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05-17-2020, 11:52 AM   #1
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Is the K7 worth recommending?

I have a friend who wants a DSLR for macro and lens switching. He currently uses a Fuji X100f. He earmarked a Fuji S5pro and I suggested the K7 as an alternative. Was I wrong in doing this? All I can find on the K7 is why it isn't as good as the K5

05-17-2020, 12:09 PM   #2
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K-70 Perhaps, a KP would be more comparable if the Fuji is mirrorless.
05-17-2020, 12:16 PM   #3
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QuoteOriginally posted by Cerebum Quote
He earmarked a Fuji S5pro
Is there a budget level in mind?

- Craig
05-17-2020, 12:17 PM   #4
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QuoteOriginally posted by Cerebum Quote
I have a friend who wants a DSLR for macro and lens switching. He currently uses a Fuji X100f. He earmarked a Fuji S5pro and I suggested the K7 as an alternative. Was I wrong in doing this? All I can find on the K7 is why it isn't as good as the K5
The Fujifilm X100F is a fixed lens camera, so he won't have any benefit of system lenses by staying with Fujifilm.

Do you know why he earmarked the Fujifilm S5? Price, certain features, brand loyalty?

Comparing the K7 vs. S5:
Main K7 pros:
15MP vs. 6MP
Weather sealing
IBIS

S5 pros over K7:
Larger dynamic range
More familiar menu for an X100F owner
Nikon F mount=larger selection and availability of lenses and easier resale

Pentax K-7 vs Fujifilm S5 Pro Detailed Comparison

The S5 is a safer choice. The K7 is the better camera.

---------- Post added 05-17-20 at 01:20 PM ----------

QuoteOriginally posted by c.a.m Quote
I'm not understanding the Fuji S5 Pro as a viable option for "macro" and "lens switching." Am I missing the logic?
He's not referring to his X100F which is a fixed lens camera. The Fujifilm S5 has (like it's predecessors) a Nikon F mount. My first DSLR was a Fujifilm S1 because I couldn't afford a Nikon DSLR but I already had Nikon glass.

---------- Post added 05-17-20 at 01:21 PM ----------

QuoteOriginally posted by SSGGeezer Quote
K-70 Perhaps, a KP would be more comparable if the Fuji is mirrorless.
The Fujifilm S5 Pro is a DSLR.

05-17-2020, 12:21 PM   #5
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QuoteOriginally posted by Alex645 Quote
The Fujifilm X100F is a fixed lens camera, so he won't have any benefit of system lenses by staying with Fujifilm.

Do you know why he earmarked the Fujifilm S5? Price, certain features, brand loyalty?

Comparing the K7 vs. S5:
Main K7 pros:
15MP vs. 6MP
Weather sealing
IBIS

S5 pros over K7:
Larger dynamic range
More familiar menu for an X100F owner
Nikon F mount=larger selection and availability of lenses and easier resale

Pentax K-7 vs Fujifilm S5 Pro Detailed Comparison

The S5 is a safer choice. The K7 is the better camera.

---------- Post added 05-17-20 at 01:20 PM ----------



He's not referring to his X100F which is a fixed lens camera. The Fujifilm S5 has (like it's predecessors) a Nikon F mount. My first DSLR was a Fujifilm S1 because I couldn't afford a Nikon DSLR but I already had Nikon glass.
6 MP?
How 2008.
05-17-2020, 12:21 PM   #6
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QuoteOriginally posted by Alex645 Quote
He's not referring to his X100F which is a fixed lens camera. The Fujifilm S5 has (like it's predecessors) a Nikon F mount. My first DSLR was a Fujifilm S1 because I couldn't afford a Nikon DSLR but I already had Nikon glass.
Thanks. I realized soon after posting that I had a different camera in mind. Duh.
05-17-2020, 12:29 PM   #7
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QuoteOriginally posted by c.a.m Quote
Is there a budget level in mind?

- Craig
He has about £200. After posting this I toddled off to eBay and found two K5s around £200, so I changed my recommendation to a K5. I will be working on him! A K5 for £200, that's a steal

Thanks for all the input btw

05-17-2020, 12:30 PM   #8
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QuoteOriginally posted by normhead Quote
6 MP?
How 2008.
The Fujifilm SuperCCD sensor default output was 6MP, but the processor could output a 3MP or 12MP file. Fujifilm's interpolation magic isn't quite what they are claiming, but the math is correct. From my experience with owning an S1 and S2, that 12MP file would probably look like 10MP on a Sony or Canon sensor.

