Pentax K-7 review – Image Quality

Pentax K-7 review – Tone & Exposure

Given the K7’s 77 segment metering, exposure should be well-balanced – but, as with previous Pentax models, it’s still consistently underexposed. This is irrelevant of spot, selective or auto metering – there tends to be around 0.3-0.7 of a stop underexposure, and whilst leaning towards exposure compensation at all times, this can cause highlight-blowing disasters when you don’t need them. It seems Pentax has not quite achieved the subtle balance that such an advanced system should allow for.

Additionally the camera’s LCD screen equates image playback entirely different to computer screens – as tested on laptops and calibrated monitors. It’s a disappointment when an apparently well-exposed image in-camera reveals itself to be underexposed on screen. This then takes working into, and adds to time – an issue that the K20D also had. Really and truly shots should come straight from camera with little to no fuss.

Pentax K-7 review – RAW/JPEG

The K7 offers simultaneous Raw & JPEG shooting, with a choice of Pentax PEF format or the universal Adobe DNG. The difference between these two is negligible, but against JPEG there is a considerable difference.

Raw files come from camera with more realistic, albeit flatter tones and less notable noise. JPEGs appear sharpened and noisier. But the real issue is with colour balance – the two appear to have been shot in entirely different lighting conditions, the result of inconsistent white balance. Notice the very yellow cast on the JPEG image.

As a result it seems that shooting Raw in order to recover underexposure and inconsistent white balance is the best way to use the K-7. But, of course, this adds up to considerable post-production time.

Pentax K-7 review – White Balance & Colour

Like the K20D before it, the K-7’s white balance can go a little astray. Irrelevant of the Raw vs JPEG inconsistencies, standard JPEGs can err towards the greens and blue scale, plus there can be occasional inconsistency between frames, without colour bracketing.

Pentax K-7 review – Image Noise

On a positive high, the Pentax K-7 retains exceptional image noise through the range. From ISO 100-3200 all shots are useable, with images presenting a more film-like grain than destructive noise. Shadow noise is not too much of a problem either, with shadowed areas maintaining similar grain and relatively good blacks throughout.

Pentax K-7 review – Sharpness & Detail

Use the K-7 18-55mm kit lens and expect relatively sharp images, though not strikingly so. Additional lenses will perform considerably better given the chance, though older lenses had inconsistent results depending on which they were – a 100mm macro, for example, suffered notable purple fringing across the entire image, whereas the 18-55mm kit lens posed no prominent problem, not even towards the edges of the image.

Pentax K-7 review – Value for Money

The Pentax K7 certainly touts itself as a strong camera. And it is. But the £1200 asking price is near-identical to its competitors, and seems almost a little bolshy. Whilst additions such as movie mode may add some increased value, that’s often seen as a divider between the photographic community – some think its great, others will never so much as use it.

A Nikon D300 or a Canon 50D will set you back exactly the same number of notes as a Pentax K-7, and the former two are already well-sought after cameras. For Pentax to go head to head against those models is a big ask, and – allegiances asides – one that would be considerably improved if the price was slashed. ‘More kit for less money’ would surely speak volumes in stores and help Pentax get a well deserved foot back in the door. It seems all manufacturers in the £1000+ market approach the £1100-1200 price point as a sacred one. Because marketing and statistics suggests this will be the biggest sector to see most pronounced DSLR sales increases in 2009 doesn’t seem good enough a reason. If the K-7 hit the stores around £949.99 then it’d have an upper hand; the hidden card. As it stands it’s definitely good value when positioned against its competitors, but whether that’ll be enough to convince the general public is another matter.

Pentax K-7 review pages:

– Page 1: Pentax K7 DSLR review – Features
– Page 2: Pentax K-7 full production model review – Design
– Page 3: Pentax K7 full firmware review – Performance
– Page 4: Pentax K-7 review – Image Quality & Value for Money
– Page 5: Pentax K7 full first review – review specifications / specs
– Page 6: Pentax K7 DSLR review Verdict

Pentax K7 review – other What Digital Camera links:

– Compare the Pentax K-7 with other prosumer DSLR reviews
– Pentax K7 review – product images
– Pentax K-7 review – sample test image gallery