Lightweight, but sturdy.
Simplifies taking great pictures.
Very accurate metering.
Very good predictive autofocus.
Metal lens mount and film guide.
true panorama mode - not just a gimmick, can be used for nice effect.
Built in flash works well indoors and as a fill-flash.

no DOF
no auto bracketing
Built-in flash is a bit weak.
No PC flash/external flash connector (requires hot shoe adaptor ~$35)

I opted for the Tamron 28-80 lens over the Pentax default offering.

A very capable camera for a great price. Some minor shortcomings could be problematic for a truely professional photographer. ANYONE else would find this an excellent choice. I have taken photos of quality comparable to that of a pro using equipment 5x more costly.

While the built-in flash isn't that powerful, it has been very useful as a fill flash in shadows and indoors whithout having to drap along a bulky external flash. Battery life is excellent. Plenty of flexibilty for more advanced photographers (multi-exposure, expose compensation, exposure meter lock, full manual mode, ISO override).

Worked great on family vacation. So light I never tired carrying it around (we're talking a week at Disney and local sights)

Customer Service

Not required

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very well built solid camera.It has an excellent repair record.the important parts are metal.It has all the features I need. Very good autufocusing.

none

An excellent camera choice for most people, a pro may want more or a larger format.

Customer Service

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I also own a Olympus IS 10 and a Stylus Epic.

-FAST autofocus!!
-very user freindly
-enough features
-not realy panaramic
-but cool little effect
-fast motor!!

no DOF

ok everyone i did research for 2 months straight on cameras. heres what i learned.

n65 - autofocus is HORRIBLE and it feels cheap
n80 - was ok but I felt it wasnt worth the money
rebel - Had the features but not the quality cheap lens mount and back is plastic.
elan7 - didnt seem all that great to me and
focus wasnt great.

I tried all these cameras with a sigma 28-200 lens
the pentax never slowed down at all. It has the fastest focus it its class. The metering system is very accurate also. I love this camera I got a package at b@h photo $554 for a 28-80 and 80-320 with bag, batteries, and strap. I've tested, bought and returned twice the zx-7 is the best.
For all the New Yorkers stay away from all the camera shops in NY. I've visited all of them b@h is the cheapest and the best!

Similar Products Used:

rebel 2000, nikon n65, minolta htsi, nikon n60,
nikon n80

- Fast AF
- Accurate metering
- Metal lens mount
- Easy of use
- Shutter lock released

- No DOF
- No Auto Bracketing
- No Spot Metering

A great camera for the amateur photograph.

Customer Service

N/A

Similar Products Used:

- Canon Rebel 2000
- Nikon N 65
- Minolta HTSI Plus

Nitrous charged auto focus
Metal parts in the important places
nicely balanced weight
solid feel (for a light weight slr)
too many more to list

Not many
I guess no dof preview
no spot metering
no center weighted metering (requires another lens)

After almost 7 months of searching for that "perfect fitting camera" i decided to try pentax.I tried my friends f70 and it felt nice,i tried various minoltas other nikkons and canons but they all felt lacking in some way.I'm not a pro nor do I consider myself some awesome photographer i just wanted a camera that would grow with me withought having to study day and night to learn how to use it.
I also wanted a camera that felt right in my hands it is personal preference but i tried what the majority of people own and they felt "wrong".
The elan series is good but too gadgety for me.
The minoltas were okay but they focus like something is wrong with them.
The nikons just seemed too much money for what you get.
when i finally made up my mind i grabed the mz-7 and started shooting anything and everything from cars on the highway to trees with tricky shadowing i even took a shot of my cat in complete dark (door closed,indoors No lights,no outdoor lighting either)The flash popped up and discharged immediately locked the focus on my cat and took the shot.
That week i got the pictures developed (wanted to see how "smart" the camera was) to my surprise i passed the picture twice before realizing that the picture was exposed perfectly,it looked like all the lights were on.there was no weird light colours it was perfect.
i have looked at other cameras after i bought this but i paid $599 (with lens) the only way you MIGHT find a better camera is if you want to spend at least $1000 for a body.
the other cameras just don't quite cut it for value and build quality.
I will only by pentax until the "others" catch up.

