First, I have read how Nikonian guru Thom Hogan evaluates Nikon against the seven aspects and criteria as highlighted by the Forbes (via the 1001 Noisy camera). And I think such an evaluation of Pentax would also be very interesting. So, here we go:-
1. Design: Moderate
As we all know, Pentax has been lagging behind in core technologies and system performance, as well as the selection of bodies and lenses. But it gives Pentax a few more marks with the aesthetic design and selection options of the coloured K-xes as well as the recent new models of P&S DCs, which have more unique styles and opened up new fashion trends. So, I've still given a "Moderate" rating here.
2. Speed: Poor
The product launch of Pentax has never been updated and new products are announced and coming out so slow and too late.
3. Cost: Good
Pentax' factories are now at the Philippines and Vietnam ONLY, for the manufacturing of digital bodies and lenses respectively. So they could really keep all the manufacturing costs really low enough to very low. But then do note that this has nothing to do with whether they would sell lenses at lower prices (but actually just much higher now) and if the manufacturing standards and quality of the products could be kept (the reverse is true, IMHO)!
4. Service: Moderate
I do have experienced improvements of service (but still not good enough) since Pentax raised crazily the prices of their lenses and since they have migrated all their lens production completely to the Vietnam factory! (More profit margin then better services? >:-o)
5. Communication Outside: Poor
Needless to say, Pentax virtually has no marketing at all and their communication to the stakeholders for their success is rather poor. Actually, it seems that they just don't know who are the stakeholders at the end of the days. So it is just helpless.
6. Communication Inside: Good (I guess)
After being cut a lot of fat and laying off of many staff / closing down of Japanese home production facilities, I guess the communication within such a smaller size division (within a big company) should now be more effective and good enough than before!
7. Purpose: Poor
The purpose of Hoya in doing the Pentax camera business is actually unclear. Someone says that they want to make the financial facts good so that they can sell it out to someone else (in fact, there are some previous news reports about that). People said before that Hoya only interested in Pentax' medical business but not the same in the camera business. And the fact is that Hoya has been much cost conscious in running the Pentax business since they acquired them. In fact, I have never seen clear commitment from Hoya in Pentax. A good example is that there has been no update in the Pentax lens development roadmap for years now. The dead air has actually been here for so long and new product launch and announcement is nearly non-existent (and not even just slow, if I have to say).
So, my analyses end here. It is just not so optimistic after all. :-(
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
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Seraf · 771 weeks ago
Purpose of sticing to pentax? very good ergonomics price/quality ratio, ability to use older lenses and so on. If someone is only bout' hi tech then maybe pentax isn't the way, but for many people it's a good choice.
Richard · 771 weeks ago
in the cupboard for when it;s needed.
jordan · 771 weeks ago
what else is new?
David · 770 weeks ago
1.Design
"But it gives Pentax a few more marks with the aesthetic design and selection options of the coloured K-xes"
Really, the color options of the Kx gets your respect? How about the versatility of the Green button? What about little things like the ease of setting the white balance, showing the previous picture as a reference? I think the only detractor of the Kx is the lack of an illuminated focusing point, while the K-7 'issues' were dealt with in the firmware upgrade dealing with sharpness, and the price drop. ...."has been lagging behind in core technologies and system performance" - Pentax only lags in focusing speed, as their sensors, software, and weather-protection have been on par, or excelled over the competition.
2. Speed
With the exception of the past year, the average life cycle of a camera model is two years before being replaced. Some companies, like Canon, seem to make modest changes annually, mainly to their base models. Just look at the Nikon D90, which seems to be out forever, and still gets good reviews - it had HD recording, and did not need to upgrade like the D300, which was replaced by the D300s. I would say if Pentax comes out with a KxS or K-5 or K-7+ in 2010, they are moving very fast.
3. Cost
Nothing to argue about - Pentax needs to find a way to bring its lens prices in par with its camera prices. That and release an update to the FA 85 1.4 (I guess that would fall under speed).
4. Service
I always had good luck with my service, although the service department missed the disconnected aperature controller on my camera the first time.
5. Communication
While I agree with the premise, I don't think its an issue with talking with stakeholders - few companies give you a glimpse into their new products until they are already out-otherwise you would just hold out. Money is huge here, and Pentax cannot compete. But beyond TV and print ads, the biggest thing is placement of their product. I can go to WalMart, Best Buy, pretty much any big box store and by a Rebel....I cannot do this with Pentax. Until they can get space in the store, they will always be a niche vendor.
They also need to do what Apple did - get into the schools. My girlfriend is taking a basic photography class, utilizing a Kx, kit 18-55, 75-300 FAJ that I gave her, and my old 50 1.7 F. Her 'teacher' has told everyone that they should get a Canon, and goes through the class instructing how to shoot with. So many times He pointed to using special Canon software to get a look at the histogram or read the EXIF data, all easily found on the Kx. Also, since they are on Macs, they cannot get to their photos without special software, but this guy still thinks the Rebel is a 'real camera' compared to the Kx.
6. Inside Communication inside
How are we suppose to know this? I really think this point should be replaced with store shelf presence, as if inside communication is bad would be reflected in product development, and software/hardware integration. Just look at the Sony NEX to see bad integration.
7. Purpose
Why all the Hoya hatin? I was not a fan of the takeover, but the only thing I have not liked about the products after Hoya's purchase was that on the K-7 they switched the focusing point selection/ISO, WB,Shooting on the toggle (I never had a problem with those being in a menu, and love being able to switch focusing points on the fly). The Kx, absent the illuminated focusing point, is the darling of the entry camera world, what with that Sony sensor and great price. The K-7 is built like a miniature tank, and with options that make it comparable to cameras now nearly twice its price. My only beef with Hoya is that the pro-spec zooms seem to have taken a back seat (why can't I have that 85 1.4, 80-200 2.8, or even an update to the 135 1.8?
If Hoya comes out with a full-frame, will that make you happy? They brought out the 645D, which is half the price of its competitors. The only way Pentax can justify an EVIL is if it can utilize Ka lenses, but they don't have the resources, and really if they keep shrinking the camera bodies, they don't need one (just need to mix in some vintage ME/K1000 looks into their cameras, like the i110 did).
As the market sits, Pentax is on the verge of making a big splash on studio photographers with the 645D. Photojournalists have made the lens investment in Nikon and Canon systems, so a D3/Mark competitor will likely fail, just ask Sony on the 950/850, although Pentax's legacy lenses might help.
Really Pentax's SLR lineup could be maxxed out with 4 cameras - Kx/successor, K-5 (K-7 controls/body w/Sony sensor, no audio inputs), K-7/successor, and FF in price/options similar to 7D, D300. Maybe a boutique, retro looking metal-bodied camera too, but really not much more. Nikon's entry choices are pitiful, and Canon has started to become a mess as well. After the D90 and 50D, those companies have great, distinctive choices, and Pentax would be wise to have simple choices in the entry level.
RiceHigh 110p · 770 weeks ago