Jens wrote: I doubt Pentax will aim at a pro-level DSLR. I Pentax wanted to, they would have manufactured the full frame MZ-D. I guess what we might see from Pentax will be a 8-10Mp prosumer DSLR. Pretty much like the *ist DS, but with more MP's.
REPLY: In my opinion they have to. The MD-S (that was its intended name) was shelved not because Pentax reconsidered the idea of making a "pro-level" DSLR, but because it simply wasn't competitive (Mind you, I'm certain Pentax and others have had several DSLR's in the pipeline that was shelved at the last minute due to the volative state of sensor prices). Pentax have been making pro cameras from about 1968, regardless of what definition you choose for pro-level, so I cannot see why they should stop now. Pentax have labeled at least six different bodies as "pro-grade" since 1968 and they have sold hundreads of thousand, perhaps approaching a million in sales. For digital, having an upgrade path is far more important than it ever was for film slrs as higher end for digital is directly related to image quality. Even in the pre digital age every SLR manufacturer that concentraded on value for money are out of (this) business. The likes of Petri, Fujica, Konica, Mamiya etc went away for good reasons. A DSLR manufacturer who will strictly make entry level to prosumer DSLR's are evn worse off, and will face a downward spiral into oblivion. The Nikon D70 outsell all Pentax DSLR by a factor probably somewhere in the area of 5-10 times, and it is not because it is five to ten times the camera. If it is indeed correct what Herb cites that Pentax will increase their focus on DSLR at the expensve of compact cameras, it can only mean in my opinion a wholehearted approach. The once profitable compact camera sector is now under far more competitive pressure than it ever was when film cameras dominated; now seeing the attention of the electronic giants. The SLR sector (and lets not forget that until about 20 years ago Pentax was an SLR only camera manufacturer) is basically wide open with only two dominant players in an increasing market sector. Pentax is still a venerable SLR manufacturer but the large potential for Pentax is only there if they offer in due course a complete line-up. Pål
