Author: | | New Member Registered: March, 2014 Location: New York Posts: 13 | Review Date: May 25, 2018 | Recommended | Price: $227.50
| Rating: 9 |
Pros: | Convenient, fun, better IQ than you probably think | Cons: | Battery life, limited utility of quick dial | Ergonomics: 9
Build Quality: 8
User Interface: 9
Autofocus: 7
Features: 8
Value: 9
Image Quality: 8
Noise: 7
New or Used: Used
| | I bought the Q7 and 02 (standard zoom) lens together for $227.50, and later added the 01 (fast prime) and 06 (telephoto zoom) lenses. Still pondering the 08 (wide zoom) lens, as that one seems to be a lot of people's favorite, but it's also far and away the most expensive.
It weighs nothing and takes up next to no space. An entire and fairly versatile system - meaning the body, those three lenses, three batteries, and the charger cable plus a tiny tripod - fit into a very small bag or even a couple of coat pockets. Outstandingly convenient.
I shoot a lot of stage photos (school plays and concerts) and it's not really much good for that, because of needing to handhold and jack the ISO up to 1600 or so. Not unexpected and therefore not disappointing. On the other hand, I wandered around Little Italy and Chinatown with it at night, leaning against poles and buildings and such, and didn't do too badly at all.
Aesthetically I just love it. It's, well, adorable. Ergonomically speaking, I have no issues with it, and I have biggish hands and long fingers for a woman. If you are a guy and have enormous hands, then you mightn't fare as well.
I wish the quick dial could be customized such that it didn't have to be (for example) ALL aspect ratio choices. I'd love to be able to set #1 = square aspect ratio, #2 = bold black & white look, etc.
My biggest gripe though is the battery life. I'm very spoiled with my K-5 that never ever seems to die. One expects less with smaller batteries, but I've also noticed that when the indicator shows 2/3, that may actually mean rather less than 2/3. And when the battery starts to get quite low (even though it's not showing as being so very low), then the camera sometimes shuts itself off when I would much rather it not do that. So I carry around two extra batteries, which isn't a problem - but if you are worried about missing a super-special shot, then change your battery first.
| | | | | Site Supporter Registered: February, 2017 Posts: 1,977 4 users found this helpful | Review Date: February 19, 2018 | Recommended | Price: None indicated
| Rating: 9 |
Pros: | size, handling, IQ, dust removal | Cons: | Fiddly control buttons | Ergonomics: 8
Build Quality: 8
User Interface: 9
Autofocus: 9
Features: 9
Value: 9
Image Quality: 9
Noise: 7
New or Used: Used
| | I came to this camera, as a replacement for my original Q, which unfortunately died. I reviewed the Q a while ago and everything I said about the Q holds true for the Q7. There are some changes in the newer model which are worth mentioning:-
The sensor has changed to a slightly bigger one. This has some benefit to IQ, I am now happy to use ISO 400 and at a pinch 800. On the original model, my limit was 400. The images look very slightly better on the screen on the Q7, but I have yet to print anything to my standard 16"X12" size for wall display. I have no reason to think that this will also not be the case when I do so.
The other effect of the larger sensor is to change the effective FL of the lenses you have to ones slightly wider. I have the 01 prime which becomes approx 40mm as opposed to 47mm, in FF terms, and the 08 wide zoom, now approx. 17 to 28mm rather than 20 to 35mm. I now find that I use both ends of the wide zoom frequently, which I did not before, usually I stuck to the wide end. The effect on the prime is more towards what I prefer, although I did like the 47mm equiv.
The build quality seems pretty decent and although very small, I find it comfortable to hold. There are some other improvements, such as the electronic level, but I find the 4 way controller much more fiddly than on the original Q, My finger hitting the wrong button more often than previously. I am learning to take more care!
I have tried the in camera RAW processing, which is similar to that found on the K3, which I love, but to be honest it is slow and produces no better images than sticking to your preferred JPEG setting - mine is landscape, and tweaking the images with the parameter adjustment.
As is to be expected noise creeps in quite quickly on the ISO range, Its best to stick to 400 and below, but with the 01 prime with its fast aperture, this should not be a problem in the vast majority of situations.
