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Pentax K 7 14 6 MP Digital SLR with Shake Reduction and 720p HD Video Body Only

The Pentax K-7 has been developed as a high-end model of the PENTAX K digital SLR camera series. True to its series concept, it was designed not only to assure outstanding image quality, but also to provide exceptional ease and comfort of operation and the utmost satisfaction to photo enthusiasts of all levels, including advanced amateurs. The new K-7 has arrived. Faster and more durable than ever before, the compact, 14.6 MP K-7 truly is the most powerful PENTAX ever. Protected by a durable, high-quality metallic body, but the K-7 is designed to be extremely compact and functional – just like all other K-series models – for enhanced portability and maneuverability. In addition, it has added several user-friendly features, including video recording, high dynamic range (HDR), and automatic horizon correction. All of these make the K-7 a tremendous photographic tool, perfect for all discerning digital SLR photographers. High shutter speed – top shutter speed of 1/8000 sec freezes even the fastest action and gives creative control over apertures in well-lit settings New 77-segment metering system quickly and accurately determines exposure in the most complex & dynamic situations Live View mode – With contrast AF, Face Detection, and optional histogram, grid, and bright/dark area display 100% field-of-view viewfinder (with 0.92X magnification) Widescreen HD Movie Capture – With adjustable quality, aperture control, Shake Reduction and external microphone terminal for recording stereo sound (up to 1280×720p30) High resolution playback – HDMI port with selectable output resolution (1080i, 720p, 480p, and auto) Faster, more responsive AF – 11-point autofocus system Shake Reduction system – Now compensates for rotational sensor movement Dust Reduction system – Dust-free image capture Dynamic Range function – With highlight and adjustable shadow correction HDR image capture mode – Blends three separate

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars A winner from Pentax
The things I like:

* The size is small, which I like, and it feels like a solid little brick in the hand.

* The build quality is superb

* Weather sealed and rugged

* IQ is excellent, especially if you use RAW and do your own post processing

* High ISO is very useable right up to and including ISO3200 especially if you shoot RAW and use post process noise reduction.

* Ergonomics are excellent, which makes you want to use the camera. Nothing worse than not enjoying using a camera as you won’t want to take it with you.

* 100% viewfinder

* SR is fabulous and works with every lens. I can easily get 3 stops extra handholdability, but have achieved 4 and 5 stops!

* Large high resolution rear LCD great for critical focus review

* Hugely customizable functions to make the camera suit your photo shooting style.

* AF adjustment for fine tuning AF lenses which may back or front focus.

* Live View works very well.

* fast AF even in low light. Has a AF assist light as well.

* Quiet shutter

* Horizon level indicator in viewfinder

* Refinement.

There is really anything I don’t like. The camera handles like a dream and is so very easy to use with all the controls and menus easy to operate and find.

The optional battery grip, D-BG4, is also excellent, giving an even more solid feel and an aid for portraiture and the longer lenses. The battery grip can use the propietry Pentax rechargeable battery, D-Li90, or use optional AA batteries.

4 Stars K-7 “Noisy” Improvement Over the K20
Starting with the impressive Pentax K10 a few years ago, I later welcomed the arrival of the K20 for improvements over a very capable camera. The K20`s 14.6mp CMOS sensor provided much improved high ISO performance so that shooting at ISO 2000 for concert photos was no problem. The individual lens adjustment for auto focus was also a huge plus since lenses that were barely usable on the K10 due to front or back focus problems functioned normally on the K20. I even found that the live view feature was pretty handy for such things as sunrise or sunset pictures where it would be impossible to look through the viewfinder without damaging your eyes. What remained a bit of a disappointment on the K20, however, was the often slow and inaccurate auto focus, the slow burst rate and the finicky white balance performance that much of the time needed constant fiddling to get close to accurate hues under various lighting conditions. There was also the anticipation that high ISO performance would be improved as well. Knowing the K20 limitations, I could usually work around them and still get impressive shots. But there’s always the expectation of improvement, especially when you start bumping into those limitations and seeing how the competition is moving ahead of what you’re shooting with.

