| Author: | | New Member Registered: September, 2010 Posts: 3 | | Review Date: July 15, 2012 | Recommended | Price: $950.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | Well build, weather sealing, reliable | | Cons: | Auto-focus | | Years Owned: 2
Ergonomics: 9
Build Quality: 9
User Interface: 8
Autofocus: 6
Features: 9
Value: 8
Image Quality: 8
Noise: 8
New or Used: New
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This is my first DSLR. I spent a long time looking, and eventually said no to my Canon/Nikon friends who insisted that their brands were the best. This camera is now long in the tooth, and most of the things to say about it have already been said. However, I want to add my voice to those who have said how much they like it.
I'm not a professional photographer, and I never will be. I like to travel and the K7 suits my needs fine, especially when paired with a Tamron 18 - 250.
The autofocus is a annoyance that keeps this camera from being great. (I didn't much care about super-high ISO until I borrowed a friend's Nikon D3s. It's amazing what $5000 will get you!!!)
This is a great camera for folks who are serious about amateur photography and like taking photos that can be enjoyed, but not necessarily sold. It's a bargain given the current price of a used camera.
| | | | | | | Inactive Account Registered: June, 2012 Posts: 5 | | Review Date: June 30, 2012 | Recommended | Price: $1,250.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Build quality, ergonomics, customization | | Cons: | Tends to underexpose unless used very logically | | Years Owned: 2
Ergonomics: 10
Build Quality: 10
User Interface: 10
Autofocus: 9
Features: 10
Value: 9
Image Quality: 8
Noise: 8
New or Used: New
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I have always owned Pentax SLRs (film), so can’t really compare my K7 with anything else except my Sony Cybershot compact camera (which produces excellent results almost effortlessly). I’ve owned my K7 for about 2 years and have used it a lot. K7 feels wonderful to use. Very well organised & constructed. Once set up, you don’t need to refer to menus often. Fits very comfortably in the hand. Absolutely no technical problems so far.
I agree with comments I’ve read about its tendency to underexpose, though operated on full automatic ‘green’ mode this is somewhat less of an issue – but that rather defeats the object of having an SLR! I’ve now switched to using it mainly in aperture priority mode, with spot metering & using AELock to take a light reading before shooting. This is produces much better results, but is effectively using it manually, which reduces the speed at which you can work.
The pop-up flash takes some getting used to. Unless used carefully it consistently over exposes. However, it does have its own exposure compensation facility and when operated with spot metering is capable of producing excellent results.
I’ve seen criticisms of the K7’s ability to produce good shots in low light conditions. But I feel it is remarkable, and the pixilation is that occurs at ISO6400 is really not too bad, given the limits to which the K7 is being pushed. The ‘High ISO Noise Reduction’ facility seems to work really well. I’ve used the high ISOs extensively to photograph ballet by stage lighting, sometimes in very low light conditions against matt black backgrounds, producing some very effective shots.
The 18-55mm kit lens is a bit disappointing – but given the low price one really shouldn’t be too demanding! Apart from the rather low quality, my main beef with this lens is that after 2 years of regular use the lens hood no longer stays firmly clip in place and occasionally falls off. I am about to try to replace it with a more robust screw-in model. When I have the money I’ll move up to a higher quality lens.
Adding a Sigma 10-25mm wide angle lens has greatly enhanced my pleasure in using this camera.
Nevertheless, I am left still with a slight feeling of disappointment – this (expensive) camera is capable of producing excellent results, but under average conditions it takes quite a lot of hard work to do so compared with my much simpler Sony Cybershot, especially when the results are displayed digitally.
| | | | | Pentaxian Registered: April, 2011 Location: Lost in translation ... Posts: 18,076 | | Review Date: April 22, 2012 | Recommended | Price: $600.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | Build, size, ergonomics, WR, SR, K mount for legacy glass plus M42 with adapter ... | | Cons: | Noise, sensor dust problem, sensor ... which has its strong points and weak points, too | | Years Owned: 0.75
Ergonomics: 9
Build Quality: 9
User Interface: 8
Autofocus: 7
Features: 8
Value: 8
Image Quality: 8
Noise: 7
New or Used: Used
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Bonjour,
I bought a used K-7 from my local B&M camera store ("Phox Photo") about a year ago only to have some problems later ... basically in the middle of sensor, a dust "stain" which was underneath the sensor screen. Eventually, after 2 trips back and forth to the repair shop, the sensor and other parts were replaced at half-cost to me ... but it was not a fun experience to be "deprived" of my K-7 for almost 2 months ... maybe just bad luck here.
