http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/20/pentax-gets-official-with-14-6mp-k-7-dslr-hd-movies-hdr-mode/ Engadget Comments for http://www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/20/pentax-gets-official-with-14-6mp-k-7-dslr-hd-movies-hdr-mode/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/20/pentax-gets-official-with-14-6mp-k-7-dslr-hd-movies-hdr-mode/
Anyone care to comment?]]>May 20th 2009 10:08AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/20/pentax-gets-official-with-14-6mp-k-7-dslr-hd-movies-hdr-mode/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/20/pentax-gets-official-with-14-6mp-k-7-dslr-hd-movies-hdr-mode/May 20th 2009 10:19AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/20/pentax-gets-official-with-14-6mp-k-7-dslr-hd-movies-hdr-mode/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/20/pentax-gets-official-with-14-6mp-k-7-dslr-hd-movies-hdr-mode/
Nikon and Canon models have both made sacrifices that I think make them little more then bullet points on the box. Panasonic is looking to get it right with the GH1, but who wants to invest in a $1500 camera using micro 4/3rds lenses. It looks like Pentax may get it right as well (at least they have 30fps and external audio, hopefully it can autofocus and has manual controls).]]>May 20th 2009 10:42AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/20/pentax-gets-official-with-14-6mp-k-7-dslr-hd-movies-hdr-mode/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/20/pentax-gets-official-with-14-6mp-k-7-dslr-hd-movies-hdr-mode/May 20th 2009 12:42PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/20/pentax-gets-official-with-14-6mp-k-7-dslr-hd-movies-hdr-mode/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/20/pentax-gets-official-with-14-6mp-k-7-dslr-hd-movies-hdr-mode/
Also, the micro4/3rds system has a larger selection of lenses via adapter. The short focal flange distance means you can mount Nikon, Canon, Leica, Pentax, Minolta, Arri PL lenses, etc.]]>May 20th 2009 12:42PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/20/pentax-gets-official-with-14-6mp-k-7-dslr-hd-movies-hdr-mode/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/20/pentax-gets-official-with-14-6mp-k-7-dslr-hd-movies-hdr-mode/May 20th 2009 1:55PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/20/pentax-gets-official-with-14-6mp-k-7-dslr-hd-movies-hdr-mode/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/20/pentax-gets-official-with-14-6mp-k-7-dslr-hd-movies-hdr-mode/
I am in the exact same boat. And frankly, I'm getting sick hearing "if you want video, buy a camcorder; if you want pictures, buy a DSLR". Sure, the video performance gap is still there, but it's closing fast. Things have come a very long way in only 12 months.

I think the real question is "do you want to wait until Q2 2010 to buy an affordable DSLR or u4/3 with camcorder-like video recording." I'm betting we'll see it by then (Autofocus+Stabalizer+GoodLowLight @ under $1,000). But if you want HD video right now, I'd go with a standalone camcorder. The new Canon line with the big sensor looks quite nice.

I'll probably wait since I have no real reason that I need to upgrade either device from my current gear.]]>May 20th 2009 2:12PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/20/pentax-gets-official-with-14-6mp-k-7-dslr-hd-movies-hdr-mode/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/20/pentax-gets-official-with-14-6mp-k-7-dslr-hd-movies-hdr-mode/May 20th 2009 2:45PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/20/pentax-gets-official-with-14-6mp-k-7-dslr-hd-movies-hdr-mode/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/20/pentax-gets-official-with-14-6mp-k-7-dslr-hd-movies-hdr-mode/
I'm not sure people appreciate what these cameras can do. I still can't believe it.
These cameras will revolutionize indy filmmaking as much as computer-based editing has.
The only comparison I haven't seen is colorspace compared to a 3 chip prosumer camcorder.

For a cinematic look, you want shallow depth of field and 24fps. You just cant find that in a camcorder until you start paying tens of thousands of dollars.

