New Pentax Flagship, the K-7

Fast, compact, and quiet—that's the gestalt of the K-7, which is a perfect match to Pentax's beautiful Limited prime lenses.

Finally, finally, finally, a Japanese camera manufacturer has broken with the size/quality lockstep that has been like a hard-and-fast, albeit unspoken rule among Japanese cameramakers throughout most of the digital era. I've long noticed it and bemoaned it many times...better cameras always have to be bigger, and smaller cameras are always aimed at lower levels of the market, typically the undemanding "entry level" that doesn't mind the inevitable cut corners. The new K-7 supersedes the K20D as Pentax's top-of-the-line offering, and it's higher spec'd in almost every way, but it's appreciably smaller than even the smallish K20D...and much smaller than something like the Nikon D700.

Well, all right.

K-7 vs. K20D size comparison. 756g vs. 815g as shown here, with batteries.

Features (some of 'em)
Okay, now, as you might expect, the new camera, which will list for $1,299, has video. But since that's not my thing, I won't say much about it—I'm sure you're capable of reading the spec sheet for yourself. But here's a rundown of the features you probably expect, followed by a few you don't:

• Has the by-now-standard 3-inch, 920k-dot viewing screen.
• Although not recommendably dunkable, the camera is rain- and spray-proof with the DA Star lenses. And it'll probably be okay if you drop it in the pool by mistake. It's also dust-proof—and cold-proof, too, to –10°C/14°F.
• "New 14.6 megapixel CMOS sensor rebuilt from the ground up to minimize noise." But they won't let me show you pictures yet (both the K-7's I have are pre-production). More on that when I get a production camera with the final firmware.
• Faster throughput and faster autofocusing
• Live View
• Shake Reduction (i.e., body-integral image stabilization)
• New 77-segment metering system
• HD movie capture; built-in microphone (although an external microphone is recommended)
• Optional ($230) battery grip

New stuff:

• With JPEGs, the camera will automatically correct for distortion and CA for every specific DA lens.
• Programmable embedded copyright function
• For tripod work, the camera uses the motors that effect the Shake Reduction to allow you to touch up your framing using the 4-way pad. Nice touch, and one I imagine will soon become standard across the industry for cameras that have body-integral image stabilization.

Big honkin' Nikon next to the cruiser-class Pentax. AF-Nikkor 28mm ƒ/2.8 on the left and DA 15mm ƒ/4 on the right. As shown, 1,306g vs. 937g on the ol' Pelouze scale.

Shutter noise
One of the big deals about the K-7 to me is the shutter noise. It's very quiet. The main point of having a smallish camera is so that it's easy to carry it around with you wherever you go; and if you're using it as a visual notepad, you might call it, then quite often it's useful not to call attention to yourself by clacking away piercingly and drawing stares from anyone nearby. The K-7's shutter is quiet for an SLR by any standard, both in the level and the type of noise it makes. The AF noise is actually louder than the shutter.

Handling
Although I'm sure Pentax has worked very hard on the many improvements embodied in the K-7, to some extent we take these incremental improvements for granted (fairly or not): it's faster, it meters better, it's got more features (I like the way it automatically corrects image orientation, for example). Etc. But really, the big deal about the K-7 is handling. It's a carry-around style of camera, and feels good in your hand and on your shoulder. In case you can't quite read the picture above, my son is holding the camera up in the air; the point is that the handgrip is beefy and deep enough that you can easily hold the camera with just your four fingers stuck in the grip while you change cards with the other hand. (The card compartment, despite being weatherproof, is the new style that opens with thumb pressure, too, like the D700 and other newer cameras. It's an improvement on the overly fussy latch on the K20D.)

A brace of K-7's...on the left with the DA Limited 15mm ƒ/4, on the right with the DA Star 55mm ƒ/1.4.

I'll have more to say about the K-7, I'm sure, in the weeks to come, especially if and when Pentax sends me a final production version with no restrictions on image publication.

So, more anon.

Oh, and one more trivial point: it's handsomer than the K20D, too.

Mike

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Comments

[Andreas]

SILENT SHUTTER!!! GO PENTAX!

[cy_oh]

Is this your #2 camera?

[Iñaki]

...which I guess makes the K7 the second recommended camera in your list, right?

