The Chinese Fengniao editors interviewed the Ricoh head who is in charge of the Pentax camera business just a few days ago, when he came to China for something:
http://qicai.fengniao.com/387/3874303.html
(in Simplified Chinese, Google English Translation Here.)
I've opted to translate some key excerpts of the interview and putting aside all the other marketing bullshits (although many things are still bullshiting, which I can't help and avoid!), as follows:
Q: With the integration of Pentax and Ricoh, will the brand Pentax be removed in the end?
A: No, we have no plan to do so. For those products which are special enough, they will continue to carry the Pentax badge, like the Q and WG series. Otherwise, some adjustments would be needed.
My comment: Did he mean that only mediocre products should carry the Ricoh badge? ;-p And do note that the K series is not mentioned! :-o
A: The ex-Pentax and Ricoh staff of the development team are now working together as a team and at the same place. They can complement each other for the shortcomings amongst them. Because of the integration, some staff are now travelling in longer distances. An Hi-end product is being developed by the team. (But what it actually is was not disclosed.)
My comment: I do not believe in what he said for that "hi-end" thing, according to his past tracking records! :-o
Q: Now, what's going on for the Pentax Full Frame thing?
A: Our development team is still working on it and the project is not aborted.
Q: What Pentax is to do to tackle with the higher pixel count and new generation of sensors with new functions by the competitors, like the newly developed one used in the Canon 70D?
A: To be a responsible company, we are not chasing only the pixel count, as higher pixel count means worse noise and high ISO performance. That's the reason that we did not follow blindly.
My comment: I have only two words to say: BULL SHIT!
Q: All the 16MP Pentax cameras are with the same architecture?
A: No. They are different and the newer is better. If one is going to disassemble the cameras, the differences can be seen.
My comments: Bull shitting again, as usual. Is he going to tell us the K-30 and K-50 are much different, putting aside the body shell?! He forgot that there are also official specifications of the cameras?! Actually, Pentaxians are good at disassembling cameras and lenses! And my Blog has documented many of those, here.
Other things that told by the Ricoh Head himself:
- The K-01 Blue White (Smurfs) edition was endorsed by Marc Newson for the colour combination.
- The K-01 was not discontinued owing to the low demand. But it was discontinued owing to the higher demand than that the production could meet.
My comment: Man, are you serious? Are you kidding? You are a LIAR!!
Oh, I've really given up at this point. This guy is really helpless and the replies are mostly junk. I do appreciate the direct and acute questions that the Fengniao editors have asked for us, for what we all Pentaxians have been concerning most, though! Thanks, guys! :-)