On our latest post, we wrote about Pentax K-x new DSLR camera. At the moment, of writing the news, a thought pass my mind. Many of you probably know that the leaders in DSLR market share are Canon, Nikon and Sony. These are the top three leading companies of DSLR cameras in 2008 reports. In terms of technology and finance, it's not hard to understand, that in order to develop new technologies and keep up with the pace of your competition, you have to invest a lot of money. When I think about Pentax, and as far as the market share reports, Pentax is in 5th place after Olympus in digital SLR camera market share.
I'm wondering how can a company with probably a lower budget, can keep producing very sophisticated cameras, and allow itself to stay in the competition over many years, without losing larger market share. When I heard about Pentax K-x new DSLR cameras and I've read K-x specifications, I was surprised to see that Pentax has implemented almost any of the latest features like Canon and Nikon, have implemented into their entry-level cameras. It seems that there are many photographers, which held Pentax equipment in the past, and they are fans of Pentax cameras. Because if you think about it, there is actually no reason for photographers to buy Pentax equipment and not Nikon's. Saying that, there are some advantages of using Pentax DSLR cameras over to competition, like an inner image stabilization function, which as you know, neither Nikon nor Canon implemented this feature in their bodies.
However, usually it comes to imaging quality. And when I've read reviews about Pentax DSLR cameras in comparison to Nikon and Canon DSLR cameras, I must say that I was disappointed by the image quality file outputs. For me, it was a deal breaker. It seems that when it comes to the algorithms implemented on SLR cameras to interpolate the information that was captured on the CCD, Nikon and Canon do a better job than Pentax. Olympus, for example, has surprised me, because it's image quality using the four thirds format, is pretty amazing as far as I concerned.
Pentax SLR cameras, at least in the latest ones, contains shake reduction up to four stops, dust removal, new shutter mechanism, high resolution back LCD screen, live view, lens distortion correction (in the K-7), high dynamic range images inside camera (HDR), movie mode etc. it seems that Pentax has a lot to offer to amateur and professional photographers alike. I've even seen a comparison between the Pentax K7 digital SLR camera versus Nikon D5000 entry-level DSLR in terms of image quality at high ISO settings (1600), and I must say that Pentax K7 image quality was better, no doubt about it (read about that comparison here).
When I saw the comparison between the Pentax K7 versus Canon T1i at ISO 1600, Canon did a great job Pentax looked better in terms of sharpness in the quality of fine details. However, when in comparison to Nikon D90 DSLR camera, you can see the advantage of Nikon or Pantex clearly. And when it comes to Pentax K7 versus Nikon D300 at high ISO settings, Nikon D300 great clearly wins. When you compare Nikon D700 versus Pentax K7, it's no competition all - Nikon wins hands down.
When you look at the 2008 digital SLR market share in Japan, you can see that both Canon and Nikon have the same market-share with 39.0%, Sony at the third-place with 8.5%, Olympus and a fourth-place with 3.8% and Pentax with 1.6%. So without putting too many numbers and confuse you, I can see that Pentax is holding up pretty well against the competition and doesn't lose any market share yet (between 2006 and 2008). The advantage of Pentax DSLR cameras are in pricing. We can see that Pentax is not investing that's a lot of money in advertising like Nikon or Canon advertising department. So Pentax had to concentrate about developing new technologies and target their cameras to new photographers, which will continue to use their photography gear for years to come. And therefore, increase their market share over the years, hoping that photographers with no option appreciate the efforts and the results of Pentax.
Take, for example, Canon entry-level cameras. I myself had an entry-level camera from Canon a few years ago. For the first moments, I've held both Canon 400D and Nikon D70 in my hand, I knew that Nikon has been given much attention to new photographers were taking their first step in digital photography. Nikon gave them a better equipment in terms of body built, the camera felt much better in the hands, you got a terrific Nikon 18-55mm lens with, in comparison to the 'not that good' Canon 18-55mm lens from Canon. It's not a surprise, that Nikon is being invested their money very well for both the entry-level development department and the professional level department. That's the reason, that after few years, you can finally see that Nikon surges and Canon loses SLR shooter (2008). Your photographers prefer to buy entry-level Nikon DSLR cameras and equipment, instead of Canon's.
Every company knows that it should invest in new photographer market, and do not forget that those photographers, are the professional photographers of the future. Pentax has continued to evolve and provide advance camera equipment to photographers worldwide. How long can Pentax hold on in this tight and highly competitive DSLR market, only time will tell.
You really should invest more time in reading the comparison of the K10D and K20D. They actually performed better than the competition in RAW mode, which any photographer worth their salt, would be using anyway.
ReplyDeleteYou're also comparing the K-7 as being inferior to a camera 2-2.5 times the price which is also full-frame.
It doesn't sound like you've even shot a Pentax. The ergonomics combined with the weather-sealed body are better than anything even close in price. Not to mention their kit lenses are better than canikon's plasticky, junk kit lenses.
And unlike canikon when you get a front or back focusing lens, you can just adjust it in the camera.
Right now Pentax is the Honda of the early '80s. Not everyone is familiar with them but in the end the competition will end up providing similar features.
I will NEVER spend a freakin' dime on any camera that can't use lithium or alkaline AAs.
ReplyDeleteThe advantage of not being locked into a proprietary battery system is paramount. AAs can be conveniently recycled at most camera dealers.
How many kilowatt hours does it take to recharge NiMHs — eight. And when they're COMPLETELY drained after two days, that's another eight hour aggravating recharge cycle. How pointless.
Yeah, brand-named NiMH rechargers that get hot enough to burn down your house. Pass.
Look. I bought the camera. I buy the lenses, flashes, lens hoods, etc. Go easy on us, huh?
Proprietary camera batteries, what's next proprietary auto fuel?
An FWIW, the Pentax f1.4 50mm lens is alone, enough reason to own any Pentax dSLR.
If you haven't shot with this lens, then you might take Abe Lincoln's advice.
Pentaxinaut