Pentax rumored to be readying K20D, K200D DSLRs

While things are still far from official, rumors are starting to pick up that Pentax is set to update not one, but two of its DSLR cameras early next year, in advance of the big PMA show. More specifically, according to Photography Bay, Pentax's K10D and K100D will be getting replaced by the K20D and K200D, respectively, with each bringing with them a number of fairly significant upgrades. If the rumors pan out, the K20D will boast a hefty 14 megapixels, along with a 14 bit RAW A/D Processor, a slightly larger 3-inch "live view" LCD, and improved "in-body shake reduction," among other features. For its part, the K200D is said to pack a 10-megapixel CMOS sensor from Sony, plus a PRIME 12-bit Image Processor, a 3 FPS shooting mode, and a larger LCD that may or may not be a 3-incher as well. Of course, that's all still up in the air for the time being, but things should be settled one way or the other by January 24th, which is when Pentax is supposedly set to get official with the cameras.

[Andy @ Nov 26th 2007 2:16PM]

Pentax?!?! I'd have to call them the tampax of DSLR. I think I'll stick to my 5D.

[builder1 @ Nov 26th 2007 3:29PM]

That's great for you. In the mean time, the rest of us with k-mount lenses will go back to the important business of taking pretty pictures (14MP... Maybe it really is time to replace my *istD.) rather than engaging in masturbatory hardware fanboyism. :-)

[stretchsje @ Nov 26th 2007 3:48PM]

I've got a buddy with a K100D Super, and it's an incredible camera for the money. I'm a Nikon guy, but even I'll admit I like the Pentax more for the money. I just wish their lens selection was better... but for first-time SLR owners, I don't think that's a huge deal.

[PeopleSupport @ Nov 26th 2007 3:58PM]

Tampax of DSLR? Only a real photographer would say such things. :D Hahaha!

[Geir E @ Nov 26th 2007 6:46PM]

You did know they made cameras for other people than you?

Pentax might not be the brands most of the sportspros use (they do have some great pro medium format stuff though), and it might not be the brand with the biggest selection. But the photography history wouldnt be the same without them. Before Nikon, Canon and Minolta - Pentax launched the first japaneese 35mm camera in 1952, then they made the first slr camera with auto returning mirror and caught the pros attension in '54.

In '57 they came with the pentaprism (which was what pentax is named after - PENTAprism refleX)

In '64 they had the first camera with TTL metring, the spotmatic. In '71 the first camera with TTL autoexposure (aperature priority with flash metring).

So before you call pentax tampax again, remember that alot of what you take for granted on your fancy 5d was innovated by Pentax.

And I don't even own a Pentax, but they are great cameras.

[benjikan @ Nov 27th 2007 6:56PM]

That is a highly illuminating and insightful observation. I would love to see your images. I am sure they are as profound as the above statement. Now that would be interesting.

[nomadicalloy @ Nov 26th 2007 2:27PM]

if you want real news about pentax go to dpreview pentax forum.

[kev @ Nov 26th 2007 3:41PM]

PENTAX? Oh yeah, the guys that gave away those free red bags at DigitalLife. Thanks for helping me carry my stuff! And...I don't want your photography stuff.

[Ty @ Nov 26th 2007 4:00PM]

Umm yes I am sure you will stick with your 5D.. of course we comparing a $3000 camera to a $900 camera... Personally I am happy with my 10d and recommend it to anyone who is interested in a DSLR without wanting to spend over 1K.

[Matt @ Nov 26th 2007 4:19PM]

Maybe this time they will add low level format to memory cards :-/.

I do love my Pentax K10D and even K100D. I had an 8x10 from my K100D with me to get framed and the owner of the framing shop wanted to buy the photograph. You might be sticking to your 5D Andy, but I will be sticking to taking to taking photographs that are actually good. :-)

[Temple @ Nov 26th 2007 4:43PM]

10 & 14MP Sony CMOS sensor? Wonder if thats new sensor being that the alpha-100 uses a CCD sensor, and the alpha-700 uses a 12MP CMOS. Nikon is using 12/14-bit 12MP Sony CMOS in their new D300, this Pentax should be pretty interesting since there finally is a decent CMOs supplier willing to supply to any company, and give Canon competitive pressure.

[benjikan @ Nov 27th 2007 6:56PM]

No Sony in the new top of the line Pentax...

[Willowbeef @ Nov 26th 2007 5:00PM]

Where's all this hatred of Pentax come from? Just because they don't have cameras for the elite professionals doesn't mean that they are worthless...I have taken many amazing pictures with my K10D, and I probably spent 1/3 of what the guy with the 5D did.

