[Syb]

Hi,
I am considering a camera upgrade from K10d to maybe K7. But I have rather large hands and find the K10d difficult to handle with really large glass (300/2.8). I am very content about the K10d Battery Grip.

But I read the K7 body is smaller. How, in your experience, does the smaller body affect the carrying and handling of the camera with long glass?

And is there anyone on this forum who knows where to find a comparison picture showing both bodies side-by-side?

Thanks in advance!
Syb

[axl]

I won't help you a lot here, will just express my opinion.
And that is that K-7 is just too small...
I have rahter long fingers/large hands and when handling my gripped K10 my right thum is right on the dial. When I was trying K-7 it was nearly on the VF! and handling the 4 way controller was awkward too...
Otherwise the grip on that camera feel quite good but I still wish they would bring out something bigger!

[SOldBear]

I have my K10D with me now, but not the K7. I'll post photos tonight if noone has done it by then.

If you're content with a K10D + grip, you'll likely be content with a K7 + grip.

The K7 is smaller than the K10D, but not significantly so. The contour of the K7's grip has better ergonomics. I feel much more comfortable with the K7.

[mysterick]

I own both. My hands are what I would call average sized for a 5'11" man. Both have grips; both are comfortable for me. I would think the K10 would seem like a monster as compared to the K7, but not for me. Very large hands may have a problem with the K7 but certainly not the K10 IMHO. Oh, yes, the K7 seems very secure in my hands.

[yeatzee]

Im sure you'll love the K-7 with grip. the K-7's ergonomics are actually pretty great IMO

[ivoire]

check here for comparison. k10 and 20 are same size

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://dc.watch.impress.co.jp/img/dcw/do...2YJsmTOOSxuKcP

http://a.img-dpreview.com/previews/PentaxK7/Images/Compare.jpg

[Syb]

Thanks! This helps.
Looking at those pics I wonder: where is the SR control lever on the K7? Has it been removed and become a menu function?

[yeatzee]

Yes it has... I thought it would be a big deal but really its not.

[SOldBear]

where is the SR control lever on the K7? Has it been removed and become a menu function?

It is now in a menu. I don't have my K7 with me, but I think it is only one more key away ("Info" and then... something).

To me it's not a big deal. I don't turn off SR very often.

[felixkh]

I used to own both the K10D & K20D and now the K7. I have used the K10D/20D with grips and now the K7 with a grip and I find that it is not that small . . .

[bymy141]

Hi Syb,

I have both camera's and use them side by side, and being Dutch I'm rather tall myself: 1.98m with similar sized hands and feet.

Not to worry about the K-7 though, somehow I find it much better hanging on my finger tips than my K10D.

I have the grip, which I use with large lenses, but mostly it is off the camera.
The K-7 ergonomics I find much better than the K10D, except for the placement of the ISO and Ev compensation buttons, that is not ideal for my long fingers.

The AE-L button is placed somewhat tricky, and it made me ruin some nice opportunities.
When in hurry, draging the camera out of my shoulder bag (with grip + DA* 60-250mm) I happen to press the AE-L button with my thumb, while switching the camera on and having the lens cap still on.
Taking the cap off and making the picture fast (yes AF is soooo much better on the K-7) the exposure is then still to be set to complete darkness.....

Now I know, won't happen again.

The K-7 is a better camera in many respects and there is not a problem for big hands.

- Bert

You asked for some side-by-side shots?
Here are 2:

File Date

View Picture EXIF

File Date

View Picture EXIF

P.S. There are a few things I like about the K-7 that is seldom in the news:

- The switches are locked! No more accidental wrong settings.
- The info / fast access to most used setting changes is a very big improvement over the K10D user interface.
- The electronic level indicator is something I use ALL THE TIME.
- The sensor dust removal now WORKS! So much more effective than the K10D.
- Digital previews you can store.
- Bracketing with 1 shutter release (though the button is gone)

To understand how to cope with many of the removed buttons, look at the menu's.

File Date

View Picture EXIF

File Date

View Picture EXIF

The first is the default menu where you can change the focus point, or enter white balans, "Transportstand" (I guess transport mode in English) for access to bracketing, single / multiple shots etc, flash mode and colour modes.

Where did the SR switch go?
The second menu you get after pressing the "Info" button, you move to the SR hand symbol and turn the dial to change the setting.

[Arpe]

I use a K-7 a lot with the Sigma 70-200/2.8 with a 1.4x TC on it as well walking up and down sidelines taking photos of rugby. I have no problem holding or balancing the combo. I am also tall, but I presume with average size hands and have no trouble whatsoever with the size of the K-7, I love the size.

[Big Dawg]

I have very big hands and was concerned the K7 would be too small. Since upgrading from the K10D I must say I actually like the K7 better. With my Sigma 50-500 (The "Bigma") mounted and extended to 500mm I can hold and shoot the K7 better one handed than the K10D. For the many feature upgrades the K7 is a winner in my book.