Met with a few friends today and managed to play around with the new K-7, making it's first appearance in Singapore.
Thanks to Mark and Frank for showing up with the K-7s.
In a word... it is
simply the best Pentax DSLR made to date.
I've gone through the K100D, K100D Super, K10D and my current K20D but the K-7 beats them all. Definitely much, much improved over the K20D.
If the K20D's ergonomics is very good, the K-7 handles a little better. The camera feels very solid yet is lighter than the K20D and not much bigger than the K-m.
To me at least I can discern the weight difference compared to the K20D. Overall balance is very good.
Button layout is very good and intuitive. No problems figuring out and using. There's plenty in the menu but this camera definitely packs a lots of features.
The two most obvious features that stand out that in itself is reason to upgrade is the excellent 100% viewfinder and just how silent the camera is both with SDM and conventional screw-drive lenses.
The shutter is really Leica-like silent and inaudible to the other diners at the next table. The camera's exposure metering is top notch (read better than K20D), images are great even at high ISO and no issues with the AF (at least for me).
The most fun feature has got to be VIDEO. People who say they don't need or want video really need to re-examine their mindset or shed off any old prejudices because it is just a BLAST to use.
I dare say video is going to open up even more creative opportunities for the user and I envisage a lot more convergence with still photography.
One can shoot stealthily one moment and the next moment involve the subject with a quick video... just great for kids and candids, etc...
Btw the K-7 battery life is reported to be even better than the already good K20D.
All I can say is K20D/K10D users who are unsure whether to upgrade... just do it! Trust me, you will love this camera. It is that good.
BTW the DA* 60-250mm SDM is also a winner. Very sharp wide open, pretty light and I think an even more versatile lens compared to the DA* 50-135mm.
May even undercut sales for the DA* 300mm too.
Last edited by creampuff; 06-06-2009 at 04:50 PM.
Reason: spelling