Pentax Q7 Mirrorless Hands On Preview

We go hands-on with the new Pentax Q7, the smallest interchangeable lens camera.

Posted: 13/06/2013 - 08:36

The new Pentax Q7 is the latest compact interchangeable lens camera from Pentax, and sits above the Pentax Q10, which will remain available in the market. The new Q7 uses a new larger 1/1.7inch backlit CMOS sensor as well as other updates for improved image quality as well as an extended angle of view.

Pentax Q7 Features

The Pentax Q7, with larger sensor, has a magnification factor of 4.6x compared to the Q and Q10 magnification factor of 5.5x, this gives a wider view when using the Pentax Q lenses on the Q7, for example the 5-15mm standard zoom lens, which is the equivalent of 27.5-83mm on the Q and Q10 becomes 23-69mm equivalent on the Q7.

The Q7 features a larger 1/1.7inch backlit CMOS sensor, which is slightly larger the Q10 sensor, at 1/2.33inch, and to illustrate the sensor size difference, we've shown the Q10 sensor to scale overlaid below:

The sensor has no lowpass filter, dust reduction, and an IR pass filter, with improved shake reduction said to give 3 stops vs 2 stops on the Q10. The rear features a 3inch screen, with a new anti-reflective coating, and the Q7 also introduces a dual axis electronic level, Eye-Fi compatibility, and HDR interval movie timelapse function. The camera shoots at 5fps JPEG, or RAW at 1.5fps continuous shooting.

Key Features

• 12megapixel, 1/1.7-inch, back-illuminated Sony CMOS sensor
• Pentax Q lens mount
• 3.0 inch LCD monitor with approx. 460,000 dots
• Shake reduction - 3stop
• Full manual controls and RAW shooting
• Full 1080p HD video recording at 30 fps
• HDR mode
• 5 fps continuous shooting
• AF Focus EV0-EV18
• Available in black, silver, yellow kits with matching lens
• Alternatively 120 colour combinations are available to order

Pentax Q7 Handling

The body is made from metal and the buttons are also very small, if you have large fingers you may find them tricky, particularly pressing the OK button that's found in the middle of the d-pad. The d-pad gives you access to flash, timer, white-balance and ISO, with other buttons on the back for exposure compensation, info and menu. There is also a green button which can be customised to change a setting of your choice. The dial on the front of the camera can also be changed to control smart effect, custom image, digital filter, aspect ratio, focus method, focus peaking and ND filter.

On top of the camera is a playback button, on/off switch, shutter release, chunky mode dial and another dial to set aperture and shutter speed when in the respective mode. The flash can be used when not released, but if you want it further away from the camera body, flick the switch on the top to pop it up. There is also a hotshoe on the top for an external flash.

Battery - The Q7 uses the same lithium battery as the Q and Q10, and battery life is rated at 250 shots. There are doors on either end of the camera, with the battery in one and the SD card slot in the other. On the bottom is a rubber cover where you'll find the PC/AV and HDMI outputs alongside the metal tripod socket.

Speed - The Pentax Q7 has a new Q engine to give improved speed including improved switch on time taking 1 second compared to 1.8 seconds on the Q10.

Pentax Q7 Hands-On Photos of Equipment

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