Q7 First Impressions

**DDoram** · 12-02-2013, 10:34 AM - **2 Likes**

I just received the Q7 this past weekend. As a 2 year user of the original Q, I thought I would provide my initial impressions. First, although the Q7 has been out for many months, I had to special order the Q7 as it is generally not available on the shelf in Canadian stores yet. retailers are still trying to sell off old Q10 stock so have been reluctant to bring in another camera. Not a good sign for Canadian sales.

The first thing I noticed were the controls are set up the same as the classic Q so that was great. Startup and operation seem much quicker which is a real bonus. AF in good light is lightning quick. The real good news is the IQ is definitely improved from the classic Q. This is the main reason for the upgrade. High ISO quality is much better and at base ISO, there appears to be more resolution and clarity to the images, so the larger sensor is a good choice. My only question with the larger sensor is why didn't Pentax include a larger sensor in the original Q? This may have muted the early criticisms.

While the build quality is not up the classic Q standards, it feels better than I expected. All in all this appears to be a great upgrade and makes the Q a much more capable little camera. A few initial pics as well.

Dale

Attached Images

Guakala · 12-02-2013, 04:41 PM

Thanks for sharing, Dale! I agree that the Q7 seems to be a solid upgrade over the Q/Q10. Sucks that they used the Q10's plastic body for it though. Maybe the Q5 will come with a magnesium alloy body...

**DDoram** · 12-02-2013, 04:55 PM

We will see if the body hold up over time. I have taken the original Q to trips overseas including Africa and it has held up well.

Dale

Guakala · 12-03-2013, 04:03 PM

Dropped mine on rough asphalt while walking my dog... got a little dent on the mode dial and tiny scratch on the strap eyelet. I think if it was plastic that eyelet would have come off.

**DDoram** · 12-03-2013, 07:11 PM

Was that the original Q or the Q7?

Dale

Guakala · 12-05-2013, 03:37 PM

Original Q.

Teddy 738 · 12-05-2013, 04:39 PM

Originally posted by DDoram

I just received the Q7 this past weekend. As a 2 year user of the original Q, I thought I would provide my initial impressions. First, although the Q7 has been out for many months, I had to special order the Q7 as it is generally not available on the shelf in Canadian stores yet. retailers are still trying to sell off old Q10 stock so have been reluctant to bring in another camera. Not a good sign for Canadian sales.

The first thing I noticed were the controls are set up the same as the classic Q so that was great. Startup and operation seem much quicker which is a real bonus. AF in good light is lightning quick. The real good news is the IQ is definitely improved from the classic Q. This is the main reason for the upgrade. High ISO quality is much better and at base ISO, there appears to be more resolution and clarity to the images, so the larger sensor is a good choice. My only question with the larger sensor is why didn't Pentax include a larger sensor in the original Q? This may have muted the early criticisms.

While the build quality is not up the classic Q standards, it feels better than I expected. All in all this appears to be a great upgrade and makes the Q a much more capable little camera. A few initial pics as well.

Dale

Hi Dale
Agree with all your impressions.My Q7 came from Hongkong,Body only since I had the 01,02,03 and 06.Good deal:338.00 shipped.
Could not find anything here locally either.Since it is a Christmas present from "me to me" have not used it yet.
Nice Pics by the way.
Regards
Ted Hinsch

**DDoram** · 12-05-2013, 04:58 PM

Hi Ted:

Enjoy your new present.

Dale

Teddy 738 · 12-06-2013, 01:13 AM

Originally posted by DDoram

Hi Ted:

Enjoy your new present.

Dale

Thank's Dale

I'm shure I am going to have lots of fun with it.

Ted

JPT · 12-06-2013, 06:04 AM

Originally posted by DDoram

My only question with the larger sensor is why didn't Pentax include a larger sensor in the original Q? This may have muted the early criticisms.

The 1/1.7 sensors of the time couldn't do HD video, so Pentax had a tough choice: launch the camera with a smaller sensor but with HD video or have a more credible sensor but be the only MILC system without HD video.

**DDoram** · 12-06-2013, 12:36 PM

The original Q sensor performed better than people expected but unfortunately, due to the small size, many didn't even give the camera a try. Dynamic range was quite good on the original Q compared to other compacts I have used. The Q7 output is quite competitive with the MX-1, so I am very pleased.

Dale

Steve.Ledger · 12-07-2013, 07:29 PM

Originally posted by DDoram

The original Q sensor performed better than people expected but unfortunately, due to the small size, many didn't even give the camera a try.

