I Don't Get It

I've just got a copy of July's Digital SLR User Magazine and it shows that the K-x has won the best entry level dslr prize at the 2010 Tipa awards great news.
Now further into the magazine in the gear test zone section they have done a £500 dslr battle with six different brands.The K-x comes equal last with the Olympus E-450 with 15/20 points The came Lumix & Sony both with 16/20 and yes you've guessed it on top of the pile once again is a Cannon this time the 500D 18/20 & Nikon D5000 17/20 second. Why are magazines always so biased towards the Cannon & Nikons.
I just don't get it

REVENUE

PURE AND SIMPLE REVENUE

James

I was going to buy the July edition of Digital SLR User. However before buying, I flicked through to that Test. I noticed the lack of impartiality and the bias and decided that I would not buy. I will not bother with it again.

AP recently did a group test on the sub £500 DSLRs. There was not even a mention of a Pentax. Yet a number of AP advertisers were listing the Pentax KX. So AP are not even supporting their own advertisers. I shall not be buying AP in the future.

I can only assume that Pentax know they can sell everything they make, otherwise why aren't they doing whatever Canon/Nikon do to push their gear into reviews and comparisons?

If magazines are choosing not to include it then it's up to your Marketing bods to call them and make a nuisance of themselves until comparative reviews include your gear. I do wonder if it's a bit like Bentley - when was the last time you saw an advert for their cars? But they clearly have no trouble selling the ones they make via word of mouth, the motoring media and the fact that people who can afford one tend to know about them.

Its all about pushy marketing people - the reviewers of the magazines will be getting calls weekly from Canon & Nikon, and often from Sony & Olympus - yet none from Pentax.

But then consider that when you buy the £500 Canikon camera in a shop (with its branded windows & posters, the souvenier pens and expensive trade show stands, not forgetting the billboards on the street), £50 of that went on marketing. The £500 Pentax instead, £0 went on marketing, so you are getting 10% more camera for your money!

I suspect the Pentax marketing budget will be the same percentage of the company pot as other marques. Just the pot is not as big.

I was thinking of buying it as well - but saw the test and thought about its inconsistency and left it on the rack.
Andy