Pentax K-7, the big question: introduction of electronic viewfinder??

We are only a few days of the official introduction of the brand new Pentax K-7, and while pictures of the new camera were released recently, we still lack reliable information on its specs (regardless of what some people claim). The NDA have been strictly enforced this time and we are still in the dark.

But given some hints from people who actually have signed an NDA, it seems there will be some truly innovative features in the K-7. And for all I know, the main suspect here is the introduction of an electronic viewfinder (EVF) in the new camera, which would be the first utilization of an idea patented by Pentax in September 25th, 2008. This was suggested first (to my knowledge, at least) by an article I highlighted recently, in DSLR Magazine.

Roughly speaking, it seems this patent could enable to display in the standard, optical viewfinder of the dSLR camera information such as live histogram, or even live view with upped mirror. No other dSLR camera, not even the flagships from the big brands, provide this feature, and in this view, the introduction of the EVF in the Pentax K-7 could justify why Yvon Bourque speaks about other brands "catching-up" after the release of the K-7.

Obviously this remains pure speculation at this time, but still, founded speculation, since the patent exists and Pentax clearly patended the system in order to use it.

But then, if we speculate a bit further:
From the (supposedly leaked) features widely accepted as real in the new K-7, it seems we have:

- Improved version of the sensor used in the Pentax K-20D.
- Improved autofocus.
- Improved live view.
- 1080 video.

All these features would put the Pentax K-7 on pair with their main competitors from Canikon, with the additional advantage of being a very compact and extremely ergonomic dSLR camera.

Now, if the EVF is actually utilized in the K-7, Pentax would certainly go one step beyond the competition. It might represent for Pentax what the K10D represented when introduced: a fully specced dSLR camera with many innovative features, blowing away the competition at its price point.

Disclaimer: the image utilized to illustrate this comment is copied from the original Pentax patent linked above, which owns all rights about the image. This image is utilized here strictly for discussion purposes.