[benjikan @ Nov 27th 2007 7:00PM]

You may view some of my images here:
http://www.pentax.fr/_fr/photo/photographes.php?photo&photographes
and here:
http://www.benjaminkanarek.com

I make my living using the Pentax K10D's and their lenses...;-)

[kei @ Nov 26th 2007 5:05PM]

This is good news for me, I am researching on the K100D Super. The announcement of 200D will either 1) tempted me to buy 200D; or 2) get me a price drop on the 100D when the new models come out.

Good ole status quo for me until Jan 24.

[N30 G30 @ Nov 26th 2007 5:32PM]

We're thinking the same exact thing!

I've been looking at the super k100d for a little bit now.

[Nick @ Nov 26th 2007 7:03PM]

Yes... Pentax has done some great things in the past, but last time I checked, people are making camera purchase decisions in the PRESENT, for the FUTURE.

http://comparati.com/1077-Canon-vs-Pentax

Who cares about the past? My hat goes off to Pentax for their place in history, but my dollars will go to Canon or Nikon for their superior products.

[Yem @ Nov 26th 2007 11:11PM]

What.. what the hell is that?

How about you link to a site where I can buy a weather-sealed Canon body with stablised 50mm f/1.4 lens for under $1k. Take your time, I'll wait.

[Nick @ Nov 27th 2007 1:50AM]

O... K...

Please contact me when you need a major repair in the first year of ownership and when your warranty handling is unsatisfactory and you're desperately dissatisfied with photo quality.

These are the things that happens when a company HAS NO MONEY! Going with Canon or Nikon or a similarly-sized company isn't about keeping up with the Jonses. It's about betting on the strongest horse in the race.

Jealousy is the number one cause of ill-advised decisions.

[Yem @ Nov 27th 2007 5:45AM]

Still waiting.

[PeopleSupport @ Nov 27th 2007 6:46AM]

Pentax having no money. Pentax cameras failing in the first year of ownership. Pentax having poor quality.

Man, this guy could kill with the kind of farts he shoots.

[Nick @ Nov 27th 2007 4:01PM]

I appreciate the loyalty, and perhaps Pentax has a few tricks up its sleeve for the future (their low prices and flimsy components certainly speak to a business plan for taking a bite out of Canon, Nokia, Panasonic, etc.). However... IF it's within your proce range, there are much better options than anything Pentax. They recieve more warranty submissions than Canon (relative to sales), have lower CSI (customer satisfaction index), and take an extra 48 hours to return a warranty submission.

All of that speaks to the undeniable fact that Pentax is the little guy on the block, trying to gain market share. Who knows? It might work, but until they have the money to build HIGHLY reliable cameras and a strong warranty process, I suggest people stay with a larger company. Pentax labels itself "boutique," but is clearly employing tactics to try to become a player.

[benjikan @ Nov 27th 2007 7:03PM]

One year ago for every one Pentax sold in France, six Canons were sold. Today for every One Pentax sold there are two Canons. In fact France is the largest seller of Pentax in Europe. They now constitute 17.5 percent of all sales. Come January those figures will change radically in favor of Pentax.

[benjikan @ Nov 27th 2007 7:07PM]

Since merging with Hoya. Pentax are in a position to compete with the giants in the field and on their own terms, setting precedent and not following them. Look out for January...

http://www.benjaminkanarek.com

[Nick @ Nov 27th 2007 7:19PM]

Great. Maybe Pentax can start building topnotch cameras with 17.5% of France's marketshare.

You DO know that France has a population of about 60 million, right? Not a whole lot of purchasing power, even for a G8 nation.

I'm not trying to dispute the fact that Pentax has some strong points. I'm merely trying to remind people that until Pentax completes the hard work of gaining position, it will remain an inferior product. The numbers force it to be that way.

I do like everyone's Pentax loyalty, though. That link that I posted previously has a whole lot of good pro-Pentax points added to it. Even I learned some things :-). Check it out:

http://comparati.com/1077-Canon-vs-Pentax

[Ryeclifton @ Nov 26th 2007 8:49PM]

I love my k10d. Maybe when they have a full frame camera I'll upgrade to that too.

[davesweeps @ Nov 26th 2007 9:38PM]

The Pentax image stabilization needed an upgrade pretty good. My Canon P&S IS was a lot better.

[Brandson @ Nov 26th 2007 9:59PM]

I love my K10D too. It's an awesome camera. Being able to use all the old Pentax lenses is really nice.

[PeopleSupport @ Nov 27th 2007 6:47AM]

Your Canon P&S IS is a better photographer than you, that's why.

[1001 noisy cameras @ Nov 27th 2007 9:16AM]

This perhaps explains why we haven't seen any new Samsung DSLRs in the market yet. They may have been holding off so they can introduce their version of the 10mp K200D as their new entry-level, instead of going with the K100D or K110D or K100D Super.

