New DSLR Rumour Mill

Just seen this https://r.smartbrief.com/resp/vqrTCNdgzpDIiqcnCigyqWBWcNCMRf?format=multipart
Rumour that a new Pentax DSLR is actually in production. I’ve read rumours like this many times before, but this time I do so hope it’s true!

I too have just seen that and have similar vibes. If it's a new K-3 or even K-1 model they may have just secured me before I departed.

Amazed by the statistic of Pentax having a user market of 40,000. That assumes it is not winning any market share from other makers or existing users upgrading eventually.

Pentax are the only DSLR maker with a mirror, all the others have gone for a digital view finder which I think I would not like.

This is an extract from the link. It could be that Canon’s statistics are wrong.

“Pentax is making cameras for an incredibly niche audience at this stage. As Canon told me earlier this year, DSLRs only account for 10% of camera sales these days, which is about 700,000 units – and some 620,000 of those are sold by Canon.
If we're very generous and say that the remainder is split evenly with Nikon, that means there are only 40,000 Pentax DSLR customers.”

maybe KF2...

The Pentax K-1 Mark II Has Now Been Discontinued

based on this thread
https://www.thephoblographer.com/2026/09/03/pentax-k-1-mark-ii-has-now-been-disc...

and this one - A German photo magazine is reporting the stop of the Pentax K-1 II production:
https://www.photografix-magazin.de/pentax-k-1-mark-ii-jetzt-verschwindet-auc...V...

So let's hope that this paves the way for the announcement of flagship replacements in either the FF or APS-C category (or both) - If there is no announcement within the next few weeks then it may be the end of the Pentax DSLR lines. I'm not a Pentax doom-monger but it doesn't make business sense not to announce new products quite soon

pre-order first, and maybe a month before Black Friday...

“Pentax is making cameras for an incredibly niche audience at this stage. As Canon told me earlier this year, DSLRs only account for 10% of camera sales these days, which is about 700,000 units – and some 620,000 of those are sold by Canon.
If we're very generous and say that the remainder is split evenly with Nikon, that means there are only 40,000 Pentax DSLR customers.”

This should be used as a classic example of the misuse of statistics. I have no way of disputing the first sentence but the second conclusion is misleading at best.
It may well be that Pentax has sold 40,000 or less DSLRs in the last year. With an ageing product line that's not a surprise but to conclude there are only 40,000 Pentax DSLR customers takes no account of the pent up potential expressed on this forum and many others. Of course we know that Pentax is a niche player but it is a significant niche which needs a new flexible product capable of offering significant variants at little marginal cost as we have seen with K3iii and its Mono option.
Maybe wishful thinking on my part but I can imagine a faster K3iv with mono option and a cost reduced option and custom body styles and ...

... and a modular, user-replaceable screen so you can change between a thin, light weight fixed screen and bulkier, heavier flippy-out screen as the mood takes you - the modern take on the interchangeable viewfinders for the LX???

Steve

... or bring back the aperture ring .

And modernise it. Keep the 'A' for what it does now, but setting a numerical aperture just tells the camera what aperture has been selected and leaves the aperture wide open for open aperture metering. Just like setting the aperture on the body but doing it where it used to be done. The 'next model' camera then uses on-lens numerical aperture control for M and Av, 'A' for other modes, while older models can only use 'A' and set the aperture from the body. It might need another electrical contact. However, having aperture control where the aperture actually is would have a nice retro feel about it and would surely enhance the photographic experience. And isn't having a Pentax DSLR meant to be all about 'the experience'??

The mind can have strange thoughts when it's freewheeling while walking the dog...

Steve

and now from the horse's mouth....
https://news.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/rim_info2/2026/20260909_042557.html


"....to develop a new series of digital SLR cameras based on an entirely new concept."

"....we will discontinue production of the current K series digital SLR cameras."



at this stage, any guess is as good as the other..

So we know what Ricoh won't be doing but not what they will be doing. RIP K mount, you've been a good friend for a long, long while .

But does it matter to me? Well, I'm still using Q mount over a decade after it was discontinued. No doubt the same will be true of K mount.

Steve

Wow.

I've been reading the writing on the wall for the last few years but even I'm taken aback to finally read in black and white the end of the K-mount.

It's a sad day indeed.

I wait to see what this "entirely new concept" from Ricoh will be and, whatever it is, I wonder if it will be compatible with K-mount glass and if it will carry the Pentax name (I suspect not).