On Jul 20, 2012, at 1:19 PM, Larry Colen wrote: > >> On Jul 20, 2012, at 8:58 AM, Stan Halpin wrote: >> Just saw a note that B&H has the K-5 at $879. Not sure if this is a recent >> change, I know the price has been headed downward. Given all of the positive >> reports I have seen here, I am so so tempted. (Currently using K-20.) But I >> have been thinking I would wait for the next generation . . . > > If you were to get the K-5 you would not regret having the K-5. It is an > excellent camera. But, it's not a perfect camera, there are definitely areas > where it could be better. If you can wait a month or two, until the next > generation is announced, either the next generation will be a lot better, the > price on the K-5 will drop a bit more, or both. > > I don't think that there have been any huge leaps in sensor performance, like > that between the K20 and Kx since the K-5, but there have been incremental > ones. I would hope that they would keep the same resolution and go for even > better noise and dynamic range, but I suspect that it will go the other way, > keep similar noise and DNR and cram more pixels on. Megapixels are an easier > sell than things that make a bigger difference to more people more often. > > If they do go for resolution, I hope that they go for high enough resolution > so as to make the anti-aliasing filter unnecessary. If you're going to > outresolve lenses, might as outresolve every lens, and be done with it. > > It's also quite possible that the next one would have a 24x36 sensor, but I > suspect that if they do that, they'll have an APS between the K-5 and it. I > doubt that they'll announce them at the same time though. Probably the > Cottybane first, so that more people will buy the more expensive camera, then > a less expensive one, lest people blow their money on the less expensive one, > and not be able to afford the flagship. > I went ahead with the purchase. Two big motivators were that I am going to Costa Rica for ten days (leaving in a few days), and the positive comments here. I am sure I will not regret owning the K-5 and am having trouble imagining what could be improved (except the eternal AF-speed issue.) And I am sure I would regret not having the K-5 the first time I tried to get decent low-light shots in the rain forest. And I'll only have 1-2 days for touristy stuff so will not want to miss the few photo-ops I hope to have.
I am expecting two new cameras from Pentax, along the lines you've laid out Larry. One will be a minor feature upgrade to the K-5; that K-5s will remain as the top of the APS line with two control wheels, LCD display on top, water resistance, etc. The second will be the LX-D or MZ-D1 with K-5 controls and features but a 24x36 sensor. Resolution will obviously be higher, but noise will be an issue over ISO 800. The firmware will adapt/reduce the active sensor area to avoid vignetting on D-series lenses which do not cover the full frame. Most of us will lust after it but not many of us will "need" the extra resolution. stan -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List [email protected] http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
