K7 Review

I see that the K7 has got a 9/10 in Digital Photographer magazine review section this month.

Photography Monthly give it 4 stars out of 5 - so I guess that equates to 8/10 - still pretty good.

They give the K20 4 stars and the Samsung GX 20 4½ stars ie 9/10. Interesting

That is interesting in which category does the Samsung score better than the Pentax the only one that may make sense would be the buying price. Unless, of course, they do not like the Pentax body, hard to understand if that is the case.

The K20D was indeed marked down because of the price, because the RRP was £300 more than the GX-20. In reality you could, until recently buy the K20D for the same price or less than the Samsung. Now I see the samsung for much less (includes the lenses)

Glad to see the K7 getting good reviews

Since probably few of you read Swedish and/or German, I thought I would chime in: K7 was received well in "Foto" where it got the destinctions "Top Class" and "Excellent value" The German review were more mixed - it did well but couldn't quite match the Canikons on test.

I don't think I've seen any Danish tests yet ... (but one for the 60-250)

Although they did not admit it, they reviewed a pre-production model, rather than a production model with the correct firmware, trust me I know (insider info), the firmware sorted the issues the mentioned.

Thanks Iain - perhaps if they re-reviewed the K7 with the updated firmware it might get a higher rating??

There is a review of the K-7 in this months Photo Pro magazine, got mine through the letterbox last Thursday.

Overall, the reviewer was very positive.

He did make the comment that Pentax was now playing in a very big pond with the price point, and that Pro's would have to make a big decision if moving brands because of all the cash they have invested in their current system, whatever it is.

Still, the fact that they were reviewing it at all shows how seriously they take it, they only review one camera a month, and as I say, it was a positive review.

Also reviewed in latest Digital SLR Photography - 90% (20D got 87%).

Comments like "one of the best DSLRs released with enthusiasts in mind...there aren't any real areas of concern...very enjoyable to use...great choice for travel...proved to be a superb all-rounder and is a worthy alternative to the likes of the D300 and 50D. One for the shortlist". I think they like it.

I still think Pentax priced the K-7 too high in Europe, there is no way the pros are going to change. I also don't think it would have made much difference if it was as low as £500 where they are concerned, Canon and Nikon have got that market sown up.

Had the K-7 kit been under a grand with the grip from day one I think it would have made a BIG difference to Pentax users though and they would have sold bucketloads, especially to K10D owners who didnt buy a K20D as the upgrade wasn't worthwhile .. who have now bought K20Ds

There isn't, as you say, but nothing to do with price (in my opinion). More to do with this: link and this: link

Pentax make nice enthusiast cameras but if the K7 had been the only model available when I was looking I'd have bought a different marque. The K10/20D (Samsung in my case) with their weatherproofing and lack of consumer gimmickry came in at a good price compared to the opposition.
With the K7, I think they've placed their product at a price point where there is just too much accomplished competition.

If you were covering the Olympics or major sporting event, for example, Nikon and Canon would have service teams there to lend lenses out and to repair cameras on the spot and so on.
You buy into that when you buy their their professional equipment.

Pentax can't and I'd imagine don't want to compete with that. Without a professional service they can do what they like with but they will never compete. (So what, I can hear Hoya saying ).

That is interesting, Mike, do you think that models are coming out too quickly? I didn't think the K10D didn't offer me enough over the DS; then the K20D came out and almost immediately there were rumours of what became the K7. For me going for a K7 (not an upgrade, an 'as well as') makes sense and the video aspect makes it particularly appealing. I have had two pro but non broadcast video jobs recently where the new Pentax would have been ideal.

Ken