K-50 anyone?

I think that Pentax have recognised that the K30 is a great camera and have muted its styling for a conservative market (persoanlly I like K30 styling) In 10 years from know i wonder how it will be regarded.



so we have
K500 enry level camera
K50 mid range
so there must be a new K5 to tempt K30 owners and to be the flag ship camera?

I hope so! interesting times....

I think the K30 styling was great as if you saw one on the street you knew straight away what it was, with the K50/500 it could be anything, my thoughts on the K30 are that pentax got both the spec and styling spot on.

But with its replacement my thoughts are well known, a lot of time,money, effort and lack of marketing just for a new dress.

I to wanted to buy a K30 but bought a mint condition,Hardly used K5 for a lot less money, so what does that tell us?

Likewise why would you not buy a Kr for a lot less then the K500, if you are just starting out.

There seems to be two conflicting discussions going on here and they needn't be. I don't think any of us think any of the cameras mentioned are bad or even bad value for money. I think it is a valid point to keep marketing something just to prove you are still there. You just can't expect any existing users to get excited except those at the entry level end and even then I can't see why they wouldn't still buy or didn't buy a K-30, the price difference between getting one now and the new entry level isn't that great. The K-50 offers little in the way of upgrade. The K500 camera is good for those who are not existing DSLR users but the K-50 offers little more to first time Pentaxians (who want a bit more than the entry level) than the K30, so that sector will stay constant.

Some interesting comments have been put forward, mainly to do with the styling. However, lets put ourselves in a non-pentax users shoes. Someone who is either new to DSLR's or wish to change to something better.
In the past, and it something we all have complained about, you go into a large camera store with all the brands cameras lined up. CaNikonY have large rows of all the DSLR's they have, big shelves enticing the buyer. In a corner, almost forgotton, is Pentax, showing off a mere two bodies. Looks a little sad really. Now, today, Pentax Can have a bigger area, Four, yes FOUR different bodies, the K500, K50, K-5II and K-5IIs. Now that looks a bit better to the potential buyer. Add the 645D and it would really good.
Now, look at the rivals. Well Canon really produce 3 models which are more or less exactly the same (600/650/700)Same bodies features etc. All use the same sensor, yet not one of them have the USP of the K50 and that is the weather sealing. At least Pentax have made this a difference and priced accordingly.
Oh another thing. Canon users are not happy, as they consider the 18MP sensor in these cameras rather old hat, and lacking the performance compared to rivals. At least we KNOW that the 16MP Sony sensor is one mighty unit and a joy to use, even now.

So, for me, it is a great start by Pentax, finally the Ricoh purchase is now paying off, We have more bodies on the shelves to entice more buyers, which is exactly what we want, as more sales=more investment, and more bodies and importantly, more lenses.
I still anticipate that this is not the end of product news by Pentax this year, as the analyst that I am, anticipate a new top end APS-C by the end of September, and well before the end of the year, the news we all have been waiting for, the Full Frame body.

Finally I did read on the web yesterday. Someone said Pentax is becoming a Cool and hip brand now, none of the stuffiness of the others. Perhaps they are right.

Keep it up Pentax, I am delighted.

Don't forget the K30, MX-1, and Q7

Certainly won't be swapping my K30 for a K50, nothing there too tempt me away. But good to see Pentax bringing on some cameras too tempt in newbies and people upgrading from K200, K-x, K-r etc
Specs for the K500 are very decent indeed for an entry level camera. Shame they didn't fit an articulated screen to that model. No reason not to with it not being WR.

In all fairness If you owned any of those cameras you wouldnt have anything really new in the k500 at all, this is for somebody who hasnt owned a dslr before.
But as for looking cool and hip, I would say they look as hip as dishwater.

Two wheels. Faster focus. Higher ISO capability. Just off the top of my head

Just a final note before I get accused of Pentax bashing, I did a quick survey in a meeting this afternoon and showed 11 people a picture of a k30 and a k50 minus any pentax logo and asked them which they would like to own and who made them.......

8 out of 11 prefered the looks of the k30
11 out of 11 said the k50 was either a canon,nikon or fuji?
Not one person said the word pentax?

Now in all fairness the group of people i was with are not in to photography but some did say they might or would like to own a dslr in the future.

Like i have said before pentax dont make any bad cameras at all, Its just the poor sales assistants and poor brand marketing that does them no favours. and then to bring out a couple of dull as dishwater cameras hasnt helped them any.no matter how many colours you can be over charged for.

Not worth £500 then...

Maybe not for you. Less than 12 months ago I was considering spending approx £3k for faster focus, and lower ISO capability.

Everyone has different needs.

I wish there was less negativity on here. What do you expect? Pentax Ricoh need a bigger range. I applaud them for updating the line up and for making the K50 and K500 in a more moderate shape.

Budget and mid-range DSLR's are where the main action in the marketplace is, so it's important that Pentax compete more effectively in this segment. I've also noticed that they are sponsoring the VW campervan festival in Bournemouth this year - smart move.

I wish them every success, but not too much success otherwise our gear will get more expensive!

Regards
David

Not or trying not to be negative just realistic and as for the campervan festival that is superb as Its another of my weak spots

What David says ^^^ Pentax does need a bigger range. it's boding well. bring on the K-3 and K-FF

I sort of agree with both sides of the argument. The main thing is Pentax has to get the message across that they have the best low to mid range DSLR's. Nobody except us seems to know that and they need to change that else they can launch as many models as they like and things will stay the same.