The Empire Announces New "Storm Trooper" K2000/K-m

<p>Paul,</p>

<p>Just want to note. Pentax lack of a pro photojournalism/sports presence is not a bad thing. There are quite a few people shooting Pentax making money, and/or fully supporting themselves off photography. So there is a pro market for Pentax.</p>

<p>The lack of a pro oriented market segment does actually benefit many of us. We get better bodies and lenses are a better price.</p>

<p>In terms of subsidizing the pro market, Nikon did it for years, then when Canon took charge, it almost put Nikon out of business with it's own games. This pro market share is more for marketing than for the benefit of the photographer. It's expensive and doesn't benefit freelancers nearly as much as news organizations.</p>

<p>I always like to note that the AP photographers overwhelmingly use 10/20/30/40/50D llevel Canon cameras, yet for instance, the 20D lacked spot metering among other basic pro features.</p>

<p>Canon did this to make you upgrade to a 5D or 1D series. This is fine, but it's a game that we as Pentax shooters don't have to play. If Pentax ups the FPS, and sync speed of a K30D it will be very on par with the 50D/D300 and those are very professional cameras. No need to release a higher end camera IMO.</p>

<p>As far as the demise of Pentax, this has been going on for over 30 years. In some ways I almost want it to happen just so it will be over. </p>

<p>But until it does, lets not speculate too much. I mean they were not supposed to release the K10D, or any of the roadmapped lenses, Yet, almost all are out, and more have been added.</p>

<p>Nevertheless, all of this makes for great debate!!!</p>

 

<p>"Zzzzzz."</p>

<p>Wake up... :)</p>

<p> </p>

<p>"I mean they were not supposed to release the K10D, or any of the roadmapped lenses, Yet, almost all are out, and more have been added."</p>

<p>This true, and it's why I didn't get involved in earlier debates... Pentax were quietly plugging away, and not doing so badly, so it seems. But you only have to read the news to see that the economy is currently in a bit of a mess. So the problem for Pentax (and many others) will that of consumer confidence and cash flow, especially if (when...?) the effects of the mess start to trickle down to the man in the street... Thus far, it seems many people don't think they'll be directly affected by some big fat corporations having a bad time. But when companies like Chrysler are struggling, it affects their whole supply chain, and many smaller companies are bound to feel the pinch, sooner or later.</p>

<p>I suppose if things get significantly worse before they get better, Pentax will just have to ride it out (or bail out), like everyone else... But, at the end of the day, they have to be doing well enough to make it worth their while. The concern for Pentax must be that luxury "toys" like the K-m may not exactly be flying off the shelves next year if people are worried about their jobs and financial security. How that may affect them in the long term is very difficult to say, but since they're currently not in a strong market position I think it could be a pretty tough year for them next year.</p>

<p>Well, I guess we'll see . Unless we're sleeping, of course.... :)</p>

<p>Looking at it another way, perhaps one thing which may work in Pentax's favour is that they make good, feature-stuffed cameras for the price. So if people are trying to cut back on their spending a bit, maybe some will look for the best value, rather than the biggest brand...? But I still think a bigger problem is that many people may (understandably) decide to put off splashing out on a new camera until things look like they're picking up again. Which could take a while.</p>

<p>The interesting thing about consumer segments like the digital camera market is that they're so huge that even a thin slice of the pie can generate enough cash to keep a reasonably-sized business going... And even if the pie temporarily shrinks a bit (or doesn't grow as quickly...) next year, there's no fundamental reason why the pie won't be huge for quite some time. The biggest problem for minor players like Pentax is when their slice of the pie just gets a bit too small. Then they get weak, and it can be a real struggle for them... And then they have to seriously consider if it's worth coming to that particular (DSLR) table at all.</p>

<p>Moving away from the ever boring and uninformative discussion of Pentax' 48th bankruptcy, I think this Km version is a bold move. Whether it will work in the DSLR market is yet to be seen, but nobody thought fashion and design would mean a thing in the personal computer market either until Apple really started to produce some slick looking computers. I would have thought that fashion and design should play more of a role in the P&S market, which is more of a mass-market. However, entry DSLRs are becoming increasingly popular and Pentax is right in testing out how product colours affect customer behaviour. </p>

<p>I think photo-enthusiasts, as we all are on this forum, often forget that we probably make out less the 10% of the market, pros another 5%. That leaves 85% of buyers out there that like to take pictures but would not be able to tell raw from gravy. They would use the green program but want a DSLR simply because of the superior results compared to most P&S. (The might be a bit disappointed sometimes that they do not get 17282x zoom though)</p>

