Pentax K7 video preview: first look

[pmgurjar]

0:43 He says ''K7D''...Perhaps he got confused with the Canon EOS 7D or the Pentax K20D!

[Chaloemphon]

i think that the k-7 turned fashionably too late.....

it might have 14.6 megapixel, but if you compare the image quality with canon and nikon, then pentax would lost the competition. I have a 7d though........

[SuperXU1]

I'm new to Digital SLR's and have refined my search down to a possible 3:Pentax K-7,Canon 550 D and Nikon D90.I'm leaning to the K7,but have been told the Nikon has better picture quality.I'm wanting an every day camera with pictures straight off the camera,not pictures that i have to photo shop.As this buy will possibly be "it",i want the best out of these three.I know they all have their own particular qualities and would appreciate ppl's input.

Thanks :)

[maximumdosile]

@SuperXU1 i am in the same poisiton AHHHH i just want the camera that is the best value for money :)

[awesome87]

Not really trying to tell you how to do your job, but I think that you should spend less time on your face, and more on the camera.

[DaveHaggar]

The K7 is a superb camera, I part-exchanged my K10 for the K7 in January and it's so much better. The problem Pentax has is it's marketing/commercial dept. is absolute rubbish compared to Canon/Nikon e.g. I saw loads of adverts on the tv for Canon & Nikon cameras during the World Cup but I don't think I have ever seen an advert for a Pentax camera on tv, let alone the K7. I've got some videos on my Uploads page taken using the K7 and the quality the camera produces is second to none.

[threefourninetyfour]

Does it have a rechargable battery or does it take AAs?

[WhatDigitalCamera]

@threefourninetyfour . Rechargeable Li-Ion. Not AAs.

[awesome87]

@threefourninetyfour

Although obviously you can get a Battery grip for it that'll take AAs

[mvadinan540]

CANON 7D ! Enough said!

[TheBunnyFilms]

Does that camera record video.And if it does is it Full HD?

[TheBob0416]

@TheBunnyFilms yes it does!! =-)

[donnyab]

anyone know how many minutes of video possible for each of the three ranges ?

[donnyab]

using a dos and windows analogy is not a good idea both are shit OS's

[TheChimbleySweep]

I don't see what's wrong with Pentax's menu system. Basic menus just mean less decisions to make and sub-menus to file through, which makes for faster shooting.

[ajjs02]

Every system and control on my K 7 is adjustable if you want..EVERYTHING...Except....v­ideo Iso... In jpeg i notice my cam has more noise than a d7..... less noise than a d5...The gaskets are for weatherablity...this is field camera with no equal...shooting snowboarders 2 days ago... a d7 failed because of extreme moisture and temp.... that and every lens since 1975 made by Pentax fits on this ..D7' is better vid quality..but it's also twice the price..vintage lens's r manualFast andcheap

[ImmortaLord]

@ajjs02 Dun lie. I dun think u have canon 7D. Go check that website!

canonfieldreviews (dot) com/7d-1-weather-sealing/

And tell me, is there any pro photographer out there used pentax ? lol

[assa123assa123]

you need to press the button to get the meter reading =D and why all this craze on sealing? that's pretty stupid. these toys don't look like cameras anymore. unfortunately the business dictates they make this crap and not 67d

[gecmartins]

@assa123assa123

What are the features or characteristics that you don't like about this camera?

[assa123assa123]

I've already said that. metering procedure. no feel of real camera, more of a toy. technically - bid dof, bad dr.. what else? you know, a lot of people think the get dslr and they can do anything. and then comes the disappointment, as there are lost of compromises in favor of price and competition on the market.

[Liteyear23]

asa123assa123

you obviously don't know anything about photography or cameras.........if you've got nothing useful to say, don't say anything!

[assa123assa123]

Who the fuck was that?

[AMiGR667]

No, you don't. You misunderstood what the guy said. Like every SLR with a built in meter I have ever used, you take a reading by pressing the shutter half-way. The "green button" just sets the aperture and shutter speed automatically to give you a starting point, which can be useful in some circumstances but I have never used.

And sealing is the one reason I went Pentax to start with, I personally shoot primarily in quite hostile environments.