[Roberto C.]

So,it has video AND shake reduction. It jumped at the top of my wish list.

[Mike Johnston]

"Is this your #2 camera?"

I didn't say that.

Mike

[Cateto/Jose]

I was very interested in reading your comments on the K-7.

Now the big question:

Does the K-7 get the number 2 spot in your list of recommended cameras, as widely speculated a few days ago?

[Charlie H]

All I can say is wow! Every conceivable fault I could have put on the 20D has been addressed. This is a grandslam, add Pentax's incredible line of small primes, which did little to help on the bulky 20D, and this is a very attractive package. And weather aealed kit lenses too boot. Long live Pentax. ch

[Joe]

Your description reminds me of the old Olympus OM-1 SLR (if I'm remembering the model number correctly), famous in its day for being just about the smallest and quietest SLR you could buy. I had a Nikon FM at the time, and I remember being envious of my sister's lighter and quieter camera...

[Diego Lorenzo Jose]

Fantastic :)

Mike, could you share if there's an improvement to DA* SDM lenses on AF performance? I had a 16-50 and I found it a bit sluggish, I hope it's faster now.

Thanks!

[Alistair Williamson]

I'm so happy, I am off the the small villages of the Indian Himalayas next spring and wanted a cold resistant, small, non-intimidating camera for portraits and wide angle candids.

K7 with a 70 2.4mm and 15mm f4 and WR 18-55 for backup. Ahhhh, so sweet. Must save pennies.

[Miserere]

Oh Mike...you so sneaky! :-D

Look forward to your opinions.

[Evan Murdock]

I'm pretty pleased with this, though my monetary outlay will be reserved until I've had a chance to see image results.

Happy to see the higher ISO, but also happy to see ISO 100 (which my K110D lacks). As a wide-open shooter much of the time it's helpful. Size, ergonomics, etc, look perfect. Price is good. Totally agree on handsomeness - it's got a retro look I really dig, for what it's worth (which ain't much).

[Robin Harrison]

Ah ha. The lesser spotted "T.O.P. Ten Recommended Camera: #2", no doubt. That flat, square left hand side is very early 90s. But bravo to any move in the direction of smaller and quieter. Now let's see those images, Pentax.

[Clayton Lofgren]

I thought this was the reason for the delay on the #2 slot.
Looks good- wish it was A mount.

[Spiny Norman]

Holy heck! I *rarely* say this: am gonna buy one of these.

[Spiny Norman]

...bought a k20d a year ago. Loved the IQ, hated the bulk and noise. I returned the camera and lens, and kept shooting with my M6 and G9. Time to try again.

[John Camp]

Is this #2 on the TOP 10 list? Perhaps it should have been #1, if it has the image quality. Looks like a serious shooter's camera. Does it work with the pancakes? I assume it does...There's a "Preview" up on Digital Photography Review, and they notably refer to the K7 as a "mid-level" camera. I wonder if this means they feel it's equivalent to a D300, or if they're implying that another "pro" level Pentax is coming? I also wonder if Nikon will reply with a small frame camera, as they often did with film bodies? More questions than comments at this point, but it's a seriously interesting camera. It'll all come down to IQ...

[Max]

Man, it's so good to see somebody is pushing the envelope in all the right directions!!
I'm shooting a lot with a Canon A640 these days (I don't see myself as a real photographer any more, I guess), similar to a G9, but the other day I saw a girl using a Spotmatic and violently realized how much this kind of cameras sucked!! It's not a sensual thing any more. Or well, as sensual as using a calculator.
I hope to get the feel for it again. So I can justify getting myself one of these. Who cares about being serious, let's at least enjoy doing it badly, as the saying goes.

[Manish]

Is this the camera number 2 on your list?

[Lubo]

I've read the functional specs in much detail and this camera would suit me even more than my 1 month old K20D (my first DSLR). But at least I'm out there taking pictures with every day with a camera and lenses I adore and will have it on our vacation trip this summer.

I digress. I am posting mainly to ask you to confirm / deny that this is your Camera recommendation #2, as was rumoured around here?

