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9.1 out of 10

Pentax K-7

 

Information found in: from 166 sources in 24 countries

Great Deal: $947.95

  • User Score (385)
    9.4 9.4 from 385 reviewers
  • Expert Score (30)
    8.8 8.8 from 30 reviewers
  • Design (7)
    9.0 9.0 from 7 reviewers
  • Value for money (17)
    9.5 9.5 from 17 reviewers
  • Features (7)
    9.6 9.6 from 7 reviewers
  • Ease of use (6)
    9.1 9.1 from 6 reviewers
  • Performance (18)
    7.5 7.5 from 18 reviewers
  • Picture quality (23)
    7.9 7.9 from 23 reviewers
  • Overall quality (3)
    10 10 from 3 reviewers
  • Display (16)
    9.2 9.2 from 16 reviewers
  • Construction (4)
    9.7 9.7 from 4 reviewers
  • Video quality (3)
    10 10 from 3 reviewers
  • Ergonomics (17)
    8.9 8.9 from 17 reviewers
  • Build quality (2)
    10 10 from 2 reviewers
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  • Score Distribution

Experts:
9-10
(16)
7-8
(14)
5-6
(0)
3-4
(0)
1-2
(0)
Users:
9-10
(302)
7-8
(55)
5-6
(10)
3-4
(4)
1-2
(2)

  • Expert Reviews

  1. DP Review

    DP Review
    7.4/10
    9 August 2011

    Semi-pro spec for mid-range money makes the K-7 an incredibly attractive option for the serious photographer wanting something a little less mainstream without compromising performance. Solid as a tank and feature packed - yet surprisingly compact - the K-7's only real weak spot is its high ISO performance. Read more

    • At base ISO detailed output that makes good use of the camera's 14.6 megapixel resolution, Good JPEG and RAW resolution, Semi-pro features and build quality in a compa...

  2. Digital Camera Review

    Digital Camera Review
    9.0/10
    17 December 2009

    The Pentax K-7 is indeed the most revolutionary camera Pentax has produced to date. The speed, features, and build quality help this camera stand above previous Pentax offerings, and if you're in the market for a Nikon D90 or can't afford a D300S then this camera might make an even better Christmas present. If you currently own a K10D and need a new camera, then the K-7 makes perfect sense. Read more

    • Excellent image quality, Fastest Pentax camera to date, Terrific in-camera editing tools
    • In-camera editing slows down performance, Unacceptably slow live view AF, Short grip surface

  3. Steve's Digicams

    Steve's Digicams
    1 February 2010

    Pentax has created a versatile dSLR model that is sure to please a wide range of photographers. With a durable weather, dust, and cold resistant shell, the K-7 is ready for action no matter what the environment may be. Read more

    • Durable weather, dust and cold resistant body, Speedy performance in normal shooting modes, Produced pleasing photos in a wide variety of conditions, Great ISO perform...
    • Slow Live View performance, ISO 6400 is riddled with noise, Buffer fills quickly in burst mode

  4. Imaging Resource

    Imaging Resource
    8 October 2009

    Pentax vaults to center stage with their introduction of the K-7. A few of the former shortcomings have been stripped out of the new camera, and the parts that were right -- the quality build, smart design, and image quality -- have been improved. Pentax couldn't have made a better design for Pentax fans, and it's also the right camera at the right time to attract new users to the platform. Read more

    • Tight, no-nonsense design and construction, Compact body packed with features, Weather resistant, Dust resistant, Cold resistant to 14 degrees Fahrenheit, Magnesium bo...
    • Complicated interface, easy to get lost, Some trouble focusing in low light, AF-assist lamp didn't always come on when it should have, Camera strap D-rings make noise,...

  5. What Digital Camera

    What Digital Camera
    8.8/10
    6 September 2009

    The K-7 is, without a doubt, the best DSLR that Pentax has ever produced. It'll please existing Pentax users who may be looking for faster performance, better autofocus or even a fairly solid movie mode to add to the fray. Whilst the K10D has held strong for many users, the K20D only marginally brushed up upon this as an upgrade. Read more

    • 35 years worth of compatible Pentax lenses, 100% viewfinder, intuitive camera layout, weather-sealing, best Pentax AF system to date
    • Kit lens is a let down, underexposure can be an issue, AF isn’t as snappy as it should be, high ISO image noise

  • User Reviews

  1. Over one year of hard use and no problems!

    Amazon
    10/10
    Reviewer: Christopher Carlsson "Spiritual Advisor", Amazon
    25 October 2011 See Product at Amazon ($947.95)

