Though most of the recent action in the digital SLR market has been with entry-level models from Canon, