Anyone familiar with Pentax

[manning]

Does anyone know how Pentax is on quality. This new camaera sounds interesting.

http://www.dpreview.com/news/0605/06052205pentaxk100d.asp#press

 

[Greg K.]

I bought the Pentax *ist DL in February, and love it. It's a substantial camera, but easy to learn, and takes wonderful pictures. I've found the LCD menu sensible and comprehensible, and I love the big 2.5" size.

The camera has its limits -- the iso starts at 200, for example -- but it's a great tool for learning and growing, and you just can't beat the price.

The new camera, complete with "shake reduction", sounds like a winner! If I'm looking for an early Christmas gift for myself, I think I know where to start...

 

[YEKCIM]

manning:

You may want to keep your powder dry, so to speak, until the Sony DSLR picture is a bit clearer (pun intended). They are on the cusp of announcing, according to the rumor-mill, a DSLR which will incorporate the recently-acquired Konica/Minolta body-integral Anti-Shake image stabilization. Speculation is all over the map, as to specs on this camera (or cameras...), but it seems that Sony will definitely use the K/M Anti-Shake and the existing K/M lens mount. I'm personally quite interested in this, as I have a bagful of Maxxum lenses that would be compatible with the new Sony DSLR. With two DSLR lines with body-integral AS, the next couple years should be very interesting in the world of DSLR's. I can't help but wonder if Canon and Nikon will eventually follow suit.

~YEKCIM

 

[MICKEY88]

manning:

. With two DSLR lines with body-integral AS, the next couple years should be very interesting in the world of DSLR's. I can't help but wonder if Canon and Nikon will eventually follow suit.

~YEKCIM

I don't think they will have a choice, Although Minolta was slow at joining the race, their entries were quality stuff, too bad they didn't stick around, I think they would have lead the way with innovations just as they did with the original maxxums..

I'm willing to bet that Sony took on part if not all of Minoltas creative team, and they will shake things up, if not with their first release at least sometime down the road...

 

[YEKCIM]

I'm willing to bet that Sony took on part if not all of Minoltas creative team, and they will shake things up, if not with their first release at least sometime down the road...

I'm almost certain that I read that Sony has acquired the bulk of the K/M team, as well as mfg capabilities and technology. I would say that if Sony wants to snag substantial dslr market share, they'd better have something pretty snazzy, pretty quickly, in order to do so. Most dslr owners are, IMO, pretty brand-loyal, due to investment in lenses and other accessories, if for no other reason. Also, from what I read, the dslr market is forecast to experience significant growth in the near future, so any camera manufacturers who want to "lock in" a customer base had better have something in their product line that will differentiate them from everybody else out there. For K/M (and now, Sony), that looked to be the Anti-Shake. With Pentax's new releases, the differences are not as clearly defined.

~YEKCIM

 

[Kelly Grannell]

Canon and Nikon will be left behind if they don't shape up by either real cheap dSLR (something like a 300D/original dRebel but at $499 body only) or anti shake incorporated in the body.

On the other hand, Canon and Nikon are making a killing by adding IS on some of their lenses. I truly don't think an IS mechanism cost them $400, but that's usually the add-on price for their IS lenses VS their non-IS counterpart.

 

[Anewman]

Canon and Nikon will be left behind if they don't shape up by either real cheap dSLR (something like a 300D/original dRebel but at $499 body only) or anti shake incorporated in the body.

On the other hand, Canon and Nikon are making a killing by adding IS on some of their lenses. I truly don't think an IS mechanism cost them $400, but that's usually the add-on price for their IS lenses VS their non-IS counterpart.

I like the THIRD option, LOWER the price of IS lenses accross the board.

I mostly shoot sports, IS does not help me freeze action(if desired). But if the price was good...