> > Marketing BS. > There is a perception that Pentax can't design a computer system in any of their cameras. The reality is that, they can and they did. As for chip fabrication, they don't have the means to do so, hence they sometimes contract out the work to Casio or Hitachi which happens to make boring parts for their other cameras as well. Casio's field expertise in making small computers is no doubt well known, expecially with their FX-720P (a calculator/pocket computer combo). Some zoom compact cameras made by Pentax had parts made not only by Casio, but by Sanyo, Hitachi, Matshushita, Mabuchi, Seiko and Copal. Just because Pentax is working with Casio on the digital doesn't mean that Pentax is merging with them. If they do, why not say Pentax is merging with all of the other companies?
> but because the level of compactness > > of the camera itself. This means, all of the > > functions inside the camera needs to be controlled > by > > the main CPU, while most of the sub-functions are > > controlled by their relative ASICs (Application > > Specific Integrated Circuits). ASIC is also being > > used in the Optios to convert the analog input of > the > > CCD chip into digital, therefore making the CCD > chip > > brand used irrelevant. > > > > Not really. Stuff hard coded into an ASIC will be > very sensor > dependant. The reason this is all done inside an > ASIC is twofold: > > - Size > - Cheapest to manufacture for volume consumer > electronics. > That's exactly what I meant. CCD chip brand is irrelevant because once Pentax sources out a CCD chip for the model, they tend to stick with it. In fact, sourcing parts for digitals is easier than sourcing parts for a 35mm compact, where a maker is required to stock parts for up to 7 years, some up to 10 for service repairs. All makers make digitals on a quota basis. They will either only make a camera on the need to sell basis or make a specified number of them. With a number in mind, they can source out a reliable CCD chip manufacturer for the best possible price vs performance based on quantity purchase. A maker must also rely on the CCD chip manufacturer's ability to deliver parts on time and be able to do so in the forseeable future for future models. The maker's dependence on the supplier's reputation to provide the necessary parts is key to deciding on what Pentax will use. A Pentax rep tech had told me that they will not treat a CCD chip like some holy grail that some CCD chip manufacturers like to portray themselves in the consumer magazines. A CCD chip is just one part of the many hundreds to thousands of parts in a digital camera. The consumer will past judgement on how good the pictures are from a Pentax digital. And so far, the Optios are doing great and have very few returns and I have every confidence that their DSLR will do the same. Rick... __________________________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Mail Plus - Powerful. Affordable. Sign up now. http://mailplus.yahoo.com