    I have shot over 10,000 photos with my K-7 in all sorts of environments, been caught in pouring rain, had various liquids spilled on it (including martinis) and it still works as well as when I got it. Durable,great features, better and cheaper than anything Nikon of Canon has for anywhere near the money. This is a truly wonderful camera for either the hobbyist or professional - and it takes a lot more abuse than any other DSLR camera I know of . Read more or see product

  2. Pentax K7 Rocks

    Abes of Maine
    10/10
    Reviewer: ChrisMax, Abes of Maine
    17 October 2010

    Sold my Pentax K10D and bought the K7. I do a lot of hiking and cycling in the Hudson Valley so had to have a rugged camera. It gets down to -10 up here with blowing snow in winter and can rain often. I looked at other DSLRs and the new smaller interchangeable lens cameras like the Sony Nex5 and the Olympus Pen 2 but they all felt too fragile for my needs. Read more

    • Build Quality, Dust removal, Easy To Use, Good Image Quality, Good Image Stabilization, Large Clear LCD, Quiet, Size and weight
    • LCD Screen Doesn't Swivel, No AF in Movie Mode

  3. A BIG step up from my K-10D

    8.0/10
    Reviewer: hikenhi, dpreview.com
    27 November 2011

    I was glad on one hand that I'd passed on the K-20D for the K-7, but on the other hand hugely disappointed when the K-5 rolled out 5 months after I got my K-7. Most impressive about the K-7 and the K-5 as well, is the very nice & compact magnesium body, that Pentax put forth a very good design in its feel and ergonomics. The camera has an incredible feel in your hands. Read more

    • I was glad on one hand that I'd passed on the K-20D for the K-7, but on the other hand hugely disappointed when the K-5 rolled out 5 months after I got my K-7. Most im...
    • Most of what I don’t like with this camera and was the main reason that I wasted no time upgrading to the K-5, it the camera’s IQ marks. The camera is slightly better ...

  4. "Easy to use, excellent picture quality."

    CNET
    10/10
    Reviewer: tonyrenier, CNET
    15 August 2011

    Feels as solid as my old film cameras. Performance is fast and reliable. I still have my *ist DS as a backup, plus KM for full frame. Unless I encounter problems, I probably won't replace it till Pentax builds a full frame. After 45+ years of Pentax cameras I believe they still build an excellent product at considerably lower prices than CanNikon. Read more

    • Fast focus, photos as good or better than 35mm. Trouble free after almost 2 years and thousands of photos. I can still use my old screwmount and kmount lenses from the...
    • Wish it had a higher ISO speed but film never went this high, so I guess I shouldn't complain. I shoot in RAW so image degradation is not a problem, I've heard it is i...

  5. A little slow for so much dough!

    J&R
    6.0/10
    Reviewer: Nightowl, J&R
    24 April 2010

    My last Pentax camera was a 645 with Metz flash power. I can compare the K-7 to the Olympus e510 and 520 using comparable lens and shooting conditions. Since I was so please with my first Pentax and the K-7 offered the WR feature along with great body construction, I decided to give it a try. The auto focus on the K-7 seems to be easily confused, a tad slow and off-target a lot. The C focus feature does not seem to be up to par. Read more

    • Body construction, Easy To Use, Great Metering, Great white balance, Large Clear LCD, WR features
    • POOR AUTO FOCUS, Poor Image Stabilization

  • WikiFreak Description

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  • Manufacturer's Description

Explore. Capture. Captivate. The new K-7 has arrived. Faster and more durable than ever before, the compact, 14.6 megapixel K-7 truly is the most powerful PENTAX ever. Check out the K-7 short films shot by two Colorado companies.

  • Compact, magnesium alloy body
  • 14.6 megapixels
  • Weather, dust and cold resistant

Specifications

  • Sensor:
    Type - CMOS with primary color filter and integrated Shake/Dust Reduction sensor movement system; Size - 23.4 x 15.6mm; Color depth - 8 bits/channel JPG, 12 bits/channel RAW; Effective pixels - 14.6 MP; Total pixels: 15.07 MP; Recorded resolutions - Still: 14M 4672x3104, 10M 3936x2624, 6M 3072x2048, 2M 1728x1152; Movie (resolution/FPS): 1280x720p30, 1536x1024p30, 640x416p30; Quality levels: **** Premium, *** Best, ** Better, * Good; Dust Removal - Supersonic vibration to low pass filter

Release Date

  • First seen
    20 January 2008

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