K-7, The New Pentax

[Mr Guy]

http://ricehigh.blogspot.com/

I know that most of the Pentax users here are also active over on Pentax Forums where this is old news, but for the rest of you, exciting week this week. The K-7 is going to be announced, and it looks impressive as advertised. For those of you who haven't been keeping up, the main thrust of the K-7 appears to be a slightly smaller, better built camera with enough bells and whistles to threaten the big boys. In particular, the AF is supposed to be better and faster, it's a metal shell instead of plastic, while still being lighter and more comfortable. A somewhat more controversial feature is the HD video which is alleged to be better than the bodies with video now.

Almost equally large is the announcement that the inexpensive kit lens will be weather resistant, motivating many people who buy the K-7 to jump for the kit option even if they have lenses already.

I know I'm about ready to start saving my nickles and dimes, but I sure wish I knew what the price was.

[mattdm]

Originally Posted by Mr Guy

I know I'm about ready to start saving my nickles and dimes, but I sure wish I knew what the price was.

Yeah, no kidding. I've already got myself psyched up to spend slightly more than I can afford, but if it's much more, I'm out of luck.

On a related note, who wants to buy a used K10D?

[vandergus]

You guys are so lucky. A really high quality camera in a nice small package. This would be like Nikon making a D300 the size of my D40. I'm just a wee bit jealous.

[Mr Guy]

Fortunately, there's a solution to your problem, and it can be pre-ordered for $1299.... I understand quite a bit of Nikon glass will mount on a K-Mount as well....

[inkista]

Yeah, but then there goes the weather-proofing. But yeah, one veddy nize camera! I so hope that Canon is paying attention.

[mattdm]

Originally Posted by vandergus

You guys are so lucky. A really high quality camera in a nice small package. This would be like Nikon making a D300 the size of my D40. I'm just a wee bit jealous.

You know, it's not too late to switch.

[mseigafuse]

I already wanted to upgrade from my K100D to a K20D ... now I want the K-7. It looks sweet - but I think I might go for a new lens first and lust after a new camera body a bit longer...

[mattdm]

Originally Posted by mseigafuse

I already wanted to upgrade from my K100D to a K20D ... now I want the K-7. It looks sweet - but I think I might go for a new lens first and lust after a new camera body a bit longer...

From the list in your signature, looks like you don't have any of the Limited lenses. That definitely needs to be fixed.

[mseigafuse]

Originally Posted by mattdm

From the list in your signature, looks like you don't have any of the Limited lenses. That definitely needs to be fixed.

Agreed, I think I need better glass before I need a better body. I was thinking of the Pentax SMC DA* Series 50-135mm f/2.8 ED IF SDM - any thoughts on that lens? I know it will only work in AF mode (not SDM since my body doesn't support that). But if I went with a new body first then I would still have low end lenses only ...

[Mr Guy]

What kind of shooting do you do?

The jump from a K110D to a K20D for me was a HUGE jump, much bigger than the jump in lenses would be. From a K100D to a K-7 would be a similar sized step, but only in the right conditions. It's still hard to say EXACTLY where the improvements would be, because not enough are in enough hands to be sure, but we can make some educated guesses. For example, switching lenses would improve your low light performance by giving you wider apertures, but switching cameras should significantly improve your high ISO performance and be a revolution in autofocus performance. Never having had one before, I didn't think the front wheel was a major improvement for me, but I haven't yet gotten to the point where using it for adjustments is second nature; other people refuse to live without it.

It's something of a controversial feature, but if you've ever lusted for video but been unwilling to pay $500 for an occasional use HD video camera, the choice is obvious!

However, $1300 buys nice glass as well; it just all depends on what gap you're trying to fill or what ability you'd like to purchase.