With smartphones being so good these days for use as cameras, I feel that the Q range really is the best option if you want a walk around take anywhere camera especially with the 01 prime, wide zoom and the long zoom, as an alternative to the smartphone, as it exploits the gaps left by the smartphones capabilities. I know that there are compact 1" sensor cameras out there which are very capable, but there seems to be problems with their design - retracting lenses fail and lead to dust on sensor. Canons otherwise desirable G9x has woeful battery life, especially in colder weather and a poor maximum aperture at the longer end of its zoom range, which is where you would want to use the camera as its in this regard that smartphones fall down. Sony's RX range are very expensive when new and inevitably where Sony are concerned a new model is brought out with alarming frequency. Panasonic ones also suffer from poor max aperture, due to the desire to cram a massive zoom range into their bodies. It would be a great shame if Ricoh killed off the Q range as it really does offer something different
| | | | Senior Member Registered: August, 2012 Posts: 118 1 user found this helpful | Review Date: November 13, 2016 | Recommended | Price: $150.00
| Rating: 10 |
Pros: | Size, weight, interchangeability, best small sensor | Cons: | Quick dial is limited, white balance, viewscreen | Ergonomics: 9
Build Quality: 9
User Interface: 9
Autofocus: 6
Features: 9
Value: 10
Image Quality: 8
Noise: 7
New or Used: Used
| | I have two of these, with all the non-toy lenses plus the fish-eye and many other adapted lenses.
I am constantly surprised at the high IQ for such a small sensor. I really appreciate the SR and the depth of field of the lenses. All the Q zooms are great. They make taking vacation pictures a joy, not a chore when carrying a heavy DSLR. The Pentax 110 lenses, adapted with a diaphragm, are excellent as well, especially the 50mm. A perfect match for quality C-mount lenses.
The images do need careful PP, but will be very good up to ISO 400 in 12x16 in size. At ISO 800 and above they do lose resolution, but in a film-grain way, not in nasty artifacts. Table top photography is a snap, even hand-held, as is informal macro work.
The quick dial has some good settings but isn't really very useful, some settings I would use are not supported.
I can't get much improvement in RAW files, jpgs are very good for most purposes (assuming you set the WB and exposure.
The viewscreen should be at least twice a fine pixel density, but is usable.
When using APS-C or FF lenses with an adapter, the Q-7 will mercilessly reveal their limitations.
| | | | Senior Member Registered: November, 2014 Location: Southern California Posts: 113 3 users found this helpful | Review Date: October 23, 2015 | Recommended | Price: $245.00
| Rating: 9 |
Pros: | Compact, discreet, flexible lens system, DSLR features | Cons: | Small sensor means you won't be printing posters | Ergonomics: 9
Build Quality: 10
User Interface: 10
Autofocus: 7
Features: 8
Value: 9
Image Quality: 8
Noise: 10
New or Used: New
| | I've been giving my Q7 a lot of thought. I asked myself, "Why did I buy this?" What benefit is it? What is the point? Do I really have a use for it, or was I sold purely on novelty and "cute vintage styling" factor (sorry Q-S1 owners, I think that ended with the Q7)? What is the point of the Q.... for ME? Yes, everyone has seen and enjoy's Blunty cracking comments about the Q and he gets the message across that "Q means FUN!"... but was it really? There were times when reaching for the DSLR was just *easier* because of a real viewfinder and snappy manual controls (even with my legacy full MC primes). So then why the Q?
And then I considered more what Tony Belding said, which is worth quoting yet again: Originally posted by Tony Belding The Q is a digital lomography camera. That's not the only thing it is, or can be, but I think lomography has always been lodged somewhere in the marketing concept. Thus: custom colors, toy lenses, random cross-processing and other art filter effects. In fact, I'd guess that it took a while for Pentax to realize the Q series had some traction outside that niche. Thus the appearance of higher-spec products like the 06 lens, 08 lens, Premium Kit and AF201FG flash. And so I took it with me. Everywhere. And I mean EVERYWHERE. I had been using a soft lens bag that was kinda squarish and vintage and held the Q7 nicely, but instead opted for this convertible case:
And I carried it. In my car. In my backpack. On my person when just walking to wherever. Somewhere along the lines of the lomographic lifestyle. And I *used* it. It was less conspicuous than the DSLR. But way more flexible than my cellphone... which is a Galaxy Note 3, with a pretty good camera -- as cellphones go. I found myself using the preset knob for nice, instant digital filter effects. I found myself taking shots at odd angles. I started noticing little objects and random people and thinking, "Let's get that real quick." And doing it.