One thing no one has mentioned is the Canon 5D Mark II. It shoots full 1080p24 HD, and has a massive 36 x 24 mm sensor (a 35mm film equivalent) which allows very shallow depth-of-field.
]]>May 23rd 2009 5:08AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/20/pentax-gets-official-with-14-6mp-k-7-dslr-hd-movies-hdr-mode/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/20/pentax-gets-official-with-14-6mp-k-7-dslr-hd-movies-hdr-mode/May 20th 2009 10:09AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/20/pentax-gets-official-with-14-6mp-k-7-dslr-hd-movies-hdr-mode/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/20/pentax-gets-official-with-14-6mp-k-7-dslr-hd-movies-hdr-mode/May 20th 2009 2:22PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/20/pentax-gets-official-with-14-6mp-k-7-dslr-hd-movies-hdr-mode/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/20/pentax-gets-official-with-14-6mp-k-7-dslr-hd-movies-hdr-mode/
Jack]]>May 20th 2009 10:10AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/20/pentax-gets-official-with-14-6mp-k-7-dslr-hd-movies-hdr-mode/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/20/pentax-gets-official-with-14-6mp-k-7-dslr-hd-movies-hdr-mode/May 20th 2009 10:17AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/20/pentax-gets-official-with-14-6mp-k-7-dslr-hd-movies-hdr-mode/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/20/pentax-gets-official-with-14-6mp-k-7-dslr-hd-movies-hdr-mode/May 20th 2009 11:50AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/20/pentax-gets-official-with-14-6mp-k-7-dslr-hd-movies-hdr-mode/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/20/pentax-gets-official-with-14-6mp-k-7-dslr-hd-movies-hdr-mode/When used with a fast lens (f/2.8 or faster) it was very useful, otherwise for video I felt did not live up to dedicated prosumer video cam.

Jack]]>May 20th 2009 10:15AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/20/pentax-gets-official-with-14-6mp-k-7-dslr-hd-movies-hdr-mode/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/20/pentax-gets-official-with-14-6mp-k-7-dslr-hd-movies-hdr-mode/May 20th 2009 10:26AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/20/pentax-gets-official-with-14-6mp-k-7-dslr-hd-movies-hdr-mode/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/20/pentax-gets-official-with-14-6mp-k-7-dslr-hd-movies-hdr-mode/May 20th 2009 10:30AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/20/pentax-gets-official-with-14-6mp-k-7-dslr-hd-movies-hdr-mode/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/20/pentax-gets-official-with-14-6mp-k-7-dslr-hd-movies-hdr-mode/May 20th 2009 12:14PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/20/pentax-gets-official-with-14-6mp-k-7-dslr-hd-movies-hdr-mode/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/20/pentax-gets-official-with-14-6mp-k-7-dslr-hd-movies-hdr-mode/May 20th 2009 2:03PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/20/pentax-gets-official-with-14-6mp-k-7-dslr-hd-movies-hdr-mode/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/20/pentax-gets-official-with-14-6mp-k-7-dslr-hd-movies-hdr-mode/May 20th 2009 4:38PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/20/pentax-gets-official-with-14-6mp-k-7-dslr-hd-movies-hdr-mode/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/20/pentax-gets-official-with-14-6mp-k-7-dslr-hd-movies-hdr-mode/
I shoot with one, and I certainly hope Pentax puts Canon to shame on just how convoluted getting the thing to take videos is.]]>May 20th 2009 10:44AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/20/pentax-gets-official-with-14-6mp-k-7-dslr-hd-movies-hdr-mode/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/20/pentax-gets-official-with-14-6mp-k-7-dslr-hd-movies-hdr-mode/
Also, most people don't have 24fps displays so your lovely 24fps video will get converted to 30fps for many people, with judder to go along with it.


]]>May 20th 2009 11:15AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/20/pentax-gets-official-with-14-6mp-k-7-dslr-hd-movies-hdr-mode/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/20/pentax-gets-official-with-14-6mp-k-7-dslr-hd-movies-hdr-mode/May 20th 2009 12:35PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/20/pentax-gets-official-with-14-6mp-k-7-dslr-hd-movies-hdr-mode/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/20/pentax-gets-official-with-14-6mp-k-7-dslr-hd-movies-hdr-mode/May 20th 2009 12:41PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/20/pentax-gets-official-with-14-6mp-k-7-dslr-hd-movies-hdr-mode/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/20/pentax-gets-official-with-14-6mp-k-7-dslr-hd-movies-hdr-mode/
Yes, if you filming a movie on a DSLR, you might want 24fps for some reason based on tradition and faulty science, but chances are your shooting something more like family, sports or nature where it's generally the more FPS the better.]]>May 20th 2009 2:11PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/20/pentax-gets-official-with-14-6mp-k-7-dslr-hd-movies-hdr-mode/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/20/pentax-gets-official-with-14-6mp-k-7-dslr-hd-movies-hdr-mode/
Geez Louise.

