The K5 and ME

Ok, granted the topic title seems a bit confusing but with ME I mean myself and not the good old trusted Pentax ME. With that out of the way, here is what I like to know. It seems that some retailers offer the camera as of the 18th of this month, others seem to be able to deliver it today i,e. equipmentexpress (K5 8GB Class6 SDHC Card and 3 year warranty, Body only £1129.99 oh, I nearly forgot, you get a free Samsonite case as well).
None of the normal High Street Dealers seem to have them yet on their website or any announcements when and where.
I would like to have a little hands on as I plan to get one BEFORE the 20% VAT come in but AFTER the Christmas boom when you pay at least £100 to have the camera for Christmas.
So, anyone can enlighten me on when the real launch is?
Like I stated in my 'new user threat', I am tempted to get the K5 instead of my Sony PD150 Video Camera and I would have to time it right to sell the Sony just in time to get the K5 and before the VAT jumps to 20%.
Any info will be greatly appreciated.
Kind regards
SmutjeUK

No one actually has the production camera in stock yet.

SRS had some pre production ones for their Pentax day, just as the Pentax stand at Photokina had them.

It was supposed to be available in the US this week but it doesn't seem to be. If you look at the latest posts in the SRS open day thread you will see they are saying end October(ish) now, which means November.

If you want to get a feel for the camera size and weight wise then try a K-7. They share the same body although they are different cameras. The K5 has a couple of minor differences, but not enough to affect the general feel of it.

Indeed, the greatest difference in feel would be that the mode dial is one notch higher than on the K7, making it easier to turn they say.

I don't understand the particular rush to beat the 20% VAT. It's a 2.13% increase in price. Yet the street price of the K-5 will drop far more than 2.13% in the first 6 months of 2011.

That's true, never thought of this one. But then again, itchy fingers etc LOL but seeing it with a clear head I know that you are right and I may should view this one more level headed then with itchy fingers. Thanks for the thought as it probably prevents me now from spending money that is better spend a few month down the line.
Kind regards
SmutjeUK