Pentax K-7

Hello, I am what is called now an 'Enthusiastic' Photographer. I started shooting DSLR with MINOLTA which translated to SONY and added later Olympus 4/3rds to use the 2x magnification for my tele shots. In 2009, I wanted to upgrade my camera bag with more recent cameras and went shopping. I am using many manual lenses. What impressed me about the K7: Very intuitive - great Menu - excellent form factor - I bought the camera together with the 16-50mm lens, to give me a 'walkaround lens' in addition to the many manual lenses I use. Without looking at the use of manual lenses, this camera is by far the very best bang for the buck. When I take the use of 'old' lenses in consideration, it is simply unbeatable. It is the only DSLR to my knowledge, that lets you compose in open aperture AND gives you the AF confirmation through the camera - no flimsy 'AF confirm' adapter needed. If I would only shoot with ONE Camera, this is the camera of choice, especially, if you have some Pentax K-mount or adaptall-2 lenses - you will save 1000ds of $s over temporary lenses. Unfortunately, I have to part with it and the K20D, which is still new in the box, as I decided for Canniko FF; I start with 12mm on the wide side, and am already lugging too much gear around! I did not care about and did not test the video capabilities. I could compare it with my SONY A 350, which has the articulated screen as +++, but lacks the quality feeling of the K7 and some pro features like the 2nd LCD, the OLYMPUS 510, which I use for a total different purpose (The E1 would qualify for a direct comparison), the Nikon D300, I prefer the viewfinder (both are excellent!), the CANON 5D, a different purpose camera, but the overall 'feeling' of the K7 is just better! Of course, that is all subjective, but this is, what photography is about anyway, if you make your decision based on pixel counting, there are enough 'scientific’ tests around! Now, within the marketing driven pixel race more important features came in the background, as noise resistance. I do like neither 14MP SONY NOR the 10MP Olympus for the actual noise produced, but I made my decision for a D700 and 1Ds before I could actually test the K7.
If you are upgrading and in the market for a high end Prosumer DSLR, my advice: GO FOR IT!
The best alternatives I can see for a combination in the same price class ( DSLR + High End 'walk around" lens
#1 OLYMPUS E1 with 12-60mm 2.8-4 – effective (35mm compared) 24-120mm
#2 PENTAX K7 with 16-50mm 2.8 - effective 24- 75mm. I prefer the constant 2.8 over the longer zoom range of the Olympus.
You will have difficulties finding the same lens class in this price range in NIKON, CANON or SONY brand
Please remember: That field between (effective, compared to 35mm) 24 and 120mm is just so important, and I recommend to buy rather expensive lenses, which you might keep for 10-20 years, while the electronic camera part of your equipment is due for replacement within the next 18-24 month, also please keep in mind, that FF cameras are dropping in price, and you might instead build up your lenses on 24x36 lenses from the beginning!

- features
- use of a wide arrange of lenses
- responsiveness
- form/weight
- PRICE, BEST BANG for thr BUCK

- None detected - not tested for noise resistancy!
- Lack of articulated screen (Compared to E1)

SONY A100, A350
OLYMPUS E 510, E330
CANON 10D, 1Ds MKII, 1D MKII
NIKON D300, D2x
FUJI S1 pro
KODAK DCS 14n FF pro

Usage too short to get an impression