DP Review have a preview available, and they love it stating:

"Pentax appears to have produced a Pocket Battleship to Nikon's (D300) Dreadnought." ]]>May 20th 2009 10:52AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/20/pentax-gets-official-with-14-6mp-k-7-dslr-hd-movies-hdr-mode/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/20/pentax-gets-official-with-14-6mp-k-7-dslr-hd-movies-hdr-mode/May 20th 2009 11:04AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/20/pentax-gets-official-with-14-6mp-k-7-dslr-hd-movies-hdr-mode/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/20/pentax-gets-official-with-14-6mp-k-7-dslr-hd-movies-hdr-mode/May 20th 2009 11:16AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/20/pentax-gets-official-with-14-6mp-k-7-dslr-hd-movies-hdr-mode/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/20/pentax-gets-official-with-14-6mp-k-7-dslr-hd-movies-hdr-mode/
This is a huge little feature! Just for an instant I'm happy pentax did this because others will follow soon. c'mon Canon/Nikon/Sony/Oly... go ahead and do it too.]]>May 20th 2009 11:28AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/20/pentax-gets-official-with-14-6mp-k-7-dslr-hd-movies-hdr-mode/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/20/pentax-gets-official-with-14-6mp-k-7-dslr-hd-movies-hdr-mode/http://www.adorama.com/alc/blogarticle/11608

A little more detail on the HDR feature. This is not a rehash of the K20D HDR setting. This is completely new and from what the article says is similar to what is done out-of-camera in photoshop, correll etc. Tripod use is a must but for landscape photogs this camera may be the go to choice if you aren't shooting MF.]]>May 20th 2009 11:34AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/20/pentax-gets-official-with-14-6mp-k-7-dslr-hd-movies-hdr-mode/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/20/pentax-gets-official-with-14-6mp-k-7-dslr-hd-movies-hdr-mode/May 20th 2009 11:58AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/20/pentax-gets-official-with-14-6mp-k-7-dslr-hd-movies-hdr-mode/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/20/pentax-gets-official-with-14-6mp-k-7-dslr-hd-movies-hdr-mode/
Or will this be more LDR ignorantly labeled as HDR?]]>May 20th 2009 2:24PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/20/pentax-gets-official-with-14-6mp-k-7-dslr-hd-movies-hdr-mode/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/20/pentax-gets-official-with-14-6mp-k-7-dslr-hd-movies-hdr-mode/May 20th 2009 3:22PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/20/pentax-gets-official-with-14-6mp-k-7-dslr-hd-movies-hdr-mode/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/20/pentax-gets-official-with-14-6mp-k-7-dslr-hd-movies-hdr-mode/May 20th 2009 11:47AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/20/pentax-gets-official-with-14-6mp-k-7-dslr-hd-movies-hdr-mode/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/20/pentax-gets-official-with-14-6mp-k-7-dslr-hd-movies-hdr-mode/The crucial bit, the glass is, ya know, is pretty similar.]]>May 20th 2009 12:03PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/20/pentax-gets-official-with-14-6mp-k-7-dslr-hd-movies-hdr-mode/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/20/pentax-gets-official-with-14-6mp-k-7-dslr-hd-movies-hdr-mode/May 20th 2009 1:56PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/20/pentax-gets-official-with-14-6mp-k-7-dslr-hd-movies-hdr-mode/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/20/pentax-gets-official-with-14-6mp-k-7-dslr-hd-movies-hdr-mode/May 20th 2009 2:51PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/20/pentax-gets-official-with-14-6mp-k-7-dslr-hd-movies-hdr-mode/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/20/pentax-gets-official-with-14-6mp-k-7-dslr-hd-movies-hdr-mode/May 20th 2009 11:50AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/20/pentax-gets-official-with-14-6mp-k-7-dslr-hd-movies-hdr-mode/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/20/pentax-gets-official-with-14-6mp-k-7-dslr-hd-movies-hdr-mode/May 20th 2009 12:00PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/20/pentax-gets-official-with-14-6mp-k-7-dslr-hd-movies-hdr-mode/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/20/pentax-gets-official-with-14-6mp-k-7-dslr-hd-movies-hdr-mode/May 20th 2009 2:29PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/20/pentax-gets-official-with-14-6mp-k-7-dslr-hd-movies-hdr-mode/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/20/pentax-gets-official-with-14-6mp-k-7-dslr-hd-movies-hdr-mode/
I am a pro, and I use a Pentax K20D, K10D, and istDL. Pentax has been around for a long time, and for a long time outsold Canon and Nikon combined. The medium-format 645 is still a great camera and used by many.

This K7 is high-end, expensive, consumer-level entry. I kinda figured this would be the case from the teaser pictures of it and the toy strap mounts.

