Hands-On Review: Pentax K-7 Digital SLR

PLUS
Incredibly rugged/well-sealed and fast at 5.2fps
Quite versatile in movie mode (with preset overrides)
An absolutely vast range of features

MINUS
Larger, heavier, pricier than more "typical" DSLRs
The numerous functions, some unique, increase complexity
The fixed LCD's angle cannot be varied

The flagship of the Pentax DLSR series, the K-7 is an unusually rugged semi-professional 14.5-megapixel camera that's built like a tank: with a splash-proof magnesium-alloy body over a stainless-steel chassis. The full-featured K20D, also using the 14.5MP sensor, continues to be available. The K20D is more affordable, but the new K7 is even more desirable. That's because of greater speed, a larger LCD with higher resolution, plus upgrades for the sensor, processor, image stabilizer, multi-zone metering, autofocus and built-in image stabilizer. More importantly, the K-7 offers some entirely new functions, including HD Movie mode. The K-7 retails for $1,600 (body only).

This DSLR certainly has more external controls and menu items (including 37 custom functions) than the other cameras that I used. Some require reference to the owner's manual, but experienced shooters will appreciate the extras. The engineers actually minimized the number of buttons, as well as the need to use the full menu, by providing a control panel screen for quick access to a dozen functions. The K-7 is larger/heavier than average too, and the oversized handgrip and (optional D-BG4 vertical grip) fits large hands very well. The three-inch LCD monitor is fixed, but the 170-degree viewing angle allows for using Live View even when the camera is held at a moderately high or low level.

Design and features: Pentax has provided all the features you might expect, but also some new high-tech amenities. The most noteworthy include Electronic Level Detection feature that helps to identify a crooked photo, plus Composition Adjustment and Horizon Correction for solving the problem. The PRIME II processor can optimize the optical performance of Pentax AF lenses and provides adjustable dynamic-range expansion plus a new HDR Capture mode; the last two items maximize the detail in both highlight and shadow areas. The K-7 offers dozens of image-retouching items in playback mode for modifying technical aspects or for creating special effects.

When Live View is not on, the digital preview option allows the user to visually check the effect that will be produced by certain overrides, including the many white-balance options. (The display of the most-recently-taken JPEG changes as various overrides are applied.) Digital preview is also available in playback mode, displaying the effects that each retouching feature will produce.

Live View: Pressing the [LV] button activates a real-time preview of the scene. When shooting still photos, the user can select either contrast-detection or phase-detection autofocus (discussed earlier). Face-detection AF is also available. Select Movie mode and the camera can shoot 720p/1080i AVI video clips up to 4GB in size, or 25 minutes at a very fast 30fps at any of three quality levels. Standard-definition video capture is possible too for smaller files. The mono sound quality is just acceptable, but the K-7 accepts an optional (third-party brand) external stereo mic for pro-calibre audio.

The image stabilizer works in movie mode, but autofocus is disengaged. The K-7 provides other benefits, including aperture control. Before recording, it's possible to set any desired exposure compensation, white-balance option, picture style mode and parameter adjustment. The AE Lock feature, as well as a f/stop for the desired depth-of-field, can also be pre-set. Videos are made in the familiar Motion JPEG format, so there's little need for expensive software. In bright light outdoors, HD videos made at the highest size/quality level are very good. Shooting indoors in dark locations produces grainier results.

Speed and quality: The camera is certainly fast, thanks to a sophisticated PRIME II processor and a large buffer (temporary storage bank). It will fire 40 large/fine JPEGs in a burst at a blazing 5.2 frames per second. The SAFOX VIII+ autofocus system (with 11 points, including nine crosshatched) will be suitable for serious action photography with one of Pentax's supersonic SDM-series lenses.

In terms of image quality, the K-7 is similar to the K20D, but better at high ISO levels because of the upgraded sensor and processor. At low ISOs, my JPEGs made in the default Bright picture style, without overrides, exhibit moderately high sharpness and contrast but slightly low colour saturation. Some overexposure is apparent, but this is easy to prevent with a -1/3 or -2/3 compensation setting. Images made at ISO 1,600 in dark locations are suitable for nice 8x10-inch prints; they're a bit grainy but sharp, with lots of fine detail. (Autofocus remained reliable in unusually dim conditions.) At each higher ISO level, the grain pattern (of coloured speckles) becomes coarser, obliterating a lot of fine detail by ISO 6,400. Overall however, the K-7 is a competent performer even at ISO 1,600; that's because noise-reduction processing is mild at the default level, so there's little smudging of details.

Evaluation: This is definitely the best Pentax DSLR to date and the fastest/most versatile of all the models discussed. (Granted, it's also the most expensive.) It also boasts the largest viewfinder with 100 per cent scene coverage. Sure, the K20D was already packed with capabilities, but the K-7 targets an even more experienced photographer who wants additional advanced features. If you fall into that category, check out the 14.5-megapixel K-7 (with one of the supersonic SDM lenses) while comparison-shopping. You may be pleasantly surprised with the great potential of this semi-professional camera.

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