Are You Satisfied

Just Upgraded recently from K10 to K20 and so far quite happy with the results, sadly the K7 never really grab me.
The down side had to upgrade my better half's K10 to a K20!

Mine too. A jewel.

G

I have never bought the hot new camera. I'm always a year or so behind the curve and sometimes I don't make the curve at all.

I never regretted going to DSLR and I didn't regret going from IstD to K10d. I'm considering going to a K20d now.

I bought the *ist D as soon as it came out, upgrading from the MZ50.
That was a great first camera, but a tad small, once the grip was on it was great. That really was a great camera. It was when I turned pro I started finding faults with it, especially the noise.
Then I bought the K10 and that was a great upgrade especially with the grip.

I then sold the *ist D to buy the K20 but kept the K10 as a back up. The K20 was and still is a great camera, yes there are a few niggles that I don't like, the underexposing being the main problem.

The K7 was to be my next upgrade, but I never had the excitement that I got from the previous cameras. Personally, and please don't take offense as I don't want to start any arguements, it doesn't do anything for me whatsoever, although I am bursting for an upgrade, I believe the K7 isn't for me.
I will say that it is a very well built camera and that quality knocks the socks off other makes that I have recently looked at. I wish the best of luck to all those that have one and that they get great enjoyment out of using it.


Paul

I feel the same both about the move from the K20D to the K-7 and whether to hold on to my K20D.

It certainly proved handy when I returned my first K-7 to SRS, eventhough they had such a great turnaround time. I don't think that the step from the K20D to the K-7 is as big as I found from the K10D to the K20D, but for me it's there. I'm still seeing better image quality with both colours and noise (despite what others have complained about as I don't shoot at 1600+ ISO). I'm having fund with the video mode too and it's given new life to some of my lenses. Ergonomically, I much prefer it, the better VF coverage and lighter smaller build all help.

So you would say from K10D to K-7 is a major step?

Definitely. Especially as you're going from a CCD to a CMOS sensor, the differences in the way they render are significant. The K-7 also offers quicker AF for screw lenses if that's something you need. I used my 500mm on the K-7 and it felt almost twice as fast. I also use DR a great deal and it's a real boon for macro photography.

Just echo what Chirpy says about the handling too. I like the handling of the K20D especially with the grip but the K-7 is a nice step up (well more than a nice step up actually :wink.
For me, with or without the grip it is more comfortable to hold and easier to operate once you familiarise your self with the button placement.

Just to add I've been out trudging around the North Hants/Berks/Wilts boarder area earlier today in less than kind conditions (plenty of rain and wind) and the K-7+16-50 got drenched, didn't miss a beat (the K20D naturally is the same in this regard). One of the key pluses of Pentax for me

I agree totally with parker06. Same upgrade for me and sooo well worth it.

Cedric

This has been a very interesting topic, it looks as though the majority are very happy with there upgrdades.
I'm sure that i will be happy to.

I would be careful about using the word 'upgrade' and simply assuming digital must be better. In my view it is simply 'different'.

I'm presently debating if I should sell my K20D and get another K-7. Not that there is anything wrong with the K20D, au contraire, it's just so both cameras have identical controls. I used to have the K10D and K20D, with identical controls, and that was a great set up, since going from one camera to the other didn't make any difference with the ergonomics. Now, when I go from one to the other, I have to think twice before I do anything, which slows me down at the most awkward moments.

The ergonomics of the K-7 is at least as good as the one on the K10d/K20d, but having to "reprogram" my brain every time I change cameras is something I can do without.

Yves, it's a good point. It's more efficient to have two cameras the same.

I have always (in recent years) had a matched pair of bodies. Much the best way.

G

aah! that explains why you are such a prolific poster.

George, focusing improvements aside, how would you rate the IQ of the K20 compared to the K10.

Steve