Ricoh Imaging has officially announced the discontinuation of its current Pentax K-series DSLR camera lineup. The company stated that it is shifting its focus toward a new development phase, aiming to redefine the value of photography and encourage more users to enjoy the process of taking pictures.
The transition follows the recent end of production for the Pentax K-1 Mark II, which was the last remaining DSLR model available in Japan. Major retailers including Camera Kitamura, Map Camera, Bic Camera, and Yodobashi have marked the device as discontinued or out of stock. The Pentax KF model was previously discontinued in Japan in May.
Despite the current halt in production, Ricoh confirmed it is working on a new DSLR product. This future camera will utilize the company's long-standing K-mount technology and experience, though it is based on a new development concept. The company has not yet provided a specific release timeline for this upcoming device.
Ricoh President Yasuichi Mori noted that the company is actively researching features designed to appeal to a younger generation of photographers. The development team is currently evaluating what characteristics a modern DSLR should possess to maintain the brand's integrity and relevance in the evolving market.