Ain't that the truth..! I was blown away by the original Q (still am)

12-02-2013, 10:34 AM - 2 Likes	#1
DDoram Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Edmonton, Alberta Canada Posts: 632	Q7 First Impressions I just received the Q7 this past weekend. As a 2 year user of the original Q, I thought I would provide my initial impressions. First, although the Q7 has been out for many months, I had to special order the Q7 as it is generally not available on the shelf in Canadian stores yet. retailers are still trying to sell off old Q10 stock so have been reluctant to bring in another camera. Not a good sign for Canadian sales. The first thing I noticed were the controls are set up the same as the classic Q so that was great. Startup and operation seem much quicker which is a real bonus. AF in good light is lightning quick. The real good news is the IQ is definitely improved from the classic Q. This is the main reason for the upgrade. High ISO quality is much better and at base ISO, there appears to be more resolution and clarity to the images, so the larger sensor is a good choice. My only question with the larger sensor is why didn't Pentax include a larger sensor in the original Q? This may have muted the early criticisms. While the build quality is not up the classic Q standards, it feels better than I expected. All in all this appears to be a great upgrade and makes the Q a much more capable little camera. A few initial pics as well. Dale Attached Images

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12-02-2013, 04:41 PM	#2
Guakala Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 158	Thanks for sharing, Dale! I agree that the Q7 seems to be a solid upgrade over the Q/Q10. Sucks that they used the Q10's plastic body for it though. Maybe the Q5 will come with a magnesium alloy body...

12-02-2013, 04:55 PM	#3
DDoram Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Edmonton, Alberta Canada Posts: 632 Original Poster	We will see if the body hold up over time. I have taken the original Q to trips overseas including Africa and it has held up well. Dale

12-03-2013, 04:03 PM	#4
Guakala Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 158	Dropped mine on rough asphalt while walking my dog... got a little dent on the mode dial and tiny scratch on the strap eyelet. I think if it was plastic that eyelet would have come off.

12-03-2013, 07:11 PM	#5
DDoram Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Edmonton, Alberta Canada Posts: 632 Original Poster	Was that the original Q or the Q7? Dale

12-05-2013, 03:37 PM	#6
Guakala Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 158	Original Q.

12-05-2013, 04:39 PM	#7
Teddy 738 Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Vancouver BC Posts: 54	Originally posted by DDoram I just received the Q7 this past weekend. As a 2 year user of the original Q, I thought I would provide my initial impressions. First, although the Q7 has been out for many months, I had to special order the Q7 as it is generally not available on the shelf in Canadian stores yet. retailers are still trying to sell off old Q10 stock so have been reluctant to bring in another camera. Not a good sign for Canadian sales. The first thing I noticed were the controls are set up the same as the classic Q so that was great. Startup and operation seem much quicker which is a real bonus. AF in good light is lightning quick. The real good news is the IQ is definitely improved from the classic Q. This is the main reason for the upgrade. High ISO quality is much better and at base ISO, there appears to be more resolution and clarity to the images, so the larger sensor is a good choice. My only question with the larger sensor is why didn't Pentax include a larger sensor in the original Q? This may have muted the early criticisms. While the build quality is not up the classic Q standards, it feels better than I expected. All in all this appears to be a great upgrade and makes the Q a much more capable little camera. A few initial pics as well. Dale Hi Dale Agree with all your impressions.My Q7 came from Hongkong,Body only since I had the 01,02,03 and 06.Good deal:338.00 shipped. Could not find anything here locally either.Since it is a Christmas present from "me to me" have not used it yet. Nice Pics by the way. Regards Ted Hinsch

12-05-2013, 04:58 PM	#8
DDoram Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Edmonton, Alberta Canada Posts: 632 Original Poster	Hi Ted: Enjoy your new present. Dale

12-06-2013, 01:13 AM	#9
Teddy 738 Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Vancouver BC Posts: 54	Originally posted by DDoram Hi Ted: Enjoy your new present. Dale Thank's Dale I'm shure I am going to have lots of fun with it. Ted

12-06-2013, 06:04 AM	#10
JPT Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Tokyo Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,821	Originally posted by DDoram My only question with the larger sensor is why didn't Pentax include a larger sensor in the original Q? This may have muted the early criticisms. The 1/1.7 sensors of the time couldn't do HD video, so Pentax had a tough choice: launch the camera with a smaller sensor but with HD video or have a more credible sensor but be the only MILC system without HD video.

12-06-2013, 12:36 PM	#11
DDoram Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Edmonton, Alberta Canada Posts: 632 Original Poster	The original Q sensor performed better than people expected but unfortunately, due to the small size, many didn't even give the camera a try. Dynamic range was quite good on the original Q compared to other compacts I have used. The Q7 output is quite competitive with the MX-1, so I am very pleased. Dale

12-07-2013, 07:29 PM	#12
Steve.Ledger Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Far North Qld Posts: 3,301	Originally posted by DDoram The original Q sensor performed better than people expected but unfortunately, due to the small size, many didn't even give the camera a try. Ain't that the truth..! I was blown away by the original Q (still am)