Pentax Digital SLR
Review of Their New K7 DSLR

Pentax K7

Features - Average - Good

Price - Low

This camera should appeal to the amateur or step up amateur photographer due to its entry level pricing. The Pentax K-7 features a rugged, yet compact new body design, a new 14.6 megapixel CMOS sensor rebuilt from the ground up, and advanced features such as HD Movie Capture and new, unique-to-Pentax camera controls. Compatible with every Pentax lens ever made, the high-end K-7 features an abundance of long-anticipated new and improved features that are exclusive to the camera and combine to make it a tremendous photography tool.

The most significant features of the Pentax K-7 that have never been offered before in any K series digital camera, and in some cases any camera, include:

Pentax k7 Specifications

List Price - $879 body only

*Compact, magnesium alloy bodyOne of the smallest DSLRs in its class, the K-7’s compact, magnesium alloy body lets you travel light while still maintaining durability and build quality.

*14.6 megapixelsThe redesigned 14.6 megapixel CMOS sensor offers improved noise control, four channel output for faster image capture and movie capture capabilities. Plus the new sensor offers the ideal combination of resolution and file size, allowing for large (poster size and larger) prints and cropping flexibility.

*3 inch LCDThe 3 inch LCD with 921,000 dot resolution is perfect for detailed image or movie capture and review and is ideal for the Live View function.

*Weather, dust and cold resistantThe K-7 is weather, dust and cold resistant (to 14° F or -10° C), making it ideal for use in any environment.

*New PRIME II Image processing engineFast 5.2 frame-per-second shooting with the powerful new PRIME II Image processing engine, which features fast circuitry and low noise image processing. Ideal for sporting events or any fast-action situation.

*High top shutter speedA top shutter speed of 1/8000 sec freezes even the fastest action and gives creative control over apertures in well-lit settings.

*New 77-segment metering systemA new 77-segment metering system quickly and accurately determines exposure, even in the most complex and dynamic lighting situations.

*Live View modeLive View mode, with contrast AF, Face Detection, and optional histogram, grid, and bright/dark area display, allows you to quickly compose your images without having to position your eye against the viewfinder.

*100% field-of-view viewfinderA 100% field-of-view viewfinder (with 0.92X magnification) and bright focusing screens are ideal for accurate image composition and focus.

*HD Movie CaptureWidescreen HD Movie Capture features adjustable quality settings and aperture control, as well as Shake Reduction, and an external microphone terminal for recording stereo sound.

*High resolution playbackHDMI port with selectable output resolution (1080i, 720p, 480p, and auto) offers high resolution playback of images and video on high definition TVs.

*Multiple exposure settingsMultiple exposure settings, including Green, Program, Sv, Tv, Av, TAv, M, Bulb, X-sync, Movie and USER modes, provide extensive creative control over the exposure for photographers of all experience levels.

*Faster, more responsive AFThe PENTAX 11-point autofocus system features improved focus algorithms over previous-generation K-series DSLR cameras, providing faster, more responsive AF. A dedicated AF-assist lamp further improves autofocus response and accuracy in low light conditions.

*Shake Reduction systemThe PENTAX-original Shake Reduction system now compensates for rotational sensor movement, improving the sharpness of your images at the moment of capture.

*Dust-free image captureThe K-7’s Dust Reduction system, improved over previous K-series cameras, features a piezo-ceramic vibration action to the sensor’s low-pass filter for dust-free image capture.

*Advanced white balance settingsAdvanced white balance settings include highly customizable white balance fine tuning, color temperature adjustment, and post image capture manual white balance selection for perfect pictures, even in the most difficult lighting.

*Extended battery lifeNew high capacity battery offers considerably longer life. Ideal for travel photography or video work.

*Electronic level functionElectronic level function ensures your pictures have level horizons, minimizing post-capture editing.

*Advanced image capture settingsAdvanced image capture settings, digital filters, and aspect ratio provide outstanding flexibility and creativity while minimizing the need for computer image manipulation.

*Custom Image modesCustom Image modes with advanced parameter settings including new Key adjustment, allow you to customize your processing mode to your creative style.

*Dynamic Range settingA Dynamic Range function with highlight and adjustable shadow correction brings out hidden or lost details in both highlights and shadows, even in the most contrasted dynamic lighting.

*Lens Correction functionA Lens Correction function adjusts for Distortion and Lateral Chromatic Aberrations, allowing you to maximize your image quality for every digital lens.*

* Compatible with D FA, DA, DA Limited and DA Star lenses. Distortion correction is not applied to the DA 10-17mm Fisheye lens.

*Dedicated PC socketDedicated PC socket for studio flash offers convenience for the studio photographer without adding hotshoe adapters.

*Mirror Lock-up functionA dedicated Mirror Lock-up function eliminates image blur due to mirror movement during long exposures.

