AF is much faster than on the K20D. Focusing with the DA* 50-135mm lens was possible even in an almost dark room.
Focus was fast and sure for wildlife photography using the Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8 and a Tamron 1.4x TC (teleconverter). See the woodpecker photo at full size.
Illumination for the the two butterfly photos, at ISO 1600 (see full size) and ISO 3200 (see full size, or a 100% crop), was provided by a Sigma Flash Macro Ring EM-140 DG.
It feels smaller than the K20, but at the same time, just as substantial. It does fit my hand better, and the vertical grip is more rounded on the front, making it more comfortable as well. There is more grip to grip, so to speak. There are a LOT more menu adjustments, but they've done away with the pagesand pages of depth, instead opting for a tabbed style of menu, with only one page of depth per tab.
Steps to video is: click to Video mode, Focus, Click Shutter. I seen somewhere someone said the steps were too many because you have to press Liveview first, this is not the case.
He's shared the following 6-second Pentax K-7 footage (the Pentax DA 15mm f/4 Limited lens was used). You can download the WMV (Windows Media, 1280×720, 5.03MB) file if you register for free at Vimeo.
K-7 opinions and sample photos by Karen – Karen used the Pentax DA 18-55mm WR and Pentax DA* 50-135mm f/2.8 SDM lenses to photograph the images that she shared in this forum post.
Her feedback on the K-7 is positive: Much quicker auto focus (even in low light) compared to the K20D, great exposure, quiet and smooth shutter and changing ISO is very quick via the use of a button.
K-7 HDR example images by Andrew Britten – Two re-sized JPEGs compare the use of the High Dynamic Range setting on the K-7 vs a normal image from the Pentax K10D.
Lens used was the Pentax DA 16-45mm f/4, and Andrew added that the the K-7's shutter sound is very impressive.
Pentax K-7 feedback by Jimbob Productions – Superb 100% viewfinder, doesn't underexpose as much as older Pentax Digital SLR cameras (for instance, compared with the K20D in capturing pictures with bright skies), improved SR (shake reduction) and the electronic level is very useful.
Pentax K-7 – First impressions by John Cafarella – Compared to the K20D: Better autofocus (AF) and Automatic White Balance (AWB) in incandescent halogen lighting, less banding in dark areas at high ISO values, extremely refined design with short mirror blackout times.