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**heathlock** · 03-08-2014, 12:52 PM

I'm not a heavy user, and am considering purchasing a used camera. Is the K-5 worth two or three hundred more than a K-7?

VoiceOfReason · 03-08-2014, 01:16 PM

Absolutely. You get far better dynamic range, low light, and features.

JohnX · 03-08-2014, 01:20 PM

Do you need the features common to both - WR, top lcd, etc? If yes, then I'd go for the one that best suits your budget.

If not, what about a K30 or similar? Or, a previous flag-ship model like the K20D?

Steve.Ledger · 03-08-2014, 01:40 PM

Check the forum's comparison charts
► Pentax Cameras | Pentax K-3 vs. Pentax K-5 vs. Pentax K-7 - Pentax DSLR Comparison - PentaxForums.com

**interested_observer** · 03-08-2014, 02:21 PM

Both are excellent cameras. I currently have the K5 and it is an excellent performer. I had a K20 - which preceded the K7, and they both share the same sensor. I upgraded because I used it in a lot of ambient low light - landscapes, city scapes, evening shots, etc, and wound up pushing its envelope. The K7 performs well with lots of light, in very dim settings it can be a challenge. Just add a flash and it works well.

Adam · 03-08-2014, 02:37 PM

The sensor in the k5 is definitely worth it. If you want something slightly cheaper, consider a used k30 perhaps.

**heathlock** · 03-08-2014, 02:39 PM

Thanks to all. So far K-5 has the edge.

rockmaster1964 · 03-09-2014, 05:01 PM

I upgraded from the k7 to a k5. I am very pleased with the upgrade.

**rbefly** · 03-09-2014, 05:17 PM

Hello Heathlock, welcome to the Forum!
From the perspective of using the K10D, K-7 and now K-5, I'd say the K-5 is by far the most versatile. It loses nothing to the K-7 at low ISO (and also goes to 80!) and is much more useable above 800 or so.
The K-7's sensor does have a slightly warmer cast to colors at base ISO, a tiny bit less 'sterile' or sharp-toned than the K-5. This difference is so small it can easily be changed in PP.
Other than that, they're pretty much the same camera; but the imaging capability and overall value of the K-5 make it the best choice, IMO.
Ron

iamwhoiam · 03-09-2014, 07:37 PM

Although I like my K7 it does have limitations in low light. Of course you can use a flash but there are some instances when you don't want to or you are not allowed to do that. If I were you I would consider getting the K5 rather than the K7.

KxBlaze · 03-09-2014, 07:48 PM

I think the K5 is definitely worth the extra $$ and I also think you can find one less than 200-300 more than a K7. A K5 sold on this website for $400 with very little shutter actuations. I will say though, you cannot go wrong either way because if you get the K7 (still a very good camera) you will be able to get a decent/good lens with the money you save over a K5. Its everyone personal preference whether the extra $$ is worth the extra features and it's only my opinion that a K5 is worth it. You should come up with a checklist or just ask yourself if a K7 plus a lens is better suited for you than a K5. Good luck with the decision.

**dadipentak** · 03-09-2014, 08:14 PM

K-5 was a super, major quantum leap over the K-7, imho.

peterjcb · 03-09-2014, 08:16 PM

+1 for the K-5...I own both.

**filoxophy** · 03-10-2014, 09:41 AM

I went from the K-7 to the K-5II. I cringed every time the ISO crept over 800 on the K-7, but now I just don't care! If you're a landscape/tripod kind of guy, save the $$$ and get a K-7. Otherwise get a K-5 and don't look back. My .02!

Michele85 · 03-29-2014, 05:26 PM

I am thinking of upgrading my K-7. Truly, I have never been happy with it's low light performance / noise at any ISO over 800 and I do not feel the pictures are very sharp. Originally, I had a *istDS and overall, I did like it quite well, and the pictures seemed sharp. Should I look at the K-5II or K-3? I am mainly take portraits of my kids and many action shots (basketball and baseball).

03-08-2014, 12:52 PM	#1
heathlock Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Hershey, Pa. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 14	K-7 or K-5 I'm not a heavy user, and am considering purchasing a used camera. Is the K-5 worth two or three hundred more than a K-7?

