Samsung and Pentax to possibly join the full-frame DSLR race
ElectronRun covers DSLR developments and only last week I listed 7 reasons DSLRs are so important to manufacturers. From PMA 2008 it is becoming apparent that the reflex camera entry category is already incredibly crowded. Manufacturers respond with an increasing number of models and the inclusion of as many features as possible.
This however leads to more price competition and a distinct difficulty to achieve product differentiation. This time the safety valve seems to be full-frame sensors. Canon had them first, Nikon followed with the excellent D3 -that is surely going to cut a lot of business from Canon’s formerly exclusive domain- and Sony has plans to join the club with a 24.8 megapixel sensor.
The only players not joining the full-frame train are Olympus with its 4/3 system, and Pentax/Samsung which now seem to have plans to do so. According to Gizmodo, the close collaboration that recently brought us the Pentax K20D -pictured- and the Samsung GX20 is going to bring to fruition full-frame professional grade models.
Despite the fact that lens between manufacturers are incompatible, bringing DSLR photography back to full-frame 35mm level is welcome news. The increased competition in higher priced bodies is surely going to spill over to medium and later lower price categories. I am just wondering how users will feel about all those non full-frame lenses they have already invested in…
Link: Gizmodo