*HDR image capture modeAn HDR image capture mode blends three separate image exposures to widen the exposure gamut, bringing out detail in all exposure areas of your images.

*Creative special effectsAdvanced capture options include multi exposure and interval shooting for creative special effects and time-lapse photography.

*Composition adjustment featureA composition adjustment feature allows you to make minor adjustments to the composition of your image using the Shake Reduction mechanism, without having to physically move the camera. Ideal for tripod use or macro photography.

*Embedded copyright featureProgrammable embedded copyright information preserves artistic integrity and image ownership during image capture.

*Quick-glance overviewRear LCD Status Screen displays exposure and setting information for a quick-glance overview and modification of image parameters.

*RAW file compatibilityPENTAX RAW or Adobe DNG file selection offers RAW file compatibility with industry standard image editing software.

*Dedicated RAW buttonA dedicated RAW button allows easy situational switching between RAW and JPG file formats without having to access camera file format menu settings.

*Custom file name selectionCustom file name selection lets you tailor your image file names to your shooting needs.

*Unparalleled customizationAdvanced Custom Function settings offer unparalleled customizability, allowing you to adapt the camera to your shooting style, not vice-versa. *Sensor: Type - CMOS with primary color filter and integrated Shake/Dust Reduction sensor movement system

*Focus System: Type - TTL phase-difference 11 point (9 cross) wide autofocus system (SAFOX VIII+); Focus modes - AF Single (w/ focus lock), AF Continuous, Manual;

*Built-in Flash: Type - Retractable P-TTL popup flash; Guide number: 13 (100/m); Coverage - 28mm wide angle (equivalent to 35mm); Flash modes - On, redeye, slow sync, slow sync + redeye, trailing curtain sync, wireless Flash exposure compensation: -2 to 1 EV in 1/2 steps

*External Flash: Type - Hotshoe (P-TTL, high speed sync available), wireless with PENTAX dedicated flash, X-sync socket; Synchronization speed - 1/180 sec

* Exposure compensation: +/- 5 EV (1/3 and 1/2 steps); Exposure lock: Yes; Exposure bracketing: Yes, 3 or 5 frames, up to +/- 2 EV (1/2 or 1/3 steps)

*ISO Sensitivity: Auto - ISO 100-3200 (1, 1/2, 1/3 steps), Bulb mode up to ISO 1600, expanded range available to ISO 6400, auto ISO range selectable Manual: ISO 100-3200 (1, 1/2, 1/3 steps), Bulb mode up to ISO 1600, expanded range available to ISO 6400

*White Balance*: Auto preset modes - Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Fluorescent (D, N, W, L), Tungsten, Flash, CTE; Manual mode(s) - Yes, manual and 3 color temperature selections available; * WB fine adjustment available in all modes

*Shutter: Type: Electronically controlled, vertical run, focal plane shutter Shutter speed: 1/8000 to 30 sec, bulb

*Capture Modes: Mode selection: Green, Program (P), Sensitivity Priority (Sv), Shutter Priority (Tv), Aperture Priority (Av), Shutter and Aperture Priority (TAv), Metered Manual, Bulb, X-Speed, USER, Movie; Green simplified mode available: Yes; P/A/S/M/B: P, A, S, M, B (extended modes Sv, TAv); Date stamp:

*Digital filters (capture): Custom Image Function includes Bright, Natural, Portrait, Landscape, Vibrant, and Muted modes, each with gamut radar and fine adjustment of saturation, hue, high/low key, contrast, and sharpness (regular and fine adjustment scales). Monochrome mode includes adjustment for filter effects (green, yellow, orange, red, magenta, blue, cyan, infrared), toning (sepia warm/cool), high/low key, contrast, and sharpness (regular and fine adjustment scales). Other capture filters include Toy Camera, Retro, High Contrast, Extract Color, Soft Focus, Starburst, Fisheye, Custom Filter.; Data record: Folder name (standard, date), file name (standard, customizable), embed copyright

*Drive Modes: Mode selection: Single, Continuous (Hi, Lo),

*Playback Modes: Mode selection: One Shot (no data, basic data, full data, color channel histogram), Multi Image Display (4, 9, 16, 32, 81 thumbnails), Calendar Filmstrip, Folder, Magnification, Select & Delete, Movie Playback (no data, basic data, full data); Mode pallet: Image Rotation, Digital Filter, Resize, Cropping, Slideshow, Save as Manual WB, RAW Development, Index Print, Image Comparison, Protect, DPOF; Magnification: Up to 32X, scrollable;

*File Formats: Still: RAW (PEF, DNG), JPG (Exif 2.21), DCF 2.0 (design rule for camera file system), DPOF, Print Image Matching III; Movie (compression): AVI (Motion JPG) Custom Functions: Functions available: 37

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