[Wojtek]

Mike - in the other press release I've read about the viewfinder, covering 100% of the frame. Is that true? If so, then it would be a killer... :)

[Stephen Gillette]

Wow. This looks, at first blush, like a game-changing camera. Especially If the low-light performance can come even close to that of the Nikon D700...

Now can we look forward to closure on Mike's "Top Ten Cameras" list of a few weeks' back?

[Tom K.]

So many cameras......so little time.

Looking forward to seeing this in person. Thanks for the quick review Mike.

[Jayson]

Does the new, more angular prism-hump hearken back to older Pentax bodies? As a relative youngin', all I'm used to seeing is the swoopier Starship Enterprise lines and sloped shoulders that typified the Pentax bodies. I had to search DPR all the way back to the original *ist to find a Pentax with strong shoulders like this.

I like this camera, especially the grip. I'm an Olympus shooter, and I appreciate the feel of a nice full grip, so imagine my dismay at the new E-620, also a more premium (though not flagship, obviously) body that has had it's grip removed. Can you compare the handling of the two bodies, Mike?

[Chris]

I definitely see the point of having a smaller camera for traveling and going out and about with a high quality camera (like my old FM2n) but as someone who has held a camera to his eye for hours at a time many, many days in a row I can tell you I'd rather have the larger camera bodies (a la D1/D2/D3) for day-in/day-out shooting... For me the D700 is rather small.

Horses for courses.

[James Liu]

Mike,

You know, I was planning to replace my K100D with a K20D when its successor came out. Now that they've basically put an improved K20D in a K100D sized body, I can imagine skipping it.

And despite the virtual tie of your K20D shake-reduction versus D700 high-ISO in low light comparo, don't you think it's a tad unfair to put K7 and D700 next to each other? Of course the D700 looks huge!

[todd]

yay! af assist lamp, smaller, silent shutter, can't wait to get mine.... only gripe is the viewfinder, I would have much prefered more magnification.

[charlied]

Pardon my French but on spec that camera kicks ass!

[Benjamin Thompson]

My choice to go with Pentax two years ago fully vindicated! This is the camera I've always wanted. SMALL, yet fully-featured. Oh man, I am so happy right now...

[Kyle]

Looks beautiful. I want to see the images this can produce.

[Benjamin Thompson]

Mike, is that an autofocus assist light on the right (when facing the camera)? That'd be a great addition...

[Lou Doench]

Does this mean the secondary market for the K20 will drop into my range? ;)

[ElJaco]

yes, Mike, I'm with you! Small, silent & handsome is the way to go!

[Arghya Mukherjee]

Mike,

Is the viewfinder appreciably different from the K20D?

[Chris Gibbs]

Mike,

Is that a lock on the K-7's command dial? If so, good for you Pentax - hope you're taking note Chuck Westfall ;-)

[erlik]

Mike, you forgot something that might prove important: in camera HDR from three exposures. And the "extended DR" thingy with the compensation for over- and under-exposed parts of the image.

Apropos the size, there are people over at dpreview who say it reminds them of E-1. :-)

[Jerry Thirsty]

Well hello, #2!

[improbable]

This looks really really close to perfection, for me at least. The big-blob K10/20 seemed like Pentax trying to be just another canikon, while here we're back to the spirit of the *ist-D: small but not compromised. I want one very badly. (And a 35mm lens.)

[Hugh Alison]

That's so nice - small, well designed, and those prime lenses!

Pentax just make nice cameras - and that's a long term Canon 5D owner speaking.

[photogdave]

I think the K20 is nicer looking after seeing the K7 in person. I miss the direct switch for the shake reduction too.
All else is good - way to go Pentax!
For video shooters - full exposure control. Take that Canon!

[mcananeya]

How's the viewfinder compared to the K20D?

Best,
Adam

[Roger Bradbury]

Oh, drooley.......
Lots of useful changes,but as a K20D owner I am pleased to see that Pentax haven't messed around too much with the control layout (I've seen pix of the back elsewhere)
And it's smaller than my K20D, I didn't expect that. Perhaps a just a little bigger than my faithful (neglected) Minolta X700. A bit more discreet in the hand than the K20D.
Well done Pentax

[robert e]

Whee!

