Web Analytics RiceHigh's Pentax Blog: 20 Millions of Pentax Cameras in 2013

Saturday, September 21, 2013

20 Millions of Pentax Cameras in 2013


See the posts here, here and here by Pentax PH.

So, for what is told, the 20 million-th Pentax camera has just been manufactured at Cebu's Pentax factory in Philippines this year, which has happened only after 32 years when their 10 million-th camera was made back to 1981. It is interesting to note that the first Pentax camera, the Ashaiflex I was first created and marketed back to 1952. So, Pentax was able to make and sell their first 10 millions of Pentax cameras in 29 years last time, and then for another 10 millions of cameras in another 32 years. But since cameras have become widely popular and they have been just domestic products in recent decades, the above figures have just proven and witnessed clearly about the decline of this once Giant in the camera industry and history.

For what I have just counted, I have bought 16 models of Pentax cameras these decades, for both film (5 models) and digital (11 models), SLR or not, since I first bought my Pentax SFX in 1988.

Nonetheless, as for that mentioning about the gold/brown coloured Q10 against the LX Gold Limited Edition, I think that yet once again hurts the weak sentiments of we long-time Pentaxians! :-( It is because the LX was just the last real professional grade camera body and system of Pentax whilst the Q10 is just a toy. Compare a Q10 with the LX is really rather inappropriate after all, IMHO! Btw, I have my gold/brown coloured K-r myself, which I think is still way better than a toyish Q10, isn't it?

Comments (8)

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Well. This year Cannon will sell 9.2 mil DSLR, Nikon - 7.2 mil. For one year.
That is the reason why Pentax can not make big steps ahead.
1 reply · active 598 weeks ago
For years, they had their reasons to fail, for the lack of vision and planning, as well as many other basic things that a better management should have.
Mike Kawasaki's avatar

Mike Kawasaki · 598 weeks ago

Well, if they have made an FF of some kind, to keep the userbase both homogenous and variegated, and protect the legacy of millions of lenses and their mount, Pentax would celebrate at least its 25 Millionth DSLR this year.

Pentax managers were so stupid not to realise that Pentax, together with Leica, did define the 35mm photography as we know it in the 20th century, popularised it immensely, and that people in their minds always connect Pentax with 35mm.

Leica at least understood the fact, almost too late, and fired the incompetent management who thought Leica cannot make an FF. And only a year after, Leica introduced an FF M9; since then, they can't make enough of their FF M cameras!

But Pentax? Of boy, it seems each new set of managers of theirs is dumber than the previous.
4 replies · active 598 weeks ago
They would sell 5 million DSLRs in 3 months and 20 million DSLRs per year just by introducing a 135 camera "of some kind". The total DSLR market being about 13 million DSLRs.
Wow, a market share of over 150%, that's genius! And I agree, those managers are dumb for not taking the opportunity...
Mike Kawasaki's avatar

Mike Kawasaki · 598 weeks ago

It seems inane managers need similarly inane fanboys to keep a brand in this poor shape and be proud of it.
You said three months. I didn't. I thought extra 5,000,000 DSLR cameras since 1981 (or, 20 + extra 5), or precisely, extra 5 million since the beginning of digital. And those extra 5 million are not just FFs. FFs are needed to start the domino effect.
Down, boy; I can't read your thoughts, fortunately.
And, of course, you're wrong even with the added elements; just having a FF of some kind, as early as possible (which wasn't 1981 nor the beginning of digital) is not necessarily a recipe for success. Examples? Kodak and Contax.

OTOH, I believe it's time for them to seriously work in expanding the K-mount into FF territory; now that they have an owner who's thinking mid and long term. But that's another story.
leica is expensive's avatar

leica is expensive · 598 weeks ago

Too bad those M-lenses are so crazy expensive. Not to mention the digital cameras. At least the M-E is headed in the right direction, but still way too much for anyone but the super super affluent. I'd love to own one.

I can't believe, however, that the new Pentax is rumoured to be APSC. Hope there are good Thansgiving deals on the Canon6D.
If I remember right my share is 16 since 1974

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