Product Review: Pentax K7 DSLR 14.2MP Digital Camera

The K7 is the latest semi-pro dSLR camera from Pentax, and clocks in at the high price of $1200. Aimed at enthusiasts, hobbyist and pros on a budget, this 14.2 megapixel digital SLR doesn't come with a lens at its base price.

If you're looking for a mid-level professional camera that takes a wide-array of lenses and offers the latest features available, while keeping the price moderate, read on to find out if the Pentax K7 digital SLR camera might be the right one for you.

Features

The basic features of this are: a 14.2 megapixel CMOS sensor, 5.2 frames per second burst mode, 30fps videos in 720p and 1080i resolutions, 1/8000 max shutter speed, 77 segment metering system, 3" LCD display, both horizontal and vertical shake reduction, new dust removal system, a chassis made of magnesium alloy, and, perhaps the coolest feature, an HDR setting that will create an high dynamic range photo from three different photos.

Design

As tends to be the trend with the newest dSLR cameras, the lens on the Pentax K7 is the largest piece of the unit. The body is small (for a digital SLR), and is shaped in a classic square shape. The hand grips are grooved and indented for comfortable and secure holding, while the rest of the unit is a black matte finish.

The front is adorned with the white Pentax logo, there is a power button is to the right of the unit, the left side has the AES switch and RAW button, and both sides have small silver neck strap loops.

The top of the camera has an exposure button, ISO button, and mode dial, as well as a small settings display and on/off switch. The back of the digital camera has a large display that takes up most of the case. Above the screen is the viewfinder, and to the right are the general digital camera buttons: gallery, trash, format, white balance, auto focus, menu, and disp.

Photo Quality

Based on the sample shots that have been posted on numerous websites, most notably the ones on Photography Blog, this camera has a fairly high dynamic range, and produces sharp images in low light. Noise is barely discernable in the low-light shots, including one that appears to be inside a subway tunnel. While image quality is dependant on the lens used, there is some fringing on distant objects on the sample photos.

Video Quality

Likewise, the sample video posted by Photography Blog shows very high-quality imagery, with very saturated colors, sharp edges, and HQ audio.

Conclusion

This camera has all the promise of being an excellent contended in the mid-price dSLR market, with unusual features, such as the in-camera HDR merging, and the latest in auto focus, dust reduction, and anti-shake. Pentax is known for its high-quality products, and there is a huge array of lenses available for the unit.