Interesting Comments about K20D

http://www.dyxum.com/dforum/forum_posts.asp?TID=25615

Go to above link for comments on K20D and K200D from Minolta/Sony users.

RG.

It sounds to me like they're all missing Minolta and I don't blame them. I was all geared up to buy a 7D as my first DSLR when Sony bought Minolta out. My previous experience with Sony products left a lot to be desired so I started researching the market from scratch and ended up here at Pentax instead - in hindsight I think I got a better deal but who knows what would have happened if KM had continued... :

Hefty1.

I purchased a 7D when it first came out, still have it. What a great camera.
Really built like a tank. If Minolta had stayed with it, I am pretty sure by now the upgrades would have made it right up there with the top Nikon and Canon models. Great pity they got out of the business.

The 7D can still hold it's own for image quality. I use it along with my K10 for all my Fire Dep't images.

RG.

I had a nice long play with the 7D when it was launched and fell in love with it, I always did like Minolta stuff. Unfortunately I'm not particularly rich and I don't believe in credit so I had to save and by the time my pot was big enough Minolta had gone.

After numerous broken (and shoddily built) TV's, Playstations, Walkmans, etc from Sony I decided it'd be a cold day in Hell before I parted with any of my hard earned cash in their direction!

Shortly before I bought the K10D the first news of the Hoya takeover of Pentax was breaking, however, in this instance Hoya was a company whose products I had used for many years without problem and I felt they probably understood photography better than Sony ever would so I wasn't all that bothered. I also figured that the K mount would be a safe investment as Samsung have the financial clout to make it in this business even if it proves that Hoya/Pentax don't. Sony has a habit of dropping projects that don't bring in quick returns (Betamax, Minidisc, etc) so unless they start making big money (and soon) off their DSLR business I think the A mount may well get consigned to the dustbin of history. If I had a large collection of Minolta glass right now I'd be a little bit worried...

I think you are little bit skewed in your thinking about Sony, the Betamax system was developed into the pro system that underpins broadcasting throughout the world; betamax became Beta which became Digibeta which became HI Definition - essentially the same cassette although the tape now moves a lot quicker.

Sony is now virtually the only manuacturer of professional video cameras (with a choice of Canon or Fujinon lenses). Other manufacturers like Panasonic produced the D9 system which was technically great but the camera build quality was mince.

Minidisc disappeared domestically but is still hanging in there as the choice of pros in theatre and filmmaking.

Hefty1.

I must say I have been real lucky with all Sony audio equipment, it's about all I have ever used. I also have a Sony R1 that I just love.

As far as Minolta dumping their DSLR program, that's something I didn't understand at all. They had some great SLR's and were way ahead with many of the features on the 7D. Despite what some may state, it has a very pro feel to it, much more so than my K10.

Don't know that I like Sony Customer Service, or for that matter Pentax.
Guess a lot of it has to do with whom one gets to talk with. It's akin to eating out. A bad server can ruin any meal.

RG.