Customer Service

haven't needed it yet

Similar Products Used:

nikon f70 f60 f65 6006
minolta xtsi htsi stsi
canon rebel g elanII&IIe
Rebel 2000
Various other pentax products

Ease of use, controls FEEL right to my hands, fast AF, metal lens mount, multiple levels of control options from P&S to full manual

Still waiting (3+ mo) for my extended warranty registraion confirmation

My 4th SLR dating back to the 60's. I've been a happy Olympus owner but the old eyes needed AF assistance. Got the ZX-7 in Sept and have no regrets at all. Shoot B&W and process in my home darkroom and the camera is hard-pressed to give a poor exposure or out of focus shot. Haven't lost a shot to focus problems yet in 20 or so rolls. Folks have some complaint on the Pentax 28-80 but I've used it at all focal lengths and the prints look good at 11X14. The controls fall easily to hand, even to my large hands. The control options cover just about all situations you'll encounter. I may pick up a used K mount MF lens to try out the AF indicator feature, which works on the older Pentax MF lenses, and indicates audibly and in the viewfinder when a MF lens is in focus. Think of all that great old(cheap) used glass out there. I don't think you can beat this camera unless your willing to move up to a $1K outlay.

Customer Service

See weaknesses Hope I won't need any

Similar Products Used:

Nikon N50, N60, Canon Rebel

-lightning speed autofocus;
-six segment evaluative metering;
-easy handling with most of the controls switch within your finger tips during focusing..;
-metal lens mount;
-very robust and versatile model.

I don't think it has any weaknesses except for the DOF preview but that is negligible if you know the basics..

Very concrete model, thanks to PENTAX! Thumbs up for the Pentax team. I did compare the Canon EOS 300 with this model..What a cheapo product from Canon....the back of the camera looks like complimentary free gift with other products...not least the cheapo poly carbo lens mount. The handling of the MZ7 is solid compliment with its ergonomically rubber grip for the right hand. The metering systems work out great if not the best for cameras within its range. The metering works fine with the autofocus to get the best pictures.

Customer Service

none

Similar Products Used:

Nikon F60 (N60), Canon EOS 500N (Rebel G) and Canon EOS 300 (Rebel 2000)

Easy to use
Quality parts
Flexible
Upgradeable
Great features

None

I have found this camera to be wonderful for the beginging photographer. It's features are easy to use and understand. The camera is not only good for the beginner, but also for the intermediate photographer. The auto settings are user friendly to the beginner, but the camera' manual mode is great for the more experienced. Overall, I am overly impressed with this camera, and very glad I purchased it.

Similar Products Used:

Canon Rebel

-I think the color mode dial is such a plus, as well as the LCD lighting up
-

-It is a rather heavy camera

I just think it is such a good camera and so good for hte price. I looked at alot of other cameras before buying this one and I felt like this one had the best features and the best standing behind it

Similar Products Used:

-Canon Rebel 2000 EOS
i like the pentax much better

Fast focus
Lightweight
Auto picture mode for beginners or casual photographers.

None yet

I bought the ZX-7 to replace my old Pentax P3 after breaking the rewinder. I looked at this site for comments on all the auto focus SLR's. I even went to the local stores, Best Buy, Ritz, to check out the Canon, Nikon, Minolta, etc. One of the things I liked about this camera is the built (metal). The other ones are like hard plastic or something. Plus, compared to my old camera this is light and it has everything...fast focus, clear, the whole nine yards. I would recommend this to anyone. I should have gotten the 28-80 / 80-320 lens kit instead of just the 28-80 that B&H was offering. That's my only regret.

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