Pentax Full Frame Comment

I do think the add ons, whilst not necessarily desired by all are what's going to get Pentax to shape up on the spec comparison sheet. Once you can start doing that, people will look at the IQ and be impressed. Now I know that's back to front for most, but growing the brand means getting more people in...

Pentax is severely behind the 8 ball on video. I'm not sure if it's a lack of processing power, or a lack of focus, but the bit rates etc are nearly half of Canon straight out of the box. The K-30 doesn't have mechanical stabilisation during video. There is no focus peaking during recording. There's no attempt at autofocus during recording etc etc.

Wifi and GPS are where it's headed, so getting some of the cool stuff from Ricoh's lower point and shoot type cameras into it's Pentax DSLR's will really start to draw them in. FF would be a nice to have, but it's not as if they've exhausted what they can do with their current line up.

Indeed.

Ibn particular inbuilt GPS that doesn't drain the Battery would be a big selling point for me. There's no reason why ti shoudl drain the battery either. My old blackberry can track and log GPS continuously every second for 8 hours and still come home with over half charge left.

On video I wish they'd enable high FPS ( with lowed resolution as needed ). something like 240fps would be great fun

I'd be incredibly happy to see a Pentax D-slr AND mirror-less camera come out with three things....
more dynamic range, better low light performance and a touch screen, better video (including raw video out through hdmi while recording. just gut the existing models and improve everything...
but also accessory grips that add a live second memory card, battery, wi-fi, and better sound including mic and headphone jacks.
take the k5 and k01 and add hdmi, usb3 or thunderbolt connectivity... put ALL the ports on the camera bottom with a removable rubber cover, and then bring out accessory grips... one specifically for video with tablet connectivity, one less expensive model for stills.
put all the add ons in the grips, and keep the bodies affordable...... let people build the system the way they intend to use them.

It is interesting how requirements vary.

WiFi and GPS I could take or leave, not a problem whether they are wanted or not.

A touch screen can't be ignored, but I'm not interested in one. Have tried it, found it no advantage at all.

Video? If I wanted serious video I'd buy a video camera. In a stills camera I see it as a handy way to make an impromptu video. Rough and ready but OK in the right circumstances.

Grips? Don't like them, why add bulk and weight to a beautifully designed bit of kit?

Articulated screens? Well I have one on the MX-1 and it's a disadvantage in making the camera more bulky. There may be rare situations when it will assist when grovelling for fungus shots at ground level, but I'd prefer to be without it.

CSCs? Pointless IMHO. The Q series does have a USP (Unique Selling Point) in its diminutive size, but the larger ones need to be carried in a camera bag. If that's the case, it might as well be a nice compact Pentax DSLR.

I rather like the cameras as they are.

Me too.

I want a camera not another computer

.......what I'd really like from the next Pentax is BETTER TRACKING AUTOFOCUS! that's all

As said I'd love GPS


Not interested here either. it's too easy to change settings inadvertently, which would be easy with a DSLR swinging from your shoudler

Apart from the fun aspect of lots of FPS, not much interested either. I think Iv'e made one small teset video with my K-5s

I use my Nokia 808 or little Sony tx-5 for videoing the dogs or family and other odd moments


same here. tried it once. Would not want to buy a camera with an inbuilt one. Those big macho bricks like the Nikon D4, etc look hideous to me


I'm in two minds about them. I rarely use live view anyway, but I guess it might be useful occasionally


So don't buy any more then.

Like some of the ideas here, I like the idea of a second SD card slot in the grip to go with the extra battery power and agree that may be the place to put the wifi and the gps too, otherwise we could be on to a bigger body than before, some would argue for it, I don't! I think it would spoil the Pentax ethos, if it still exists anywhere but would suffer it! Better video at least on a par with the big two is a must, and the Sony 20Mp chip gives ample there (If indeed thats the one!). More Mp but not too many, looking good there, Super resolution with utilisation of sensor shift, likley tripod only but tick anyway, and hopefully RAW HDR. What I really want to see a class leading autofocus system not just for sensitivity but for speed and tracking ability, I don't care about how many points it has as long as it works! More DR, I don't think so this time around but I'd gladly take it...

Maybe all of this is true for you, John, but the point Rich is making is that the reviewers score Pentax down for lacking some of these features.

I can't see why Pentax can't make video better as it's a software issue which you'd think would add little if any cost to the cameras. I would love better video functionality. I do not want to but a separate video camera but I love shooting footage on my DSLR taking advantage of those lovely Pentax lenses.

The idea of adding additional optional functionality via grips seems pretty good to me, as you wouldn't have to buy one if you didn't need it.

CSCs do NOT need to be carried in a bag, my NEX pops in my hoody or jacket pocket no problem ;P and if I wanted to pop it in a bag, I could get away a much smaller bag. It's still a lot lighter to lug around either way.

Absolutely right, what I said is true for me and is what I'm thinking about these various ideas. I've also explained why.

The point I was making was that not everybody wants all these things, for perfectly reasonable reasons. As for reviewers marking down, maybe they do or maybe they don't, but as buyers we should be able to use reviews as a guide, see what is said and then make up our own minds.

I don't carry 2 K-5s and 6 lenses in a a camera bag.

A CSC with a zoom in a jacket pocket? Not when I measured a NEX+lens up. Prime yes, but I can do that anyway with my K-30 and a prime with the right jacket.

I was pretty amazed that yes - I actually CAN get the K30 + prime lens into my pocket! But it's a heavy weight, bouncing about down there, and is stretching the fabric. It feels a lot worse than it looks in the pic below (K30 on the right). It's a lot more comfortable with the NEX (on the left). It feels like a big compact P&S with the 16-50 pancake attached.

"Is that a K30 in your pocket or are you just please to see me?"




I prefer to take the K30 out with me most of the time - I just like the ease of use and the OVF. The NEX makes sense to toss into an overnight bag, a big pocket, or to take to a party.

Oh the NEX also pops into my shorts pocket (see below). I won't share the results from my attempt with the K30 - these pictures were disturbing enough

We don't all dress the same way, never mind use cameras the same way!