People who want to take photos take photos and want a camera that, shockingly, takes photos. Not video. I'm trying to figure out how much HD video would fit on an 8GB SD card, and I'm guessing the answer is "not too much." Live view is cute, but pretty worthless outside, and and a real viewfinder does a better job anyway. A full-frame sensor would definitely put Pentax more in the pro camp. But if this is the way that Pentax is headed, maybe I'll just sell my whole kit and get a 5D.]]>May 20th 2009 12:04PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/20/pentax-gets-official-with-14-6mp-k-7-dslr-hd-movies-hdr-mode/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/20/pentax-gets-official-with-14-6mp-k-7-dslr-hd-movies-hdr-mode/
The full frame sensor is great for some things, and that's what I use my 5D for; shallow DoF shots and tilt shift photography. For everything else, there's Pentax. Seriously, take a 5D and a non-IS lens out for a walk. You'll be shocked at the limitation of not having in-body SR. You can't shoot anything below 1/60s handheld.

Of course, if you were a real pro pro, you'd get the 5D MkII and only Canon L lenses with IS so there shouldn't be a problem. Then again, if you were a real real pro pro, you're gonna look silly using a toy like the 5D Mk II, when real pros will be shooting a 645D in a year from now :-P ]]>May 20th 2009 11:20PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/20/pentax-gets-official-with-14-6mp-k-7-dslr-hd-movies-hdr-mode/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/20/pentax-gets-official-with-14-6mp-k-7-dslr-hd-movies-hdr-mode/
Not really, LV is the best thing ever with MF lenses or when working with macro or when on tripods. I used to think its worthless until I got a camera with a high res screen (like this Pentax has right now) and some old lenses tilt shift lenses. ]]>May 21st 2009 12:50AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/20/pentax-gets-official-with-14-6mp-k-7-dslr-hd-movies-hdr-mode/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/20/pentax-gets-official-with-14-6mp-k-7-dslr-hd-movies-hdr-mode/
"The body alone should ship in July for $1,299.95 -- which is notably more expensive that recent wares from Canon, Nikon and Sony"

Um yea because this body is in a different class as the new bodies from Canon, Nikon and Sony. All the new bodies released by Canon, Nikon and Sony are entry level DSLRs, this is not a entry level DSLR]]>May 20th 2009 12:13PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/20/pentax-gets-official-with-14-6mp-k-7-dslr-hd-movies-hdr-mode/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/20/pentax-gets-official-with-14-6mp-k-7-dslr-hd-movies-hdr-mode/May 20th 2009 2:34PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/20/pentax-gets-official-with-14-6mp-k-7-dslr-hd-movies-hdr-mode/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/20/pentax-gets-official-with-14-6mp-k-7-dslr-hd-movies-hdr-mode/May 20th 2009 2:55PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/20/pentax-gets-official-with-14-6mp-k-7-dslr-hd-movies-hdr-mode/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/20/pentax-gets-official-with-14-6mp-k-7-dslr-hd-movies-hdr-mode/May 20th 2009 12:16PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/20/pentax-gets-official-with-14-6mp-k-7-dslr-hd-movies-hdr-mode/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/20/pentax-gets-official-with-14-6mp-k-7-dslr-hd-movies-hdr-mode/May 20th 2009 3:14PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/20/pentax-gets-official-with-14-6mp-k-7-dslr-hd-movies-hdr-mode/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/20/pentax-gets-official-with-14-6mp-k-7-dslr-hd-movies-hdr-mode/
Again engadget... this is Pentax's answer to the D300 and 50D. Of course it is priced (and equipped with features) as such. Please, I know HD video is a big deal to you guys, but thats not the only thing to compare against Nikon and Canon's cameras. Helloooo mag. alloy body, weather sealed body (And kit lens! Now theres a first), 5fps, 100% view finder, and 1/8000th sec shutter speed just to name a few. I highly doubt entry level consumers would find much need for these features. The K200D is priced to compete with the d5000 and t1i (under $600 with the kit lens).]]>May 20th 2009 12:21PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/20/pentax-gets-official-with-14-6mp-k-7-dslr-hd-movies-hdr-mode/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/20/pentax-gets-official-with-14-6mp-k-7-dslr-hd-movies-hdr-mode/It sits on the same level with:
- Canon 50D
- Nikon D300
- Olympus E30
- Sony A700
Check this link for preview from DP Review:
http://www.dpreview.com/previews/pentaxk7/page4.asp]]>May 20th 2009 1:28PM