses seem to be still in production. But in the medium to long term I wish Pentax would let us know if full frame figures on their agenda, especially given that Samsung have made no secret of their interest in full frame. Maybe a situation could develop along the lines of Nikon using Sony full frame sensors, rather than what we've seen up to now where Pentax and Samsung produce near-identical cameras?

The fact is, I'm in a dilemna right now as regards a standard zoom. I have the kit standard zoom that came with my K10D, and my particular model is good: others have got the same lens and found it poor, but perhaps the deal is that with the low price consistency and QA are out of the window so some are good and others bad. Whatever, I want something built to a higher standard with a faster, constant aperture. The 16-50 F2.8 appeals a lot - but on full frame it would be as much use as an ashtray on a motorbike. Hence a certain reluctance on my part to lay out 500 notes on it until Pentax clarify things a little more.