Yes, I think die-hard, artsy-fartsy photographers that make photography their total obsession do this with full sized cameras, but I have other interests, and I think lomography demands a compact, quick and easy tool to operate in that "grab it and move on" mentality.
And the Q7 has delivered for me. Time and time again.
And I began to understand how, due to its size, it's more convenient to keep close. And yet, it still possesses a familiar suite of controls almost like my DSLR... once you learn to use them, you can control aperture and shutterspeed with ease. And the custom quick select knob on the front makes insta-lomo results easy. No, it's not true lomographic use because it's a digital format. So not in the strictest of senses. But it *does* capture the *intent* of lomography. And it does so beautifully. And CONVENIENTLY, which is very within line of lomographic ways of thinking.
But is that the extent of considerations towards a Q series? NO, not at all!
Tony also adds: Originally posted by Tony Belding Additional thought. . . It's a system camera. It has interchangeable lenses. Versatility is the point of such a system, and that's why it's a mistake to try and define the Q system's marketing niche too narrowly. And this is true! Some of the shots I just posted were using the "JR" style Q to K adapter (the one with aperture control for non-A-ringed lenses, but no internal shutter like Pentax official adapter)... and many people use this and similar adapters for extreme telephoto shots. Wildlife, the moon, and other more general applications. I threw a 50mm f2 Pentax-M lens on mine with excellent results. We all know those M 50mm lenses are super crisp.
So... it's not necessarily a professional or even a "serious" camera. Noooooo. BUT -- it is a FUN camera! And well beyond "point and shoot", due to its lens system and accessories like Q to K adapters. HOWEVER -- it fully intrudes on "point and shoot" territory, and does so like a CHAMP.
Maybe I won't be using it for professional portrait work. Or to shoot a wedding. Or for technical/industrial commercial applications.But there is NO question in my mind now what the purpose of the Q series is: ART! FUN! CONVENIENCE! Those three elements promote USE! Spontaneous use! And from an artistic point of view, that was the intent of the lomographic movement and Lomography's success with their rudimentary rangefinder rip-off camera clones. The Q is just the unintended MASTER camera of such an artistic approach to photography. It is a *natural* at it. Add an 01 Prime for fast glass, or an 06 Telephoto, or a Shield Lens... or even a K lens, and you have a super flexible lens system.
A "Super-Lomographic" camera.
It's unique among photography devices. And super-cool. Maybe the small sensor won't be giving you any poster sized prints, but it WILL be giving you some surprises to share over the web, or even in an 8.5 x 11 photo album. Which is nice to hand to people who want to see what YOU like to shoot.
Think about that.
| | | | | Senior Member Registered: November, 2014 Posts: 272 | Review Date: August 10, 2015 | Recommended | Price: $225.00
| Rating: 10 |
Pros: | Compact, fun to use, powerful features. | Cons: | Expensive lenses. | Ergonomics: 10
Build Quality: 9
User Interface: 10
Autofocus: 10
Features: 10
Value: 10
Image Quality: 9
Noise: 9
New or Used: Used
| | I was skeptical about buying the Pentax Q for a while. The lenses and accessories looked to be so expensive so I kept on buying point-and-shoot cameras. After a cheap Fuji point-and-shoot kept failing we decided it was time to get a Q camera.
As far as the size is concerned the Q7 is just as compact as many point-and-shoots if not smaller. The 02 zoom lens is smooth, easy to manipulate, and very sharp. The pop-up flash is very nice and gives good illumination.
The more I used the Q7 the more I loved it. This camera goes everywhere with us. I have stopped using my Canon 1000D altogether as the image quality is much better with the Q7. My wife loves using the Q7 and she finds it to be lots of fun to bring along on nature walks and sightseeing trips. The Q7 is so unobtrusive you can't justify leaving it at home like you do with a large DSLR.
