Will Pentax's K-7 K.O. midrange dSLRs?

(Credit: Pentax)

Pentaxians on the Web have been abuzz for months about the K-7, Pentax's new midrange dSLR that replaces the now sub-$1,000 K20D. Though it shares a lot in common with its predecessor, there are some notable enhancements that might have Pentax photographers willing to step up, including significantly faster performance and video support, plus some attractive features for the brand-agnostic midrange buyer.

Some basic comparison specs:

	Pentax K20D	Pentax K-7	Canon EOS 50D	Olympus E-30
Sensor (effective resolution)	14.6-megapixel CMOS	14.6-megapixel CMOS	15.1-megapixel CMOS	12.3-megapixel Live MOS
Color depth	12 bits	12 bits	14 bits	12 bits
Sensitivity range	ISO 100 - ISO 3,200/6,400 (expanded)	ISO 100 - ISO 3,200/6,400 (expanded)	ISO 100 - ISO 1,600/12,800 (expanded)	ISO 100 - ISO 3,200
Focal-length multiplier	1.5x	1.5x	1.6x	2x
Continuous shooting	3.0 fps 38 JPEG/16 raw (DNG)	5.2 fps 40 JPEG/15 raw (PEF)	6.3 fps 90 JPEG/16 raw	5 fps n/a JPEG/12 raw
Viewfinder	95% coverage 0.95x magnification Interchangeable focusing screens	100% coverage 0.92x magnification Interchangeable focusing screens	95% coverage 0.95x magnification Interchangeable focusing screen	98% coverage 1.02x magnification Interchangeable focusing screens
Autofocus	11-pt AF 9 cross-type	11-pt AF 9 cross-type	9-pt AF all cross-type	11-pt AF all cross-type
Metering	16 segment	77 segment	35 segment	49 segment
LCD size	2.7-inch fixed	3-inch fixed	3-inch fixed	2.7-inch articulated
Live View	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Video	No	Yes	No	No
Price (body only)	$799	$1,299.95	$1,199	$1,199

Though it's the same resolution as the K20D with the same pixel pitch, Pentax says it uses a new sensor with better noise characteristics, as well as an improved 77-segment metering system. It also uses a newer version of the company's PRIME image processor with 4-channel output and 2-channel RAM for theoretically faster performance and better bandwidth, as shown by the jump in continuous-shooting frame rate without sacrificing frames. It also incorporates a new viewfinder with better coverage--the best coverage in its class.

Pentax K-7 photos

Plus, it's the first Pentax to introduce video capture. While it supports the standard 720p (1280x720 at 30fps), it also supplies a nonstandard photo-aspect ratio of 1536x1024 at 30fps. It's all done using the highly inefficient Motion JPEG codec, though, and I'm interested in seeing how video software reacts to the nonstandard size files.

Like the K20D, the K-7 sports a dust- and weather-resistant body; Pentax adds cold resistance to the mix, for shooting in temperatures as low as 14 degrees F (most cameras are only specced down to 32 degrees). This pairs up with the new weather-resistant lenses Pentax announced Wednesday as well. The magnesium alloy body is also 7 percent smaller than that of its predecessor.

Other notable enhancements include an in-camera HDR mode (brackets three photos and combines them into a single image) and a Live View framing correction function (it uses the sensor-shift image stabilization system to slightly shift the scene coverage).

Parity features include contrast AF in Live View mode, in-camera correction for lens distortion and lateral chromatic aberration, z-axis rotational compensation for the shake reduction system, and supersonic vibration dust reduction on the low-pass filter. Pentax also includes a high-capacity battery, and the new GB-4 battery grip doubles the battery life via six AA batteries.

Though it's probably a bit slower than the 50D for burst shooting and the high ISO sensitivity photo quality is a comparative question mark, the rugged body, video support, better viewfinder and higher-powered AF and metering systems may make this a compelling alternative. However, with significantly cheaper competitors available--albeit not as rugged or fast--like the Nikon D90 and D5000, it will be interesting to see how willing the brand-uncommitted are to fork over the extra cash for those capabilities.

[CBTK]

The D90 is a nice camera but spec for spec the Pentax is in a different class with its waterproofing and in camera shake reduction and a host of other features. Unless you're already committed to buying Nikon or Canon with a large collection of their lenses. I can't see why a serious amateur photographer wouldn't consider this Pentax. I can pick up a 30 year old manual focus Pentax prime lens for about $75 bucks and it will take AWESOME shots and have all the modern benefits of shake reduction. I'm debating if I need all of those features since the K2000 is may be plenty of camera for me.

[bleech]

Hi there Lori.
I don´t honestly think the D90 or D5000 are really in the same league as the k7, nor is the E30. Make it better D300 and E3, which were the original competitive set for both the 50D and the K20d and Alpha 700. We´ll see how future comes from the D400.

The problem of the D90 is that it sits in the middle of nowhere, which is good for it, but bad for the D300.

[Gillard-Reid]

the new body is very nice but i'm not about to upgrade from my K20. The development I really want is Full Frame to use my FF lenses with, but given Pentax do not seem to be producing FF lenses, it looks like mine will gather dust, I would really like to play with the sigma 12-24 at full frame!