[assa123assa123]

hmm then why do I get continuous meter reading without having to press buttons on my canons?

the exposure slider moves by itself in M mode or the shutter speed sets by itself in Av mode. so who's the fool here?

[AMiGR667]

I dunno who the fool is but I know needs to work on his manners.

So, you're telling me that if your camera is around your neck in the on position on manual, it will be metering all day until the battery dies? It has no automatic sleep mode even?

Of course it is a continuous meter reading, it's initiated by a half-way press of the shutter release here. What happens if you are in manual mode and look through the viewfinder for, a minute, without touching any buttons? Will it still be metering?

[assa123assa123]

I find the 'discussion' pointless. there is a sleep mode which you can adjust. but it has nothing to do with the meter. the meter goes on until the sleep mode activates again. modern meters are no big battery-eaters. I'm just sorry I spent so many letters on what? on a cheap plastic cropped outdated piece of junk. let's discuss rz67ii meter =) does it give you idea of shutter speed in ae?

[TheChimbleySweep]

You only need to press the green button to meter COMPLETELY MANUAL, OLD LENSES. And guess what? All of those old lenses that you have to press a button to meter for (who cares??) are automatically stabilized by over 2 stops with Pentax's IS. Unlike Canon, with whom if you want a sturdy lens, you'll pay top dollar. Read the manual and get over yourself.

Btw, I know people who operate their K-7's in blizzards without a problem, something that a Canikon with that price tag cannot match.

[PictureChyk]

i love my k10d, i wonder when pentax will go FF

[dogblessamerica]

Yes they will fit and it will be possible to use them fully depending on whether they have the A setting on the aperture dial (if not they are still usable in manual mode).

[pidosphere]

good cam! you look like grissom on CSI

[elgatonegro13]

what HD camera was this shot with? It looks pristine.

[alxndrgrnds]

I wanna know which camera did he use to shoot this video....This video shows an amazing quality

[elgatonegro13]

this camera makes me want to sell an organ. Damn I want one!

[dvamateur]

Nice. It would be even nicer if it were full-frame to take full advantage of all those new Zeiss lenses for K-mount

[thebig58]

What camera was used to shoot this video? amazing quality and audio!!!

[jpmont11]

pretty legit.

[madrush999]

Why does this guy always call it K7D? Not every SLR has "D" in the model name!

[synechris]

no it does not...

[Terakasi]

For the same reason he says "Nick-on" instead of "Nikon"

[spongebens]

thanks for your intelligent and well-mannered response.

i'm just saying that it's not as sleek looking as other cameras out there like Nikons or Canons. even the UI is primitive. the features, HOWEVER, beat the crap out of many pro/prosumer models from other brands. just my two cents

[koferis]

I'm speaking to u sponegebens

[spongebens]

i'm sorry, i think i missed your comment. can't find it here

[crocotone]

The K-7 design is one of the best in years in my opinion. reminds me the 70s/80s when SLRs were serious tools not playtoys

[chrisfam7788]

very square-ish like Transformer

[spongebens]

this camera has features many would drool over (including me) but that thing is UGLY.

c'mon Pentax. you could've at least invested more on the design and UI. this thing has awesome specs inside some shitty package.

[skip70]

I love the way it looks, specifically the front angle...its more boxy like an old volvo. it feels more rugged and heavier then the K20. I think the Sony's are Ugly

[TheCrudMan]

Pentax makes good stuff, I am digging the metal body under the rubber, DSLRs really need to be built more solidly.

[Olysses]

its "K7" not "K7D"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[lexam55]

not stereo mic

[psynema]

Let me know if this is accurate...if you want to push more resolution out of the 720p...

You can just use the 3:2 1500by 1000 feature, frame it properly, then bring it into a 720 timeline and just let it crop off the edges, shrinking and zooming in as you please, giving you more reframing options in post as well as maybe milking some zoom possibilities out of your lens since you'll have extra res to work with in a 720 P timeline?

[crispycritterz]

They don't have the commitment that the others do. Hopefully they found the stomach to compete.

[crispycritterz]

That's a ballsy little camera.

