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Buyer's Guide Cameras SLRs $1,000-$2,000 Pentax K-7
Buyer's Guide Cameras SLRs $1,000-$2,000 Pentax K-7
 
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PENTAX K-7ESTIMATED STREET PRICE: $1,299 (body only)Pentax’s newest D-SLR builds on the strong points of the K20D and adds lots of new features. The K20D’s 14.6-megapixel CMOS sensor (codeveloped with Samsung) has been revamped to allow Face Detection Live View and HD video recording. A new PRIME II imaging engine works with the sensor to improve image quality, speed operation and enable the new features. The K-7 is the first Pentax D-SLR to offer video capability. You can shoot 16:9-aspect-ratio HD video at 720 or 3:2-aspect-ratio video at 1024p, both at 30 fps with stereo sound via an external microphone. You can select the aperture and use built-in Shake Reduction for video.
Along with the usual assortment of exposure modes, the K-7 includes such modes as TAv and Hyper Manual. TAv (Shutter and Aperture Priority) mode automatically adjusts the ISO to produce proper exposure at the shutter speed and aperture you select. Hyper Manual mode lets you set the shutter speed and aperture as desired, but you can instantly set what the camera considers to be the proper exposure by pressing the green button next to the shutter button. Other handy features include multiple-exposure capability, an intervalometer for time-lapse photography and a mirror prelock. The embedded copyright feature lets you confirm image ownership while maintaining artistic integrity at the time of exposure. A dedicated hot-shoe allows use of studio flash systems. |
VERDICT: Good AF performance, 5.2 fps shooting, 14.6 megapixels and ISOs from 100 to 3200 (expandable to 6400) make the K-7 a versatile choice for a wide range of subject matter.
 Pentax K20DThe K20D was Pentax’s top model last year; with the recent price drop, it’s an even better deal today. It features equal resolu- tion to the K-7 (14.6 megapixels) and has a dust- and weather-resistant body, Shake Reduction and sensor-shift image stabilization. The K-7 has improved dust reduction, cold-weather resistance, a faster top shutter speed and a number of other features including HD video, but the K20D provides excellent image quality and very good autofocusing performance. List Price: $699. |
 Pentax K200DEssentially the K20D’s “kid brother,” the K200D features a 10.2-megapixel CCD sensor and the same 2.7-inch LCD monitor, Shake Reduction and sensor-dust-removal system in a smaller, lower-cost package. The K200D is dust- and weather-resistant, but not as strongly as the K20D. While the K20D and K-7 run on rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, the K200D runs on AA batteries, which can be purchased most anywhere. List Price: $599. |
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