Originally posted by JoepLX3 All good remarks, at this point K-7 is a good price / value balance and it will push and not limited my development for much longer than the K-x (I have both P&S and limitted SLR background).
- I agree also on your video remark, but on the other hand don't see myself buying a microphone...
- Get a grip? Maybe later
Two open concerns / oppertunities:
- Worse High ISO performance ... What will be real impact for 99% of my photo's?
- How about image stability benefit of K-7 utilizing rotation (vs K-x and K-r only horizontal and vertical shift)? (to "compensate" for High ISO to allow slower shutter speeds - of course not applicable icw motion blur of running kids)
Grrr, High ISO performance is pretty important (without a flash)...
I didn't address the ISO because I don't really know what your requirements are. If you want to shoot in a dark room, no flash, at iso 6400 (the max expanded of the K7), you aren't going to be happy. No amount of post noise reduction will save that photo (to my satisfaction). If you want to shoot in a reasonably well lit room, you can realistically expect to go ISO 1600. You'll still have some cleaning up to do but you will still get a usable image.
I'm not quite understanding your Stability question so I'll just say this... It works very well for me. I can go to about 1/5 sec or so with a big lens, and get a decent image. It requires a little bracing (and being relaxed) to achieve but it's possible.
As for AF, it's plenty quick, even in a dim room. That is, as long as I remember the limitations of the system. Contrast is required. The AF system has to be able to distinguish between several different points to work properly. Even with SDM I find it quite effective to use. Continuous AF on the other hand, I usually skip right past it and go to MF because I can pick, focus, and shoot faster than the camera can.
Other factors that may be of concern, the shutter is very quiet. There is no bang slap click from mirror slap. Some say it isn't important but I like having the red dots showing me Where my focus points are. I use the Top LCD more than I've ever imagined I would (and actually keep the rear screen turned off). You say you won't likely buy WR lenses but it's still nice to know that you can tilt the camera downward if you get caught out in the rain and still protect everything. Even with non WR lenses, if you don't soak them, you should still be ok. For my purposes, and the way I use it, right now, the K7 is a perfect fit. I'll likely end up with a K5 at some point but I'm playing a long game of wait and see with it.
I look at it like this. No camera I ever own will be the latest and greatest out there. It will never have the best of all features available. There will always be something better coming down the pike or will be a better solution on another platform.
If you want to see the K7 with various lenses and settings,
http://www.flickr.com/photos/13300089@N08/collections/72157623985201150/
There are a few done with other cameras but for the most part, these are K7 photos.