Comments on Hin's Tech Corner: Pentax K-x or K-7, which to get first

I remain interested in the K-7 as I think it could...

2009-12-17T12:36:04.052-08:00

I remain interested in the K-7 as I think it could easily replace (and be paid for by selling) my existing *ist DS2, K10D, and K20D. It really seems ideal for me--the quality construction, quiet & slick-sounding shutter, 100% viewfinder, and high-res LCD all appeal a lot to me. Yes, the K-x is the bee's-knees for high ISO but other than that it doesn't offer that much for me. There's a good chance that'll I'll get one after Christmas, maybe take advantage of the rebate.

K-7 vs K-x is not just about the noise. For me it'...

2009-11-05T11:30:42.353-08:00

K-7 vs K-x is not just about the noise. For me it's more about the DR.

K-20 and K-7 do a remarkable job with the high lights. However, they lose it in the shadows, with reduced DR and noise.

It seems the K-x has solved that problem. It seems the DR improvement is mostly in shadows, which is a hugh plus for Pentax.

After a week of use, I would go with the K7 if you...

2009-10-17T04:47:45.425-07:00

After a week of use, I would go with the K7 if you can afford it. It's really a remarkable camera. I am trying right now to figure out how to package my K10 and K20 to get enough $ to buy a second one for my M42 lenses. I just hate taking that adapter off in the field.

I know the lens lure...... :-)

I just got a 150mm M Pentax off Ebay. I have no idea when I will use it....sigh....

I'm going to go through my lenses this weekend and send you an email. I am moving soon and really need to minimize my stuff.

No offense taken by the way. I am just so happy with the K7. It really is a great camera. I've notice you go out shooting a lot. It's really a joy to carry because of it's size and weight. However, it feels like it could get run over by a tank and not be phased.

I guess that's more of what I'm looking for in a camera so take that for what its worth. I am a real outdoors person (no matter the weather). I really love cold weather (as does my dog) so when it does get below 50 degress here, I'm always outside. I have a black lab mix and we do a lot of camping hiking.

My personal feeling is there isn't one right camera for everyone. You just have to find the one that is right for you. I really do like the colors though. If they offer some of the choices that they have in Japan, I would be VERY tempted.

BTW- Didn't you get a 645? If so I'd be curious to know how you like it.

Thanks!!!

Buy more photo trips, not camera bodies!

2009-10-16T16:16:49.448-07:00

Buy more photo trips, not camera bodies!

Hi Hin, No doubt, the new Sony sensor shines for ...

2009-10-15T17:07:04.118-07:00

Hi Hin,

No doubt, the new Sony sensor shines for what concerns noise, but for me the camera of choice would be the K-7. The tropicalized body is a factor of choice (one of the reasons why i bought a K10D instead of a D80) ... Winter here is quite cold and humid, and i don't like to leave my camera at home ;-) ... Moreover, more than once i have been shooting under the rain.
What would have happened with another kind of body (ex. D90) ? Frankly, i don't know and don't want to know, i prefer to let other people do the test with their camera bodies ...

BTW, if noise is a concern to you, why don't you give a try to Noise Ninja or Neat Image ? I have read on the forums where we usually discuss that they both give really fine results suitable for commercial stock pictures ...

BBTW, if you can buy a K-7 at 1100US$, you already have a bargain ... Here in Europe the body alone costs 1050 euros, which is about 1600US$ ...

P.S.: Sorry if i use the name/URL to comment, but the "Google account" option doesn't seem to work for me ...

@Javier, the noise in K20D is quite good. But of ...

2009-10-15T14:40:51.111-07:00

@Javier, the noise in K20D is quite good. But of course, I will hope that K-7 can handle noise better. But noise aside, it has everything that I want in the AF and metering improvements. The big one is on the smaller form factor, leveling device and the video. I am likely to get both but at different time. Something like K-7 in X-mas if it cost below $1000 and K-x when others have reviewed it properly.

I am concerned about the missing of focus confirmation as a red dot on the focal point as I do rely not only on the beep but also on the signal of red point in the focal point for focusing. The beep is not loud enough in a busy street, a sport game or a race track for me, and the visual signal form the red dot with the selected focal point or the diamond shape on bottom of the viewfinder is important to me, I need to look further into it. It is a small annoyance otherwise and I will compromise on the positives from K-x. Likely when it is about $500 body only which is already close at current price point -- it is a bargain if you ask me.

Hin, If the noise does not bother you, then the K-...

2009-10-15T14:32:22.718-07:00

Hin, If the noise does not bother you, then the K-7, But if noise would be an issue, then I would wait and see what the K-X does...

@Stanleyk, I think I may have a wrong tone in the ...

2009-10-15T10:12:23.882-07:00

@Stanleyk, I think I may have a wrong tone in the blog post that I did in a hurry. I don't mean to be condescending on K-7. It is the best camera and it is going to be my camera of choice when I compare with Nikon D300 and Canon 50D. Noise is an subjective opinion. I am more of a amateur photographer than a junior engineer. I can't find supporting evidences that K-7 beats K20D on noise and so I read up all reports comparing noises between K20D and K-7 and arrive at the impressions taht K-7 is as good as K20D in terms of noise control and vary slightly both ways on occasions. There is no comparison that K-7 is a better camera than K20D as the AF, body, leveling, and metering are much improved. The sad truth is that the masses are concentrating on the negatives and 1 single minor point may overshadow the others. And with K-x showing better noise control, I am swayed a bit to the K-x and hope that K-7 can be back-ported with noise improvement if it is feasible for the company to do. I doubt it as it is likely the results of better Cmos sensor from Sony instead of Samsun -- it is my un-informed guess and I have no proof for it except blog readings.

I wish I can join you quickly to have a copy of K-7. But in order to do that, I can't purchase more lenses. I am someone easily tempted with lenses.

To reach me quickly, you can visit the contact page in my business under-construction site in

Hin's Contact Link

My humble comments for those who claim (as-if) the...

2009-10-15T04:58:22.424-07:00

My humble comments for those who claim (as-if) they were technician-photogs. Base on what i knew about DSLR tones, once you see a picture, makes you almost know what degree of tones( or digi-filter) the photogs use on that particular picture (only if you're a photographer or been shooting for a while by heart.)
Second is , You cannot claim to know a new gadget (DSLR) not until you really live with it. Use it everyday , learn more about what can it do or how can it produce a kind of tones you really like. But as LAZYLY saying "UNLIKE the other dslr", and that doesn't count your claim that you really know pentax K-7... C'mon Get a life !!!

This is What i think base on also what i know

Anino Mooz

I just got the K7 last week. I'm not seeing this ...

2009-10-15T03:49:57.383-07:00

I just got the K7 last week. I'm not seeing this noise problem. Maybe it's just me, but I find the images stunning, it's really small in a very good way, and it feels even more robust than the K20 or K10. Amazon had it for $1100. Now I know if I had waited until after Xmas it would probably be $1000.

That said I do like the different colors. :-)

Personally, I think this noise discussion is just that noise.

I would read Gordon Lewis' three part review on the K7 on the Online Photographer. It exactly corresponds to my experience with the K7 so far. That said, he's seems to be more of a photographer than an engineer. They really are two different things. I'm not saying one is right and the other one wrong. It's just two different ways of looking at photography.

Also- I spent the day yesterday going through my zooms. I may be moving rather far away and need to reduce the load. Plus I really just prefer primes. If you are interested I am thinking of getting rid of a few. Why don't you email me sometime and let me know. No hurry. I don't want much for them (probably much less than I paid on Ebay and I bid low).