The PENTAX K-7 Designers’ Story

Time Traveller · 10-31-2020, 08:23 AM - **4 Likes**

On May 20, 2009, Pentax announced the K-7 (available from July 2009) as a replacement for the K20D. It introduced an updated version of the Samsung CMOS sensor, but with an entirely new compact design. Notable new features included full metal body construction, a pentaprism viewfinder covering 100% of the frame, a quieter and faster shutter mechanism, and the ability to apply automatic corrections for lens distortion and lateral chromatic aberration. The below attached article may be of interest - even today (and also for historical reasons)!

Attached Files

Pentax K-7 - Designers Story.doc (216.5 KB, 282 views)

Last edited by Time Traveller; 10-31-2020 at 08:58 AM.

**Mikesul** · 10-31-2020, 08:57 AM

Thanks for sharing this. I love these background articles.

**BigMackCam** · 10-31-2020, 09:20 AM

Fantastic. Thanks for sharing!

Of course, many of the K-7's influences and decisions were carried forward into the K-5 and K-3 series, including the forthcoming K-3III. Such longevity and endurance in design principles is impressive, and shows what a great job they did with the K-7 (even if its sensor wasn't the best)...

Time Traveller · 10-31-2020, 09:46 AM - **4 Likes**

Originally posted by BigMackCam

Fantastic. Thanks for sharing!

Of course, many of the K-7's influences and decisions were carried forward into the K-5 and K-3 series, including the forthcoming K-3III. Such longevity and endurance in design principles is impressive, and shows what a great job they did with the K-7 (even if its sensor wasn't the best)...

Agree! But it was still possible to achieve great results with this sensor as well:

Attached Images

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**BigMackCam** · 10-31-2020, 09:58 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Time Traveller

Agree! But it was still possible to achieve great results with this sensor as well:

Absolutely... I sold mine when I bought my K-5, but I was never unhappy with the image quality from the K-7. There are times when I wish I'd hung on to it, just for nostalgia's sake

**StiffLegged** · 10-31-2020, 02:00 PM - **4 Likes**

Some of us are still shooting with one, just as there are fans of the earlier cameras, and I'll second the remark about the sensor still being able to make good images. Although I'm mostly a tripod-top shooter, Pentax got the grip pretty good with the K-7 and I still enjoy how it feels every time it gets pulled out for another shot.

Pentaxrookie · 10-31-2020, 02:32 PM

Great article and thanks for sharing.

Shenloanne · 10-31-2020, 04:43 PM

Originally posted by Time Traveller

On May 20, 2009, Pentax announced the K-7 (available from July 2009) as a replacement for the K20D. It introduced an updated version of the Samsung CMOS sensor, but with an entirely new compact design. Notable new features included full metal body construction, a pentaprism viewfinder covering 100% of the frame, a quieter and faster shutter mechanism, and the ability to apply automatic corrections for lens distortion and lateral chromatic aberration. The below attached article may be of interest - even today (and also for historical reasons)!

My second and current Pentax DSLR and my stalwart workhorse for over a decade. I picked mine up used in 2010 after my K100D was wrote off. Fell on ice. Love it to bits and it'll be used by my daughter once I upgrade.

---------- Post added 10-31-20 at 04:45 PM ----------

I'd like to add I always felt it got glossed over fairly quickly once the K5 dropped. Its a venerable auld girl and holds its own up to ISO800. I've printed bigger than a3 with it and never been disappointed.

**Gorgarath** · 10-31-2020, 04:51 PM

Thank you for this article, I look forward to reading it later.

My K-7 is my first (D)SLR and the realization of a childhood dream. I am still using it for now, though I did just win an auction for a K-5 iis, so it will soon probably be regulated to a backup camera that will be on loan to my oldest if he's still interested. (Don't think he's used the bridge camera I got him for Christmas last year, but it is kind of annoyingly slow.)

**Larrymc** · 10-31-2020, 05:28 PM

Very informative and from this one can understand better what the K-3III introductory videos are trying to convey......the passion of the Pentax engineers and designers. Thanks for posting this!

**Serkevan** · 10-31-2020, 08:36 PM - **1 Like**

Thanks for sharing! The K-7 was how I got into all this thing, so I have a soft spot for it... although I upgraded to the K-1 (almost exclusively because of high ISO work and wanting to use my vintage FF lenses), I have several prints of photos taken with the K-7 and even more photos I really, really like.

**Michail_P** · 10-31-2020, 11:28 PM

Thanks for sharing.

**aslyfox** · 11-01-2020, 12:17 AM

Originally posted by Time Traveller

On May 20, 2009, Pentax announced the K-7 (available from July 2009) as a replacement for the K20D. It introduced an updated version of the Samsung CMOS sensor, but with an entirely new compact design. Notable new features included full metal body construction, a pentaprism viewfinder covering 100% of the frame, a quieter and faster shutter mechanism, and the ability to apply automatic corrections for lens distortion and lateral chromatic aberration. The below attached article may be of interest - even today (and also for historical reasons)!

Perhaps you might consider putting a review in the owners' review section and posting the link there as well?

Pentax K-7 - Pentax K-mount DSLRs - Pentax Camera Reviews and Specifications

**joelbolden** · 11-01-2020, 08:29 AM

Nice article. I still use my K7, it's my backup for my K-70. Never had any complaints with the quality of the photos when I was careful with my ISO.