Hi Mike, I get it if you have to blow off the flood of questions for now, but a couple things are bugging me, so just in case you are fielding: Did I read the specs right--is there an in-finder digital preview? But it also sounds like they have dropped the custom lens calibrations (a la k20) in favor of auto calibration with only Pentax D lenses? Care to drop a hint about low-light/high-ISO performance?

[Nigel]

So is this the elusive "2", or is that also dependant on "if and when Pentax sends me a final production version with no restrictions on image publication"?

[Tom]

Pentax is still in business?

Is this the mystery camera from your top ten list?

[Andy Marfia]

It looks like they've also added a focus assist lamp, which is a small but nice addition. This camera looks like a winner to me. I agree, it's nice to see pro features (in particular weather sealing) on a more compact camera.

Is $1299 the body only price, or does that include a kit lens?

[David Long]

Not that I'm quite ready to retire my Olympus E-1 quite yet, but the K-7 looks like it has a lot of the traits that drew me to the E-1 (small, quiet, sealed). And it adds a lot of modern goodness (faster, better screen and viewfinder, IS).

[JohnL]

Ah, number 2 has arrived!

[Nick]

Mike, for that kind of money it's rather small don't you think? How will my buddies know it's not a cheap entry level model!? I hope the optional battery grip is XXXL to compensate for this design flaw, otherwise I don't see this camera becoming a commercial success!

[MarcinB]

"Has the by-now-standard 3-inch, 920k-dot viewing screen"
It's not standard yet. The latest cameras from Sony, Olympus and Nikon use 2.7 inch, 230k-dot screens. But they are still much better, because they tilt/swivel. That's one glaring omission in the latest Pentax.

[Timo]

I had hoped Pentax would make one day a small camera to complement their line of compact lenses. While I've been happy with (and have put up with the bulk of) the K20D, I'm looking forward to trying out something smaller.

I'm guessing the new grip might give those looking for a pinky-hold something to work with as well. Did they give you a grip to try out?

Would be great if this camera started a trend.

[Mike Johnston]

"Is that a lock on the K-7's command dial?"

Yes.

I'll talk more about features in a few days.

Mike

[Bahi]

On paper, that's one very appealing camera. This might be the moment when Pentax steps back into the spotlight and begins to sell serious numbers of cameras to people like me, who really want the build and the pro features without the dreaded bulk and weight. Sticking with the same sensor resolution while improving its characteristics is smart thinking; at 14MP, it's unlikely to generate the mild disappointment that greeted the 8MP 30D as the replacement for the 8MP 20D. And Pentax has the glass in place for fans of small, walkabout primes.

Assuming it delivers the goods, this K-7 is hugely appealing to a group that's bigger than rival manufacturers might think. Eager to hear thoughts as you use it more.

[TyKo]

First, there's still no indication of what the noise performance will actually be. 15 MP DX/APS-C sensors haven't proved exciting so far.

Second, the two lenses and bodies (D700 and K7) are not only pretty different focal lengths (28 vs 22.5), but they're also two f-stops different in DOF if shot wide open. I'm not going to claim that that's how you're most likely to use as 22 or 28mm lens, but the idea of treating these as comparable or apples-to-apples just doesn't stand up, IMO.

I loudly applaud the specs of a decent viewfinder on a small camera. That is great.

To me, the size of the camera is fairly irrelevant unless you fly-travel/hike/carry it just on your body. Of course their are exceptions, but my camera case, backpacks, and vehicles have never yet cared what size of camera I put in them. In fact, if you make them too small, they're harder to hold and use IMO. That said, I think Mike's point about features vs size is true. It's nice to see a small camera that has the features! At least if you want to buy a body that size you now have a good option. (Well, if you shoot pentax. ;-)

[Graydon]

The problem with tilt-and-swivel screens is that they're incompatible with the weather sealing; complex multi-axis joints with electrical connections running through them are like that. So while I want an accessory screen with a battery-grip type controls on a 2m cable, I don't want a tilt-and-swivel screen from Pentax.

I am much more interested in what's happened with the sensor than with anything else in the way of feature changes; one can read between the lines to get "well, some minor stuff" or "coincidentally equivalent resolution, nothing else is the same", and I'm looking forward to Mike's more detailed discussion in the next few days.

Other than that? Maybe a bit *too* small (since I think the K20D is a fine size) and, glory hallelujah, the cable release socket is on the right hand side of the camera.

