PENTAX K-7 DIGITAL SLR 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 AL WR

The K-7 has been developed as a high-end model of the PENTAX K digital SLR

camera series. True to its series concept, it was designed not only to assure

outstanding image quality, but also to provide exceptional ease and comfort of

operation and the utmost satisfaction to photo enthusiasts of all levels. After making

a thorough review of all essential digital SLR camera components and functions,

PENTAX has revised and upgraded many of them, including viewfinder, shutter

unit, continuous-shooting capacity, and exposure and autofocus systems. Protected

by a durable, high-quality metallic body, the K-7 is designed to be extremely

compact and functional ? just like all other K-series models ? for enhanced

portability and maneuverability. In addition, it has added several user-friendly

features, including video recording, high dynamic range (HDR), and automatic

horizon correction. All of these make the K-7 a tremendous photographic tool,

perfect for all discerning digital SLR photographers.

The K-7 is built exceptional solid and durable, as its chassis is made of high-rigidity

stainless-steel alloy and its housing is made of durable but lightweight magnesiumsteel

alloy. Thanks to 77 special seals applied to the body, it also features a

dustproof, weather- and cold-resistant construction, assuring reliable operation even

under harsh conditions and at a temperature as low as -10°C. It also features a newly

designed shutter unit providing a top shutter speed of 1/8000 second and the

outstanding durability to withstand 100,000 shutter releases. Despite all these

features, the K-7 is one of the most compact and functional mid-class models in the

market, because PENTAX applied all the experience and expertise in camera

downsizing the company has developed from the earliest days of film-format SLR

cameras.

The K-7?s glass prism finder offers an approximately 100% field of view and an

approximately 92% magnification to facilitate focusing and framing operations. It

also features a new Natural-Bright-Matte III focusing screen to improve focusing

accuracy during manual-focus operation.

The K-7?s high-speed continuous shooting mode captures as many as 40 images (in

JPEG recording format) at a maximum speed of approximately 5.2 images per

second, allowing the photographer to follow the movement of an active subject or

preserve a sequence of the subject?s expressions.

The K-7 comes equipped with the newly developed DR (Dust Removal) II

mechanism, designed to effectively minimize annoying dust spots on recorded

images, even after changing lenses in dust-prone outdoor settings. By shifting the

low-pass filter located in front of the CMOS image sensor at supersonic speed using

a piezoelectric element, it shakes the dust off the low-pass filter as effectively and

efficiently as any other dust removal device. The K-7?s unique dust-alert system also

lets the user check for dust adhering to the low-pass filter prior to actual shooting.

The K-7 incorporates a newly developed CMOS image sensor measuring 23.4mm

by 15.6mm and featuring a high-speed, four-channel image data readout. With

approximately 14.6 effective megapixels, this image sensor can faithfully and

accurately reproduce fine-detailed, gradation-rich images. With the adverse effects

of digital noise greatly reduced, the sensitivity can be increased from ISO 100 up to

the highest level of ISO 6400 (via a custom function) without worry.

The K-7 features the newly developed PRIME (PENTAX Real Image Engine) II, an

upgrade of the original PRIME, as its imaging engine. This new imaging engine

offers greater data-processing speed and produces better-quality images with richer

gradation and more accurate color rendition. It also offers high-speed movie data

transmission.

Newly developed for the K-7, a sophisticated 77-segment multi-pattern metering

system greatly improves light-metering accuracy. By accurately analyzing various

types of data (such as the image?s composition and format between upright and

horizontal, and the subject?s distance and magnification) transmitted from the

sensors in the camera body, this system greatly improves the accuracy of exposure

control.

The K-7 features the PENTAX-developed SR (Shake Reduction) mechanism, which

effectively compensates the adverse effect of camera shake by approximately 2.5 to

four shutter steps, assuring sharp, blur-free images even under demanding shooting

conditions. This innovative mechanism is compatible with all PENTAX

interchangeable lenses ? even most of the lenses designed for film-format

cameras.* Since this new-generation version can freely shift the image-sensor unit to

keep it level regardless of the camera?s inclination, it also provides such userfriendly

new functions as automatic level adjustment and minute angle adjustment

(in the direction of up/down, right/left and clockwise/counterclockwise), helping to

compose the image exactly the way the photographer wants.

