Pentax K20HD: a dream come true?

As a longtime Pentax user (I started using SRL cameras back in 1990, with a lovely, manual, solid Pentax P30T), when I switched to digital SRL I chose a Pentax K10D, which has proven to be a much better camera than I expected (and I expected a lot). Contrary to other brands, Pentax is one of those which seems almost embarrased to state its own qualities, to the point that revolutionary features highlighted by major brands were used in advance by Pentax with little fanfare.

Yet maybe the time has come to see big headlines about their new dSLR, the successor of the K10D. Different rumblings pointed out to truly revolutionary features in it during the last weeks, but nothing had leaked thus far: there was an embargo of information until January 24th 2008, when it will be officially presented to the public. Yet, apparently yesterday there was a presentation to media in Dubai, and it seems some details have been leaked (in spite of non disclosure agreements). Based on posts from Pentaxforums, and on an article by the reputed Spanish photographer Valentín Sama (at his website DSLR Magazine), I think you could predict the new camera (possibly called K20 HD) has the following features:

New 14 MP CMOS sensor

16/9 format (approx. 30 x 16 mm)

Improved AF (contrast method)

Live view on the viewfinder (!!!!!!)

Possibility of using AF with Live view

Improved SR

Continuous shot up to 14/6 shots of 1080 p (full HD)

3 frames/second by shooting RAW (12/14 bits)

Recording of 720p video with built-in H.264 compression software (!!!)

Although nothing is confirmed yet, if the above features prove true, then we have a main contender in the upper part of the prosumer dSLR market: It will make loads of noise and major brands have serious matter to worry, given the usually aggressive price strategy of Pentax. The very fact that a most serious dSLR camera like this provides ALSO serious video, and live view + AF, means you have pretty much anything you would want, and then more.

2nd Update: I posted and then deleted a fake picture of the new camera. Yet if you are interested , it is posted here.

3rd Update: I just found a most interesting post from WendyB in pentaxforums (someone who is obviously under a non disclosure agreement with Pentax, regarding the new camera). As she suggests openly, it is well worth to read between the lines. And if I am getting it right, maybe we can discard the video in the Pentax K20.

Besides, there are quite clear hints suggesting she compared the last offerings from Nikon, Canon, Olympus and Pentax (i.e., D300/Eos 40D, E-3 and K20) and Pentax gets the best image quality.

Whatever the case, we will see in a week.