[Paul McEvoy]

I'm interested in your observations in comparison to the Panasonic GH1 (which I think isn't out yet) and my trusty OLD 5D mk I. I'd love to jump ship from Canon.

Also fwiw psyched about the video. That's what drew me to the GH1 but this looks cheaper and potentially better. Wish it had a swing out LCD...why is that not happening?

[Mike Johnston]

"Second, the two lenses and bodies (D700 and K7) are not only pretty different focal lengths (28 vs 22.5), but they're also two f-stops different"

f/2.8 to f/4 is one f-stop, not two. Also, the nearest Pentax equivalent of the lens on the D700 in the picture is the 21mm f/3.2 pancake, which is lighter than the 15mm by 72 grams. So the more fair comparison would be 1,306g vs. 865g.

I agree that some people don't care about camera size and weight. Many art photographers / hobbyists do, however, and we've been underserved by the camera manufacturers, who act like it's a law that small, light camera bodies have to be cheap and "entry-level." Small but high-quality cars are available for those who want them; why not at least a few small but high-quality cameras?

Mike

[Damon Schreiber]

Pentax is making it extremely difficult to stick with my plan of updating my K10D to the K20D once that camera had a successor. It's looking like it may be well worth leapfrogging the K20D (funds/wife permitting of course).

Also, Mike, whether or not it was destined to be your number 2 pick, based on the comments I've read here, it looks like the majority opinion may make that outcome inevitable.

[Mike Johnston]

"glory hallelujah, the cable release socket is on the right hand side of the camera."

No...I don't think there *is* a cable release socket, unless I'm having one of my Duh moments. There's a mirror lock-up feature, though.

Mike

[JMarcos]

Is the button overload on the right of the camera a concern? Especially since the AF selection control pad now has dual functions.

[Russ]

Very interested in AF performance compared to Canon and Nikon. I can see a comparison to the Nikon D300, but the D700 may be stretching it? I'm teetering between the K-7 and D300, any light you can shed on these two side by side in the future would be welcome.

[luc]

Looks like a wonderful camera - the design, according to the spec sheet, and from your first comments.

But how is the autofocus (seriously improved?) and is the live view usable?

Thanks
Luc

[junyo]

Despite loving my K10D, I've gone back to my ME Super for late night strolls and the carry camera when the camera is an addendum rather than the reason for the trip. The light weight, easier handling, literal pocketable-ness (pocketability?) and unobtrusiveness are a whole different shooting experience. I was kind of 'meh' on an upgrade, but when I saw the size of the Km, I had hope, I just needed features (not being able to select focus points was a deal killer). Now I'm excited. Small, weatherproof, quiet; yes please. Hopefully they delivered on the spec's, in with case I can hang up the film cameras, and then merry Festivus to me.

[Branimir]

Mike, look at the picture of your son holding the camera. One can see cable release lid below memory card slot.

[Chris]

"...No...I don't think there *is* a cable release socket, unless I'm having one of my Duh moments..."

Mike - check the flap under the SD card door.

[Mike Johnston]

Ah, yes. I still think of "cable release" as being a *mechanical* remote shutter release. But Pentax confirms that the connector below the card door is the wired cable switch for the remote control.

Mike

[Iñaki]

"glory hallelujah, the cable release socket is on the right hand side of the camera."

No...I don't think there *is* a cable release socket, unless I'm having one of my Duh moments. There's a mirror lock-up feature, though.

Mike"

You are having one of your "duh" moments. What Graydon is referring to is that the remote release socket or plug is now on the right side of the camera body just below the card door, rather than behind a hinged door as it was on *ist and KD cameras before.

By the way: I don´t like it.
I don´t really see the point of using magnesium over high grade plastic [which is not really and advantage but a step back, to be honest, at least as a material engineering point of view].

Else, I expected so much more. It does have a 600 dollar camera feature set under a fancy [for oldtimers, that is] dress. But, which expensive camera doesn´t?

I was hoping for a fast *ist DS. The lovechiled between the *ist DS and K10d, so to speak. Instead, I got a "bastard" [as a motherless child, so to speak] between an LX and a *istD.

