MT Shooter wrote:
The Pentax numbering is extremely similar to the Nikon and Canon numbering schemes, smaller numbers always equate to higher quality bodies. K-1II would be the next, followed by K-1III, K-1IV, K-1V, etc.
Nikon went D1, D2, D3, D4 and now D5 (some models had incremental changes denoted by "S", "H", or "X" after the name.
Canon went from 1D to 1D2, 1D3, 1D4, 1Ds......, 1DX and now 1DXII.
For Pentax that is only true starting with the K-5 to K-5II K-5IIs, K-3, K-3II, and now K-1 if they continue that way. I go back to the first Pentax Bayonet Mount (K-Mount) cameras. Those being KM, KX, K2, with the K2 being the flagship until the K2 DMD. Later the budget and long sold K1000 came out. Then we had ME, MX, ME Super, MV, MG, Super A, Program A, Program Plus, ME F, etc. I stopped keeping track after the LX. Does anyone see a naming pattern or logic here? In more recent year with Pentax their DSLRs flag ship models were, plus many consumer or entry level models aside from these:
*istD
K-100D
K-110D
K-200D (in some markets only)
K-10D
K-20D
K-7
K-5
K-5II / K-5IIs
K-3
K-3II (current Crop Factor)
K-1 (first Full Frame)
Up, down, down, up what is the pattern? Especially when you ask for what buyer's market.
Then there are the Pentax DSLR consumer series
K-X
K-m / K-2000
K-R
K-30
Thing is Pentax really never has two semi-pro models at the same time. So what's the naming pattern? I just see randomness.
Nikon has a series of patterns with single, double, triple, and quadruple digit numbers or letter names that in most cases mean something.
Note for film - Pro models: F, F2, F3, F4, F5 Serious Hobbyist Consumer models: FTN, FM, FM2, FM3, FE, etc.
I'm criticizing the Pentax naming scheme not the product. I've been using Pentax cameras since 1978. And also have select other brand equipment of other types. Note, Minolta Spotmeter, Gossen Luna Pro and Luna Six light meters, Nikon and Schneider view camera and enlarging lenses.