The built-in flash uses spotbeam technology, which assists the AF system when focusing in dim-light situations. The system is capable of assisting the AF down to light levels of the current standard for assist technology.

The ZX-7 also offers a snap-in mode, which only functions with non-AF lenses. The camera will fire when your subject enters the range you have chosen and is in focus. This feature is perfect for an action subject, such as horse racing. You can choose a proper background and take the picture when your subject passes a specific point.

The Pentax ZX-7 comes with a built-in TTL exposure meter that breaks the image into six zones. Linked to the AF system, ISO settings range from 25 to 5,000 and are set automatically via DX coding. Manually, you can set ISOs from 6 to 6,400. In addition to auto mode, the ZX-7 offers the photographer programmable AE, portrait, landscape, action, close-up, and night modes. The built-in TTL flash unit covers a field of view equal to a 28mm lens and is capable of daylight sync, slow sync, and red-eye reduction. Maximum flash sync is 1/100 second.

The camera allows for shutter speeds from 30 to 1/2,000 seconds. The built-in motor drive is capable of up to two frames per second and has a self-timer with 12-second delay. Quartz dating allows you to document your photographic memories.

The Pentax ZX-7 is a solid camera with a full load of advanced automatic features for those individuals making the transition from point-and-shoot to 35mm SLR technology.

One negative point is that batteries died very quickly. I don't know, however, if those that came with the camera were cheap ones. Anyway, I had to buy new ones in 4 months.

Overall, this is definitely worth getting and I am sure you will love it!!


AN EXCELLENT BEGINNER CAMERA   April 5, 2002
1 out of 1 found this review helpful

THIS CAMERA IS WONDERFUL FOR EXCELLENT QUALITY PICTURES AND ITS EASY TO USE. I RECENTLY TOOK SOME PICTURES OF ONE OF MY FRIENDS MODELING NEAR A LAKE AND SOME PEOPLE WHO SAW THE PICTURES THOUGHT THEY WERE PROFESSIONALY DONE. THIS CAMERA TAKES GOOD CLEAR PICTURES AND IT'S WORTH EVERY PENNY. I DEFINETLY RECOMMEND THIS CAMERA TO ANYONE!


Great camera!!   March 15, 2002
1 out of 1 found this review helpful

The Pentax ZX-7 takes most of the guesswork out of taking pictures with its autofocus system. It focuses right on your subject without you fiddling with focus in the manual mode. For someone like me, however, fiddling with focus is what I live for. It makes that fun too. The 28-80 lens is great for closeups and far aways too. The built-in pop up flash is convenient too. The weight is not too heavy either so you don't feel weighed down. It also takes most K-mount lenses (I had an old Ricoh using K-mount lenses and the Pentax uses them as well, so if you do your homework, thats a bonus as well if you have K-mount lenses than to buy new ones). It also has a hotshoe to use an external flash as well. Talk about a complete package in one. The Pentax ZX-7 is it -- you cant go wrong!


great entry level camera, then some...   April 29, 2001
2 out of 2 found this review helpful

auto mode is great for beginners, manual operation is easy and effective as well. much better than eos rebel or n-60...best bang for the buck, go for it!