Pentax K-7 specs leaked: HD video and souped-up sound revealed

The Pentax K-7 dSLR has leaked on to the Web, revealing not only could it be one of the first dSLRs to handle HD video, but maybe even the first to back that up with decent sound

Richard Trenholm

May 19, 2009 4:19 a.m. PT

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The videofication of dSLR cameras continues, judging by leaked images of the long-rumoured new Pentax K-7. Full specs and images have now emerged, revealing that the K-7 not only shoots video, but also addresses the issue of sound quality.

Pictures of the 14-megapixel dSLR surfaced at RiceHigh via photorumours, which also outed the Sony Alpha 230, 330 and 380 dSLRs confirmed yesterday.

These details haven't been officially confirmed by Pentax yet, so we've no idea of price or release date yet, although an official announcement is expected in the next day or so. The K-7 will most likely contain an updated version of Samsung's 14.6-megapixel CMOS APS-C image sensor and a new Pentax Real Image Engine (PRIME II) processor.

The video feature will shoot high-definition 1,280x720-pixel video in 16:9 format at 30fps. You'll also be able to opt for 640x416 or 1,536x1,024 pixels in 3:2 format. The body sports an HDMI connection and a microphone input. That's significant because it means the camera can be at the heart of a video system, whereas previous video dSLRs gave visual flexibility with the use of different lenses, but were let down by poor sound.

Click through the images to see more. Let us know in the comments if you'd buy into Pentax for the chance of shooting video on your dSLR, or is it just a waste of time?

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There's a 76mm (3-inch) LCD live view screen, and a viewfinder offering 100 per cent coverage.

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The K-7 boasts a 77-segment metering system, and hits a maximum shutter speed of 1/8,000 second. It will shoot 40 JPEGs at 5.2 frames per second, or up to 15 raw frames.