Peter wrote: "So it seems reasonable that Pentax, at first, doesn't want to monkey with some camera that will only appeal to Pentaxians."
REPLY Isn't that exactly what they have done? I believe that theres a certain number of people that will buy a Pentax DSLR regardless. And taht are those who will buy the *ist D. Peter: "If an LX with AF was their new DSLR, how many would they sell?" REPLY: It will be expensive to sell for this market segment. You don't have to be outrageously expensive to catch the buyers imagination. Just look at the Optio S; an obvious success story from it conception. Peter: ALSO, I asked this question earlier, but I'm curious how successful the MZ-S is (or was on it's release)? Not many stores that I've been to in Canada or the U.S. carries them regularly, but they carry plenty of Pentax digital P&S's. Reply: The MZ-S is niche product. It is not designed to shift large volumes. It is a "two handed" camera that is the natural extension, if not concusion, to the interface pioneered by the original Asahi Pentax from 1959. It also have built quality to appeal to traditionalists. Peter: Digital is a different ball of wax, so while the *ist D is a "me too" camera to many (I like it), this is what I'd expect given this market. REPLY: But the question is: how many buy mee too products except those married to the brand? Pål
