| Hoya Corporation Pentax Imaging Systems Division is pleased to announce the launch of the PENTAX K-7 lens-interchangeable digital SLR camera. Despite its compact, lightweight body, this model brings together a wide array of advanced functions and user-friendly features with outstanding reliability and operability. This makes it possible to enjoy high-quality digital SLR photography with great ease.The 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. After making a thorough review of all essential digital SLR camera components and functions, Pentax has revised and upgraded many of them, including viewfinder, shutter unit, continuous-shooting capacity, and exposure and autofocus systems. 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. |
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- High-resolution, 14.6-megapixel CMOS sensor; compact, magnesium alloy body
- Kit includes Pentax DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL weather-resistant lens
- Weather resistant, dustproof, and coldproof (14 degrees F, -10 degrees C)
- Fast 5.2 fps shooting with the new PRIME II Image processing engine; top shutter speed of 1/8000 sec freezes even the fastest action in well-lit settings
- 3-inch LCD; Live View mode, with contrast AF, Face Detection, and optional histogram, grid, and bright/dark area display
- Capture images to SD/SDHC memory cards (not included)
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 compact yet rugged and reliable |
| Review Date: January 2, 2010 |
| Reviewer: JB123, |
The Pentax K-7 is the best all around digital SLR I have ever owned or used. As a constant companion this system cannot be beaten. With the DA pancake lenses attached, the K-7 is small and unobtrusive. Yet it is a powerful photographic tool. Every feature needed by an experienced photographer is found on this body. Plus a few extra. Also, it has fully auto modes so you can easily hand it to a less experienced user and simply say "point and shoot". For years, to have a rugged weather proof camera meant hauling around an enormous body. The K-7 is built like a tank yet is small and light. I have carried it for at least 100 miles of hiking (not all in one day) and it is a joy. Easily hangs behind my arm while walking on the street so it is always ready.
Performance is fast and reliable in all conditions indoors and out. Note: startup time can be greatly improved to near instant by turning off the shake reduction feature when not needed.
As an added bonus, the "kit" lens included with this body is exceptional. I think Canon and Nikon take pride in providing the most ridiculously crappy lenses in their "kits". So much plastic you can't even use them as paper weights. But this Pentax 18-55 is amazing! Weather sealing, smooth manual focus action, and astonishingly high quality optics.
As a compact, all purpose system for travel and constant carry, the K-7 plus a couple tiny DA lenses is a pleasure. You can argue over image quality all day. But the reality is that you have to have the camera with you to get the image. And this system is small enough and tough enough that it will always be ready when needed. |
My choice over Canon or Nikon
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| Review Date: February 10, 2010 |
| Reviewer: John Petersen, |
I will leave all the technical reviews for other people. I went to a lot of camera stores before making my choice. Every single store recommended the Canon or the Nikon over the Pentax. But I had read a lot of great reviews on the net and the selection of lenses for the Pentax covered all my needs. The big deciding factors for me were:
1- Build construction which is far superior to the Nikon or Canon
2- Size. Smaller than the other two and much nicer to hold and feels better in the hand.
3- Weather proofing. I had to take some pictures on the beach the other day with a friend who has a Canon. It started to rain and my friend had to scurry for cover. I was able to finish the shots and not worry about the camera getting a little wet.
4- Lenses. I really like the selection of Pentax lenses. They seem better value for money and the DA* series is great. When you boil down the selection of what you really need or can use on your camera the Nikon or Canon selection is not as huge as it looks unless you are a sports photographer and need a super long lens. Plus you can use older lenses and I have bought a couple of older second hand lenses like a super wide angle that I do not use often, but enjoy to have.
5- Value for money. Pentax gives you a much better camera at this price level than Canon or Nikon.
Image quality from what I have seen to very close between all the better cameras. With any of these cameras you have to read the manual and practice using the camera to make the most of it. With a little practice now I am finding the layout of the controls on the Pentax brilliant and can quickly and easily make any of the adjustments I need. There are so many great and clever features that I really enjoy. The shops also made a big deal about the mode dial on the Canon and Nikon. This is great for beginners and the Pentax is more a Prosumer camera. But the Pentax has these same setting in the menu if you want them and we sometimes use them for general shooting.
I love this camera. It does not look like a big hunk of plastic sitting there and has a quality feel to it. It is very easy to learn to use and the resulting photos are fantastic even with the kit lens. My best recommendation is to go to a shop and hold the Pentax side by side with the Canon and Nikon and you will see the differences I have noted above. It really swings the decision to the Pentax. |
Glad I splurged!
