Pentax MX2 project – a reference to the popular 1970s film SLR, the Pentax MX
My name is Pavel Suprun; I am a 3D artist and an avid photographer. I have extensive experience shooting with a wide variety of cameras, including film SLRs, panoramic film cameras (such as the XPan and 6×17 formats), DSLRs, mirrorless cameras, and compacts. Like many others, I’ve often found myself with ideas or specific wishes regarding photographic equipment. Sometimes, these ideas become quite persistent, and I feel compelled to share them with others in a way that I can – a 3D CGI. My first project of this kind was a “digital XPan,” and now a new project: a digital SLR.
For this, I’ve drawn inspiration from the SLRs of the 1970s—models like the Olympus OM series, the Minolta XD, and the Pentax ME or MX. These were compact SLRs, with a body height of around 83mm. Their viewfinders featured split-image rangefinder and microprism collars, making manual focusing both easy and precise. The massive viewfinder (with 0.88x–0.95x magnification) practically pulls you into the scene—it’s something you have to experience for yourself!
Why not create a similarly compact DSLR by stripping away all the autofocus hardware from both the camera body and the lenses? After all, there are plenty of scenarios where autofocus is entirely unnecessary or not critical—landscape or urban photography, for instance. A compact DSLR is perfect for long hikes (just compare a Pentax MX to a Nikon D850), and it could easily serve as an everyday carry camera. Because it’s compact and aesthetically “non-professional”, it’s less annoying for people around, making it a great choice for street photography, too. And compactness is far from its only advantage!
By removing all the software-heavy autofocus clutter, the camera’s controls become significantly simpler.
There’s no longer a need for a secondary mirror. The mirror mechanism can be made simpler, quieter, while the viewfinder becomes brighter—since the main mirror no longer needs to be semi-transparent.
We finally get back a superior manual focusing system, rather than relying on “crutches” like phase-detection focus confirmation or focus peaking. All those vintage lenses get a new lease on life. But new MF lenses with modern precision are meant to be made for MX2.
It would also be an incredibly energy-efficient system.
I don’t understand why a camera like this hasn’t been created yet. Personally, I’m convinced there’s a real demand for it among a significant number of passionate photographers—I’d certainly want one myself. And if the era of the DSLR is truly coming to an end, this is the kind of camera I’d like to see as the final one.
My arguments for creating such a camera are, I believe, mostly rational. I’m not relying on vague, trendy buzzwords like “experience” or “process”, “fun”, “nostalgia” nor am I interested in turning a camera into a toy burdened by artificial limitations. This is a modern tool, optimized for a specific set of tasks.
Oh, and one more thing: IBIS, …it will have to be removed, probably. It’s just too bulky, right? On my Sony a7c it seems to be not, though. And a flip-out screen is likely out of the question, too—it requires a frame, hinges, and two extra panels, all while compromising ergonomics. Also it just doesn’t look right.
Beyond the core concept of a compact DSLR, I’ve incorporated several other ideas that could apply to any type of camera:
I believe I’ve covered everything I intended to. What I initially envisioned as a small, side-project turned into a much longer endeavor; I began this work over a year ago. It required numerous iterations—both for the overall design and for every individual component, button, and control—as I carefully considered how the camera could actually be used in practice.
If you like this project or any of the ideas presented and would like to show your support, you can find a link to “Buy Me a Coffee” below.
Thank you all very much for your time and attention; I look forward to reading your comments. I hope to connect with like-minded individuals.
All the best, Pavel Suprun, Italy. 2026.
