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Pentax K-1 vs Pentax K-7

Portability
55
Imaging
76
Features
82
Overall
78
Pentax K-1 front
 
Pentax K-7 front
Portability
60
Imaging
54
Features
69
Overall
60

Pentax K-1 vs Pentax K-7 Key Specs

Pentax K-1
(Full Review)
  • 36MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 204800
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 1010g - 137 x 110 x 86mm
  • Revealed February 2016
  • Renewed by Pentax K-1 II
Pentax K-7
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 2000 (Push to 6400)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 750g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Released October 2009
  • Refreshed by Pentax K-5
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Pentax K-1 vs Pentax K-7 Overview

Its time to look a bit more closely at the Pentax K-1 and Pentax K-7, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras and both of them are offered by Pentax. There exists a crucial gap between the image resolutions of the K-1 (36MP) and K-7 (15MP) and the K-1 (Full frame) and K-7 (APS-C) feature totally different sensor measurements.

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The K-1 was introduced 6 years after the K-7 which is quite a serious gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before we go in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a quick highlight of how the K-1 grades vs the K-7 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-1 over the Pentax K-7

 K-1 K-7 
ReleasedFebruary 2016October 2009Newer by 78 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen sizing3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution1037k921kClearer screen (+116k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax K-7 over the Pentax K-1

 K-7 K-1 

Common features in the Pentax K-1 and Pentax K-7

 K-1 K-7 
Manually focus Dial precise focus
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch screen No Touch screen

Pentax K-1 vs Pentax K-7 Physical Comparison

If you are planning to travel with your camera frequently, you'll have to take into account its weight and volume. The Pentax K-1 features physical dimensions of 137mm x 110mm x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") accompanied by a weight of 1010 grams (2.23 lbs) while the Pentax K-7 has sizing of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") with a weight of 750 grams (1.65 lbs).

Check the Pentax K-1 and Pentax K-7 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you have attached at that moment. Underneath is the front view dimension comparison of the K-1 vs the K-7.

Pentax K-1 vs Pentax K-7 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the K-1 and K-7 is 55 and 60 respectively.

Pentax K-1 vs Pentax K-7 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-1 vs Pentax K-7 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, its tough to envision the gap between sensor dimensions simply by reading specifications. The pic underneath will help offer you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the K-1 and K-7.

To sum up, both cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The K-1 using its bigger sensor will make shooting shallow DOF easier and the Pentax K-1 will deliver greater detail using its extra 21MP. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop pictures far more aggressively. The fresher K-1 is going to have an advantage when it comes to sensor innovation.

Pentax K-1 vs Pentax K-7 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-1 vs Pentax K-7 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-1 vs Pentax K-7 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax K-1
Portrait photography with Pentax K-7
85
manual focus
excellent sensor resolution (36MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
offers face detect focusing
exports RAW formats
72
manual focus
decent MP (15MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
features face detect focusing
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-1 Street photography details
Pentax K-7 Street photography details
70
fully articulated screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
weather proof
great high ISO (204,800)
heavier than competition (1,010g)
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
weather proofing
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax K-1
Sports photography with Pentax K-7
76
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
excellent sensor resolution (36 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
offers tracking focus
weather proof
supports phase detect AF
max frames per second very slow (4.4 frames/s)
low battery power (760 CIPA)
69
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (15MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
weather proofing
has phase detect AF
continuous shooting slow (5.0 frames per second)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-1 Travel photography highlights
Pentax K-7 Travel photography highlights
53
weather proof
excellent sensor resolution (36MP)
low battery power (760 shots)
heavier than competition (1,010 grams)
screen is not selfie friendly
64
weather proofing
decent MP (15MP)
built-in flash
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-1 Landscape photography information
Pentax K-7 Landscape photography information
81
manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is decent (3.2 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
excellent sensor resolution (36MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
no anti aliasing filter
great high ISO (204,800)
exports RAW formats
weather proof
2 card slots
low battery power (760 shots)
77
manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (15MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
weather proofing
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-1 Vlogging features
Pentax K-7 Vlogging features
31
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
offers face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
comes with mic support
screen is not selfie friendly
heavier than competition (1,010 grams)
25
image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detect focusing
screen isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing microphone port
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Pentax K-1 vs Pentax K-7 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-1 and Pentax K-7
 Pentax K-1Pentax K-7
General Information
Company Pentax Pentax
Model Pentax K-1 Pentax K-7
Category Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2016-02-17 2009-10-02
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor - Prime II
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame APS-C
Sensor measurements 35.9 x 24mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 861.6mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 36MP 15MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 7360 x 4912 4672 x 3104
Maximum native ISO 204800 2000
Maximum enhanced ISO - 6400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 33 11
Cross focus points 25 -
Lens
Lens mount Pentax KAF2 Pentax KAF2
Available lenses 151 151
Crop factor 1 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen size 3.2 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 1,037k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen tech - TFT color LCD with AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x 0.61x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/8000s
Continuous shutter speed 4.4fps 5.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash 13.00 m
Flash modes Auto Flash Discharge, Auto Flash + Red-eye Reduction, Flash On, Flash On + Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Slow-speed Sync + Red-eye, P-TTL, Trailing Curtain Sync, Contrast-control-sync, High-speed sync, Wireless sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/200s 1/180s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 1536 x 1024 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Built-in None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 1010g (2.23 lbs) 750g (1.65 lbs)
Dimensions 137 x 110 x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") 131 x 97 x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 96 61
DXO Color Depth score 25.4 22.6
DXO Dynamic range score 14.6 10.6
DXO Low light score 3280 536
Other
Battery life 760 shots 980 shots
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model D-LI90 D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I) SD/SDHC/MMC
Storage slots 2 One
Cost at release $1,499 $599