03-08-2014, 02:37 PM	#6
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,608	The sensor in the k5 is definitely worth it. If you want something slightly cheaper, consider a used k30 perhaps. Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

03-09-2014, 05:17 PM	#9
rbefly Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Denver, Colorado Photos: Albums Posts: 2,030	Fiver? Hello Heathlock, welcome to the Forum! From the perspective of using the K10D, K-7 and now K-5, I'd say the K-5 is by far the most versatile. It loses nothing to the K-7 at low ISO (and also goes to 80!) and is much more useable above 800 or so. The K-7's sensor does have a slightly warmer cast to colors at base ISO, a tiny bit less 'sterile' or sharp-toned than the K-5. This difference is so small it can easily be changed in PP. Other than that, they're pretty much the same camera; but the imaging capability and overall value of the K-5 make it the best choice, IMO. Ron

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03-08-2014, 01:16 PM	#2
VoiceOfReason Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Mishawaka IN area Photos: Albums Posts: 6,124	Absolutely. You get far better dynamic range, low light, and features.

03-08-2014, 01:20 PM	#3
JohnX Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: London Posts: 1,116	Do you need the features common to both - WR, top lcd, etc? If yes, then I'd go for the one that best suits your budget. If not, what about a K30 or similar? Or, a previous flag-ship model like the K20D?

03-08-2014, 01:40 PM	#4
Steve.Ledger Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Far North Qld Posts: 3,301	Check the forum's comparison charts ► Pentax Cameras \| Pentax K-3 vs. Pentax K-5 vs. Pentax K-7 - Pentax DSLR Comparison - PentaxForums.com

03-08-2014, 02:21 PM	#5
interested_observer Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Tumbleweed, Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,707	Both are excellent cameras. I currently have the K5 and it is an excellent performer. I had a K20 - which preceded the K7, and they both share the same sensor. I upgraded because I used it in a lot of ambient low light - landscapes, city scapes, evening shots, etc, and wound up pushing its envelope. The K7 performs well with lots of light, in very dim settings it can be a challenge. Just add a flash and it works well.

03-08-2014, 02:39 PM	#7
heathlock Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Hershey, Pa. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 14 Original Poster	Thanks to all. So far K-5 has the edge.

03-09-2014, 05:01 PM	#8
rockmaster1964 Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Frisco Texas Photos: Gallery Posts: 382	I upgraded from the k7 to a k5. I am very pleased with the upgrade.

03-09-2014, 07:37 PM	#10
iamwhoiam Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: So. California Posts: 153	Although I like my K7 it does have limitations in low light. Of course you can use a flash but there are some instances when you don't want to or you are not allowed to do that. If I were you I would consider getting the K5 rather than the K7.

03-09-2014, 07:48 PM	#11
KxBlaze Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: California Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,602	I think the K5 is definitely worth the extra $$ and I also think you can find one less than 200-300 more than a K7. A K5 sold on this website for $400 with very little shutter actuations. I will say though, you cannot go wrong either way because if you get the K7 (still a very good camera) you will be able to get a decent/good lens with the money you save over a K5. Its everyone personal preference whether the extra $$ is worth the extra features and it's only my opinion that a K5 is worth it. You should come up with a checklist or just ask yourself if a K7 plus a lens is better suited for you than a K5. Good luck with the decision.

03-09-2014, 08:14 PM	#12
dadipentak Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Baltimore, Maryland Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,590	K-5 was a super, major quantum leap over the K-7, imho.

03-09-2014, 08:16 PM	#13
peterjcb Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Weddington, NC Posts: 468	+1 for the K-5...I own both.

03-10-2014, 09:41 AM	#14
filoxophy Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Albuquerque Posts: 1,133	I went from the K-7 to the K-5II. I cringed every time the ISO crept over 800 on the K-7, but now I just don't care! If you're a landscape/tripod kind of guy, save the $$$ and get a K-7. Otherwise get a K-5 and don't look back. My .02!

03-29-2014, 05:26 PM	#15
Michele85 Inactive Account Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Tennessee Posts: 14	I am thinking of upgrading my K-7. Truly, I have never been happy with it's low light performance / noise at any ISO over 800 and I do not feel the pictures are very sharp. Originally, I had a *istDS and overall, I did like it quite well, and the pictures seemed sharp. Should I look at the K-5II or K-3? I am mainly take portraits of my kids and many action shots (basketball and baseball).

K-7 or K-5

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