And if Pentax is going on all out with these two, what are the chances of revitalizing the 645D with the Hoya R&D money?

[Testament @ Nov 27th 2007 1:22PM]

I just got myself a Nikon D80 and I'm loving it so far. I was looking at the K100D Super as a cheaper alternative, but it just didn't feel that great, mainly because I have pretty big hands, but otherwise seemed pretty nice.

[CD @ Nov 27th 2007 4:55PM]

With their brilliant partnerships with Samsung and Hoya and their K10D being better-reviewed as Nikon and Canon models costing twice as much, Pentax is poised to make a serious run on Canon and Nikon's market share. If they manage to get their digital medium format R&D in gear as they obviously have their 35mm-ish digital development, they could become a more major player in photography soon. Canonites and Nikonites are just a little too comfy in their smug sense of security. I'd love to see Pentax (as well as some other players) give them a good spanking if for no other reason that it's good for the industry. And in-camera stabilization is the feature that can make it happen. Canon and Nikon are REALLY pissed that in-camera stabilization was invented because they made so much money from their IS lenses. We'll see if they're smart enough to jump ship to in-cam stabilization or if they stubbornly stick to lens-based, and suffer the consequences.

[Ken @ Nov 27th 2007 5:34PM]

Thing about in-body stabilization is, having to work with a wide range of lenses it is rather less effective. My K100D offers 2 to 3.5 stops improvement with its in-built IS. Canon/Nikon's best IS/VR lenses offer an improvement of 5 stops or more, and can compensate for tripod shake, which most in-body anti-shake mechanisms can't handle.

However, given that it's WAY cheaper, I'd still go for the in-body IS. It even works on really old (non-CPU) K-mount lenses and even M42 ones; just enter the focal length you're shooting at and off you go :D

[CD @ Nov 28th 2007 8:52AM]

True, that in-cam stabilization doesn't yet equal lens-based, but I'm betting that it will soon enough. Looking at these two choices as technological paradigms to either adopt or reject over the next 5-10 years, I'll be very interested to see when or if Canon and Nikon jump aboard.

[benjikan @ Nov 28th 2007 6:25AM]

I guess the Popular Photography award for camera of the year is insignificant. This as well as the TIPA, EISA & Camaera Grand Prix 2007 Japan Award account for "ZERO"..No, Pentax has arrived...

http://www.popphoto.com/cameras/4242/editors-choice-2007-advanced-dslrs.html

[Francis @ Nov 30th 2007 9:08PM]

In-body stabilization is a trend and will continue to evolve. IMHO Canon has seen this as a threat hence a dedicated web link has been created to promote IS lenses and its advantages.
http://web.canon.jp/imaging/lens/index.html

In addition, it will be a plus if future Pentax DSLR can include some form of indicator how much stabilization is in effect; a feature in Sony DSLR. Being in-cam stabilization, different lens usage will have different compensation effect even if it is on 2-stop.

[Harold @ Dec 3rd 2007 12:16AM]

I think pentax make good cameras. About like Sony, and about same market share. But one point, if you think Pentax is selling the K10 for 700 us because they want to, your dreaming. Pentax selling their flagship at the same price as a 400D is Not the way to make money. They sell them at that price point because thats the only way thay can move them. economics 101.

[Adz @ Jan 6th 2008 4:07PM]

Just because soemthing sell more doesn't mean it's better.
If it did, it would mean a 400D is better than a 5D.

As for the cheap build remarks, the 400D and K10D are chalk and cheese, the 400d is cheap and plasticy with every possible corner cut to save a dollar, it doesn't even have an LCD on top for shooting info.

Companies like Canon become big by producing a cheap product and selling at a high price for what it is, relying on the mindless drones who read the billboards to beleive what they say.

[markdavis @ Jan 8th 2008 12:59PM]

no way. the PENTAX name is derived from pentaprism + contax. pentaprism is a 5 sided prism. no one goes to school right???!!!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pentax

[F-stop @ May 17th 2008 5:04PM]

Good luck finding a Canon with weather sealing for $750, or even $2000 for that matter. And after that, try and find that stabilized 50mm F/1.4 for us. And while you're at it, I'd like you to find a limited edition 70 mm F/2.8 pancake lens that's stabilized and costs less than $700, I too will wait.

But hey, you've got all those sweet "scene modes" on your 40D to help you get good pictures, the K10D doesn't have any of those. Maybe I am missing out on something.

When you start caring about your photography, and not the Canon Jewelry around your neck then we'll talk. Till then, I'll stick with what works and is actually worth what I'm expected to pay.