Overall, and aside from my particular problems, I loved the K-7 ... and when there was a promotion in France at the end of 2011 on the K-5, I purchased a new K-5. Thus, the K-7 was a success in that it more than motivated me to get the new K-5 with a 4 year warranty and with its obvious Sony sensor improvement over the K-7 Samsung sensor. After purchasing the K-5, I sold the K-7 as a "retro-financement" move, plus I was kind of scared that it might "break" again ... But in a way, I wish that I could have justified having both bodies.
My biggest gripe would be the noise level of the K-7 and maybe the AF at times (but then again, my copy had an AF part repaired as well ...). I would rate the K-7 at an "8", but it probably deserves better, except for its noise weakness plus the sensor problems that I had ... Still a great DSLR ... and my K-5 purchase proves that point. Also, I find that at times the K-7 sensor has a slightly better IQ quality/richness than the K-5 in outdoor, scenery types applications ... maybe it's just personal taste here.
Allez at bon courage, John le Frog | | | | | Veteran Member Registered: February, 2012 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 464 | | Review Date: February 27, 2012 | Recommended | Price: $929.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | build quality;K-mount support (always), relative small in size; LV | | Cons: | autofocus; photometry; e-dial wheel | | Years Owned: >1
Ergonomics: 10
Build Quality: 8
User Interface: 9
Autofocus: 8
Features: 9
Value: 8
Image Quality: 8
Noise: 7
New or Used: New
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Generally speaking this is my first DSLR ( I used to own sigma DP-1). and here are some comments on this one:
Pentax always does a good job on supporting the film-era lenses, and this is the reason why I choose K-7. metal body, relatively small in size, and lots lots positive comments on the build quality.
So in this case give 10 to the build quality. BUT! the QC problem on this one was not solved until Sep 2010. The aperture e-dial wheel has problems ( when I tried to turn up the F stopping it will turn twice). And online records illustrated this is not a single case. So that's why I gave 8 but not 10. Generally speaking this won't bother so much because I usually use M lenses; however when it turns to ASP-C lenses this could be annoying.
User interface is okey. Better than Canikon and other DSLRs. In face it's unfair for me to comment the Canikons cause I have never owned them  . However the Canon 500D broke my heart, and k-r/k-x is much more better than that. So in this case I assume K-7 is better than Canikon 
Autofocus: so-so. Probably due to the reason of lenses, the process of autofocusing is more like "bellows"----Haven't tried this on SDM, might be better?
Noise: SUCKER. 400 is okey, 800 is endurable, and 1600 is nothing but full of pixels. why Pentax put 3200 on this?
photometry: 7/10.
Generally speaking pentax k-7 might be one of my not so-brilliant-decision have ever made. I ordered a used K10d and it will be delivered in several days. Hope I can revise this comment after using the 5-year-old camera.
| | | | | | | New Member Registered: February, 2012 Posts: 4 | | Review Date: February 20, 2012 | Recommended | Price: $1,199.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | Reliable, sturdy, water resistant, good value | | Cons: | Noise above ISO 800 | | Years Owned: 3
Ergonomics: 9
Build Quality: 10
User Interface: 9
Autofocus: 6
Features: 8
Value: 9
Image Quality: 8
Noise: 6
New or Used: New
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A lovely dependable camera that i've had for 3 years. I've taken it hiking. Used it in the rain and snow. Dropped it a few times. Done portraits for friends. Used it in studio. And it keeps on ticking. I would love it if it had GPS built in to help track all my travels and adventures.
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: July, 2009 Location: West Midlands Posts: 2,066 | | Review Date: February 16, 2012 | Recommended | Price: $725.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | Great size and handling, good image quality, feels quality | | Cons: | Not great at highest ISO settings | | Years Owned: 1.5
Ergonomics: 9
Build Quality: 9
User Interface: 9
Autofocus: 8
Features: 9
Value: 9
Image Quality: 8
Noise: 7
New or Used: New
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The K7 is a great little camera! Feels sturdy and well made, responsive, and full featured. Previous Pentax cameras I had owned (istDL2, K200d) locked up while shooting images in quick succession, which was frustrating. The K7 has a machine-gun-like burst mode.