I was actually hoping for something with truly useful and innovative features. Expecting to have a "pentaprism, second coming" which will vindicate a huge glass housing and prism with digital overlays on it. Or else, something to truly set the k7 apart from an aps-c Olympus.

The good stuff of this K7 is that now, the price of the K20d will drop even further, making it still the very best bargain around for a semipro camera, well above D300, 50D, Alpha 700 or E3.

[Sylain Bernier]

Hi Mike,

You have to make this gem #2.

Cheers!

[Spiny Norman]

"That's one glaring omission in the latest Pentax." And one more damned thing to break. It's not a feature that I care about.

[Robin Parmar]

Iñaki wrote: "I was actually hoping for something with truly useful and innovative features."

Me too, especially as that was what we are promised. This looks instead like the successor to the K20D even though we were told it's not. My completely redesigned modeless hybrid of a Leica and K20D is still a fantasy.

[Jayson Merryfield]

Re: Graydon
"The problem with tilt-and-swivel screens is that they're incompatible with the weather sealing; complex multi-axis joints with electrical connections running through them are like that. So while I want an accessory screen with a battery-grip type controls on a 2m cable, I don't want a tilt-and-swivel screen from Pentax."

While you might be ambivalent about tilt & swivel screens, the ability to weather seal them has been proven on the E-3.

[Joel Becker]

Mike, does the eyecup magnifier work on the k-7? It's been a great boon on my K100d

[Alex Vesey]

As many know, in recent years, a number of well-known camera companies have passed into history. Given the nature of capitalism, such "die-offs" are to be expected; nonetheless the process is disconcerting. It is good to see the innovative technologies coming from some of the smaller companies (ones that some pundits have already consigned to the dust heap) as they confront the sheer difficulties of the present market. We will all benefit from such photographic "biodiversity."

(Note: in my statement above, the "smaller" comment reflects the relative scale of Pentax's system, and its user base, in comparison with Canikon. Technologically speaking, Pentax has never been a "second-tier wannabe." )

Alex

[aizan]

two mysteries:
1) what is the #2 camera, if not the k7?
2) what is that bump near the af lamp?

[Rana]

The size of the Pentaxes relative to the Canons and Nikons has long been a selling point for me - I have thin wrists and small square hands, and those bigger cameras are just carpal tunnel syndrome waiting to happen when I'm on a day-long shoot.

I'll have to keep an eye on this one, for when it eventually goes down in price. Do you know what batteries it uses?

[Matthew Miller]

Okay, yeah, the camera body looks nice. I'm buying one to upgrade my K10D. But enough about that -- what do you think about that 15mm Limited?

A few of the preliminary measurement-oriented reviews have been less than positive, but I'd love to hear your detailed assessment.

[Iñaki]

What I meant before is that I wanted this K7 to have some of the features that set the K10d apart from the then commanding E1 and D200 on this middle tier of cameras.

Something truly unexpected, yet so obvious nobody did care before. Something such as the SV or TAV modes.

Say, a variable ISO capability of the sensor, for instance [why does all the sensor have to work with the same sensibility all the time?].

Say, a digital overlay so many different focusing screens could be changed on the optical viewfinder.

Say, a double flash bulb.

Say, a retina following autofocus, so the camera follows your eyesight.

Say, a red balloon following autofocus.

[Clayton Lofgren]

We are gearheads. The last Pentax I used was lost by Pan Am, 1979. Still interested though.

[Chris]

I've just noticed it has Honest-to-God strap lugs! Now that is an improvement!

[John Roberts]

I've got too much invested in Zuiko glass to make a switch right now, but if my Olympus gear got lost or stolen, this Pentax would most likely be the replacement.

[Amin]

Looks nice and small for a "cruiser-class" camera. It's also good to see that they improved on all the basics (autofocus, metering, handling) rather than just adding fancy features. Looking good, Pentax!

[YS]

Oh my, this is seriously quite good. Rotating auto-levelling sensor? Very neat!

And yes, when will website-owners learn that generic and widely used names are bad because it makes search impossible?

[Stephen Best]

It's about the same size/weight as a D80/D90 which I consider ideal for all but those with large hands. But the comparison with film bodies doesn't really apply if you turn the camera over and look at the flange to back distance. To get anything approaching compact you're looking at pancake lenses only. I put a Voigtländer Ultron 40mm on my D80 and it's a good overall size.

