Thanks Chris - this helps me make some sense of the "strategy". It just bugs me that Pentax doesn't just say "this very nice 330GS might be considered an upgrade of the 230 - as our newest release it is the low end of our current line, but with some features (e.g., ISO 400) which presage upgrades in future versions of our higher end RS series cameras. . ." I guess there is some PR code of ethics that does not allow providing information to potential customers.
Stan on 11/3/02 11:15 PM, Chris Brogden at [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: > On Sun, 3 Nov 2002, Stan Halpin wrote: > >> Digicam website and a few other places. What I found was five currently >> overlapping models of Pentax digital P&S: Optio 230, 330, 330GS, 330RS, 430, >> 430RS. Now, I can figure out quickly that the 230 is fewer megapixels than >> the 330 which is smaller than the 430. What nobody, including Pentax, seems >> to know is what is the purpose of no S vs. GS vs. RS. Ignore the 230 (which >> most of the web-based vendors seem to be doing as well.) It seems that the >> 330/430 were first. Then came the 330RS/430RS. Why? What was changed? Only >> the name? Software? What??? Then (?) came the 330GS. Why? > > The 230, 330 and 430 have all been discontinued, though you may find > dealers still trying to get rid of old stock. > > As for the difference between the 330/430 and their RS versions, see: > > http://www.dpreview.com/news/0206/02060604pentax330430rsdb100.asp > > The 300GS is a cheap version of the 300RS... think of it as a 2MP-to-3MP > update of the 230. You cover the differences between the 230 and the > 330GS well here: > >> But the GS has a few fundamental differences. Cheaper. Larger. >> Replaceable AA batteries. Plastic case. Different lens. (6/5 design >> rather than a 7/6) Different size chip. Faster �film� (ISO 100, 200, >> or 400 where the 330 is ISO 100, 200 only, the RS is 100, 200 or 125, >> 250 depending on what you read). Less user control of focus, shutter >> speed, etc. No built-in memory. > >> They are imagining small niches, they are making what I am sure will >> be many virtually identical camera models each with minor tweaks to >> fit a niche. I for one would rather they said: this is entry level, >> this has more user control, this is better built; pay your money, take >> your choice. > > I agree; the lack of variety is my main problem with Pentax digital. The > 330RS and 430RS do offer manual control over the shutter speed and > aperture (full manual only, not aperture or shutter priority) and over > focusing, but it's hard to access and a PITA to use. > > Hope that helps, > > chris > >