**Bruce Clark** · 11-01-2020, 03:21 PM

K7 my first DSLR. Still going strong over 55,000 actuations. I also have K5 IIs which is superior in many aspects but I still find the K 7 produces better sunset and sunrise colours especially pinks.

10-31-2020, 05:28 PM	#10
Larrymc Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Mississippi, USA Posts: 5,252	Very informative and from this one can understand better what the K-3III introductory videos are trying to convey......the passion of the Pentax engineers and designers. Thanks for posting this! Last edited by Larrymc; 10-31-2020 at 05:39 PM.

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10-31-2020, 08:57 AM	#2
Mikesul Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 7,594	Thanks for sharing this. I love these background articles.

10-31-2020, 09:20 AM	#3
BigMackCam Digitiser of Film Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: North East of England Posts: 20,682	Fantastic. Thanks for sharing! Of course, many of the K-7's influences and decisions were carried forward into the K-5 and K-3 series, including the forthcoming K-3III. Such longevity and endurance in design principles is impressive, and shows what a great job they did with the K-7 (even if its sensor wasn't the best)...

10-31-2020, 09:58 AM - 1 Like	#5
BigMackCam Digitiser of Film Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: North East of England Posts: 20,682	Originally posted by Time Traveller Agree! But it was still possible to achieve great results with this sensor as well: Absolutely... I sold mine when I bought my K-5, but I was never unhappy with the image quality from the K-7. There are times when I wish I'd hung on to it, just for nostalgia's sake

10-31-2020, 02:00 PM - 4 Likes	#6
StiffLegged Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2018 Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,632	Some of us are still shooting with one, just as there are fans of the earlier cameras, and I'll second the remark about the sensor still being able to make good images. Although I'm mostly a tripod-top shooter, Pentax got the grip pretty good with the K-7 and I still enjoy how it feels every time it gets pulled out for another shot.

10-31-2020, 02:32 PM	#7
Pentaxrookie Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: 48282 Emsdetten Posts: 113	Great article and thanks for sharing.

10-31-2020, 04:43 PM	#8
Shenloanne Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2018 Posts: 99	Originally posted by Time Traveller On May 20, 2009, Pentax announced the K-7 (available from July 2009) as a replacement for the K20D. It introduced an updated version of the Samsung CMOS sensor, but with an entirely new compact design. Notable new features included full metal body construction, a pentaprism viewfinder covering 100% of the frame, a quieter and faster shutter mechanism, and the ability to apply automatic corrections for lens distortion and lateral chromatic aberration. The below attached article may be of interest - even today (and also for historical reasons)! My second and current Pentax DSLR and my stalwart workhorse for over a decade. I picked mine up used in 2010 after my K100D was wrote off. Fell on ice. Love it to bits and it'll be used by my daughter once I upgrade. ---------- Post added 10-31-20 at 04:45 PM ---------- I'd like to add I always felt it got glossed over fairly quickly once the K5 dropped. Its a venerable auld girl and holds its own up to ISO800. I've printed bigger than a3 with it and never been disappointed.

10-31-2020, 04:51 PM	#9
Gorgarath Total n00b Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 735	Thank you for this article, I look forward to reading it later. My K-7 is my first (D)SLR and the realization of a childhood dream. I am still using it for now, though I did just win an auction for a K-5 iis, so it will soon probably be regulated to a backup camera that will be on loan to my oldest if he's still interested. (Don't think he's used the bridge camera I got him for Christmas last year, but it is kind of annoyingly slow.)

10-31-2020, 08:36 PM - 1 Like	#11
Serkevan Site Supporter Join Date: May 2019 Photos: Albums Posts: 5,976	Thanks for sharing! The K-7 was how I got into all this thing, so I have a soft spot for it... although I upgraded to the K-1 (almost exclusively because of high ISO work and wanting to use my vintage FF lenses), I have several prints of photos taken with the K-7 and even more photos I really, really like.

10-31-2020, 11:28 PM	#12
Michail_P Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: Kalymnos Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,006	Thanks for sharing.

11-01-2020, 12:17 AM	#13
aslyfox Seeker of Knowledge Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Topeka, Kansas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 24,582	Originally posted by Time Traveller On May 20, 2009, Pentax announced the K-7 (available from July 2009) as a replacement for the K20D. It introduced an updated version of the Samsung CMOS sensor, but with an entirely new compact design. Notable new features included full metal body construction, a pentaprism viewfinder covering 100% of the frame, a quieter and faster shutter mechanism, and the ability to apply automatic corrections for lens distortion and lateral chromatic aberration. The below attached article may be of interest - even today (and also for historical reasons)! Perhaps you might consider putting a review in the owners' review section and posting the link there as well? Pentax K-7 - Pentax K-mount DSLRs - Pentax Camera Reviews and Specifications

11-01-2020, 08:29 AM	#14
joelbolden Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: Stormstown, Pennsylvania Photos: Gallery Posts: 605	Nice article. I still use my K7, it's my backup for my K-70. Never had any complaints with the quality of the photos when I was careful with my ISO.

11-01-2020, 03:21 PM	#15
Bruce Clark Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Ocean Grove, Victoria Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,458	K7 my first DSLR. Still going strong over 55,000 actuations. I also have K5 IIs which is superior in many aspects but I still find the K 7 produces better sunset and sunrise colours especially pinks.