On Thu, Jan 19, 2006 at 03:09:08AM -0500, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: > In a message dated 1/18/2006 9:10:07 PM Pacific Standard Time, > [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: > This agreement works for both parties. > > Initially: > Pentax gets K mount cameras and lenses they've built into Samsung's > distribution stream. > Samsung gets a DSLR line with their brand on it, and a supply of good > quality lenses to sell. > > In the long run: > Pentax gets R&D help on their DSLR line and probably lower prices on > components. > Samsung gets lenses for their "new" DSLR line and camera design expertise. > > Samsung cameras will probably sell for less in big box stores that > Pentax no longer has a presence in. > > Will it work? Who knows. > ======= > I agree with all that, but I have a yes but... > > Yes, but... a Samsung DS2 rebadged competes with a Pentax DS2. Which is NOT > good for Pentax because Samsung has better distribution outlets and greater > name recognition with the general public. So basically Pentax can't sell DS2s > once Samsung starts selling them. Which means Pentax has to concentrate on > upper > end stuff or stay one step ahead of what Samsung releases -- with new > technology, new features, more mp or something.
Those cameras may have the name 'Samsung' blazoned across the front, but they still come off a Pentax production line, and earn money for Pentax. Sure, the profit has to be split with Samsung, but a small piece of a large pie is considerably better than the whole of a much smaller pie. I'd expect Pentax will make more profit from selling Samsung-badged cameras than they would ever make selling the same model under a Pentax brand. So this _is_ good for Pentax; they have extra money to throw into the R&D pot. Pentax are more likely to have the funds to develop a serious DSLR to go head-to-head with the D200 & 30D (and more likely to be able to sell such a camera as an upgrade to entry-level DSLR purchasers) with the increased revenue and increased market share that the Samsung deal should bring them.