After a month of usage I can say that I not only love this little camera but I would purchase another one. My wife wants her own for Christmas and I am sure she'll be seeing one under the tree.
| | | | Loyal Site Supporter Registered: October, 2009 Posts: 137 | Review Date: July 19, 2015 | Recommended | Price: $300.00
| Rating: 9 |
Pros: | small; versatility; fun factor | Cons: | | Ergonomics: 9
Build Quality: 9
User Interface: 9
Autofocus: 9
Features: 10
Value: 9
Image Quality: 9
Noise: 9
New or Used: New
| | I own both the Q and this silver Q7
I also own the prime and 2 zooms (with hoods)
in practice I use the prime most of the times since it keeps the camera very small and compact
what I like most is the fun factor....just to play around. But I also use it a lot when going into the city or using it for street photography.
The Q7 is much better than the Q.....imho. The bigger sensor helps out and boosts up noise capabilities
here are some recent examples | | | | Loyal Site Supporter Registered: January, 2008 Location: Paris, TN Posts: 3,347 2 users found this helpful | Review Date: February 1, 2015 | Recommended | Price: $210.00
| Rating: 9 |
Pros: | It's hard not to have it with you | Cons: | Low res LCD screen, a little too small | Ergonomics: 8
Build Quality: 10
User Interface: 9
Autofocus: 9
Features: 8
Value: 10
Image Quality: 9
Noise: 8
New or Used: New
| | The comparative IQ of the Q and the Q7, versus the ??? is not the primary issue for me; its value is in the convenience and economy.
Convenience: About half a century ago I was doin' things that essentially made the size and weight of my Spotmatic or Mamiya MF kits totally impractical to carry with me. Realizing there were . . . umm, "moments" I'd like to capture I adopted the Olympus Pen-F half-frame 35mm system and color slide film as a practical travel kit. The IQ wasn't up to FF snuff, but there were images captured then, and digitally scanned now, that wouldn't have been possible any other way at that time.
I see the Q SYSTEM in the same light today. I was reluctant to 'reach down' to the smaller sensors but having done so I'm carrying a compact Q-based photo system that I wouldn't otherwise have with me on a great many occasions.
Economy: Other than that brief two-year affair with Oly, sweet as it was, I've used Pentax gear exclusively for a looong time and subsequently acquired way too much glass and custom accessories to ignore for an arbitrary, fractional, potential improvement in IQ. Not to mention the time and effort of learning another set of habits with some other brand of gear.
No doubt there's a small-sensor, interchangeable lens SYSTEM that's marginally better than the Q7 kit I've adopted for a specific purpose. But I don't see how it would make a noticeable difference in the resulting satisfaction with the results I may get with what I've got. I can access everything from 1:1 macro to fisheye/ UWA to 300+ telephoto with a kit I'm familiar with, which fits in a bag not much larger than a K10+most DA* zooms, and weighs a whole lot less.
Plus, I'm "seeing" things differently with the Q's. I'm "taking" more pictures when and where they occur rather than intentionally "making" images with the APS-C gear. It's FUN again - not being so deliberate with the camera. Works for ME!
The two things I'd like to see improve are the security of the grip on this small body and an increase in the pixel pitch of the LCD screen to the 920K 3" screen used on many other cameras for better manual focusing.
The versatility of almost universal access to many other lenses via adapters is a never ending adventure in justifying prior LBA excesses. Macro and extreme telephoto are very economical options. | | | | Senior Member Registered: June, 2012 Posts: 276 | Review Date: December 11, 2014 | Recommended | Price: $400.00
| Rating: 8 |
Pros: | small, fun, easy | Cons: | battery life, not quite pocketable with zoom | Ergonomics: 8
Build Quality: 9
User Interface: 9
Autofocus: 8
Features: 10
Value: 9
Image Quality: 8
Noise: 6
New or Used: New
| | This camera is for someone who wants to have fun with photography, without worrying too much about the seriousness. This is not to say that Q7 is not for serious photographer, but it is more tailored to free your mind. Do not expect DLSR-level image quality, but you can definitely count on the fun it brings.
