See what the Japanese Nikkei Financial News has reported, via Digicame Info via Mirrorless Rumors.
So, for what's important that we could learn are (direct copied from Google translate!):-
1. "The company has continued deficit in the digital camera business followed by a low-price competition";
2. "The company has to strengthen product competitiveness in the acquisition machine, to return to profitability as soon as possible.";
3. "Ricoh is "Pentax" brand of digital camera was acquired from HOYA to last fall, to introduce next year a new camera with interchangeable lenses of popular price.";
4. "low price spread of a broad customer base of 50,000 yen can be expected" for the new body;
5. "Thickening the selection in the market selling, find a new market such as Asia. Service was also considered in conjunction with the Internet and consumer electronics, such as customer acquisition also aim at a younger audience."
So, it now explains why there is an urgent need to increase the prices of the Pentax lenses as Ricoh has suffered big loss from the Pentax camera business. But then are their policies contradicting? Cheap bodies and expensive lenses? Or, everyone is doing the same right now? E.g., just see the latest ridiculous high prices of the model Canon lenses such as the 24-70/2.8L, 24 and 28/2.8 IS! >:-(
Nonetheless, last time it was reported, Hoya's IT division as a whole, including the previous not-yet-sold Pentax camera division, had growth in *profit*! Now after the takeover by Ricoh, the Pentax camera business runs again into a death pond of RED water again! Really too bad.. And, a low priced body only in the next year of 2013? Is it the long awaited K-r *DSLR* replacement? Or, it is just a plastic version finderless K-01L (where L stands for Low Cost, say)? Well..
Related:-
Hoya's IT Division Attains Increased Profit
The Future of Pentax
• News about Products and Latest Company Direction
• Summaries of Reported Problems and Potential Issues
• Technical Articles on Photographic Gear and Technologies
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
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Comments by IntenseDebate
Cheaper Pentax Body Next Year, Mirrorless or Not
2012-04-11T08:23:00+08:00
RiceHigh
Finance and Sales|ILDCs|Issues|K-01|K-r|Lenses|News|Pentax|Prices|Ricoh|
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Leonardo · 674 weeks ago
Richard · 674 weeks ago
Nubi · 674 weeks ago
Rene · 674 weeks ago
Pippen · 674 weeks ago
Without being tied down to camera development and production Pentax can focus on lens sales across many different platforms. IMHO this is the wisest and most profitable avenue to take. Make the Limiteds available in other mounts and watch the sales roll it. Hoya sold Ricoh a red herring.
Richard · 674 weeks ago
aurele · 674 weeks ago
2 - tighten QC to reduce the number of DSLR that come back because failure (so, spare some money)
3 - increasing price of lenses won't make them popular ;-)
4 - Same price as Canon 1100D would be nice to catch some new customers, good idea. (but don't forget the upper part of customer)
Wait and see ....
Lauren · 674 weeks ago
As one of the *ist-D buyers (I bought two) and a new DSLR body every generation, in addition to the Optio WG cameras, and Pentax lenses, I am partially responsible for keeping Pentax in business.
I never asked for the Q.
I never asked for the K-01
I can't afford the 645D
As $3000 sits in a bank account, all Pentax has to do to claim it, is make me a FF DSLR.
Is that so hard to do?
VladimirYo · 674 weeks ago
I'm waiting forvard new posts from you and your interpretation. Really fun to read =)
Chris · 674 weeks ago
The K5 together with the Limited lens lineup is superior to any of the Sony, Nikon, or Canon offerings. Much more compact (because of the body instead of lens SR), magnesium instead of plastic, weather sealing, and excellent picture quality. Especially the colors and auto white balance make for excellent pictures even without any post processing. In short, everything the outdoor hobbyist wants. (only in studio and pro setups, and for movie shooting, I see an advantage for the bulky Canikony systems)
I would hate it if Pentax went out of business, or if Pentax stopped building DSLR camera bodies. I'm in for whatever follows the K5, and I'm sure I won't be disappointed, as the K10D, the K7 and the K5 all set a standard at their time.
Nope, a price increase in times of currency crises and inflation was to be expected. Besides, a DSLR and also an optical lens are precision engineering, fine mechanics, not mass-produced products like chips. Labour cost is a key factor here.
I just hope that Ricoh is going to reinvest the higher margins into lens and DSLR R&D. I trust they are smart enough to do that.
C
Chris · 674 weeks ago
C