<p>In my opinion (feel free to disagree), non-enthusiasts buy based on brand/marketing (i.e. Canon,Nikon,Sony) or, if available and known, on superior design/looks. Myself, I don't know shit about cars, neither do I care very much about how a car works. Thus, how it looks influences my decision much more than it would for a person that takes great interest in cars. Brand still pays a role though, so Pentax must get the message through that they have a long history in camera making, because many won't know that Pentax is a good brand, just not as famous as the big ones.</p>

<p>If I don't like white, but 30% of the market really likes it, then it is right for Pentax. And all our concerns about whether the finish is matt or glossy or whether white will reflect when using flash or whether dirt will show is purely an academic discussion. </p>

<p>If it doesn't become I success, I applaud their decision to try.</p>

<p>Ya know, for all the talk of this being a "risky" move, I really don't see it as one. Bold certainly, novel perhaps, but not really risky. Best case scenario: they sell out the white K-m at a significant markup, and generate a lot of buzz and name recognition. Worst case scenario: they unload the unsold white K-m's at a <em>slight </em> discount (the K-m itself is going to be a success, and I doubt the target market will specifically <em>avoid</em> the white version) and get ridiculed as a "non-pro" camera company... in other words, the status quo.<br>

As I see it, Pentax will get benefit out of the white K-m no matter how quickly it sells or how "hot" an item it is:</p>

<p>(1) Very low investment. I'm guessing it cost practically nothing to "develop" this new product (not to make light of it). Basically, they order a few plastic pieces in white/silver instead of black, and that's that.</p>

<p>(2) Turning heads on the street. Everyone will notice a white DSLR among a sea of black cameras, generating word-of-mouth buzz about Pentax (and probably a few hapless tourists getting theirs stolen).</p>

<p>(3) Turning heads on the web. Whenever <a title="foob" href="http://www.dpreview.com/news/0812/08121603pentaxk2000white.asp" title="foob">DPReview fronts an article about Pentax</a> , it's a good thing for Pentax. Now there are a zillion forum threads about it too, such as "<a href="http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1036&message=30375505">Dumbest Pentax ever?</a> " which have probably got a ton of people talking about Pentax DSLRs who never thought of them before. As they say, <a href="http://www.smh.com.au/news/travel/blundering-borat-boosts-kazakh-toruism/2008/11/13/1226318779858.html">there's no such thing as bad publicity</a> ... in fact, that particular thread seems almost like a deliberate plant designed to inspire favorable responses. Maybe Pentax marketing <em>has</em> gotten smarter :-)</p>

<p>So, good work Pentax. Oh, I just thought of another benefit. I want my parents to get a DSLR but they seem intimidated. Maybe I can sell them on "shiny white camera" more easily than "big scary black camera"? We'll see...</p>

<p>Dan makes very good points. The cost of this little "adventure" has to be very minimal and the attention they are getting from dedicated photo people is pretty high considering that it's just a different color camera.</p>

<p>What do you all think about Hin when I order one as a 2nd system next to K20D. Anyone have some experience to share about how good the k-m is as a backup system. Specificially what has improved in AF speed. The black one looks like a match to K20D/K10D but for weirdo like me who like something different and on tight budget, I will consider that special edition an special treat for the buying for use in traveling, backup system in small size, spousal usage, kid's training etc.</p>

<p>Butt ugly is in the beholder's eyes. It is appealing to me as a backup system in traveling, with hopefully some improvement in AF speed. And something that I can toss it to my sweetie to take a group shot of me and my boys. Or something I can ask for help from strangers who may ask what that camera brand is. An eye catching icons for sure in my books.</p>

<p>I wake up this morning and I am replacing my thoughts on 2nd system with D90 with this white camera. Am I nuts, yes! Always! And I have better reasons when I sweet talk my wife for the 2nd camera that I hope she won't feel as intimidating to use</p>

<p>Go for it Hin. I would have gotten the white one as well if I were in need of a 2nd camera. <br>

Back in the stone age I got the ME Super in all black. At that time, at least in my neck of the woods, everyone had cameras with silver top and black bottom. Now everyone has black cameras, so I would sure like to have something different. <br>

Hin, when people ask you about your new white camera (which everyone will), tell them that you used to use Canon and Nikon, but that this one is soooo much better, because the highly sophisticated white coating makes the colours more vibrant in the pictures!</p>