The Pentax K5 is still my main camera, so high-ISO noise on the Q7 and low dynamic range can be frustrating sometimes. However, if light is controlled carefully, Q7 delivers good images.
With 02 kit zoom: IMGP1492.jpg by Hao Ran Lai, on Flickr
Alternatively, if you don't want to worry about "controlling light", just follow the good old snapshoot rules: shoot under bright outdoor light (under ISO800 is usually fine), or embrace the B&W grain with high ISO.
I also find the built-in ND filter very handy at times.
With 02 kit zoom: IMGP1520.jpg by Hao Ran Lai, on Flickr
Overall, I like this camera. Although it will never be my primary camera, it is always good to have it around as an alternative view to the world.
| | | | Loyal Site Supporter Registered: September, 2009 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 7,576 2 users found this helpful | Review Date: November 11, 2014 | Recommended | Price: $250.00
| Rating: 9 |
Pros: | Much improved sensor; fast operation; Q specs | Cons: | No viewfinder | Ergonomics: 9
Build Quality: 9
User Interface: 9
Autofocus: 8
Features: 10
Value: 9
Image Quality: 9
Noise: 9
New or Used: New
| | I had several copies of the original Q and enjoyed working with it. Eventually I sold them and used emount cameras (along with K mount dslrs) for over a year. When I decided to focus on my K3 and let the Sony A6000 go I also looked into the Q7 to use for extended telephoto shots with adapted lenses. What I did not expect was that, although it serves the telephoto function very well, the photos with the Q lenses (01,06,08) are significantly better than with the original Q. I am very happy with this little camera and frequently go out with it alone or as an extra with the K3. I can put a good telezoom like the DA*60-250 on the K3 and the 01 or 08 on the q and have very usable focal length coverage. For outdoor photography, which is what I mainly do, the Q7 quality is excellent. It is a big bonus that the menus and controls are so close to those on Pentax DSLRs that it is very easy to work with both cameras at once with minimal confusion. The DNG files from he Q7 are very robust and respond well to post processing. I highly recommend this little gem to anyone who wants a small, dslr like camera.
| | | | Site Supporter Registered: May, 2011 Location: Arlington, VA USA Posts: 1,059 1 user found this helpful | Review Date: January 23, 2014 | Recommended | Price: $395.00
| Rating: 10 |
Pros: | Auto focus, size, build, image quality, interface | Cons: | no weather sealing | Ergonomics: 9
Build Quality: 10
User Interface: 10
Autofocus: 9
Features: 9
Value: 9
Image Quality: 10
Noise: 9
New or Used: New
| | I had the original Q and loved that. I sold it to my niece and now she loves using it. I really missed shooting with the Q, so I picked up a Q7. The Q7 has been perfected with the much better IQ and autofocus. This camera is meant to have fun with, and it allows you to be more creative since you're most likely to have it with you more often. I'm so glad I picked up the Q7. The Q7 and K-3 make a great team!
| | | | Pentaxian Registered: October, 2009 Location: North Posts: 4,701 1 user found this helpful | Review Date: August 27, 2013 | Recommended | Price: $450.00
| Rating: 10 |
Pros: | fast startup; fast AF; small and handy; fun; good enough as a backup | Cons: | short battery life (typical of Q/Q10) | Ergonomics: 8
Build Quality: 9
User Interface: 10
Autofocus: 10
Features: 10
Value: 10
Image Quality: 9
Noise: 9
New or Used: New
| | This is in the context of small sized sensor cameras and not to be compared with larger sensor cameras.
A textbook/check all the boxes style review will just not do justice to this camera system.
Here is my user review where I try to cover all practical aspects of the camera in actual usage. https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-q/233063-tokyo-story-pentax-q7-real-world-review.html
AF is fast and even better if one knows how to setup the AF box to be bigger to have more areas to look for contrast for the CDAF.
In low light coupled with a fast 'normal' fov lens, the Prime01 means that in most practical aspects, the camera is able to capture the moment in low light conditions.
Coupled with adapted lenses options for macro and tele, and its native lenses like the fisheye and 06 zoom, the Q7 is a fun, spontaneous system that I have no qualms using as a 2nd or backup camera on a tour.
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