k7 v k20

Is the k7 worth buying over the k20, i'm not interested in it;s video, capabilities,I have damaged my k20 where the tripod mount screws into the base.

I have the K10D but here is how I see it. I don't care for vieo either, and If I had to replace my camera, I would assess what kinds of pictures I was taking, and see how much the K20 and K 7 were. The K-7 may not be worth the extra money. I can get a K20 for about 500 quid brad new. The K-7 for me, would not be worth the extra money.

Not really had my K7 long enough to comment, it is much quicker to focus and I have the feeling it saves quicker but that could be the card. I am happy with the results but do have a problem with the view finder, which may be my spectacles that need replacing.

Still have and use my K20 and purchased the K7 because I wanted two bodies. Not sure if I lost both which model I would replace them with two K7 or two K20. Think at the moment I am not used to the different layout on the K7 and because I am also using the K20 it is taking me a while to remember where the required controls are on the K7, having said that most are more accessible than on the K20.

Not much help am I, ask again in about 2 months, if you can wait that long and remember I am clocking on more than a bit so do not learn and retain as I used to.

I also have a K10D and have a similar view to Pentaxian 67 above. I like the K10D because it is big and chunky (I have big hands and the K10D feels right). However, I would be keen to have better high ISO performance, and I have read in reviews that the k7 autofocus is an improvement on the K10D (which I occasionally, although not often, find 'hunts' around a bit...). I do find myself very tempted by the K7, and the price seems to be coming down as well...

It would be interesting to hear from anyone out there who can compare all three (K10, K20 and K7)...?

Sorry not K10 as I can't cope with big bodies, the K7 scores with that is is smaller than the K20.

My K10D is due an upgrade and after doing the Bournmouth Air show for 3 days I can say it will be with a K-7 and not a K20D purely for the faster AF capability. It was fine with the slower planes and helicopters but a bit of a problem with the jets.

Problem is I like the size of the K10D with grip so looks like I will have to fork out for a grip with the K-7 as well.

I just bought a K20d and will be getting it in two weeks when my sister visits me in Mexico.

I chose the K20d because of the price, $629, and it's performance and problems are well known and documented.

I have absolutely no need, or interest, in video. If I did, I'd get a video camera. I have thoroughly enjoyed my Pentax DSLR cameras and my only real wish is to have better focusing. All I want is instantaneous focusing that is always smack on.

For me, I didn't see the K7 as twice the camera as the K20d and right now it's twice the price.

I suspect at some point in the future I'll be considering the K7 versus whatever comes next.

They are both excellent cameras and you will be fine with either. If you can't see a reason to upgrade then don't. You may find that spending the money on new lenses, tripods, filters, etc is a better investment for you.

Personally I have totally fallen for the K7. Faster and more accurate AF, better high ISO handling and a much better viewfinder are what make the difference for me. If you shoot with a grip the K7 with the grip feels much better than the K20d with grip. I also have no interest in video so will never use it.

But if you can, find a shop and look at them both and ask yourself if the difference is worth the money. Only you can ever really answer!

Coming from various K10's I found that the K20 was a great camera, but really not very different from its predecessor. Yes more pixels, and better high ISO performance, but not by much. Surely it doesn't feel different at all, IMO.

The K-7 is in another league altogether. Completely different type of camera, and huge improvement in performance, speed, handling, features...

good luck!

I have been using my new K-7 for 6 weeks now and have sold my K20D. If money is tight then the K-7 is a bit of a luxury being at about twice the price of a K20D.

However I have no regrets about the extra cost as while I liked my K20D I love my K-7. It seems to handle so much better. It feels a lot smaller and I find I am more likely to take it with me on outings and family occasions. The objective improvements are mainly in speed and improved autofucus - it really is a big advance on the K20D. I find that it will focus (with the help of the built in focus assist light in semi-darkness and under normal conditions focus is faster and more accurate. White balance is spot on even under tungsten lighting and it does not underexpose as the K20D tended to do.

Paired with one of the pancake limited lenses it is remarkably discreet if you prefer to do your shooting unobtrusively. If posssible try handling a K-7 before you decide - some people think it is too small. I think it is just right.

Archie

You've confused me, but that's easily done.

The K10D and K20D bodies are identical in size, and you have a K20D already.

I thought the same but decided not to say anything incase it was me being a bit dim

LOL sorry to confuse you both but someone said they liked the K10 because it was big and chunky, well not knowing the K10 I assumed it was larger than the K20 which I would not think of as large and chunky.

I missed the K20 so jumping from K10D to K7 was a huge leap in capability, If you own DA* lenses then it is a truly classy camera. I did not want video and i would certainly not buy a dedicated video camera,However i do use the capability of the K7 really often as it is only a turn of the dial away, I even have a hot shoe mic and editing software!
I find the bright 100% viewfinder a real boon as i need to review my shots less often on the screen. The live view is really sharp and to be able to enlarge the image in live view has saved me many times from out of focus close up images with my poor eyesight!
The autofocus is silent with DA* lenses and very quick! You also have face recognition & Contrast recognition in live view with the option of phase detection (which flips the mirror back down, takes a focus reading before returning the mirror up for live view.) The VR can cope with rotational vibration (which Canon are making a big fuss about bringing out yet another new range of lenses with this capability).
I have taken just short of 3,000 still shots and around 4 hours of video with mine. As for body size the controls are normal size, Its just the body that is that bit smaller, But if you add the grip it is a good size so you have the best of both worlds. If you want a small camera to take on holiday just take the grip off and put the kit lens on.
The digital spirit level is really useful (Though less so in manual mode as you have no exposure info unless you use the live view screen)
I have certainly enjoyed using this Camera even though my K10D went round the clock 5 times i feel more at home with the K7.The only thing which surprised me was the default "Bright" setting which took a little while to figure out as it was quite noisy straight from the Camera but now i have the Camera set to "Natural which takes out the sharpening which caused the noise. Though to be honest i shoot RAW so it was no big deal as the images corrected beautifully in PP.
Regards - Pete.

On the 'big and chunky' front, I specifically bought the K10d because all the other cameras around the same price felt very cheap and plastic. The K10d immediately felt solid and well built.

I also thought I would find the K7 too small but the difference in the grip makes it feel much better, but the solidness and chunkiness are still there becuase it still feels so well made.