Pentax K-7
Competitors

As well as being compared against other entry-level DSLRs, the Pentax K-7 is also often compared to pro DSLRs and mirrorless. The Pentax K-7's top rivals come from Pentax (such as the K-5 and the K-r) and Nikon (such as the D5100 and the D90)

Generally, some of the advantages of the Pentax K-7 compared to other entry-level DSLR competitors include: it has better image stabilization (sensor shift vs none), has a weather sealed body, has in-camera HDR, has significantly less shutter lag (93 ms vs 208 ms) and has slightly more cross-type focus points (9 vs 1).

However, on average it is much more noisy at high ISO (536 ISO vs 1,162 ISO), has significantly lower image quality (61.0 vs 80.0), records lower quality movies (720p @ 30fps vs 1080p @ 24fps), has much narrower dynamic range (10.6 EV vs 12.5 EV) and slightly lower maximum light sensitivity (3,200 ISO vs 12,800 ISO).

Pentax K-5 1 year newer $1,129 (body only) $1,283 18-55mm lens	Significant advantages of the K-5 (vs the K-7) Much lower noise at high ISO: 1,162 ISO vs 536 ISO Much better image quality: 82.0 vs 61.0 More dynamic range: 14.1 EV vs 10.6 EV Significant disadvantages of the K-5 (vs the K-7) None found common strengths of the K-5 and K-7 High resolution screens: 920k dots vs 921k dots Good image stabilization: Sensor shift vs Sensor shift Both are weather sealed, which is fairly uncommon among similar cameras
	Compare the K-5 vs the K-7
Pentax K-r 1 year newer $631 - $649 18-55mm lens	Significant advantages of the K-r (vs the K-7) More dynamic range: 12.4 EV vs 10.6 EV Significantly better image quality: 72.0 vs 61.0 Lower noise at high ISO: 755 ISO vs 536 ISO Significant disadvantages of the K-r (vs the K-7) No weather sealing Shorter battery life: 470 shots vs 740 shots Significantly less viewfinder coverage: 96% vs 100% common strengths of the K-r and K-7 High resolution screens: 920k dots vs 921k dots Good image stabilization: Sensor shift vs Sensor shift Incredible shutter lag: 105 ms vs 93 ms
	Compare the K-r vs the K-7
Nikon D5100 1 year newer $500 - $597 (body only) $600 - $697 18-55mm lens	Significant advantages of the D5100 (vs the K-7) Much lower noise at high ISO: 1,183 ISO vs 536 ISO Much better image quality: 80.0 vs 61.0 More dynamic range: 13 EV vs 10.6 EV Significant disadvantages of the D5100 (vs the K-7) No image stabilization: None vs Sensor shift Much more shutter lag: 273 ms vs 93 ms No weather sealing common strengths of the D5100 and K-7 High resolution screens: 920k dots vs 921k dots In-camera HDR
	Compare the Nikon D5100 vs the Pentax K-7
Nikon D90 8 months older $830 - $897 (body only) $1,200 - $1,299 18-105mm lens	Significant advantages of the D90 (vs the K-7) Much lower noise at high ISO: 977 ISO vs 536 ISO More dynamic range: 12.5 EV vs 10.6 EV Significantly better image quality: 73.0 vs 61.0 Significant disadvantages of the D90 (vs the K-7) No image stabilization: None vs Sensor shift No weather sealing Many fewer cross-type focus points: 1 vs 9 common strengths of the D90 and K-7 High resolution screens: 930k dots vs 921k dots Both have pentaprism viewfinders: Pentaprism vs Pentaprism Great battery life: 850 shots vs 740 shots
	Compare the Nikon D90 vs the Pentax K-7
Nikon D7000 1 year newer $1,000 - $1,197 (body only) $1,100 55-200mm lens	Significant advantages of the D7000 (vs the K-7) Much lower noise at high ISO: 1,167 ISO vs 536 ISO Much better image quality: 80.0 vs 61.0 More dynamic range: 13.9 EV vs 10.6 EV Significant disadvantages of the D7000 (vs the K-7) No image stabilization: None vs Sensor shift Much more shutter lag: 238 ms vs 93 ms Lacks in-camera HDR common strengths of the D7000 and K-7 High resolution screens: 920k dots vs 921k dots Both are weather sealed, which is fairly uncommon among similar cameras Lots of cross-type focus points: 9 vs 9
	Compare the Nikon D7000 vs the Pentax K-7
Canon Rebel T3i 1 year newer $619 - $700 (body only) $745 - $1,000 18-55mm lens	Significant advantages of the T3i (vs the K-7) Significantly lower noise at high ISO: 793 ISO vs 536 ISO Higher resolution movies: 1080p @ 30fps vs 720p @ 30fps More dynamic range: 11.5 EV vs 10.6 EV Significant disadvantages of the T3i (vs the K-7) No image stabilization: None vs Sensor shift Much more shutter lag: 283 ms vs 93 ms No weather sealing common strengths of the T3i and K-7 High resolution screens: 1,040k dots vs 921k dots
	Compare the Canon Rebel T3i vs the Pentax K-7

