http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/pentaxk7/page32.asp
Pentax K-7 Review, October 2009
Overall conclusion
Highly Recommended
While the Pentax K-7's predecessor, the K20D, was clearly a competent camera it was never quite up there, either in terms of performance nor from a specification point of view, with the established semi-pro models such as the
Canon EOS 40/50D or the Nikon D300. However, with the K-7, Pentax has clearly upped its game and the new model is in many respects on eye level with the competition's enthusiast offerings.
Conclusion - Pros
At base ISO detailed output that makes good use of the camera's 14.6 megapixel resolution
Good JPEG and RAW resolution
Semi-pro features and build quality in a compact body
Magnesium/steel body with environmental seals
Good selection of external controls
Comfortable grip and generally well-designed ergonomics
Responsive overall performance
Reliable flash performance
Good quality HD video recording (but hardly any manual control)
Improved continuous shooting (but still slower than D300 or EOS 50D)
Decent kit lens with environmental seals
Excellent high resolution screen with fine-tunable color
100% viewfinder coverage
Extensive white balance options
User-definable Auto ISO
Multi-segment metering can be linked to AF-point
Shutter & Aperture Priority Exposure (TAv mode)
Distortion and chromatic aberration correction for DA and DFA lenses (also available in RAW conversion when using supplied software)
Adjustable dynamic range highlight and shadow correction
Three-shot in-camera HDR capture
External microphone socket
Good battery life (but you don't get too much warning before power runs out)
Electronic level indicator
Composition adjustment (Uses the SR system to reposition the sensor to fine-tune composition)
In-camera RAW conversion tool
Alternative focusing screens available
Extensive in-camera image adjustment options
Very good bundled RAW converter (based on SilkyPix)
Conclusion - Cons
Measurably and visibly more noise than competition at high ISOs (JPEG)
More RAW noise than predecessor (but in line with competition)
AF speed not quite up with the fastest in class
Less dynamic range than direct competitors
No 'interactive' status display for easy change of parameters
HDR and a range of other features only available in JPEG mode
Slightly fiddly SD-card slot
Contrast detect AF so slow it's useless for most types of photography (not much different on the competitors though)
Automatic aperture control in movie mode can cause extreme exposure jumps and audible click sounds in the recording (fix the aperture to avoid this)