May 20, 2009 – The anticipation has been building as the countdown counter on the Pentax Imaging website hit zero. At last the K-7 digital SLR camera has been officially introduced. But was it worth the wait? After reviewing the specs and the video on Pentax’s YouTube channel, my initial answer is yes! The features and build quality certainly make the K-7 a contender in the advanced shooter market. It provides the features they are looking for without the expense of a pro level camera.
The K-7 is sporting a completely rebuilt 14.6 megapixel CMOS sensor that was designed to minimize noise and capture HD quality movies. A new 77-segment metering system determines exposure for complex and dynamic lighting situations and the dedicated AF-assist lamp improves autofocus response and accuracy in low light conditions. The Electronic Level function ensures you will get accurate horizon lines and the Lens Correction function adjusts for distortion and lateral chromatic aberrations for maximum image quality.
The convergence of video and still images in one camera is here and the K-7 DSLR is the new player in the game. Shoot 1280×720 by default or select 1536×1024 or 640×416 resolutions at 30 frames per second. You can set the aperture and mechanical Shake Reduction and plug in an external microphone for optimal stereo sound. When you’re done share your videos and stills using the HDMI out port to connect to your HDTV.
These and many more great features all wrapped up in a compact, magnesium alloy body makes this a great choice for the advanced shooter looking for more. Look for the K-7 body to hit stores in July 2009 for $1,299.95. Please see the official press release below and be sure to check out our slideshow of K-7 photos (powered by ushareimages.com of course) as well as Pentax’s YouTube video.
Click to see our PENTAX K-7 Slideshow
Click to see the PENTAX YouTube video
OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE:
PENTAX INTRODUCES ADVANCED PENTAX K-7 DIGITAL SLR
GOLDEN, Colo.– PENTAX Imaging Company announced today the launch of the PENTAX K-7 digital SLR camera. The PENTAX K-7 features a rugged, yet compact new body design, a new 14.6 megapixel CMOS sensor rebuilt from the ground up, and advanced features such as HD Movie Capture and new, unique-to-PENTAX camera controls. Compatible with every PENTAX lens ever made, the high-end K-7 features an abundance of long-anticipated new and improved features that are exclusive to the camera and combine to make it a tremendous photography tool.
“The K-7 will appeal to many current PENTAX SLR photographers who have been asking for more advanced features but in a smaller, solid, comfortable-to-hold body,” said Ned Bunnell, president, PENTAX Imaging Company. “We also believe the combination of the K-7’s smaller, high quality construction coupled with the growing line-up of our Limited compact prime lenses will appeal to serious shooters who currently don’t own or previously hadn’t considered adding a PENTAX to their camera bag.”
The most significant features of the PENTAX K-7 that have never been offered before in any K series digital camera, and in some case any camera, include:
- A compact, magnesium alloy body that is one of the smallest in the advanced photo enthusiast category to reduce bulk and allow users to travel light while maintaining durability and build quality (seven percent smaller than the K20D and up to 25 percent smaller than other cameras in the same class).
- A new 14.6 megapixel CMOS sensor rebuilt from the ground up to minimize noise, adds four channel output for fast image capture, and the ability to capture HD quality movies. It is the ideal combination of resolution and file size, allowing very large (poster size and larger) prints and cropping flexibility.
- A new 77-segment metering system quickly and accurately determines exposure for even the most complex and dynamic lighting situations.
- HD Movie capture features adjustable quality and resolution settings, aperture control, as well as mechanical Shake Reduction, and an external microphone terminal for recording stereo sound.* The K-7 will capture video at the default standard of 1280×720 resolution with a 16:9 aspect ratio (equivalent to 720p), 1536×1024 resolution with a 3:2 aspect ratio, or 640×416 resolution with a 3:2 aspect ratio (equivalent to VGA quality), all shot at 30 frames per second.
- An HDMI port with selectable output resolution (1080i, 720p, 480p, and auto) offers high resolution playback of images and video on modern high definition TV’s.
- A Dedicated AF-assist lamp further improves autofocus response and accuracy in low light conditions.
- An Electronic Level function ensures that images have truly level horizons to minimize post-capture editing.
- An innovative in-camera Lens Correction function that electronically adjusts for Distortion and Lateral Chromatic Aberrations to maximize image quality with DA series lenses.
- A dedicated Mirror Lock-up function eliminates image blur due to mirror movement during long exposures.
- A High Dynamic Range (HDR) image capture mode captures three images then combines them in camera to widen the exposure gamut to bring out detail in all exposure areas of images.
- A composition adjustment feature in Live View allows minor shifts in the framing and composition of images using the Shake Reduction mechanism without having to physically move the camera. This feature is ideal for tripod use.
- A programmable embedded copyright function preserves artistic integrity and image ownership during capture via a keypad that may record ownership in meta tag data.
*Due to the compact size of the K-7 camera and the in-body Shake Reduction mechanism, a camera mounted microphone is a highly recommended accessory for optimal audio quality when capturing video.
A variety of K series camera features that are significantly improved in the PENTAX K-7 are outlined in the complete news release posted here: http://www.pentaximaging.com/news Enjoy a preview of the PENTAX K-7 on the PENTAX youtube.com channel at http://www.youtube.com/pentaxian1. Images are available here: http://www.pentaximaging.com/press/pressfiles.html.
Along with the body, PENTAX announced a D-BG4 battery grip for exclusive use with the PENTAX K-7 and two weather-resistant lens models developed specifically for PENTAX digital SLRs. The smc DA 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 AL WR and the smc DA 50-200mm F4-5.6 ED WR kit lenses feature weather-resistant seals to handle damp, inclement conditions.
The PENTAX K-7 body only will ship in July 2009 for $1,299.95. The PENTAX D-BG4 battery grip will be priced at $229.95, and the lenses will be priced at $199.95. These products also will ship in July 2009.
Every PENTAX K-7 purchased includes a Three Year extended warranty and an exclusive coupon for up to 15 percent savings on a variety of PENTAX products. More information about all of these products is available at: www.pentaximaging.com and preorders may be placed now at www.pentaxwebstore.com. Professional photographers interested in equipment loans may learn more about the PENTAX Pro Program by calling 1-800-877-0155.
PENTAX Imaging Company is an innovative leader in the production of a variety of digital cameras including weather-resistant digital SLRs and compact, waterproof cameras, as well as lenses, flash units, binoculars, scopes, and eyepieces. For almost 90 years, PENTAX has developed durable, reliable products that meet the needs of consumers and businesses. With headquarters in Golden, Colo., PENTAX Imaging Company is a division of PENTAX of America, Inc.
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Founder of Current Photographer, co-host of The Digital Photography Cafe Show, Designer, Photographer, and overall tech geek.