[OldScotch]

http://www.pentaximaging.com/slr/K-r_Black/

It sits between the well regarded K-x and K-7, in a plastic body with a stainless-steel frame. ISO range is increased to 200-12,800, fps are up to 6, auto-focus confirmation is back with a full 11 point overlay, and it allows AA batteries or a proprietary rechargeable.

The K-x was a big hit for Pentax sales wise and it looks like the K-r has all the good stuff about that in the K-r adding beefier build and more flexibility and it's priced nicely, around $800.

 

[hoodlum]

In Canada the body only will be $849. It will be competing directly against the Canon T2i. I personally like the idea of Pentax sticking with 12mp, but the average joe will think the 18mp T2i is the better camera. The T2i also has 1080p video vs 720p on the k-r. I believe we will see the k-r drop in price over the coming months.

 

[OldScotch]

The T2i is down to $900, I wouldn't be surprised to see the Kr selling for $800. But you're right, the features of the Canon will likely lure more people than the build of the Kr. Though the general public is starting to come around to the idea that more megapixels is not always better.
Nikon is expected to have a d90 replacement for photokina that they'll probably try and be sliding in under $1000. But then the K7 is $1200 and there are rumours of a K5 yet to come.

Great to see this competition, you can get a lot of camera for around a grand.

 

[hoodlum]

Both the D7000 (d90 replacement) and the k-5 (k-7 replacement) will be closer to $1,500 in Canada at release. Definitely a different price range.

Sony will be more competitive this time around with the A55/A580 that is priced the same as the K-r and T2i. We will likely see Nikon's D5100 soon but there are no details on that model yet.

I agree it is great to see the competition, especially with Sony joining the fray. Pentax doesn't release new cameras every year so we are seeing a lot of new option this fall that we have not enjoyed for a while. This fall you will definitely need to consider options beyond the traditional Canon/Nikon cameras before making decisions.

 

[OldScotch]

Are you sure you're not thinking of the rumoured d400? Henry's has the d90 for $750 and a d300s for $1400.

 

[hoodlum]

The rumor right now is that the D7000 will incorporate a weather sealed body and move up closer to the d300s with the D5100 moving up as well. The D3100 with kit has also move up to $700. I think this will be a general trend for all DLSRs as the mirrorless cameras fill in the bottom end. We should get an official announcement this week.

http://nikonrumors.com/2010/09/06/recap-3.aspx

 

[OldScotch]

Interesting, probably a good move by Nikon and I guess that means they're probably thinking about a mirror-less system of some sort themselves.

 

[hoodlum]

I think we will see mirrorless prototypes from both Canon and Nikon at Photokina. Here are some details just leaked on Canon's mirrorless entry. Canon will initially be targeting the high end.

http://www.eoshd.com/content/346

http://www.mirrorlessrumors.com/the-killer-canon-eis-22megapixel-mirrorless-camera/