Looks like pentax just slapped nikon in the face.

[tabl10s]

The irritating thing about Pentax, is the "pussy-footing" with BS models before coming out with something desirable. They went straight from the ME/ME Super/MX camera's to the LX(I still have my two)which had a better metering system than the Canon New F-1 and the Nikon F3. After that, nothing but junk. Why has it taken so long for a 100% VF? Why doesn't have one that's also movable/rotatable and why isn't the MP count higher than the K20D? Do it right the FIRST TIME and stop getting behind!

[BogmaRAKI]

tabl10s - In my opinion you really do not know and understand anything about the Pentax and their market and engineering policy.

Do you want higher MP ? Then just be a smart ass and go and buy Canon or Nikon and show it to your friends without knowing anything about real photography. Or better wait a bit more...Soon Canon will come up with 100 gigapixel full frame camera to the market...

[tabl10s]

What is their marketing and engineering policy? Is it to come in last? If you read some of the older comments, you'll see that the 100% viewfinder and that it should've had a rotating LCD panel.

I've had Pentax since 1980 and I know their track record. Unless you're part of the company or have an "inside track", you don't know jack.

[crispycritterz]

I subscribe to a number of trade and professional mags. I've even betaed some of their cameras. Their advertising is anemic at best, and they don't seem to have the drive that the others have.

Granted, they are more geered to the casual user, but they are actually good enough to compete with the best, but don't seem to have the will to do so.

[tabl10s]

What kills me is Sony is shooting up the ladder through sheer INNOVATION. Granted, Sony has tons of capital from it's other endeavour's and can knock-one-out-of -the -park(those into High-End Audio know what I mean).

Pentax can do it, but won't. I plan on getting the K-7 because the eyes are getting older, but I really want a statement product as my last camera.

[Chaloemphon]

@crispycritterz well in feature yes... i really dont like nikon but in reality, compare image quality from pentax with canon and nikon, then pentex would lost the competition, and i own a 7d

[FunnySkatersPuga]

@crispycritterz d3x and get the fuck out

[crispycritterz]

@FunnySkatersPuga And all through out the lands, not a single fuck was given......

[packagedright]

Good initial presentation but so many features to be POSITIVE about. HDR feature is unique, the battery grip can use either Lithium batteries or easy-to-get-in-a-pinch throw-aways! The video is 1080i not P, but the interlaced version will do fine, and it has 720p. Menus systems are all quirky, sometimes the simple "dos" version gets it done faster! How about water-resistant features? Performance? Hoya/Pentax/Samsung production power vs. Pentax demise?? Serious producer power!

[DiScuppa]

about the interlaced 1080...

I have a 1080i camcorder and I know I'll never buy interlaced again lol. Lucky this is a DSLR ofcourse :) as u pointed out

[HavocExtreme]

One question, a bit off topic but, what size resolution and settings did you use to get such great looking quality vids on youtube with out uploading a hd 720 by 1280 video

[WhatDigitalCamera]

Thanks for the comments. We shoot them on a Canon EOS 5D Mk.2 in full 1080 HD, import them into iMovie at 960x540pixels and export at 960x540p as Quicktime files. I hope this helps.

[azpd]

Thanks for the video!

cant wait to get this camera out in the field!

[mikfoz1969]

Graaah! Can't afford this now but it's looking like the upgrade to my K10 when I finally feel I need its features.

[kingskid96]

This camera is stunning. I already own a K200D and it takes great images. As a Fashion/Portrait photographer, I don't need 6 FPS. However, the video option will come in handy..and the extra 4MP and studio sync socket. I know what I'm getting for Christmas!!! Hopefully there will be a sale, which Im sure it will be.

[lemonbone]

great review thx

[Goech]

Mmh I think this one is finally going to replace my *ist DS... I was waiting for a model like this to come out!

[drabh1]

same here I'm seriously considering raplacing my *st DS with it too

[beShur]

Rulz!!))

