Pentax is moving backwards when all of those other digital SLR kingdom is going forward. The newest version with Pentax mid-level DSLR is a pentax k-5; the older version is a Pentax K-7. It doesn't be the better choice. Why isn't it a higher number than the old one? Go figure.

More important than the name are the updates. Is this new camera worth your attention? And, by the way, the one that has the higher user rating? More on that will later. Pentax is saying that the pentax k-5 is a "refinement" with the K-7. We generally think in terms of upgrade. Another Pentax anomaly. What ever.

The upgrades ... acceptable, refinements, are in a few expected areas.

1. First, the CMOS sensor provides increased from 14. 6-megapixels to help 16. 3-megapixels.

There does exist an increase in this continuous shooting rate with 5. 2 frames per second to 7 frames per second.

ISO has ended up refined to go all the way up to 51, 200 instead of a paltry 6400.

There's also been an increase in the 12-bit RAW bit depth to 14-bit.

Video recording in addition has been improved to full 1920x1080p at 25 fps in lieu of 1536x1024p (they were the only ones with that size video which was rather unusual).

Several cameras are including in-camera HDR now. But the Pentax people have somehow added automatic image alignment so that you can shoot while hand-holding ones camera.

There are other benefits which might be common to both cameras that are well worth mentioning.

• Having a camera that's weather resistant is important while you are out in the elements. The Pentax models the two sport a magnesium alloy body over a stainless steel frame, and maybe they are weather-sealed for that needed protection. So go ahead and jump in the snow or surf using either.

Another great feature of Pentax DSLRs could be the image stabilization that is built into the body in lieu of being dependent upon the lens IS.

Additionally, every lens made to get a Pentax SLR is compatible with the newest models. This is a huge advantage for those who are old Pentax owners.

The Pentax folks haven't entered into the advertising wars to market their cameras. Instead they rely on quality and user full satisfaction for product promotion.

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