Yes 2008 like 2020 will not be forgotten as rough years for the first worlders.
05-17-2020, 02:06 PM   #9
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QuoteOriginally posted by Cerebum Quote
He has about £200. After posting this I toddled off to eBay and found two K5s around £200, so I changed my recommendation to a K5. I will be working on him! A K5 for £200, that's a steal

Thanks for all the input btw
I would not recommend a K-7, it is a bit of a difficult camera with some AF issues, I own one, but it is not my favorite. A K-5 from Ebay looks like a steal, but the question is for whom. As you are helping a friend make sure that he is not the one that gets stealed from. My advice would be to refer him to a trustworthy dealer. Another good candidate would be the K-01. Probably much cheaper and uses the same sensor as the K-5 and delivers beautiful pictures, it is a mirrorless camera, but it has a K-mount. It is a very good camera but it looks like a brick. I own the yellow one and it is fun to use it.
05-17-2020, 02:56 PM   #10
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A K5 II is just that little bit nicer than a K5, if the budget can be stretched that far. The K7 seems to be a forgotten chapter in the Pentax history. I have no experience with it but would only consider it if the price is really good.
05-17-2020, 03:50 PM   #11
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QuoteOriginally posted by Cerebum Quote
He currently uses a Fuji X100f.
Would something like a used Fujifilm X-E2 (with latest firmware) or X-E2S be viable? I've seen some used ones on the market selling in the range of GBP 125-200, body only.

Staying with Fuji would probably bring similar and familiar handling, a similar user interface, menus, features, etc. The X-E2S has an X-Trans sensor similar to the X100F's, so post-processing would be similar. The compact size would also be similar to the X100. With this mirrorless system, there's no need to perform any lens AF fine adjustments.

The Fuji APS-C mirrorless system provides the option of mounting low-cost manual lenses with adapters. In fact, my son uses a Pentax-M 50/1.7 on his X-T3; the K-to-X adapter cost less than GBP 30.

I haven't used any of the X-E series cameras, nor have I done any extensive research. However, I recall the X-E2 and S received favourable reviews when they entered the market. With Fuji's subsequent firmware update, the X-E2 approached the -S model's functionality.

Other Fuji X- models are also available on the used market, but I haven't looked into the full range.


- Craig

Last edited by c.a.m; 05-18-2020 at 04:12 AM. Reason: Typo
05-17-2020, 05:17 PM   #12
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QuoteOriginally posted by Cerebum Quote
He has about £200. After posting this I toddled off to eBay and found two K5s around £200, so I changed my recommendation to a K5. I will be working on him! A K5 for £200, that's a steal

Thanks for all the input btw
The K5 is substantially better than the K7 (which shares its sensor with the K20D - depending on use can be a bit noisy). With both old K mount lenses and M42 lenses, he should have a wide assortment of inexpensive glass from which to select.

05-17-2020, 06:05 PM - 2 Likes   #13
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I would agree with most above comments but ... I own both a K-7, K-01 and K-3. At low ISO (ISO100-200) and with a decent prime lens, the K-7 remains a winning tool! I continue to use my K-7 for daylight shooting with a prime, like FA31mm, FA77mm, Voigtlander Nokton 58mm, and I continue to be impressed.
Off course, for low light, the K-7 lags... again with some nuances. The K-7 with a fast prime like the Voigtlander Nokton 58mm f1.4 can rival with my K-3 with a superzoom (DA18-250mm)!
So, I would not discard a low shutter count good condition K-7, if you are willing to pair it with a prime lens.
Go the K-7 .....
05-17-2020, 09:09 PM   #14
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QuoteOriginally posted by normhead Quote
6 MP?
How 2008.
K20D (14.6MP) is from 2008.
6MP sensors started to show up in 2002 I think...
05-18-2020, 01:15 AM   #15
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QuoteOriginally posted by hcc Quote
I would agree with most above comments but ... I own both a K-7, K-01 and K-3. At low ISO (ISO100-200) and with a decent prime lens, the K-7 remains a winning tool! I continue to use my K-7 for daylight shooting with a prime, like FA31mm, FA77mm, Voigtlander Nokton 58mm, and I continue to be impressed.
Off course, for low light, the K-7 lags... again with some nuances. The K-7 with a fast prime like the Voigtlander Nokton 58mm f1.4 can rival with my K-3 with a superzoom (DA18-250mm)!
So, I would not discard a low shutter count good condition K-7, if you are willing to pair it with a prime lens.
Go the K-7 .....
Put an 18-135 on it and use live view. It delivers terrific stuff. I also found out that it even gets better when using the flash in daylight for close subjects (not portraits). I agree it can take beautiful pictures, but for a novice to Ricoh/Pentax I would not recommend it. I would rather advice the K10d or the Samsung GX-10 with the lovely CCD. It can take most of the modern lenses SDM & DC driven AF.
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