The star on a kit is cool ))

[saito0923]

ほしい・・・

[watalsik]

pentax rules!

i'm very happy with all the features

[D60SLR]

specs + price = winner

[fvgotch]

I love the design of the new K7 and the mood seems like the others are optimistic about this camera as well. However, if hypothetically pretend that this was brought out by Samsung rather that Pentax, and there would be shit loads of retards crying out "it's a RIP OFF from Sony A700!!! Fuck Samsung!!!".

[WerTicusness]

sure there would, luckily Pentax invented the Pentaprism so no one could ever say that Pentax ripped anyone off when it comes to slrs :P

[vlenbo]

It only does 720p, right?

[CauchySchwarz]

1536x1024p also.

[Chick6517]

The killer must run from the killer barker. Not nalts doing the stunts!

[mahamza86]

This a tempting model

[fvgotch]

Looks like a well designed camera with enthusiasts' features.

[tomcat39843]

There is a huge difference between DOS and Windows. None of this applies to camera menus. The Pentax menus do the job fine. I don't need a graphical depiction of an aperture (Nikon D40). This is non-essential gimmickry. I don't need nested menus either.

W.r.t. to your 10min time limit: Watch "Pentax K7 video review: first look" for what can be done in 8 mins.

[WhatDigitalCamera]

Don't get hung up on the menu comment. Its only a very minor observation and it is just my opinion, which you're free to disagree with, but it's based my experience of having used virtually every DSLR on the market. It's not a reason not to buy the camera though.

Also, what you want on a camera is not necessarily what everyone else wants.

[tomcat39843]

I get hung up on your whole video. I like you personally, but you consistently do a bad job of presenting Pentax products.

If it is only a "very minor observation" why put it into 10 precious minutes so as to leave out much more important things?

With respect to the "full story on your website": Why does the "full story" not mention the electronic level function, the composition adjustment feature and perhaps other new cool features?

[nate274]

the k20d wasn't mid range pricewise .........you were around when it came out?? if i remember i paid the same price as the k7 is now so......? The k7 will not be the same price by this time next year!

[WhatDigitalCamera]

I agree, the K20D wasn't mid-range when it came out but it has become so with time, as the price has fallen and newer rivals have come out. Pentax is clearly positioning the K20D as its mid-range model with the K7 as the flagship. But for sure, the K7 price will come down.

[GLXLR]

I hope you do know Pentax has Samsung (the world's second largest semiconductor producer behind Intel) and Hoya the largest Optics manufacturer in the world.

[LTF85199]

Great Product Love the innovations especially: The in-camera body image stabilization, unlike this cam I had to buy the bulky and expensive Nikon IS equipped lenses. Wonder how effective this IS compared with the Nikon or Canon's. Love the "Custom Image processing" software. Love the in-camera distortion correction. Only thing I wish this camera had was a Swivel LCD like the new Nikon D5000's.

[rep627]

PENTAX ROCK ROCK ROCK !!!

In 3 months, the price will be 1000$.

For such a feature, i'll buy it if i have money.

[Kenttas]

I am using pentax ,currently I have k200d. It is great camera but I am planning to get K-7. It looks like a big progress in pentax line.

[Ixon2001]

Being a Nikon user with the D300 im pretty impressed with the features Pentax has with the K7.

But the most important thing is the image quality will it match it's impressive features.

[user9552663674746352]

2:27 - Lumix G1 has a mic input too!

[pnuttah]

the G1 isn't a DSLR as it lacks the mirror reflex system

[SpeedFreakNO]

My K10D has worked flawless in less than -20 degrees celcius many times.

[kadvid]

Could you please make a video of you actually taking photos with it? Single and continuous shots please. I'd love to know if Pentax got rid of the typical "hey, I'm here, look at me, I'm taking photos" Pentax sound.

[SpeedFreakNO]

A Swedish magazine had a look at this model, and the shutter sound is very low, they said it might be the quietest shutter they'd heard.

[tomcat39843]

That's a pretty useless video, as to be expected from "WhatDigitalCamera". The menu system is to other what DOS is to Windows? What is it supposed to do? What are you talking? And the K20D (with the best resolution of all APS-C models) is a "low-end model"? What about all the other great features of the K-7 that weren't mentioned? If there were a license for journalists, this guy would have to have it withdrawn from him.

