14.6 MP Digital SLR with Shake Reduction and 720p HD Video (Body Only) - Pentax K-7

Pentax K-7 Introduction

Pentax has put out another solid camera onto the enthusiast/semi-pro market with the K-7 model. While the Pentax K-20D is a current favorite, the slimmed down, much upgraded K-7 has a lot to offer. Reasonably priced, the K-7 has features that anyone from novice to semi-pro can enjoy. It is in the same league as the Olympus E-30 and the Canon EOS 50D with minor feature differences between them all. Although Pentax may not be as well known as Nikon or Canon they have been putting out excellent cameras for decades. 

Features

A magnesium alloy body and weatherproofing seals throughout provide a sturdy, durable camera that is remarkably dust and weather resistant. Pentax DA lenses have also been specially designed for moisture and dust resistance with multiple seals to keep out the elements; they are a great complement to the K-7. The camera is very compact and lightweight - only 1.7lbs, compared to the Nikon D300s which weighs 2lbs with just the memory card and battery installed. The small weight difference may not seem like much but when lenses and accessories are applied to the camera, shearing off weight and bulk wherever possible can make a noticeable difference. 

Despite its smaller stature and lighter weight the K-7 feels reassuringly solid in your hand without the plastic feel of lower-end DSLRs. A 3in LCD sits prominently on the back providing excellent coverage for Live View mode, picture display and menu scrolling. Important buttons like ISO, mode, and Live View are all placed on the camera in logical positions ensuring ease of use and the ability to quickly change settings without delving into the menu. An optional battery grip is also available to extend the amount of frames you can take without having to exchange batteries; this comes in very handy when using external flashes or remotes.

It features a 14.6mp sensor that Pentax says has been upgraded from the one in the K-20 (it does seem to work a bit faster). The sensor also offers composition adjustment, shake reduction and horizon correction, along with a 77 point metering system. Shake reduction in the camera helps minimize the effects of slight movements of the camera giving you a clearer picture without having to dial up the ISO settings. Dust removal is offered by supersonic vibration, shaking low pass filter and dust alert mode to keep tiny specks from ruining images.

Base ISO settings are 100-3200 with custom function settings up to 6400. Noise becomes a nuisance around ISO 800 although shooting in RAW mode can alleviate some of the noise problem. Noise reduction in a camera is offered to help offset some of the issues without having to do more post-processing. The sensitivity of the camera allows it to capture fast-moving targets without losing much detail to movement blur. A dedicated ISO button makes it easy to quickly adjust sensitivity, essential when lighting conditions change. Noise reduction is also offered in-camera to help preserve detail and produce sharper images.

At 5.4 frames per second, the K-7 is fast with a quick autofocus. As with other cameras of this type autofocus tends to lag a bit in LiveView mode, taking up precious seconds while it hunts for focus. Using the viewfinder is best when you are trying to capture fast moving targets, leaving LiveView best for static situations or macro mode. It powers on and is ready to shoot almost instantly and can take a rapid succession of burst images.

Customizable white balance, along with several white balance presets help to keep colors correct while allowing for natural, ambient lighting. The Pentax K-7 is also the first DSLR to offer HDR imaging in camera. This allows for several shots to be taken at different exposure levels and then combined, giving you the detail that would have been lost in shadow or blown out with highlights. Just for fun there are many different filters available including toy camera, starburst, extract color and fisheye.

Of course the K-7 also offers a fairly new addition to DSLRs-the ability to capture video. The K-7 takes MJPEG video at 1536x102, 1280x720, and 640x480, all at 30fps. Obviously a camcorder would be your first choice if you are a videographer but the ability to capture moving scenes with the flexibility of a huge sensor and interchangeable lenses really expands the horizons of your creativity. It is very easy to use but be forewarned: autofocus cannot be used when recording video. Aperture can be adjusted, allowing you even more creative license with depth of field control.

Conclusion

With the Pentax K-7 you get a camera that is both durable and reliable. It meters nicely for lighting and reproduces color extremely well, handing you frame-worthy photos right off of the memory card. For an enthusiast camera it offers a lot of very high end features and specs without breaking the bank. Running alongside giants like Nikon and Canon it holds its own but is easily overlooked by people who think only the 'big names' can offer great cameras. Easy to use, compact, fast and accurate, the K-7 is more than worth a second look.

A wide variety of accessories including flashes , lenses , and DSLR bags are also available to expand your collection and protect your camera and accessories.