The K-7 features the Live View function, which allows the user to view the image

on the LCD monitor during shooting. You can 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. Thanks to the newly developed

diaphragm-control mechanism, the Live View function can also be used in the

continuous shooting mode with the mirror at lock-up position.

The K-7 adds a new movie recording function, extending the benefits of SLR

photography to the world of movie shooting: For instance, reduce the depth of field

to make the subject stand out, or use different lenses to create distinctive visual

effects. 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) ? at

a frame rate of 30 frames per second. The K-7 is also equipped with an HDMI

terminal and an external microphone input terminal.

The K-7?s new SAFOX VIII+ wide-frame autofocus system features 11 sensor

points (with nine cross-type sensors positioned in the middle). By adding a light

source type to its data range, and driven by a greatly improved algorithm, this AF

system assures reliable, responsive autofocus operation superior in speed and

accuracy to the previous system. The K-7 also incorporates an AF-assisting

spotbeam projector in its built-in flash unit to improve autofocusing accuracy in the

dark.

The K-7?s Custom Image function lets the user control the image?s finishing touch

to capture their photographic intention, or reproduce the ambience of the scene.

With the K-7, the user can select one of seven modes, including the new ?Muted?

mode designed to recreate an image with delicate, subdued colors. In addition to

saturation, tone, contrast and sharpness ? the factors previously available ? it is

now possible to adjust ?key? and ?contrast highlight/shadow? to the desired levels.

The effects of these factors can be effortlessly confirmed on a preview image using

the Digital Preview or Live View function before finalizing the settings.

The K-7?s Hyper Program function allows the user to instantly switch to the Shutteror

Aperture-Priority AE mode from the Programmed AE mode, with a simple turn

of the electronic dials on the grip. To return to the Programmed AE mode, simply

press the green button positioned next to the shutter release button.

When shooting in Manual mode, a single push of the green button allows the user to

instantly set the proper exposure for the subject.

The K-7 features a unique Sensitivity-Priority (Sv) mode, which 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.

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 shutterspeed/

aperture combination. It allows the user to experiment with a greater range of

photographic expressions with great ease.

The K-7 features a large 3.0-inch color LCD monitor with approximately 920,000

dots on its back panel. Its wide-view design allows the photographer to check the

monitor image from approximately 170 degrees both vertically and horizontally,

facilitating low- and high-angle shooting using the Live View function.

The K-7 is powered by a large-capacity, rechargeable lithium-ion battery, which can

capture approximately 980 images** when fully charged.

1) HDR (high dynamic range) function to create one composite image with

an extra-wide gradation range from three images with different exposures

2) Dynamic-range expansion function to compensate for both

white-washed (overexposed) and blacked-out (underexposed) areas

3) Digital level function for easy checking of the image?s levels

4) Automatic compensation of distortion and lateral chromatic

5) White balance control, featuring a new CTE mode to emphasize

the color components of sunset scenes and a new

incandescent-tinted fluorescent light mode

6) Multi-exposure function, with a superimposition of already-recorded

images on the LCD monitor for at-a-glance comparison

7) Attachment of copyright credits on recorded images

8) RAW button for single-action switching of image file format

9) 16 digital filters to add a range of visual effects; a new function to

record an overwritten history also available

10) Color-specific control buttons/dials for easy recognition and

quick access, based on the universal color design

11) 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

What's in the Box:

USB Cable I-USB7
AV Cable I-AVC7
Battery Charge Cradle D-BC90
AC Plug Cord
Strap O-ST53
Hotshoe Cover FK
Eyecup FR
Body Mount Cover
Finder Cap for ME
Focusing Screen MF-60 Frame Matte
Bottom Cap
PC Socket Cap

Li-ion Battery D-LI90
Software CD-ROM S-SW90