<p>I am dead serious about this. I withdrew my bid for a D90 as a 2nd system today and I withdrew the sale of my DA* 50-135mm this morning. I wake up this morningwith this very idea to line up with the Pentax calling for a difference. </p>

<p>I embrace bold move and changes. That white camera on cosmetic appeals to me bar none from the others. But of course, I may be the minority for that calling for a backup system that is a eye catching icon. I will need to dig up all the reviews on k-m as I sure want it to be as good as K100D Supper with improvements on AF speed. The missing of the top display is a turn off on me. I can survive with one dial but without the top display is a compromise unless I can see everything I need in the viewfinder.</p>

<p>Hin, there was no offense intended towards your seriousness. I am serious too, and my last comment was serious marketing, not necessarily true, but when was marketing true?<br /> <br /> I think Pentax should put more resources in this area and just postpone any K30D. It is more important to get new attractive and different looking entry-level DSLRs to the market than new and more sophisticated cameras (and if no-one gets angry with me now, I do not know what I need to say).<br /> <br /> The quality of the cameras today is so good that another year or two wait for a K30D is no loss, but Pentax getting a reputation for cool quality cameras in the beginner DSLR market would be phenomenal, and I don't dare to show my daughter the Hello Kitty one, because then she wants it...</p>

<p>"The cost of this little "adventure" has to be very minimal and the attention they are getting from dedicated photo people is pretty high considering that it's just a different color camera."</p>

<p>True enough, but it's worth considering the nature of the attention... :) Are people swooning, or laughing...? :)</p>

<p>The thing is, this is a world away from slick, minimalist Apple chic... There's more to making something a pleasing, coherent, desirable work of visual design than taking an existing (standard-looking) product and ordering a few plastic pieces in white intead of black... :)</p>

<p>For this kind of thing to work well, the entire design (and packaging, and marketing...) should be well thought out right from the start. And I don't remember too many people commenting on the original black version's ultra-sophisticated, stylish looks... :) Sure, it's been designed to be compact, but the shapes/forms/design are all very standard-looking stuff. This isn't "slim and sleek", which seems to be the in-thing with the trendy little pocket cameras, mobile phones, MP3 players etc. This is just "a white DSLR with black bits".</p>

<p>So, to me, this white version looks like what it is: just a cheap way to try to cash in on a certain market. The problem with that approach is that it can be rather counter-productive in terms of "image", as it can very easily come across as a sign of poor judgement... Or, to some eyes, as a sign of desperation. Or perhaps even rather patronizing, to all the lovely little ladybabies who are looking to move on from their purse-friendly P&S models to a more "serious" camera...?</p>

<p>TBH, when I first saw that white version I was instantly reminded of those "Special Edition" versions of low-end family cars, that were often seen in the '80s (at least in Europe). These were just older models, nearing the end of their lifetime, tarted up with a different paint-job, a few stripes, some new seat covers etc...</p>

<p>Of course, me saying all this will ensure that it will be the "must have" trendy product of 2009, and Pentax will go on to dominate the DSLR market for years to come... :)</p>

<p>Hin, While I consider this thing Butt ugly, I must also confess that when I showed it to my wife and daughter, they both thought it was as cool as Ice. My daughter said it would go well with her Ipod ....</p>

<p>Javier, thanks for the support. I am sure when I get my copy, my two boys will think of their dad a bit different in a positive way. My older boy will say "way kool Dad" and my younger boy will follow his brother as usual and then my sweetie starts rolling up the eyes and said, it is not your Daddy's camera, it is MINE.</p>

<p>I need to dig up information on frame rate, AF improvements, the sensor, is it the same as the K200D or that or the K10D, whether it works with DA* lens, how bad are the L lens with plastic mount, support of wireless flash, any improvement on the dust removal, whether it has solved the white balance issues with K100D in indoor settings etc. If you have the k-m and have handled the k-m, please fill us up on your impressions using it as a back up camera comparing to K100D Super or K200D, what are the basic gripes on the technicals assuming neutral stand on the camera color.</p>

<p>Hin, The published FPS are faster on that K2000 than the K20D. I also read it has better low light focus than the K20D, but I doubt that.</p>

<p>Vegard, I am not offended at all. I think a bit childish all my life and I am happy that way. And I change mind often and it scare others as well as myself. And I am very grateful that this dicussion in this forum is respectful and open minded. It is not like in other places that I feel an outcast to post an opinion on color. Now that I re-examine, I am a white color guy. I can't believe that I say this. </p>

