Pentax K-7 hands on

**Kym** · 26-08-2009, 5:30pm

I've had my K-7 for nearly week now; have had a K100D in the past and still have a K20D.
I've not had much time to get out and an do anything serious; so just had a good play at home and a good read of the manual while playing with menus...

Usability...
1. It does feel different - not bad - just different to the K20D (K-7 is smaller)
2. The extra controls are great - just takes a little getting used to
3. The new Menu is better - the Info button is part of that system so get used to it
4. You really need to take a good hour or more to understand the new usability
5. The new viewfinder and liveview are great - horizon indicator! (3" 921k px)
6. AF is MUCH faster
7. ISO button is a good move
8. Metering seems good
9. Nothing missing from the K20D - just different
10. The push button needed to turn the mode dial was anoying at first but you cant accidentally switch modes either
11. Had to upgrade the firmware to 1.01 (shipped with 1.00)

Movies...
1. Capture works well - what can I say
2. The inbuilt audio pickup sux - external mike is require if you are serious

Images... (from the little I have done seriously)
1. Have two images entered in comps
2. Sensor while faster (frame rate) produces what the K20D did (and I'm happy with that)
3. The new HDR is interesting - JPEG only - but does well - must use tripod!
4. The new shadow compensation seems to work well
5. ISO 6400 is ok if you use the NR at medium or higher
6. ISO 1600 is better than I expected
7. The extended dynamic range is better than the K20D
8. Shake reduction is at least as good as the K20D - cant really test but I'm guessing maybe 1/2 stop better
9. I could not get the 'green line' syndrome a few early units had (as reported elsewhere and limited to a couple of batch numbers) - GOOD

I think I have a lot of playing to do

I'll post images over the next few weeks as I learn how to use it.

**Ellen** · 26-08-2009, 7:39pm

Sounds exciting Kym! Looking forward to seeing some shots

**JM Tran** · 26-08-2009, 7:43pm

Now to mate the camera with some Limited Lenses to make the most of the high MP sensor

cant wait for u to post pics in both jpeg and raw converts

**pgbphotographytas** · 26-08-2009, 10:20pm

The K7 sounds really good, maybe one day I will be able to get one.

**MattC** · 26-08-2009, 10:48pm

As much as I would like the K7, I value my man bits too much

- I think I am going to have to wait until the next model.

Would be good to see some of your images Kym - post away!

**Lost My Box** · 27-08-2009, 12:11am

Sounds like you're having great fun Kym, can't wait for your photos!

Mine's coming tomorrow!!

**Prang** · 27-08-2009, 12:22am

My K100d is on flea bay, I was going to get a K20d ($990 Camera Electronics Perth) but I might go for broke.

Is it worth the extra $500 Kym? (say yes)

Cheers Pete

**Kym** · 27-08-2009, 12:29am

Originally Posted by Prang

My K100d is on flea bay, I was going to get a K20d ($990 Camera Electronics Perth) but I might go for broke.

Is it worth the extra $500 Kym? (say yes)

Cheers Pete

Yes! But there are a few things that I really ~~needed~~ wanted like the faster frame rate, faster AF, and we had thought about a video camera - now don't need one.

Nel has been nice to me budget wise - not in small part due to a very good tax return on my part. Must have support from the better half

**Prang** · 27-08-2009, 12:51am

I'm just looking at ebay for the prices of First Born!!

**Kym** · 04-09-2009, 5:41pm

Originally Posted by Prang

I'm just looking at ebay for the prices of First Born!!

Yeah. Now I know why Nel let me get the K-7 - she has her eye on some new jewellery

**mudman** · 04-09-2009, 6:15pm

I have just been advised that my K7 has been picked up by the courier and will be in my hands monday morning. whoooooooo bloody hooooooooooo.

**Kym** · 04-09-2009, 9:24pm

Originally Posted by mudman

I have just been advised that my K7 has been picked up by the courier and will be in my hands monday morning. whoooooooo bloody hooooooooooo.

Yay!
Can I suggest you download the Manual and have a good read before you get it - there is a lot to absorb
http://www.pentax.jp/english/imaging...7/feature.html
http://www.pentax.jp/english/support...ad_manual.html

Also: There is a firmware upgrade. (1.01) Mine did not have it from the factory.
http://www.pentax.jp/english/support...d_digital.html
Make sure...
a) Battery is fully charged
b) Read the instructions twice before commencing the firmware upgrade
c) Be patient - it takes a few minutes

You will have to wait some hours for the first battery charge - the K-7 battery has much more capacity than the K20D.

**Big Red** · 01-10-2009, 5:43pm

took a bit more fiddling than the K20 but i'm happy with mine now ... except for some dots on the sensor i can't wet clean off

**Prang** · 02-10-2009, 11:51pm

Originally Posted by Big Red

took a bit more fiddling than the K20 but i'm happy with mine now ... except for some dots on the sensor i can't wet clean off

Thats not good Shane, did you use the Dust Alert System it will show you exactly where the bits are on the sensor.

If it came from the shop like that I would be sending it back.

**I @ M** · 03-10-2009, 7:38am

About what I expected to hear about it on line at http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/pentaxk7/ now.

**Kym** · 03-10-2009, 8:23am

Good read. High ISO in JPEG mode is a slight issue - I shoot raw which is on a par with the others.
You get similar features in competitive models (with Video/Live view) you pay US$500 more.

**I @ M** · 03-10-2009, 8:54am

Kym, from a Nikon / Pentax perspective, if you wanted a camera to use for studio, landscape and general daylight use where fast frame rate and super high ISO levels are not so important the K7 with quality lenses is a stand out winner because the price difference ( at a retail level this morning ) is $1260.00 aud in the Pentax's favour against the D300s.

**Analog6** · 03-10-2009, 9:02am

A horizon indicator sounds like a great idea - other manufacturers take note please!

**Harves** · 03-10-2009, 9:10am

Originally Posted by Analog6

A horizon indicator sounds like a great idea - other manufacturers take note please!

Nikon has had gridlines in the viewers since the F80 that I know of, great for lining up horizons, poles, buildings or anything that can look bad if not corrected. Can be used in both portrait and landscape.

**Kym** · 03-10-2009, 12:04pm

Originally Posted by Harves

Nikon has had gridlines in the viewers since the F80 that I know of, great for lining up horizons, poles, buildings or anything that can look bad if not corrected. Can be used in both portrait and landscape.

The K-7 has an electronic 'spirit level' that displays and shows you proportionally how tilted you camera body is are until +/-5 degrees (then goes red).
It works in both portrait and landscape and displays in the view finder and/or live view.

Very useful feature I've been using a lot - saves on editing later

The viewfinder also has a grid and there are alternate focus screens available with various grid line configurations.

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