It looks good, especially with a nice Pentax K lens mounted! (Stop down metering seems improved over previous Pentax cameras I have owned).
I owned a K200D before the K7 (10MP CCD sensor) and was hoping that I would see better results at higher ISOs, even though I knew the K7 wasn't as good as the Kx. I definitely saw an improvement, as I hope the following (unedited) 1:1 crops show:
K200d at 400ISO:
K7 at 400ISO:
K7 at 400 ISO resized to 10MP:
Furthermore, at 'real' high ISOs (over ISO1000) the difference is more marked, the K7 delivers a fine grain which is visible at 100% but often pretty negligible when viewing the whole image or printing at A4.
ISO2500, low luminance and high chroma noise reduction applied in LR3:
This image would have been very blotchy if I had taken it on my K200d at the highest sensitivity (1600). On the K7 at 2500, there is some grain visible if you look close, but it printed fine at A4 and made a nice canvase print for my friend's mum (the dog's owner!)
| | | | | Senior Member Registered: June, 2009 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 242 | | Review Date: February 13, 2012 | Recommended | Price: $700.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | WR; Feature set; Build quality; IQ (lower ISO's); Ergonomics (best grip ever!); Speed | | Cons: | Higher ISO IQ (vs. K5 and newer generation sensors) | | Years Owned: 1
Ergonomics: 10
Build Quality: 10
User Interface: 9
Autofocus: 9
Features: 10
Value: 10
Image Quality: 10
Noise: 8
New or Used: New
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The K7 to me was a huge upgrade over the K100D Super. For me that is a big statement, because I adored the K100D Super which to me was easily one of the absolute best value DSLR's money could buy at the time. The K7 just feels perfect in the hands. Ergonomically it's a dream camera for me. All the direct buttons are such a pleasure to have and use. The size is perfectly compact for a DSLR. It has an amazing grip on it.
The IQ is exceptional at all but the highest ISO's (well highest ISO at the time this camera was released was 3200 or 6400). The camera is wonderfully responsive. The build quality is amazing. After using the K7 and holding some of the other DSLR's in the stores, they just feel like cheap plastic in comparison.
Other things I love? WR. The wonderful GREEN BUTTON. Auto WB that just works. AF that is greatly improved compared to all prior Pentax cameras.100% viewfinder that I could never do without now.
It's not all roses of course, as with any camrea, and I think all the other reviews here hit the the negatives. To my mind they are far outweighed by the huge list of greats.
| | | | | Inactive Account Registered: April, 2010 Location: Wellington Posts: 969 | | Review Date: February 6, 2012 | Recommended | Price: $1,500.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Awesome Ergonomics, Build WR and feature set. | | Cons: | My e-dial stuffed up just outside of warrenty and ISO, see below. | | Years Owned: 2
Ergonomics: 10
Build Quality: 8
User Interface: 9
Autofocus: 7
Features: 8
Value: 9
Image Quality: 9
Noise: 7
New or Used: New
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I just realized I haven't posted a review of this camera yet!
Now this is my first SLR so I will theme my review more on that aspect than comparing with other models.
The K7 to me is an ideal first camera. Firstly it is cheap: There are LOADS on the 2nd hand market as the step up K5 is a popular replacement for ex K7 users. This is primarily due to the ISO and the Autofocus. However as a beginner it is good to cut your teeth on MF and not to rely on ISO too much as it makes you lazy in your shooting. Infact the K7 forced me to learn important lowlight techniques that I wouldn't have learned on a more capable camera. Now if I move to a newer camera like the K5 it will share the size and controls making camera adjustment a cinch. The K7 has a very intuitive button layout which can be customized which allows experimenting in more advanced shooting modes such as TAv and M without taking your eyes off the view finder by nature of the twin E-Dials.
So all in all a wonderfull camera for a beginner and a 2nd body for a K5 owner.
