pentax k7

Mike,

I'm with you - the K10D is a good camera (although the effect of 'customising' yours may have changed it of course).

Well what with the red tape door latch, the scratched sensor and the fact I noticed yesterday its not recognising my external flash correctly now I think it's time has probably come.

I will replace it but not until I need a new camera for something special .. in the meantime I can just watch the price go down a bit more (or buy another lens or two).

sorry didn't mean to insult k10d users, and good on you mike, but what if its dies when you realy need it.

I upgraded from a K200D to the K7, so here are my thoughts:

Size wise the two are almost identical, unless you are comparing them "gripped" as the K7 grip is a lot bigger than the K200D one (should also note that the K7 grip is a lot more useful as far as buttons etc). The biggest initial differences I noticed were the screen (sooo much better on the K7) and the 100% viewfinder - I'm really surprised how much difference this has made. Once I started delving a little deeper features like the second scroll wheel, AF point selection switch, metering selection switch and dedicated ISO button quickly became invaluable, as well as being able to adjust the focus for lenses etc. The IR remote sensor on the back of the unit is a nice touch as well.

Is it a good upgrade? Yes, it's fantastic - I loved my K200D but the K7 is a step up in every regard. Has it made me a better snapper? Nah, I'm still the limiting factor

With any luck Mike-P will have enough notice that the replacement is urgently needed - and SRS no doubt will come up with the goods and his new baby will be in his hands almost before he knows it

Or a K20!...I'm a believer in good glass,from the efforts I've seen, the K7 doesn't produce better images that the K20, or in fact the K10!. The additions of a few "bells and whistles" ,which a large percentage of users dont use I suspect,doesn't do it for me I'm afraid. I've handled the K7 and I find it most uncomfortable, especially with a DA*300 or a 50/135,the lack of anything to hold with my right hand makes it a none starter!.......

I'm know the K7 is a superb camera. But I'm with Beginner on this one. I still use two K10 bodies and although I don't have large hands like he does (for choppping down trees) they feel very comforatble in my hands. Incidently the K10 and K20 which Ken uses are the same size.
I'd rather spend my money on upgrading lenses despite the noise issue on my K10s, which isn't so bad.
david

Me thinks that SRS is favourite, now I just have to wait till birthday in May, (no body else will buy it 4 me lol)

Paul

I realised earlier that SRS are no longer doing the free extra battery offer with the K-7

As the Pentax battery is actually a Minolta NP400 there are plenty of places to purchase one elsewhere, (presuming of course the K7 is using the same in the 10's/20's.)

Paul

The Pentax battery is not a Minolta NP400 and in any event the K7 battery is different from the K10D/K20D battery.

The Minolta 7D used the battery before the K10D. I don't say that it is a Minolta battery but Pentax used the exact same battery after Minolta. Mine have been through both cameras. Fully interchangeable chargers as well.

Regards

Someone has opened the battery up here on this site and there are simply 2 batteries inside that you can order from some sites and you can even fit in more powerful ones if you want

I would agree Anvh as all typical 7.2/7.4 Lithium packs would only have two cells. Same voltage ratios as the Lithium Polymer batteries I use on my R/C Planes and helicopters and my rechargeable pistol drills.

Regards

Sorry to be pedantic, but the batteries are different. They may be the same size but the specs are different - 1500 mAh for the Minolta and 1620 mAh for the Pentax.

I think it's misleading to say they are the same in that the same means identical in every respect, which they are not.