Generally, some of the advantages of the Pentax K-7 compared to pro DSLR competitors include: it has better image stabilization (sensor shift vs none), has a weather sealed body, has slightly less startup delay (600 ms vs 3100 ms), has in-camera HDR and has slightly less shutter lag (93 ms vs 206 ms).

However, on average it is slightly more noisy at high ISO (536 ISO vs 1,815 ISO), has slightly lower image quality (61.0 vs 78.0), has significantly narrower dynamic range (10.6 EV vs 11.9 EV), slightly smaller viewfinder (0.60x vs 0.71x) and takes slightly lower resolution photos (14.5 MP vs 21 MP).

Canon EOS 60D 1 year newer $848 - $1,304 (body only) $1,177 - $1,342 18-135mm lens	Significant advantages of the 60D (vs the K-7) More dynamic range: 11.5 EV vs 10.6 EV Has an external mic jack Supports 24p Significant disadvantages of the 60D (vs the K-7) No image stabilization: None vs Sensor shift No weather sealing Lacks in-camera HDR common strengths of the 60D and K-7 Fairly small: Professional size 145x106x79 mm vs Prosumer size 131x97x73 mm Supports RAW Inexpensive: $848.00 vs $1,299.62
	Compare the Canon EOS 60D vs the Pentax K-7
Canon EOS 7D 3 months newer $1,549 - $1,821 (body only) $1,500 - $1,849 18-135mm lens	Significant advantages of the 7D (vs the K-7) More dynamic range: 11.7 EV vs 10.6 EV Has an external mic jack Supports 24p Significant disadvantages of the 7D (vs the K-7) No image stabilization: None vs Sensor shift Lacks in-camera HDR common strengths of the 7D and K-7 Fairly small: Professional size 148x111x74 mm vs Prosumer size 131x97x73 mm Supports RAW Thin: 2.9" vs 2.9"
	Compare the Canon EOS 7D vs the Pentax K-7
Nikon D300S similar age $1,690 - $1,700 (body only) $2,547 - $4,295 18-200mm lens	Significant advantages of the D300S (vs the K-7) More dynamic range: 12.2 EV vs 10.6 EV Better image quality: 70.0 vs 61.0 Has an external mic jack Significant disadvantages of the D300S (vs the K-7) No image stabilization: None vs Sensor shift Lacks in-camera HDR Significantly more shutter lag: 225 ms vs 93 ms common strengths of the D300S and K-7 Fairly small: Professional size 147x114x74 mm vs Prosumer size 131x97x73 mm Supports RAW Thin: 2.9" vs 2.9"
	Compare the Nikon D300S vs the Pentax K-7
Sony SLT A77 2 years newer $1,398 (body only) $1,998 16-50mm lens	Significant advantages of the SLT A77 (vs the K-7) More dynamic range: 13.2 EV vs 10.6 EV Significantly better image quality: 78.0 vs 61.0 Better color depth: 24 bits vs 22.6 bits Significant disadvantages of the SLT A77 (vs the K-7) Much more startup delay: 3100 ms vs 600 ms Has a digital viewfinder: Digital vs Pentaprism Significantly thicker: 3.2" vs 2.9" common strengths of the SLT A77 and K-7 Very good image stabilization: Sensor shift vs Sensor shift In-camera HDR Fairly small: Professional size 143x104x81 mm vs Prosumer size 131x97x73 mm
	Compare the Sony SLT-A77 vs the Pentax K-7
Canon EOS 50D 8 months older $1,282 - $1,350 (body only) $1,950 18-200mm lens	Significant advantages of the 50D (vs the K-7) More dynamic range: 11.4 EV vs 10.6 EV Significantly more lenses available: 162 lenses vs 90 lenses Significant disadvantages of the 50D (vs the K-7) Worse color depth: 21.8 bits vs 22.6 bits No image stabilization: None vs Sensor shift No weather sealing common strengths of the 50D and K-7 Fairly small: Professional size 146x108x74 mm vs Prosumer size 131x97x73 mm Supports RAW Thin: 2.9" vs 2.9"
	Compare the Canon EOS 50D vs the Pentax K-7
Canon EOS 5D Mark II 8 months older $2,154 (body only) $2,898 - $2,999 24-105mm lens	Significant advantages of the 5D Mark II (vs the K-7) Significantly lower noise at high ISO: 1,815 ISO vs 536 ISO Much better image quality: 79.0 vs 61.0 More dynamic range: 11.9 EV vs 10.6 EV Significant disadvantages of the 5D Mark II (vs the K-7) No image stabilization: None vs Sensor shift Lacks in-camera HDR Significantly more shutter lag: 206 ms vs 93 ms common strengths of the 5D Mark II and K-7 Fairly small: Professional size 152x114x75 mm vs Prosumer size 131x97x73 mm Supports RAW Thin: 3" vs 2.9"
	Compare the Canon EOS 5D Mark II vs the Pentax K-7

