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Pentax K-7 review
The K-7 brings together a wide range of advanced functions and
user-friendly features with outstanding reliability and operability. The
14.6 megapixel CMOS sensor, 11-point wide-frame AF and 77-segment metering
systems assure superior resolution and exposure control. Fast 5.2
frame-per-second shooting and top shutter speed of 1/8000 second ensure you
capture all the action with ease while Live View and HD movie capture
enhance your shooting experience. One of the smallest bodies in its class,
the K-7’s durable magnesium alloy body with a rugged stainless steel
chassis and full weather resistant, dustproof and coldproof design makes it
the ideal choice for shooting in almost any environment, indoors or out.
Rugged, Weather Resistant, Dustproof and Coldproof Construction The compact
K-7 is built exceptionally solid and durable, with its chassis made of
high-rigidity stainless-steel alloy under a durable but lightweight
magnesium-steel alloy shell. 77 special seals applied to the body assure
reliable operation even under harsh conditions and at temperatures as low
as -10°C.
High-quality image reproduction The K-7 incorporates a 14.6 megapixel CMOS
image sensor, measuring 23.4mm by 15.6mm and featuring a high-speed,
four-channel image data readout. This image sensor can faithfully and
accurately reproduce fine-detailed, gradation-rich images. The new PRIME
(PENTAX Real Image Engine) II imaging engine offers faster data processing
speed and produces high quality images with richer gradation and more
accurate colour rendition. It also offers high-speed movie data
transmission.
11-point wide-frame AF The K-7’s SAFOX VIII+ wide-frame autofocus
system features 11 sensor points (with nine cross-type sensors positioned
in the middle). It also incorporates an AF-assisting spotbeam projector to
improve autofocusing accuracy in low light or dark situations.
77-segment multi-pattern metering The sophisticated 77-segment
multi-pattern metering system quickly and accurately determines exposure in
even the most complex lighting by analyzing various types of data
transmitted from the sensors in the camera body.
Optical viewfinder with 100% field of view The K-7’s glass pentaprism
finder offers 100% field of view and an approximately 92% magnification,
resulting in a converted finder magnification of 0.61, to facilitate
focusing and framing operations. A new Natural-Bright-Matte III focusing
screen improves focusing accuracy during manual-focus operation.
High-speed continuous shooting The K-7’s high-speed continuous
shooting mode captures as many as 40 images (in JPEG recording format, 15
images in PEF RAW format or 14 images in DNG RAW format) at a maximum speed
of approximately 5.2 images per second.
PENTAX-original SR (Shake Reduction) mechanism The PENTAX-developed SR
(Shake Reduction) mechanism effectively compensates the adverse effect of
camera shake by approximately 2.5 to 4 shutter steps, assuring sharp,
blur-free images even under demanding shooting conditions. This new
generation version also provides automatic level adjustment and minute
angle adjustment (in the direction of up/down, right/left and
clockwise/counterclockwise), helping you to compose the image exactly the
way you want. This innovative mechanism is compatible with almost all
existing PENTAX interchangeable SLR lenses — both old and new.* * Lenses
compatible with this mechanism are the PENTAX K-, K A -, K AF -, K AF2 -
and K AF3 -mount lenses; screw-mounted lenses (with an adapter); and 645-
and 67-system lenses (with an adapter). Some functions may not be available
with certain lenses.
Comprehensive Dust Removal System The K-7 is equipped with the DR (Dust
Removal) II mechanism, designed to effectively minimize dust spots on
recorded images, even after changing lenses in dust-prone outdoor settings.
Its unique dust-alert system also lets you check for any dust on the
low-pass filter prior to shooting.
Live View real-time, on-display image confirmation with Face Recognition AF
and high-speed continuous shooting modes The Live View function allows you
to view the image on the LCD monitor during shooting. Take advantage of
this convenient function not only in the Contrast AF mode, which optimizes
the focus based on the subject’s contrast, but also in the Face
Recognition AF mode, which automatically and accurately focuses on the
subject’s face. It can also be used in the continuous shooting mode
with the mirror at lock-up position.
HD Movie Capture The K-7 adds a new movie recording function, extending the
benefits of SLR photography to the world of movie shooting. Beautiful movie
clips can recorded at different sizes — 640 x 416 pixels, 1536 x 1024
pixels, or 1280 x 720 pixels (16:9 high-definition TV proportions) — all
at a frame rate of 30 frames per second. The K-7 is also equipped with an
HDMI output terminal and an external stereo microphone input terminal.
