Due to the cancellation of CP+ 2020, PENTAX has decided to go virtual, and has published a video to introduce a selection of the new products currently in development.
In this video, members of PENTAX’s Product Planning Department describe a range of models in development, including the next flagship model of the PENTAX APS-C DSLR and new interchangeable lenses.
- Flagship APS-C DSLR (no name yet), includes a redesigned optical viewfinder with a 1.05X (0.7X equivalent) magnification, and protruding more from the body to avoid the “oily-nose syndrome” smear on the LCD
- HD PENTAX-D FA*85mmF1.4ED SDM AW portrait lens
- D FA 21mm Limited ultra-wide-angle lens (tentative name, in silver or black); weather-resistant, integrated lens hood
- HD PENTAX-DA*16-50mmF2.8ED PLM AW zoom lens (tentative name, APS-C lens)
November 27, 2019 marked the 100th year from the foundation of Asahi Optical Joint Stock Co., the original manufacturer of PENTAX-brand products. Today, under the RICOH IMAGING parent company, PENTAX continues to make beautifully-designed and excellent products. Sadly, they seem to be living in an alternate reality: “flagship APS-C DSLR and lenses?” “To be able to fully respond to advances in future SLR cameras?”
Is that where they are focusing their energies on: DSLR development? Did they not get the memo that DSLRs are on the way out? Not allowing PENTAX to seriously develop mirrorless cameras is a sure way to lead that venerable brand into oblivion. Now, that would be sad.
The future is (like-it-or-not, fight-it-tooth-and-nail, inexorably) mirrorless.