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: June, 2010 Posts: 753 | | Review Date: February 4, 2012 | Recommended | Price: $450.00
| Rating: 7 |
| Pros: | live view improved, quiet shutter, compact weathersealed body | | Cons: | high iso very noisy | | Years Owned: 0.5
Ergonomics: 8
Build Quality: 10
User Interface: 10
Autofocus: 6
Features: 8
Value: 8
Image Quality: 8
Noise: 7
New or Used: New
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This camera was my upgrade from K20d....i bought it secondhand, but at higher price than my K20d. Quiet shutter, smaller body and better live view were the factors which commanded this upgrade. I really liked quiet shutter, body is magnesium alloy, compact, same rugged feel as K20d.Ergonomics is for me better with the k10/k20d cameras. Display has much higher resolution and live view is so much more useful than before.
K-7 is pretty solid performer at ISO 100-400, but from ISO 800 up the noise is becoming little disturbing - this was disappointing performance of otherwise excellent camera. Therefore 8....
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: August, 2009 Posts: 1,235
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: December 9, 2011 | Recommended | Price: $1,000.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | Great ergonomics and build quality. | | Cons: | The sensor high ISO and dynamic range of course. | | Years Owned: 2
Ergonomics: 10
Build Quality: 9
User Interface: 8
Autofocus: 8
Features: 8
Value: 9
Image Quality: 7
Noise: 4
New or Used: New
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A few years and over 22,000 actuations later, I put some time into reviewing the Pentax K-7.
Personal appeal:
The K-7 has been one of those cameras that really hit a nerve with me. My only long term DSLR experience up until that point was the *ist DS. I had tried the K10D and K20D in stores before, but they just didn’t have the ergonomic feel I was looking for. I was use to a small DSLR like the *ist DS, so the K10D/K20D style was too large and awkward feeling for my tastes and didn’t give me enough reason to buy one. I had randomly visited a local camera shop and noticed they had a small selection of Pentax with a K-7 available. I asked to try it out and the person working there was like “it has the grip on it… I can take that off,” but I didn’t mind so tried it with the grip. Within a few seconds I decided I needed to eventually buy one. It felt perfect in the hand.
Youtube overview.
Issues:
- If you are familiar with the K-7 you probably will know the stigma it has against it in the high ISO department. While it isn’t unjustified, the camera is very far from useless and can manage decent high ISO images, especially with some post processing. Later in the article, I’ll show you a simple scene taken with the K-7 and K-5 at various apertures to give a feel of the differences in that regard. Often when I use both cameras together, I put the faster glass on the K-7 to negate some of the problem.
- As with high ISO, dynamic range isn’t as large when comparing it to the K-5.
- The maximum resolution video mode of 1536x1024 30fps is an odd format for clips. The camera also doesn’t have true manual control when recording videos.
- The SD card slot is a little difficult to use sometimes.
- The camera doesn’t offer a one-touch button for video recording. You need to select video on the main control dial.
Is the camera worth looking into?
It comes down to what you want in a camera and cost. The age and qualities of the sensor are a hindrance, but the size and control of the camera are top-notch. If you can afford a K-5, then that is probably the better option. Otherwise, you might be able to find a good deal on K-7 just for that assumed Achilles’ heel of a sensor. I bought a new old-stock K10D quite a while after owning the K-7 and eventually sold it because I was so tied into the ergonomic aspects of the K-7/K-5 series cameras. I would probably spend a considerable amount more on a used K-7 if there were an option to get a K20D in similar condition. I would consider getting a second K-5 and keeping the K-7 as a backup if the opportunity presented itself.
More info and pictures on my blog.
| | | | | Junior Member Registered: August, 2011 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 46 | | Review Date: November 18, 2011 | Recommended | Price: $900.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Build Quality, Ergomnomics, WR | | Cons: | High ISO Noise | | Years Owned: 2
Ergonomics: 10
Build Quality: 10
User Interface: 9
Autofocus: 10
Features: 10
Value: 10
Image Quality: 10
Noise: 7
New or Used: New
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I don't believe there is much more that needs to be said thanks to many excellent reviews by other members. The feature set available at the current price point for this camera goes far beyond your options from Canon or Nikon. The build quality and handling are excellent and Pentax has but control of most shooting parameters at your fingertips or just a few clicks away. The full user menu is a bit dated and cumbersome, but certainly manageable.
