Canon 40D vs Pentax K-7

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Canon 40D vs Pentax K-7

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APS-C 369.7mm²
10.1 megapixels
ISO 100 - 1600

Go in depth with our full Canon 40D Review.
See real-world photos taken with the 40D.

APS-C 369.7mm²
14.6 megapixels
ISO 100 - 3200

Go in depth with our full Pentax K-7 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the K-7.

Succeeded by the Canon 50D
Compare 40D vs 50D

Succeeded by the Pentax K-5
Compare K-7 vs K-5

Compare CANON 50D vs PENTAX K-5

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Differences

Canon 40D advantages over Pentax K-7

Bigger pixels
~ 6.10 vs 5.07 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Fast startup
~0.40 vs 0.6 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
40D test data on DxO Mark K-7 test data on DxO Mark

703 vs 536 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Faster JPEG shooting
6.4 fps vs 5.2 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
Unlimited vs 20 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Pentax K-7 advantages over Canon 40D

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
HDMI out
HDMI out vs None
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
More dots on screen
921k vs 230k dots
Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
More pixels
14.6 vs 10.1 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Higher extended ISO
6400 vs 3200 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Top deck display
Both provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
Pentaprism viewfinder
Both provide
Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

Focus peaking
Neither provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Touchscreen
Neither provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Tiltable Screen
Neither provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Built-in Wi-Fi
Neither provide
Share your photos wirelessly
NFC
Neither provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
On-sensor phase detect
Neither provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
External Mic Jack
Neither provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

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Review Excerpt

Read our Canon 40D Full Review

Read our Pentax K-7 Full Review

The Competition

Compared to Samsung GX-20

Canon 40D

Samsung GX-20

$1299
APS-C

Bigger pixels
Faster shutter

$1400
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
More pixels

Compare Canon 40D vs Samsung GX-20

Pentax K-7

Samsung GX-20

$1300
APS-C

HDMI out
More dots on screen

$1400
APS-C

Higher effective ISO

Compare Pentax K-7 vs Samsung GX-20

Compared to Sony DSLR-A380

Canon 40D

Sony DSLR-A380

$1299
APS-C

Lens selection
Bigger pixels

$849
APS-C

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon 40D vs Sony DSLR-A380

Pentax K-7

Sony DSLR-A380

$1300
APS-C

Lens selection
Longer stills battery life

$849
APS-C

Less expensive
Tiltable Screen

Compare Pentax K-7 vs Sony DSLR-A380

Compared to Pentax K-x

Canon 40D

Pentax K-x

$1299
APS-C

Fast startup
Longer stills battery life

$702
APS-C

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon 40D vs Pentax K-x

Pentax K-7

Pentax K-x

$1300
APS-C

Longer stills battery life
Top deck display

$702
APS-C

Less expensive
Higher effective ISO

Compare Pentax K-7 vs Pentax K-x

Compared to Canon T2i

Canon 40D

Canon T2i

$1299
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$692
APS-C

Less expensive
Higher effective ISO

Compare Canon 40D vs Canon T2i

Pentax K-7

Canon T2i

$1300
APS-C

Larger sensor
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$692
APS-C

Less expensive
Fast startup

Compare Pentax K-7 vs Canon T2i

Compared to Sony A55

Canon 40D

Sony A55

$1299
APS-C

Lens selection
Bigger pixels

$734
APS-C

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon 40D vs Sony A55

Pentax K-7

Sony A55

$1300
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

$734
APS-C

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

Compare Pentax K-7 vs Sony A55

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