The countdown

[mattdm]

January 24th/25th (depending on where in the world), we'll see new Pentax models -- a K200D to replace the K100D, and a successor to the K10D which everyone online is referring to as K20d but which is likely to have a slightly different label.

I'm not even planning on buying either of these since I'm happy with my K10D, but I'm still excited to see where the company is going. According to rumor, the K200D should be a nice step up from the K100D, and the K10D replacement will be have some super-innovative new cool features. (Overlaid histogram in the viewfinder? ISO 6400? 16:9 format sensor? Secret sauce?)

[MikeM]

I'm looking to get a K10D, hopefully the new models will bring the price down for me!

[mattdm]

I'm looking to get a K10D, hopefully the new models will bring the price down for me!

I wouldn't count on it. They're apparently already out of production and becoming scarce -- the body-only low price is up to $680 or so from last month's $630. (Before rebate.)

[Pentaxian]

I'm excited to see the new features. But my k10d will last me a while. But Matt is right, if you want a k10d get it sooner then later.

[GEli]

Personally, I am far more excited about the potential for a firmware upgrade for my K10D than for the K20D or equivalent model itself. I'm sure the new body is going to be very neat and I will want one very much, but it's hard to compete with the "free" pricepoint.

[mattdm]

Personally, I am far more excited about the potential for a firmware upgrade for my K10D than for the K20D or equivalent model itself. I'm sure the new body is going to be very neat and I will want one very much, but it's hard to compete with the "free" pricepoint.

What do you think they might put in a firmware upgrade? The only thing I can think of is the issue where Auto-ISO only goes *down* (never up again) when you change shutter speed in Hyperprogram (P) mode. And then I guess I can dream that they might do something to clean up ISO 1600 a bit more.

But really, I'll be very impressed with Pentax if they do another firmware update at this point -- sadly, industry practice is to ignore year-old models (let alone discontinued ones).

[GEli]

I've heard whispers of much improved high ISO performance in the K200D, which uses the same sensor as the K10D. Even with different processors, I'm still optimistic some of that improvement will make the jump back a generation.