When one thinks of purchasing a camera, the brands that come to mind include names such as Sony, Canon, Fujifilm or Ricoh. The only time you may have heard about Pentax was when they introduced their half-frame film camera, the Pentax 17, introduced in 2024. Two years since its launch, Pentax has been awfully silent. This raises the question: Is the company planning to leave the industry?
If you look at Pentax’s history, you’ll notice how they have released only one camera a year. Sometimes, one camera in two or three years. Here’s a quick look at their product timelines:
| 2024 | Pentax 17 | Half-frame film camera — first new film camera in 21 years |
| 2023 | Pentax K-3 Mark III Monochrome | World’s first APS-C monochrome DSLR |
| 2022 | Pentax KF | Essentially a re-released K-70 |
| 2021 | Pentax K-3 Mark III | APS-C flagship DSLR, 12fps, pixel shift |
| 2018 | Pentax K-1 Mark II | Last full frame Pentax DSLR. Still their full frame flagship today |
| 2017 | Pentax KP | Compact weather-sealed DSLR |
| 2016 | Pentax K-70 / K-1 | The company’s first full frame DSLR ever |
| 2015 | K-3 II / K-S2 | Weather-sealed mid-range bodies |
| 2014 | Pentax K-3 | Medium format mirrorless and APS-C flagship |
| 2013 | K-50 / K-500 / Q7 | Entry-level expansion |
| 2012 | K-01 / K-5 II | K-01 was a mirrorless K-mount experiment |
| 2011 | Pentax Q | Tiny mirrorless with interchangeable lenses |
| 2010 | 645D / K-x | First medium format digital; popular entry-level DSLR |
The company has been experimenting with formats and styles over the past 15 years. However, the pace has been dramatically slow. The last full frame graced the market in 2018, while the monochrome version had a short shelf life. While the K-mount has been active since 1975, the discontinuation of the K-3 Mk III raises serious questions. Similarly, the lack of K-1, their full frame camera, further makes one realize that the company may not exactly be functioning as it should. Since the K model offered astrophotography features and Pixel Shift technology like OM System cameras, why was it not improved upon to launch a mirrorless camera?
Having tested the K-1 II, which was introduced in 2018, we realized that there were some challenges, but overall, the device was not bad. As we wrote in our review:
I have been incredibly impressed with the Pentax K1 Mk II despite its quirks. This camera is not for the faint of heart. It’s certainly not a camera I would recommend to a new or inexperienced photographer, and if you like to travel light stay away. If however you know how to get the best out of a camera, and don’t mind slowing down to take in the whole experience that photography has to offer, then the Pentax K1 Mk II is a camera you’ll enjoy. It’s not just point, shoot and be done, you have to work to get the best out of it. It’s incredibly satisfying when it all of your efforts come together and you see the amazing images it can capture.
In fact, their APS-C lineup was incredible, with the company pushing to launch monochrome sensor way before Ricoh did. One could even blame the company’s acquisition, which happened in two parts: Hoya (for medical imaging business) and Ricoh. The former occurred between 2006 and 2008, while the latter happened in 2011. Since 2011, Ricoh has been introducing Pentax cameras, but one can see the glaring lack of mirrorless cameras and the snail-like pace of releases at a time when companies are launching three or four cameras in a year.
Generally speaking, Japanese brands aren’t kind to the companies they purchase — at least in what we see in the camera world. When Sony bought Minolta, the brand’s identity basically disappeared.
One can say that Ricoh may not be as serious about Pentax as it is about its own brand. But Ricoh, when compared to giants like Fujifilm, or even OM System, has limited resources in the camera department. They naturally take more time for production, just like Fujifilm does with its own cameras due to backlogs.
However, reports have surfaced that Pentax may launch a new DSLR in 2026, but this will be K-1 Mark III with a possible 60MP sensor and improved autofocus. In a world of mirrorless cameras, it remains to be seen if Pentax gets users, like they did with the Pentax 17. Maybe going against the tide is better… For now.
But if they were to win, they have to work on other aspects, including a better lens system, and price sensitivity. Since the market is saturated with mirrorless cameras, they can win over those who are tired of seeing similar imaging results. Furthermore, it brings back nostalgia, a great emotion for many brands who want to widen the customer pool.
In the end, Pentax needs to launch something soon, or, Ricoh may think of selling off the division for profits. A monopoly in a shrinking market like DSLRs is not bad, as long as Ricoh has chalked down the points to keep the brand afloat. Pentax is a brand that has an identity. It is now up to Ricoh whether they wish to let it grow in its own environment.