One thing Pentax has going for it is that they don't have to cripple their lower tier cameras (with cheaper antialiasing filters or whatever) to preserve sales of other (D300 etc) models.

Anyway, a welcome addition. I'm not sure I'd want a f/4 as a standard lens though.

[James McDermott]

Finally, the digital MZ-S. Now, if only I can get a decent trade-in value for my soul ...

I agree with MarcinB's comment on the articulated screen (or lack of), though. I see no point to live view without one. The variety of angles of shots I can compose accurately, particularly with indoor architectural subjects, is the main reason my Sony R1 still gets so many outings. Still, mustn't grumble.

[Dave Kee]

The K-7 weighs 50 grams more than a Nikon D90 and costs 30% more. It is weather sealed and that may make it worth it for some, but a 26oz D90 with a 7oz Nikkor 35mm f/1.8 for less than $1,200 seems like a pretty good deal on a light weight combo to me.

[roentarre]

Thanks for this news and finally somethign more concret is coming to light

Just wondering if you can share some of the views regarding High ISO performance of this camera. :)

[Benjamin R. George]

Almost everything about this camera looks like a step in the right direction.

Unfortunately, nothing about it is enough to make me willing to run out and spend that big a pirece of my limited grad student budget replacing my k20d, but I'm tempted to send Pentax a small monetary donation with a note saying it's my vote of approval for them making this at all.

PS - I may have overlooked it, but I don't think we've heard a peep from you on Sony's recent announcement of their upcoming 30mm f/2.8 macro. I realize there aren't many details to comment on yet, but what we have seen makes it look like the kind of lens that'd get your attention.

[laurence]

finally someone is making a PRO SMALL DSLR! with a big viewfinder too.

i wondered for many years why no one is doing just this!

[Mike Johnston]

"a 26oz D90 with a 7oz Nikkor 35mm f/1.8 for less than $1,200 seems like a pretty good deal on a light weight combo to me."

Well, I hardly think the latest from Pentax has suddenly rendered all its competitors obsolete in one fell stroke....

Mike

[Mike Johnston]

"Just wondering if you can share some of the views regarding High ISO performance of this camera. :)"

No, I can't. I'm specifically forbidden from doing so until Japan is happy with the final iteration of the processing engine and the full production version of the camera is released. All in due course.

Mike

[TSJanik]

Mike:
I read in the Pentax announcement that when the K7 is used on a tripod with SR off, the sensor can be moved as an aid to compostion; it seems that movement, if large enough, could be used for mutiple exposures in slighly different sensor postions that when stitched would yield a higher resolution image. If so, what a great advantage for landscape/still life shooters.

Tom J

[Iñaki]

"The K-7 weighs 50 grams more than a Nikon D90 and costs 30% more. It is weather sealed and that may make it worth it for some, but a 26oz D90 with a 7oz Nikkor 35mm f/1.8 for less than $1,200 seems like a pretty good deal on a light weight combo to me."

Well, but then, have this in mind:
A K20d with weather sealing, smaller than the D90, with a 43 1.9 can be had for less than 1100 dollars. Which is a much better deal on a lightweight combo [and arguably, a better optic].

Right?

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/pentaxk20d/page3.asp

[Ben]

Good to see Pentax sticking to its guns and producing what should be the perfect mid-range SLR for the enthusiast photographer. It seems well positioned between the confusing APS-C/full-frame Canon and Nikon line-ups and the confusing 4/3 & Micro 4/3 line-ups from Olympus et al (compact though they are).

My old K10D is still a fantastic camera but somehow it felt a step behind the DA* and addictively useful Limited lenses.

It seems Pentax now have a clear strategy based on APS-C and high quality glass, without being lead astray by megapixel chasers and gadget fetishists.

[CMS]

"Finally, finally, finally, a Japanese camera manufacturer has broken with the size/quality lockstep that has been like a hard-and-fast, albeit unspoken rule among Japanese cameramakers throughout most of the digital era."

Dear Mike,

This is great news indeed, and let us hope the message is heard loud and clear by the other brands.

There is more than just a size/quality lockstep. As a Nikon user I noticed a very strong size/weight/build quality/features/image quality/price lockstep. There are at least six factors intimately linked here.

