Although I don’t follow Pentax closely, their new K-7 dSLR has some interesting features which Olympus fans might like to see in their cameras given they are both based on similar CCD-shift IS technology and Live View technologies.

Firstly, the K-7 is a 14.6mp, APS-C sensor with weatherproofed body, CCD-shift image stabiliser of 2.5-4 stops, 100% field of view viewfinder, 5.2 fps burst rate, 11 point (9 cross-type) AF, 920,000 dot 3″ fixed LCD, face detection contrast AF in live preview and comes with the now almost standard movie mode at 1280×720 pixels at 30fps but no live AF although it does have an external mic input at least.

Now, a few rather innovative features:

• continuous shooting in live view mode with mirror locked up via an innovative diaphragm-control mechanism – but have they finally made a near silent live view capture mode?
• HDR (high dynamic range) function to create one composite image with an extra-wide gradation range from three images with different exposures
• Digital level function for easy checking of the image’s levels as with Olympus E620 presumably
• Innovative CCD-shift mechanism for ensuring sensor is level horizontally (within limits) AND the ability for minute angle adjustment (in the direction of up/down, right/left and clockwise/counterclockwise), helping to compose the image exactly the way the photographer wants.
• Attachment of copyright credits on recorded images

see more at dpreview.com