Sid Barras mused: > > Hey Gang, > > But I'm wondering, what's the scuttlebutt on a new pentax digital to > update/replace the *istD? > I've not seen anything on the list lately that looked like rumors of > new models from Paal or the other "insiders," so > > Whaddya hear guys? Should I go for a "very-late-in-the-model-life" > *istD? > Or is the *istDS gonna have a replacement first? > > My hunch is if I ca hold out 6 more months, Pentax will have a C***** > competitor that will have specs similar to their 8 mega pixel model. Or > maybe it would be even better. > > But if the consensus among the knowledgeable brethren is that Pentax > will stand (and not deliver), then I will take my refund check and buy > a *ist D or a *istDS sooner rather than later.
As best as I can tell we won't see anything like a D+ anytime soon. The next DSLR from Pentax will almost certainly be a lower-end model, going for a lower ($600?) price-point. Supposedly there is a follow-on to the D in the pipeline, but I don't expect to see it in 6 months. In fact unless it's announced at PMA I'd say that was just about certain - it took around six months for the *ist-D to hit the shelves after it was announced. I'd suggest you go for a D or a DS now. Which you buy depends on how you rate the differences between the two models. The DS has a much-improved rear 4-way controller, a larger LCD screen, a larger buffer, and USB 2.0 The D has separate thumbwheels for aperture and shutter speed (thus allowing HyperProgram mode, and easier full manual operation), and an optional vertical/battery grip. If you can find one you can get a new D for very little more (and in some places slightly less!) than a new DS. That option is especially tempting if you want the DA 16-45; I think you can still find the bundle of that lens plus a D for a good price. (Even if yoy don't want the lens, you might well find somebody on the list interested in splitting the bundle discount with you :-)