So when the K-7 was suddenly announced, I had hopes for another measureable step forward to answer to the shortcomings of the K20. The first feature that caught my attention was not the HD video capability at 30fps, but rather the entirely new 14.6mp sensor “built from the ground up” with the intention of improving high ISO performance, especially in shadow details, as Pentax claimed. Additionally, there was the new 5.2 fps burst rate and improved autofocus performance. That was all I needed to buy the K-7. You can read about all the improvements this camera represents in the other reviews from those who also bought the K-7, so I’ll keep my comments to those things specific to my experience after a month shooting thousands of JPEG pictures (no, I haven’t played with RAW yet, and I understand that’s where the K-7 really does well).

Pros:

The new smaller size is not what I would have liked. I actually was hoping for a slight increase in the size of the K20 since I just like the feel of a larger camera. However, the solid construction and layout when combined with the optional battery grip made for a satisfying package for comfortable handling. I also like the battery option of standard Pentax K-7 battery or 6 AA batteries in the grip. Without the battery grip, the small size does have advantages for portability/storage, however.

The white balance improvement over the K20 is huge! Even under various artificial lighting conditions, the white balance is surprisingly accurate. This will save me many hours of post-edit work just to adjust the color balance as I did with my indoor K20 shots.

The new shutter is much quieter and smoother. I never really cared for the shutter sounds of the K10 and K20 compared to Canon, Nikon and others. Although still not as smooth and “precise” sounding as other cameras, I can live with the K-7 shutter noise. In fact, the quietness is a big plus for taking candid shots when you don’t want to draw attention to yourself.

The 5.2 fps burst rate is a substantial improvement from 3 fps for action shots and is still workable compared to the faster rate of other cameras in the 6 to 8 fps range.

The autofocus performance does seem to be improved, although the type of lens you use can make a big difference in focusing speed. I’ve found that in bright light the fastest focusing lenses are the ones not using the quiet SDM mechanism in the lens, but rather the noisy screw drive in the camera body, although these lenses tend to have less focus travel, helping with focusing speed. I’ve noticed less “back-and-forth” indecision in focusing with the K-7 in low light situations, but the overall speed is probably average amongst the various DSLR makes. The AF assist light is also a nice addition that helps in near-dark situations.

Cons:

I’m most disappointed with the performance of the new sensor. Throughout my picture-taking with this camera, I noticed an overall tendency for my shots to be just a bit “noisier” than the K20 at all ISO settings. After careful JPEG comparisons between my K20 and the K-7 at ISO 2000 using the same lens and same settings, I found that the K-7 had slightly more “grain” than the K20. This was especially noticeable in shadows – which is where the biggest improvement was supposed to be. The K20 sensor would best the K-7 at all comparable ISO noise reduction settings with the exception of the highest NR setting. Detail would certainly be reduced in both cameras at that setting, but the K-7 does show more detail despite the increased noise reduction. The only thing I noticed is that the increased detail, or resolution, is accompanied by harsher edge detail like over-sharpening or the way watercolors can bleed along an edge. These issues considered, I would have been no less disappointed if the K-7 had come with the K20 sensor so long as the white balance improvement came with it.

Despite the greatly improved white balance, I found that the K-7 still has a bit of a problem rendering red such as red lighting or red colors in stage performance situations. They end up looking a bit washed-out and pinkish.

I remain concerned about Pentax quality control. The first copy I did most of my shooting with turned out to have a “noisy” flexible back that squeaked and creaked near the buttons and thumb rest. Amazon was spectacular in getting me a replacement in a couple days. The new K-7 is solid, but I’ve noticed that pictures on this copy are slightly underexposed. I’ve been told that there have been other copies purchased with the same flexible rear body issue.

