After following the latest threads with complaints about the features in
various Pentax SLR's (MZ-S, MZ-7 etc.) it's clear to me that the
majority of users wants features, features and nothing but features.
Performance and build quality is of 2nd concern.
This is of course very bad for Pentax since they have, in contradiction
to Canon and Minolta, choosen the blessed pathway of good build quality
and high performance.
All, but the most expensive cameras, are a compromise between build
quality, performance, features - and price. This is because everything
cost money and a maker has to decide very carefully about what to
concentrate on without raising the price.
Take for example the MZ-7 vs Canon EOS 300 and Minolta 505Si. Now, tests
in Practical Photography (uk), and in other magazines, has clearly
showned that Pentax is the winner when it comes to performance and build
quality, while the Canon and Minolta wins the feature race.
Nikon is a strange mix between advanced features and strange omissions
(like the abscense of remote controlled shutter release).
The Pentax MZ-7 has both the fastest AF and the fastest winder in it's
class. It has metal reinforcements where the competition uses plastic
instead.
Of course Pentax could have put in spot meter and auto bracketing in the
MZ-7, but in order to avoid a price raise - they would be forced to slow
down the autofocus by using a simpler and less expensive AF motor, they
would also be forced to remove some of the expensive metal and replace
it with cheap plastic.
And hey, welcome the new Pentax 300 (or is it Pentax 505Si?).
Same story with the MZ-S.
Minolta Dynax 7 is a feature filled camera - but it lacks the
smoothness, the build quality and the exact performance of the MZ-S.
Hyundai or Mercedes? It's an easy choice for me...
If the Dynax 7 had the build quality of the MZ-S, it would be much more
expensive than the MZ-S.
Compare the Dynax 7 to the Dynax 9 and discover that the Dynax 7 wins
the feature race, but the Dynax 9 has much better build quality (and a
much higher price tag).
Pentax is all about quality and performance. If one believes that
features is of more importance, then choose Canon or Minolta instead. If
you care about quality and performance, then go Pentax.
Best regards,
--
Roland Mabo
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
http://www.algonet.se/~rolamo
-
This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe,
go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to
visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