Custom Image function to easily create desired visual effects The Custom
Image function allows you to select one of seven modes, including the new
"Muted" mode designed to recreate an image with delicate, subdued
colours, and then, if desired, to further adjust the image’s
finishing touches to your preference. In addition to saturation, tone,
contrast and sharpness, it is also possible to adjust "key" and
"contrast highlight/shadow" to the desired levels. The B&W
Infrared filter gives true infrared photography with no additional
accessories. The effects of these factors can be easily confirmed on a
preview image using the Digital Preview or Live View function before
finalizing the settings.
Versatile exposure system for faithful reproduction of creative intentions
Hyper Program function The K-7’s Hyper Program function allows you to
instantly switch to the Shutter- or Aperture-Priority AE mode from the
Programmed AE mode, with a simple turn of the electronic dials on the grip.
Hyper Manual function When shooting in Manual mode, a single push of the
green button allows you to instantly set the proper exposure for the
subject. Sensitivity-Priority mode Sensitivity-Priority (Sv) mode is
designed to automatically select the optimum combination of aperture and
shutter speed for a user-selected sensitivity. The sensitivity can be
shifted instantly in 1/2 or 1/3 steps by turning the electronic dial on the
back panel. Shutter/Aperture-Priority mode Taking full advantage of the
unique capability of digital cameras permitting automatic shift of
sensitivity at any time, the Shutter/Aperture-Priority (TAv) mode
automatically selects the most appropriate sensitivity for a user-selected
shutter-speed/aperture combination.
Hyper Program function The K-7’s Hyper Program function allows you to
instantly switch to the Shutter- or Aperture-Priority AE mode from the
Programmed AE mode, with a simple turn of the electronic dials on the grip.
Hyper Manual function When shooting in Manual mode, a single push of the
green button allows you to instantly set the proper exposure for the
subject.
Sensitivity-Priority mode Sensitivity-Priority (Sv) mode is designed to
automatically select the optimum combination of aperture and shutter speed
for a user-selected sensitivity. The sensitivity can be shifted instantly
in 1/2 or 1/3 steps by turning the electronic dial on the back panel.
Shutter/Aperture-Priority mode Taking full advantage of the unique
capability of digital cameras permitting automatic shift of sensitivity at
any time, the Shutter/Aperture-Priority (TAv) mode automatically selects
the most appropriate sensitivity for a user-selected shutter-speed/aperture
combination.
Large 3.0-inch wide-view LCD monitor The 3-inch LCD with 921,000 dot
resolution is perfect for detailed image or movie capture and review using
the Live View Function. Its wide-view design allows you to check the
monitor image from approximately 170 degrees both vertically and
horizontally, facilitating low- and high-angle shooting.
Other features HDR (high dynamic range) function creates one composite
image with an extra-wide gradation range from three images with different
exposures Dynamic-range expansion and Shadow Correction functions
compensate for both white-washed (overexposed) and blacked-out
(underexposed) areas Digital level function for easy checking of the
image’s levels Automatic compensation of distortion and lateral
chromatic aberration (available only with D A - and D FA -series lenses)
White balance control, featuring a new CTE mode to emphasize the colour
components of sunset scenes and a new incandescent-tinted fluorescent light
mode Multi-exposure function, with a superimposition of already-recorded
images on the LCD monitor for at-a-glance comparison Attachment of
copyright credits on recorded images RAW button for single-action switching
of image file format 16 digital filters to add a range of visual effects; a
new function to record an overwritten history also available
Colour-specific control buttons/dials for easy recognition and quick
access, based on the universal colour design Includes PENTAX Digital Camera
Utility 4 software package, including a RAW-data processing application
(based on the popular SILKYPIX RAW-data processing engine developed by
Ichikawa Soft Laboratory) and a browser application
HDR (high dynamic range) function creates one composite image with an
extra-wide gradation range from three images with different exposures
Dynamic-range expansion and Shadow Correction functions compensate for both
white-washed (overexposed) and blacked-out (underexposed) areas
Digital level function for easy checking of the image’s levels
Automatic compensation of distortion and lateral chromatic aberration
(available only with D A - and D FA -series lenses)
White balance control, featuring a new CTE mode to emphasize the colour
components of sunset scenes and a new incandescent-tinted fluorescent light
mode
Multi-exposure function, with a superimposition of already-recorded images
on the LCD monitor for at-a-glance comparison
Attachment of copyright credits on recorded images
RAW button for single-action switching of image file format
16 digital filters to add a range of visual effects; a new function to
record an overwritten history also available
Colour-specific control buttons/dials for easy recognition and quick
access, based on the universal colour design
Includes PENTAX Digital Camera Utility 4 software package, including a
RAW-data processing application (based on the popular SILKYPIX RAW-data
processing engine developed by Ichikawa Soft Laboratory) and a browser
application
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