Overall:

The K-7 is still a worthy improvement over the K20 despite the disappointing “non-improvement” in ISO performance: for me the K20 now becomes a solid backup camera to the K-7. The multitude of features and improvement of the menu and controls and the overall quality of the pictures it can produce, hold up well to competitors in the same general class resulting in a really fine camera choice and better deal in the balance. Mounted with the best Pentax glass, I feel just as capable standing next to the pros shooting with high-end APS-C class Canons or Nikons – the resulting pictures speak for themselves. With the K-7, Pentax is a high-value option for serious enthusiasts.

Update 9/23: The 2nd copy I received turned out to have an apparent defective sensor/light metering system – or very odd normal behavior. At all ISO settings above 1250, the image (JPEG and RAW) is underexposed by about one full stop. A problem of underexposure with the K-7 is covered in more than one professional review but Pentax says that they are not aware of such issues. Looking back at pictures taken with my first copy, it also appears the problem existed with that one as well. As a result, I’m not confident in the integrity of the new sensor/metering system on the K-7 (and certainly not in the quality control) and will wait until next year before trying my luck with a third copy. Interestingly, Amazon insisted that I process this return as a refund rather than as another replacement which I had requested. For now I’ll continue to enjoy my still very capable K20.

5 Stars Superb little camera
This camera is like a BMW M3 in a world mostly populated by Minivans. The build quality is impeccable, the camera is fairly hefty for its size, and will take abuse well. It is weathersealed, something that Canon only offers in their professional series, and Nikon at the D300 level, all of which cost substantially more. And it has in-body image stabilization, making all your lenses potentially hand-holdable, where others need a tripod. The image quality is on par with every other offering in this sensor size, with some ups in one area, some downs in another.

Lenses are far fewer than with the Canon/Nikon families, but what is available is all good quality, not cheap leftovers from the film era. The only lack is very long telephoto lenses such as 500, 600mm, for those one has to buy either used, or third party, like Sigma. (Pentax actually may make a 600mm F4 on special order, at a price similar to Canikon)

Controls are good and thoughtful, menus are well arranged, again, there is not a whole lot of difference in quality among brands, but certainly in personal preference.

I do have dual systems, using a Canon 1DIII with long and/or fast lenses for sports and action, while taking the Pentax for everyday and travel photography, having been displeased with Canon’s prosumer offerings (50D, 5D Mark II) because of their lack of robustness primarily, their added weight and in the case of the 5DII, insufficient improvement of image quality to offset the slowness of the camera and above listed drawbacks.)

I have used the camera for some sports photography, and tested the AF system, and find it more than adequate. While the K7 has only 2 more AF points than the above mentioned Canons, the distribution is quite a bit better, going almost out to the thirds points

5 Stars K-7 a true Pentax
With the K-7 Pentax return to form and build a superb, fully featured, high quailty camera the likes of with they have not had since the LX era. I can’t think of any feature I would want to add.

5 Stars The Pentax You’ve Been Waiting For
This is my 3rd Pentax camera, having owned the K100D Super, and K20D, as well as a Samsung GX10. I still use the K100D and the GX10, but I sold the K20D to upgrade to the K7 as I Didnt believe the K20 was much improvement over my GX10. The K7 is the camera I was hoping the K20 was. It is much improved in every aspect, and is finally the pro quality Pentax I have been waiting for. The build quality is fantastic, and I love the size. It goes perfectly with the Limited lenses, and is a package that is small enough to take with you everywhere. The autofocus is in a different league compared to all other Pentax cameras I have owned in the past. This cannot be overstated, it is THE upgrade pentax needed to compete. The auto white balance is also much improved, and is very accurate now. The battery life is excellent so far, however I don’t use the Live View function or video, so I don’t know the effect that will have on battery life. This is the best camera I have ever owned, and I finally feel I have the camera to take advantage of all my nice Pentax glass. Just buy it, you will not be dissapointed.

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