With software you can make AF-S and AF-C software options and save a
little money, using a simpler switch. The K-S1 is flash, like the extra
LED's, where it shows, cheap where it doesn't. The only reason it has
an expensive viewfinder is some accountant probably figured out it cost
more to maintain two different sets of parts and train assemblers, to
put two different viewfinders together, than to put the same viewfinder
in all your cameras.
The Canon Rebel SL1, also aimed at roughly the same target audience has
a Touch Screen interface. A lot of potential buyers will look at the
K-S1 based on it's styling and be disappointed that it doesn't have a
touch screen. They probably won't even think about the AF/MF switch not
having separate positions for Continuious and Single shot.
This isn't a camera designed for me, or for anyone on this list, or for
that matter even a large minority of the members of Pentax Fora, I only
hope that Ricoh thought this through better than Hoya thought through
the K-01. I see some glaring flaws in the plan. The camera is getting a
good deal of Buzz, but that won't be enough if the UI is a complete
disaster, and there is some evidence that may be the case.
On 8/28/2014 11:52 AM, Darren Addy wrote:
Petapixel has actually done a post on the K-S1 calling it: a
combination of "portability and powerful imaging capabilities with a
status quo-shattering flashy design and simple UI that will
undoubtedly appeal to a lot of first-time DSLR buyers."
http://petapixel.com/2014/08/28/pentax-pays-homage-star-trek-flashy-futuristic-looking-new-dslr/#more-143500
One thing that is interesting is that the switch on the side is not
AF-S, AF-C, and M. It's just AF -> M
On Thu, Aug 28, 2014 at 9:52 AM, P.J. Alling <[email protected]> wrote:
I expect that you're right about that. I suspect that the K-3 is no longer
in production, that all the K-3's that will ever be are already in
existence, though a lot of them may still be in parts bins. the K-5 parts
bins are probably empty except for spares.
On 8/28/2014 10:43 AM, Stanley Halpin wrote:
On Aug 28, 2014, at 10:26 AM, P.J. Alling <[email protected]>
wrote:
If you go to B&H photo and do a search on Pentax K then sort the result
by price, after passing over the two top items which are long lenses, you
can get a pretty good idea of the actual prices of their camera bodies, and
their place in the lineup.
Body only prices
K-3 variants hovering at about $1200.
The K5IIs still in the line at about $1000, (currently on sale for about
$650.
Based on past product cycles, I strongly doubt that the K-5iis is still in
production; I think we are seeing the sell-off of inventory.
The K-S1 at $750.
The K-50 at $450.
The K-500 at $400 with 18-55 L lens, not available body only.
However the K-s1 with that lens is only $50 dollars more so the K500 body
estimated retail would be $350.
I don't know, for the serious photographer, the K-s1 looks a lot like
inexpensive* body jewelery. The K50, heck even the K500, if you don't need
weather sealing, is tempting as an inexpensive backup for a K-5IIs or even a
K-3. Though at the sale price, the K5IIs is an even more compelling
inexpensive backup for the K-3. The K-S1 not so much.
What I'm really hoping is this doesn't turn into another K-01. I doubt
that Ricoh will produce another mirrorless K mount based on what must have
been disappointing sales world wide. The K-01 only sold well at
discontinuation because the price became so attractive. Sadly I think that
Ricoh is again missing the point.
*Yes, I meant inexpensive.
On 8/28/2014 9:20 AM, Darren Addy wrote:
Thanks for passing that along, Stan.
This camera has the potential to be like that song that you just hate
on first listen and a couple of weeks later you can't stop singing it.
I think we can see where it is being placed in the line-up with that
"mid-level customer" phrase. This tells me that we will still see the
excellent 16MP model(s?) for a while at the lower entry levels. so we
are at least seeing a MP spread (which is important more to the
marketing guys: 16, 20, 24).
This camera is aimed at the younger, probably skewed more to the
female, demographic - as are most of the models with the multi-color
options. If they wanted to sell a bunch more in the United States,
they would make them available in NFL and college team colors.
(Seriously. Steeler Nation would eat up a Black & Gold model and I'm
sure a lot of other sports fans would do the same.)
This model is going to be $200-250 higher than the lowest entry level
model and $200-250 under the K-3. It seems to be using a lot of the
technology innovated and implemented for the K-3 like the AA filter
simulator. I am curious if it also contains all of the K-3 autofocus
modes and whether it also is FluCard compatible (albeit with one
slot). I just suspect that if the FluCard capabilities are going to be
continued to be developed, we are going to have to see it work in more
than one model.
I also wonder how long the K-3 will remain the flagship DSLR.
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