Pentax camera roadmap? next successor K70/KP?

Hello,
The KP is the last affordable / small body, and is discontinued (since the prices have raised!), it's 5 years old.
Anybody know if we can expect something under 1000 in the coming months? I would love to upgrade my K-S2 but as some of pointed out the K70 is an expensive fake upgrade, and the KP is a bit of an upgrade but not quite and even pricier (1200 euros here now!).

Or should we consider that Pentax is giving up on entry/mid level? yes the K3 is appealing, but too heavy and big for me. (and too pricy too)
Thanks

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KX film, ME Super, K-S2
Pentax 10-17mm, Sigma 10-20mm, Tamron 17-50mm, Pentax 55-300mm
Sigma 24mm f2.8, Pentax A 50mm f1.7, Pentax K 55mm f1.8
Metz 36 AF-4
--> borrow or rent Photography equipment from people around you on Needy Monkey - link

Unfortunately nobody knows what Ricoh are bringing out Pentax wise in the next 12/18 months.

Personally I wouldn't hold your breath waiting for a new body any time soon.

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. My Flickr

I understand completely. I have no intention of upgrading my K-3 in the near future but it's good to know that there's something suitable available in case something should happen. The K-70 is overdue an update (as are the K1 II and 645Z for that matter) and wouldn't be an upgrade from a K-3 and the K-3 III is more than double what my K-3 cost me as well as being very firmly in FF territory price-wise.

The K-70 should be updated and, though the KP was missing several things I'd like, I think it should be replaced with something to provide a middle-ground. I know the market has shrunk but if Pentax really are going to stick with DSLRs then they should do that and provide a good range of cameras that aren't six or more years old.

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Pentax hybrid user - Digital K3, film 645 and 35mm SLR and Pentax (&other) lenses adapted to Fuji X and Panasonic L digital
Fan of DA limited and old manual lenses

Not sure why the KP was discontinued, having used FF almost exclusively for quite a while I bought a mint Silver KP a few months ago and have been so impressed with it. If you can find a "new old stock" KP at a good price I'd recommend it highly

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LennyBloke

As I recently posted in another thread, Park Cameras have some KPs in stock (both colours) but for £999.00. A couple of months ago they had them with kit lenses for two or three hundred less.

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Pentax hybrid user - Digital K3, film 645 and 35mm SLR and Pentax (&other) lenses adapted to Fuji X and Panasonic L digital
Fan of DA limited and old manual lenses

I know I was waiting on the KP to fall under 900 euros (which i guess it was at Park camera, though with import i am not sure how that would have worked for me), but now it went up 200 euros, and clearly no longer a good deal.

I liked the idea of the entry and mid level (though they aren't that far apart), starting at K3 is silly - i've had 4 "entry level" (usually skipping one or two years) and always loved them

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KX film, ME Super, K-S2
Pentax 10-17mm, Sigma 10-20mm, Tamron 17-50mm, Pentax 55-300mm
Sigma 24mm f2.8, Pentax A 50mm f1.7, Pentax K 55mm f1.8
Metz 36 AF-4
--> borrow or rent Photography equipment from people around you on Needy Monkey - link

The evidence for the answer to your query is in your post, Lenny. The KP was discontinued because it is too good! Pentax must have decided that, at under £1000, it was too much competition for their expensive new K-3iii. Given the demand for the KP both new and used, at that point and since, they were probably right (but I'm pleased to have bought mine before then). There might be a new APS-C DSLR in the future but perhaps more likely at the K-70 level rather than that of the KP.

Philip

Just did a shutter count check on my KP. 20,000 and it is 5 years and 3 days old. Bought from Amazon when they had a brief spell of selling them for a silly nearly half price. I am still discovering new ways of using the camera and its hidden features/setups. I did look at the K3III but the fixed rear screen is a deal breaker for me as an ageing body can't bend or lie down for low level photography. I keep an eye on the prices of KP's but there are few for sale and prices remain "firm". My camera hasn't missed a beat so I shouldn't worry. Definitely think a KPii would have a market.

KPs for sale at Clifton Cameras for ££848.97!!