Perhaps the new Pentax will be an incentive for Nikon to offer a D700 class FX camera in a much smaller body without cutting down on features such as the weather sealing, the quality of the viewfinder, the number of AF points, the 1005 matrix meter, the quality of the rear screen, the quality of the AA-filter, image quality, ... you name it.

In other words: Produce a D700 which is much smaller, a little lighter, but otherwise unchanged.

But Nikon is a traditional company. It seems that breaking with tradition is very difficult even for a highly innovative firm. Some inspiration from this wonderful new Pentax might therefore be helpful.

Kind regards,
CMS

[Amin]

"a 26oz D90 with a 7oz Nikkor 35mm f/1.8 for less than $1,200 seems like a pretty good deal on a light weight combo to me."

I'm using a D5000 with the new 35/1.8, and it is a nearly perfect combination of fast, compact, and quiet for my purposes. If you'll forgive my obsessiveness, the D5000 has about the sweetest shutter sound of any camera I've used (SLR or rangefinder), save the gentle tick of a leaf shutter.

However, the great thing about the K7 is that Pentax held back absolutely nothing and still made it small and quiet. The D90 and lower priced Nikons don't get the weather resistance of the D300. They also don't get the 100% coverage viewfinder or Nikon's top level autofocus system.

Pentax put their very best into the K7, which is something we've not yet seen from any company in a camera of this size and weight.

[Clive Evans]

All I want now is a fullframe version so I can use my 17mm fisheye, 18mm and 28mm shift Pentax SMCs and I'll buy one to join my 3 LXes otherwise no DSLRs here [A couple of Epson RD1s though]
clive

[AlexMonro]

Tom, I read in the specs on one of the preview sites that the K-7's sensor shift is limited to approx 1mm each way from centre. So, at about 4% of frame width (8% from one extreme to the other), it's probably not really enough for panoramic stitching. Still could be useful for correcting converging verticals with an ultrawide lens on some shots though.

This, together with the 100% viewfinder and AF assist lamp, are the most interesting features of the K-7 for me. Not sure if I can justify upgrading my K20D just yet though - I've not had it 6 months yet!

[Cameron]

Pentax really has the "camera feel" right. The Nikons and Canon feel so utilitarian by comparison, like using a calculator as oppose to a well made mechanical system. That said, the best all-around camera, if you're willing lay out the money, is still the D700 (and I suppose that's why it's #1 on your list) -- it's a camera that can hold its own whether you're shooting landscape, sports, studio, weddings, or just chasing your kids around. The K-7 is a great step for Pentax, but I can't help but dream about what they could do with Nikon's best-in-class technology. Or what Nikon can do with Pentax's vision.

I'm not retiring my Nikon system, but I might have to add a Pentax back in.

[Jeff Kott]

"a 26oz D90 with a 7oz Nikkor 35mm f/1.8 for less than $1,200 seems like a pretty good deal on a light weight combo to me."

Sorry, I can't resist,here's a partial list from Roland Mabo a DPreview poster:

"The D90 has a limited movie mode compared to the K-7, only does 24 fps - K-7 does 30 fps at higher resolution. D90 has no sound recording. The autofocus on the D90 does not work when filming, but the K-7 has functional autofocus in movie mode!
D90 also does not have a 100% viewfinder and automatic HDR function.
D90 does not have the expensive magnesium alloy body of the K-7.

D90 only does 4.5 fps for JPEG and max 25 JPEG's, the K-7 does 5.2 fps with 40 JPEG's.
D90 has only 1 cross sensor, the K-7 has 9.
Shutter in D90 is only 1/4000.
And many other differencies."

Now I have a D90. It's a great camera, but I will buy the K7 if it's image quality is up to par - just because it's small and I can use my Pentax lenses. Nikon really doesn't have lenses comparable in size and quality to the Pentax primes. The Cosina Voigtlander's are nice, but they're manual focus.

[Stan B.]

That's the right size alright. But they still got a ways to go in the looks department. I know it's comparing apples to oranges, but compare the looks of this Pentax with the Bessa in the post below. The advances in digital technology the past few years have been nothing short of astonishing; now it's time they start paying attention to the aesthetics.