[WhatDigitalCamera]

Compare the menu with others, especially Nikons and the new Sonys and you'd see what I mean.

I never said the K20D was low end, I said it was mid-range, which at under £600 for the body, it is.

There are lots of other great features that we didn't have time to mention (10 min time limit). This video is just an overview to accompany the full news story on our website which lists all the features and has product photos etc.

[GLXLR]

That's funny. i heard a lot of other guys praising the menu O.o

[timmyguy13]

did he mention the iso capabilities?? i didnt hear it??

ohh and does anyone know how the weather sealing on the d300 is? or maybe have a link to an image of its weather sealing??

[WhatDigitalCamera]

I didn't mention the ISO but it is listed on the mini specs at the end of the video (around 9.09) Like I said to tomcat39843, the full story, with much more info, is on our website.

[WhatDigitalCamera]

£1199 body only, apparently.

[nate274]

i just saw that it has a magnesium shell. thats nice. I still think they kinda used all the things i didn't like about the k100d and the k200d like the cheap looking sd card door and af area selection thats not as simple as the k10d or k20d and the rubber hdmi "weather seal" seems like a cheap idea. i like how everything seemed latched shut on the k10 and k20d. They are going in the right direction but they're leaving some of what made the previous models so nice.

[nate274]

Hmmmm yeah first flagship im not impressed with. It kinda seems like alot of nice features jammed into a seemingly cheap constructed body. I expected something built like the k20d. DISAPPOINTED!!!!!!!!

[piioshua]

He might not mention it but the K7 does have a magnesium shell and a steel core. which is better than the K20D has fyi...

[TerrorJohn]

Cheap constructed body? It has a steel frame with a magnesium outer shell. You can hit a nail in the wall with that. Plus it is the smallest APS-C dslr ever.

I would love to know what you think is a great constructed body, please don't say it's that ugly plastic canon 5d blob.

[whufee]

Pentax should produce full-frame DSLR maybe K-14 ........ :(

I wouldn't change to K7, not huge difference compares to K10 or K20......

[shadowcharger26]

Shades of the LX! It may not every single itty-bitty feature that P-fans have been wanting but it's awfully darn close!

This has pretty well everything the K10D/20D were missing! I'm OK with it not being full-frame cuz I've upgraded my lenses already for APS-C.

I love the size (10D & 20D were big & bulky, wife may even like it!), I love the look & ergonomics. Can't wait to get my hands on it and try it out!

[moddingcomp]

Buahah, when you have phone, you cane use card MicroSD -> SD ;]

You have everywere and everytime more memory!

K7 is too small!!!! :/ I don't wont buy a new grip [propably 200$] ;/

K10d have nice size ;]

[carljmi]

who said anything about CF memory; they still use sd.

[PachiTube86]

it has what all the competitors have and more, for example 5fps, mic for HD recording, magnesium body ... like a pro camera ... waiting some video and pictures for see the quality ... but already i can feel will be good!

[Kenttas]

it is already avalable to order from pentax just for 1299 dolars body only. great !

[whitey1350]

2x the data rate of the 5dMkII in video.

Ouch for Canon

[someguy6481]

@ whitey1350

ouch for Nikon as well

[LTF85199]

Great cam, love the innovations, Pentax is resurrecting. I haven't owned a Pentax since the era of 33mm film. should have had the swivel LCD also.

[ryans109]

They dropped the "D" in the name...it's just K-7 (with dash).

[TheRealAutodidact]

> "SD ... which is possibly surprising for a Pro-spec camera" ...

Seriously! Why is bigger and bulkier (CF) considered more pro? "Standard" SD cards are just the right size!

[darksidehero]

I would like to know this as well.

[someguy6481]

Pentax are going to sell alot of these.

[sarasane01]

god job

[Gimpownik]

... is beautiful

[Diasfu]

I'm so happy right now. I started with the K200D, and I was wondering of an upgrade. I like the 5D mark 2, but price is steep, and I got some pricey K-mount lenses..so this, the K7-GREAT! Will definitely look at it..

[PachiTube86]

stunning ... it's hard time for Canon and Nikon!