Generally, some of the advantages of the Pentax K-7 compared to mirrorless interchangeable-lens competitors include: it has a slightly larger screen (3.0" vs 2.7"), has a significantly higher resolution screen (921k dots vs 460k dots), has higher quality type of viewfinder (pentaprism vs none), has better image stabilization (sensor shift vs none) and has slightly more color depth (22.6 bits vs 21.5 bits).

However, on average it is slightly more noisy at high ISO (536 ISO vs 1,135 ISO), records lower quality movies (720p @ 30fps vs 1080p @ 30fps), has slightly narrower dynamic range (10.6 EV vs 11.3 EV), slightly lower maximum light sensitivity (3,200 ISO vs 12,800 ISO) and doesn't have a touch screen.

Pentax K-01 2 years newer	Significant advantages of the K-01 (vs the K-7) Much lower noise at high ISO: 1,135 ISO vs 536 ISO Higher resolution movies: 1080p @ 30fps vs 720p @ 30fps Significantly better image quality: 79.0 vs 61.0 Significant disadvantages of the K-01 (vs the K-7) No weather sealing No viewfinder: None vs Pentaprism Slower autofocus: Contrast detection vs Phase detection common strengths of the K-01 and K-7 High resolution screens: 921k dots vs 921k dots Good image stabilization: Sensor shift vs Sensor shift Good color depth: 23.7 bits vs 22.6 bits
	Compare the K-01 vs the K-7
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3 2 years newer $469 (body only)	Significant advantages of the DMC-GF3 (vs the K-7) Higher resolution movies: 1080p @ 30fps vs 720p @ 30fps Much smaller: Compact 107x67x32 mm vs Prosumer size 131x97x73 mm Has a touch screen Significant disadvantages of the DMC-GF3 (vs the K-7) No weather sealing Much shorter battery life: 320 shots vs 740 shots No viewfinder: None vs Pentaprism common strengths of the DMC-GF3 and K-7 Each has a built-in flash
	Compare the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3 vs the Pentax K-7
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2 1 year newer $849 - $997 14-42mm lens	Significant advantages of the DMC-GH2 (vs the K-7) Higher resolution movies: 1080p @ 60fps vs 720p @ 30fps Supports 24p Has a touch screen Significant disadvantages of the DMC-GH2 (vs the K-7) No weather sealing Much shorter battery life: 330 shots vs 740 shots Many fewer cross-type focus points: 0 vs 9 common strengths of the DMC-GH2 and K-7 Viewfinders: Digital vs Pentaprism Minimal startup delay: 1100 ms vs 600 ms Each has a built-in flash
	Compare the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2 vs the Pentax K-7
Olympus PEN E-PL1 8 months newer $219 - $279 14-42mm lens	Significant advantages of the PEN E-PL1 (vs the K-7) Has an external mic jack Much smaller: Mid size 115x72x42 mm vs Prosumer size 131x97x73 mm Much lighter: 334 g vs 750 g Significant disadvantages of the PEN E-PL1 (vs the K-7) Much more startup delay: 2200 ms vs 600 ms No weather sealing Much smaller screen: 2.7" vs 3.0" common strengths of the PEN E-PL1 and K-7 Good image stabilization: Sensor shift vs Sensor shift Each has a built-in flash
	Compare the Olympus PEN E-PL1 vs the Pentax K-7