Pentax K-7: Review

Posted to Digital SLR 2009-10-17

Pentax K-7 review:

Pentax has released their new top-of-the-line digital SLR, the Pentax K7. Featuring pro build quality and features throughout, the company calls the camera the most powerful Pentax ever made. One of the smallest cameras in its class, the K-7 features a compact magnesium alloy body, a 14.6MP sensor and a 3-inch, 921,000-dot LCD display.

The K-7 is weather, dust and cold-resistant (to -14ºF), features 5.2 fps continuous shooting capability and has a Live View mode with contrast autofocus and face detection. There's a new 77-segment metering system, a 100% field-of-view viewfinder with 0.92X magnification and a camera-based shake reduction system. The K-7 also features an advanced dust reduction system, compatibility with all Pentax lenses and a top shutter speed of 1/8000 seconds for stopping the fastest action.

Rating:

5.0 out of 5

Quality

The K-7 features pro build quality throughout. The magnesium alloy body is sealed at all vulnerable points to provide resistance to water and dust, and the electronics have been designed to operate in freezing weather. Despite its compact size, the camera has a hefty feel - there's no cheap plastic to be found anywhere. The advanced dust reduction system ensures that the sensor stays free from dust as well.

Value

The K-7 represents a fantastic value when compared to the competition. This is a true pro-quality camera at a mid-range price. And the fact that it works with any Pentax lens ever made just adds to the value. You can get some excellent used Pentax glass at very reasonable prices. You won't find more features on a digital SLR for the price, either. Performance figures and image quality are excellent as well.

Summary

It's not often we give 5 stars in every category, but the K-7 deserves them. This camera brings pro quality and performance within reach of the rest of us. You can easily spend this much on a mid-range camera from the competition, and still not have as much camera as you get with the K-7. If you're in the market for a mid-priced digital SLR, the K-7 definitely deserves your attention.

Pros

14.6MP sensor
Magnesium alloy body
3 inch 921,000 dot LCD
Live View with face detect autofocus
Camera-based shake reduction system

Cons

There are no cons for this product