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| Review Date: February 14, 2010 |
| Reviewer: niamert, Colorado |
I have only had a point-and-shoot camera in the past. I had been wanting a DSLR for a while now, and planned on purchasing one with my tax refund this year. I was debating between a K-7 and a K-x. After doing A LOT of research I pretty much came to the realization that in the digital SLR photography world there are two big players, Canon and Nikon. After discussing my choices with my friends, one mentioned that his roommate had a K20 and loved it! I started to research Pentax, and discovered the incredible value to cost that you get from Pentax! I was sold on the K-x, then I started thinking I would like to have the benefits of amazing features and the weather seals. I live in Colorado and who knows when the weather will change. Also the stainless steel chassis and magnesium alloy body were a big sell. This K7 feels like you could use it as a hammer!! It doesn't feel like a feather-light toy, as some competitors do. (Same with the 2 WR lenses) Plus the feature list of the K-7 is amazing.
I received it earlier than the promised date. It was packed fairly well and the package came in good condition. I took it out and set it to P and shot auto for the first day with the 18-55mm WR lens. I took some awesome shots on a "nature walk" through my neighborhood. I have moved onto the manual mode and have started to get into all the features to this camera. (There are so many!!) Having it for 4 days now, I have shot almost 1400 shots. Both indoor and outdoor. I have taken 30 second time delayed night shots, cloudy, full sun, indoor no flash, with flash. The high ISO noise that I have read people complaining about on forums is minimal if you have the settings right! I already have a "highlight reel" folder with my best shots.
I decided to go with Pentax because they are headquartered in Colo. Also I like the fact that I can go buy used lenses and use them in manual focus. A beginner can use this camera and get good results. Yet there is plenty of room to grow into the advanced features and functions!
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Great Camera!
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| Review Date: December 28, 2009 |
| Reviewer: M. Emerson, Los Angeles |
| I bought this camera about 4 wks ago. I spent several months researching before buying. I also looked at the Nikon D90 and Olympus E-30. I decided on the Pentax K7 largely due better build quality, selection of good & reasonably priced prime lens (some of which I hope to pick up in 2010), and attractive pricing. I do a lot of backpacking; so the weather resistent build quality and ability to match small & good primes is a great combination. The 18-55 came with the kit, and I picked up the 50-200 WR zoom too. I have been very happy with the shots I've taken over the last few weeks. The jpegs are sharp with very good color. The video performace of the camera is very good too. |
Great DSLR
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| Review Date: February 9, 2010 |
| Reviewer: J. Prucha, |
I ordered this when it was sold through Amazon at the end of '09. I had originally been looking solely at Nikons, then spread my research to Canon. One day I stumbled upon an ad for the Pentax K7. I was familiar with the Pentax name, but knew nothing of their DSLRs. Curious, I did my research. Lots and lots of research. It was overwhelming to sift through the many cameras out there and all of the tech. specs., which, at this point, I am not all familiar with. I read many reviews and decided to order the K7 as a first DSLR for my college courses. I'm very pleased that I happened to see an ad for it and went for the camera.
It's been a great camera to learn on and get reaquainted with manual photography with (I had only used an old SLR prior to this. So far, the image quality seems great (if the camera is set correctly (ISO)). I've had quite a few learning experiences with this camera. Now that I know more of what I'm doing, my photos are certainly turning out better and they print very well.
I really enjoy the electronic level function and the many ways you can customize the settings on the camera. I read some reviews about the menu settings being a bit archaic, but I think they suit the camera quite well. Not having to scroll down through one or two large menus is really nice.
One of the selling points on this camera for me was the weatherized body. I've put it to the test, and it certainly has not let me down yet. I've had this little bugger out in the snow, pretty much since I de-boxed it. It's gone on quite a few adventures, accompanying me across wind-whipped lakes on the ice and even down a hill whilt tubing. I may have also accidentally dropped my camera bag with the camera in it. No damage! (I have the Medium Size Ape Case Pro by Norazza, a great bag to go along with the camera and a lens or two).
If I had to be incredibly picky about something, it would have to be the lens cap that came with the lens. Try as I might, I can never seem to get it to actually lock on. Sometimes it seems as if it is on, but then it will slip off. It kind of makes me think it could scratch the lens, pretty much defeating the purpose of a cap. Pretty insignificant, but hey, that just goes to show what a great DSLR this is. I may end up tossing the cap all together and going for filter instead, but I'm not sure yet.
All in all, I've really been pleased with my K7's performance. I'm excited to go through photography classes with it, even if I am the only one with a Pentax. As they say, be different! Give Pentax a try, you will be pleased with the quality you get for the money you put into it. |
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