As though decision making was not tough enough

Just as I was about to purchase the Canon 30D out came a rumour that Canon will release the 40D on September 26. The 40D is supposed to be Canon's reply to the new generation of 10 megapixel DSLRs that have been released by Nikon and Sony. Canon has already announced the release of the 400D which is an entry level 10 megapixel DSLR. The release of teh 40D is just a rumor so far. Will have to wait and see if there is any truth to it.

Then just today Pentax announced the release of their 10 megapixel DSLR the Pentax K10. From preliminary information this camera has some amazing new features that are not supported by other cameras in its class. Notably:

1. Weather sealed body. One would think that expensive and sensitive equipment is always weather sealed but apparently only super expensive ($3000 and above) cameras offer that. This feature is not new for Pentax.
2. Very reasonably priced. I think $899 which puts it par with the Sony A100 and cheaper than the Nikon D80 ($999) and much cheaper than the Canon 30D ($1200).
3. 3 Frames per second (Canon 30D is 5) but can keep going till the memory card is full. Most cameras stop after 20 maybe 30 pictures. This guy will keep clicking to 70 or more pictures at the rate of 3 per second.
4. Two new exposure priority options unique only to the K10. Sensitivity Priority and Shutter and Aperture Priority. For the former you choose the ISO and the camera will automatically determine shutter and aperture. With the latter you select the shutter and aperture speed and the camera will automatically detect ISO speed based on the light available.
5. From the looks of it great ergonomics. A lot of cameras are menu driven. Pentax seems to be living up to the tradition of providing the photographer with easy access to change settings.

What remains to be seen is the quality of images the camera takes. I do not know for certain but I am guessing that the Pentax is using the same 10 megapixel Sony CCD that is used by the Sony A100 and the Nikon D80. If that is the case the quality of images could be, though not necessarily be inferior to picture taken by Canon's CMOS sensor.

This is becoming a very interesting time to sit and watch rather than buy a camera. Technology is always changing and one cannot keep waiting to buy the best because you will just keep waiting. However, in the DSLR market there appears to be one year cycle and right now we are witnessing the release of cameras by all major manufacturers in the 10 megapixel class. In about a month or so detailed reviews on most of these camera will be available. It only makes sense to wait out this month or so. So that the expert reviews are complete. Perhaps late October or early November is the time to buy.

I doubt christmas or post christmas season will have much impact on the price. One may get lucky and find a bargain but I think the current prices of the new models will stick till about March or April 2007. Want to buy then? Bad idea, new models will start trickling in and then you will be enticed by them :-)