<p>My house is white, which I dearly love. Then come my CRV which I never thought I would drive a white color car and part of it goes to the salesman who sold me the idea on lesser copies in the road and better scratch hidden for resale value. My 2005 CRV looks quite new after 3 years. </p>

<p>Then come my laptop Sony Vaio in white color again, oooops. I bought the laptop for my wife in kitchen area and we have been a happy camper for the white laptop and the material is easily cleaned on that Sony computer that cost me $650 with 250 gig HD, 3 gig memory and Vista media premium edition. Of course, I like my MacbookPro better in silver color. But the white Vaio is as techie look and distinguishable look from the norms as in black, silver, chrome and the recent red in dell. </p>

<p>I am seeing a very scary pictures when the white camera come to my household. I checked that few things that I like:</p>

<ul>

<li>smaller size and weight going the trend with film body as desired by many including Justin. It is not small when compared to old film bodies but I like the trending </li>

<li>2.7 inch LCD is plenty</li>

<li>the same sensor as in K10D and K200D</li>

<li>use of AA batteries for long duration of traveling, I hope the body is longer lasting than K100D</li>

<li>I think it supports DA*</li>

<li>wireless flash is supported</li>

<li>the preview in dpreview seems to answer my questions on missing LCD on top</li>

<li>96% viewfinder and I am not sure if magnification is the same as in K10D or not, dpreview shows 85% on a 50mm lens</li>

<li>faster frame rate with 3.5 to 5.0 in JPG and 4 in Raw, this number is as good as I can hope for</li>

<li>perhaps more when I find them ....</li>

<li></li>

</ul>

<p>Well are people swarming or laughing at the multicolored Ipods, or laptops, or point and shoot cameras.</p>

<p>Sure a pro is going to laugh at a white Km, but I laugh at people toting D300s with a kit lens on them.<br>

<br /> <br /> Who cares? As long as it sells cameras, and appeals to some market segment it's a good move.</p>

<p>And, I expect Canikon to follow suit! Trust me, no good idea goes unnoticed or unstolen! Just ask Sam Walton (Walmart) what his best strategy was? Look at what others are doing and copy what works!</p>

<p align="center">White can be beautiful and I don't realize that</p>

<p align="center">I have many white things from</p>

<p align="center">my laptop to my car</p>

<p align="center"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3109/3120742539_03882627ae.jpg" alt="" width="332" height="500" /></p>

<p align="center">Posting <a href="http://hintheman.blogspot.com/2008/12/angelic-face.html">Angelic Face</a> in my Blog</p>

<p align="center"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2307/2198863652_f02140ab82.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="272" /></p>

<p align="center">and my home is actually white</p>

<p align="center">the left corner one</p>

<p align="center"><img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/77/204872812_c269353057.jpg" alt="" /></p>

<p align="center">And I still insists that white is not my favorite color</p>

<p align="center">Green is</p>

<p align="center">but I will stay away from a Green Camera</p>

<p>I think that this is a smart move on Pentax' part. As others have noted, the financial cost to develop this camera is practically zero. It is a limited edition, so it is not a statement of a new direction in Pentax styling.</p>

<p>I think that they are testing the waters. Brightly colored P & S cameras seem to be selling well, and many of them come in four or more different colors. If the white K-m/K2000 sells well, they will probably repeat it and perhaps add more colors.</p>

<p>Personally, I like my solid black K10D and I would almost certainly buy a black camera next time, but there are others, especially at the entry level, who might prefer other colors. Remember, if you are a K10D or K20D user, you're probably NOT the target demographic group for the K-m/K2000, in any color. Some might buy it because of its small size and light weight, as a travel camera, but for the most part, users of the higher end cameras aren't going to migrate to this camera in droves. Do D300 users lust after a D80?</p>

<p>The worst that can come of this experiment is that it won't sell, the remaining stock will be sold off at a discount, and the experiment won't be repeated. The best that can happen is that it will create some buzz for Pentax and get it noticed by new users, who watch Ashton Kutcher shilling for Nikon in TV commercials and think he really knows something about cameras.</p>

<p>Paul Noble</p>

<p>Well, I'm glad we settled this issue :-)</p>

As part of the likely target demographic, I figure I might as well chime in.

 

My first reaction was "that's pretty cool!" I'd still buy the black version, but I buy pretty much everything in black. Most of my peers prefer white to black.

This also opens the door to more functional alternative designs. A forest camo K200D perhaps, which could be an ideal wildlife camera.

<p>Mike, while we're asking, I'd love a dark grey, ash colour.</p>