I would never occur Canon users too close, but that was not my world. The case of the 500D is very plasticy (yes, I know that it from the double-digit much better is) the BQ very clean, but also in tinkering with all sorts of parameters, not mine, because I have not managed to the camera a reasonable Dealing with lights and texture teach. Yes, it can (of course) have been due to me.
500D was therefore sold.
This was followed by meetings with different cameras, and I tried a lot of cameras from different companies to also be really sure that I buy the camera that's perfect for me.
I drove for consideration to Dusseldorf and Aachen (in Mönchengladbach there are unfortunately no good photo stores) and took the Canon 50D, 7D, the 5D in the hand of the Nikon 90, 300s and 700s, the 700s from Sony and the Pentax K. 7
I decided then then "relative" (by my standards) fast for K. 7
What are the reasons: The K-7 is a very well processed flatterer. I was expecting before the touch and feel that I have with the size of the K-7 at the size of my hands (I'm 1,98m and have fairly large hands) would get into trouble. This was and is not the case. I'll go with the Cam very well clear in terms of ergonomics. To me almost ideal.
The K-7 is processed excellently and much of what you need can be selected directly by buttons, which are partly arranged freely assignable and ergonomically very useful. The body and the control buttons are very nicely designed and high quality at the K-7. Small details: The flash works very smooth and fed up, the mode dial is not easy but the printed symbols are raised elaborated and additionally painted. All Bedienelemnte are made of metal.
The 3 inch monitor is scratch resistant, bright and easy to read.
The menu system is logical. The design of the display is a little dowdy, or professional, depending on how you want to interpret it. The possibilities of manual settings are as varied as in any other Semi-Pro and its description in detail would clearly exceed the scope of this report. All that matters is that you will probably come very hard at borders with any requirement of the adaptability of the camera in special situations.
AF is available in all modes quickly and accurately. Even with tracking. Exposure is very good and fits except get into trouble, almost always in extreme situations with highlights and many shadows in all cameras. Two things, therefore, which were just like the series of multiple images of some professionals to the previous Pentaxen not considered quite so benevolent are improved. Here is compared with the earlier Pentaxen clear progress recorded and a relative tie with Canikon. Compared with, for example, a Canon 7D to give the two little. The continuous shooting mode of the Canon is faster, the exposure and the image result I find in the K-7 better. Why?
The RAW results are of course properly. Here deliver all camera manufacturers with technology similar conditions almost identical results. JPEG: Up to ISO 3200, the Pentax delivers excellent image results in JPEG mode. Unlike other camera manufacturers Pentax elaborate in its JPEG engine more emphasis on texture and fine detail. This leaves a somewhat rauschigerer impression on the pictures, but just contain more detail and more "grain".
The Pentax roars at ISO 3200 color noise regarding why more than their direct competitors. With external noise removal (NeatImage example) but as you get results that are as clean as that of the Nikon 300 or Canon 7D, but then are accordingly less in the detail resolution. This is a circumstance that affects all camera manufacturers: Less noise means fewer details. Most prefer less noise with respect to the image impression. Are more details in some cases for further processing.
In total, and this is important to say at this point, the results of the K-7 in RAW and JPG in all exposure and everyday situations are close to the optimum.
The set also here from me Bilderchen Amazon are the actual result does not begin to do justice because Amazon already made for strong compression and resizing In addition still packs to exacerbations.
The video quality of the K-7 is simply superb. The aperture is adjustable by the camera set manually or in auto mode. There are different modes available, ranging from VGA resolution over 720p to a Pentax's own format that something is below the resolution of 1080p.
Framerate at 30 frames per second, ensuring a smooth motion sequence. It is an external microphone can be installed, which can provide the excellent image the adäqauten tone. The internal microphone is useful.
The unique selling point of the K-7 is for me but not many prominent weather resistance and processing quality, but the function of the image stabilizer in video. This one has an image as a steady-cam even in telephoto ranges. There are no hard Bildruckler more. That's very impressive. The fact that the focus is not adjusted automatically, I see generally an advantage rather than a disadvantage of DSLR's, as he is so often criticized by those who do not know it from your camcorder different. By playing with the depth of field produces very professional-looking movies with a little practice. I have to because even some practice - but also fun.
Storage requirements for video at the highest resolution is enormous. One should take a fast SDHC card. I use a Toshiba Professional Class 10 also functions perfectly in videos and sequential shots.
The K-7 has an AF assist lamp and the built-in stabilizer also works with Photography properly, which I think is very important and a lot of room lets in the exposure time.
The kit lens is in optical and mechanical quality, even compared with expensive lenses recommended. In addition, it has seals against water and dust.
In addition, it should, if one pays attention to the cost of a weather-proof DSLR or pay must not be forgotten ;-) the kit with the sealed lens with Pentax little more expensive than the naked body and you have so a sealed initial system stabilization for a relatively good price.
How much you have to pay or woman for a sealed lens with a stabilizer in Canon, Nikon or a third party, I do not know. But will probably cost a lot.
I can recommend the Pentax K-7 so in good conscience.