Mirrorless...

Erm are Kenko still part of Hoya???
Haven't seen it posted elswhere but could this be the reasoning behind the rumours of the Pentax mirrorless being less than APSC?

http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/04/kenko-shows-off-c-mount-based-compact-camera-...

Saw that.
I think Pentax could easily release an i10 camera with auto 110 or c mount and lay claim to title of smallest evil class camera, then release another with a m 4/3's sized sensor using the same lens mount...
so who knows...
they already got all the stuff they need.... Pentax has a HUGE selection of c mount designs they could use or adapt....

I'm also curious what you'd get if you took the kx and added a pelicile mirror to it... just swap the mirror for a translucent mirror, keep the mirror flip up mechanism, and re-write the firmware to allow the green button to be a dedicated video record button...
shoot video through the mirror, and flip the mirror up for stills....

the auto 110 film area is almost identical to m 4/3's.
the c- mount is the same as auto 110.
I believe the auto 110 just swapped the c mount for a smaller two tab version of the kmount and as such Pentax just borrowed a couple of it's own optical desines for the auto 110 lenses, changining only the mount and possibly adding the smc coatings.

Hmmm, Interesting Don, are we all going to start snapping up Auto 110 Kits on Ebay now then???

Sorry Don. Posted my comment up then remembered there are loads of c-mount M4/3 adaptors!!

yeah i even saw some images shot with an auto 110 lens on 4/3s

I think Samsung and Sony are on the right path and Pentax would be better off avoiding 4/3s and using it's own mounts and lenses and let the aftermarket supply the 4/3's lens adaptors...

not me.
I'm waiting for an aps-c class evil with standard k mount.
will sell settle for some kind of frankenstien monster mash up of d-slr with evf viewfinder hybrid...

Me too I just want one I can use my Ltd's on without no crappy adapter and such...

agreed.
I just want decent video performance with manual control and to be able to shoot video and stills simultaneously.

I agree (particularly re: adaptors, the "genuine" ones are stupidly expensive).

The way I see it is having two bodies:

First is not weather sealed, incorporates the K-r sensor in a mirrorless design with high-res rear screen and add-on EVF (or no EVF to keep dev. costs down). This is your entry level model (call it an ML-r for arguments sake).

Second is higher-end, more rugged, weather sealed with K-5 sensor, high-res rear screen and Fuji X100-esque hybrid VF built-in. This is your high-end model (an ML-5 perhaps)

Offer both bodies in silver and black (as well as a range of putrid colours for Asia).

Develop a collapsible kit zoom (ala PEN - although not entirely necessary), but offer "premium" packs offering one of the pancakes instead/as well.

I think it would be a hit. It would major on utilising the pancakes to their potential (a DSLR never really becomes pocketable even with a pancake, but these bodies would). The pancakes are also leagues ahead of the native 4/3 lenses so there is no need to reinvent the wheel.

If Pentax could just put the cheque in the post that would be great.

I'm in, Call it the R (Robbie) D (d) 1 though, might get into a patent battle with that moniker though...

http://www.epson.com/cgi-bin/Store/consumer/consDetail.jsp?oid=49164277

Unfortunately I'm sure Epson have better lawyers than me!

even the rangefinders are using too many expensive optical parts....
reality of Evil class cameras is they are cheaper to manufacture, and do both photos and videos well.
Panasonic has the right idea.
Sony Vex has the the right idea.

Pentax needs to enter this market with the right tool.
a pro caliber, k mount system that does both photos and stills well, and costs a reasonable amount of money.

If I had a say, I'd say build a tank like k5 with detachable evf, flip out lcd, and get the video quality and controls up to a "Prosumer" standard.

People like wedding shooters and indie film makers will buy it.
People that already own Pentax d-slrs but want video cams will buy it.
People that need a back up body will buy it.

Now pentax/hoya/kenko SHOULD make lenses in the 4/rds and vex mounts....
but bodies? no.
How can pentax match the 15 new models a year the big companies seem to be swamping the market with?

But they don't make any bodies in those mounts, so why would they?

You don't see Canon making lenses in Nikon mount.