Overall image quality is very good, the only warning I would give to potential buyers is to be prepared for a good amount of noise at 800 ISO and above. If you too most of your shooting in well lit conditions have no fear, but if you will be using higher ISO settings frequently consider stepping up to the K5 or even "down" to the K-x which gains far better high ISO performance but gives up some other features.
| | | | | Pentaxian Registered: February, 2011 Location: Hoek van Holland Posts: 1,393 | | Review Date: August 16, 2011 | Recommended | Price: $700.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Weather sealed | | Cons: | crippled KAf mount | | Ergonomics: 8
Build Quality: 10
User Interface: 8
Autofocus: 9
Features: 10
Value: 10
Image Quality: 10
Noise: 10
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I have been using this camera now for 9 months, Apart from the front e-dial going nuts after two weeks, it has performed very well.
I find the noise actually ok, I haven't had real issues with it (I mostly convert my pictures to B&W, so grain (noise) is very welcome). Just make sure your exposure is correct, and the noise levels are ok. (ok they never will be ok if you always look at 100% crops, but come on, how many times are the pictures looked at 100% anyway).
My only issue is the crippled KAf mount, it would be nice to use the Aperture ring without stop down metering (as isn't always on the spot)
| | | | | New Member Registered: April, 2011 Location: Melbourne Posts: 8
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: August 4, 2011 | Recommended | Price: $550.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Size, Image Quality, Green Mode (great for my wife) | | Cons: | Noise beyond 3200, not a K5 (see below) | | Years Owned: less than 1 year
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I upgraded from my trusted *istDS to the K7 and was initially bamboozled by all the extra features and took some really crappy photos. (Some might say all my photos are like that :ugh
It is a wonderfully customiseble camera that I am slowly coming to terms with. I initially was planning on going down the K5 path however, as with many people, funds are limited and here in Australia the cost for the K5 was somewhere near A$2000, unless I took the risk on a grey import for $100s less. Based on reviews that I'd read I would also need to consider upgrading my primary lense in order to get better images from the K5 (and K7 for that matter  ). After a friend had upgraded (he's a canon user) we started to discuss pros and cons of the K5 and K7 and soon came to relisation that whilst the *ist DS is a great little camera either was going to be a big step forward from where I was. As such I managed to get a used copy without too many shutter actuations for a reasonable A$580 for body only.
I have since taken the K7 to HK and enjoyed using it immensely and have added Pentax 18-135 DA WR and Sigma 10-20 3.5 EX to my kit and as such am exploring how wonderful this camera can be. Are my photos any better - probably not - am I having fun doing it - absolutely.
Would I recommend one to some one - again yes. The best camera in the world doesn't make you the best photographer in the world, so for me the decision to go with the K7 has allowed me to upgrade all my glass and add an extra for less than I would have spent on a K5 body so that in my opinion makes it well worth while as a camera for any one considering it as an upgrade from an older Pentax
Perhaps in 12months or so when the K5 hit used market for similar money then it might be time to do another body upgrade.....at least then the glass I now have will be a good fit as well.
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: February, 2011 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 1,251 | | Review Date: June 28, 2011 | Recommended | Price: None indicated
| Rating: 7 |
| Pros: | build quality, Weather resistant, White balance, Urgonomics (Size, Button placement, Shape), IQ below ISO 400, Battery Life***, In body stabilizer. | | Cons: | Noise Above ISO 400, ***Battery life in Lv mode, Lv AF is slow, average video quality | | New or Used: New
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Overall this camera does what it needs to. I don't think it was worth the $$ even though it was the cheapest price i could find in AUS.
It has some nice features and should last me a little while yet. But some of the Con's listed above will lead to me moving on. (if the k-5/SDM QC issues don't get fixed it might be to a new brand). | | | | | New Member Registered: June, 2011 Posts: 4 | | Review Date: June 22, 2011 | Recommended | Price: $800.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | Value, Image Quality (at low ISO), Durability, Battery Life, Ease of Functionality... hey, it's a Pentax | | Cons: | (As always) lack of tethering, Noise (anything over ISO 400 is painful), Size (I know it’s compact and that’s a major selling feature… but it’s a bit too small. I need the grip to fit my hand.) | | Years Owned: 2
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I give it an 8 because of value - you get a lot of bang for your buck. That being said, the negatives are still there.... I guess that's why the K-5 came out immediately after its release.
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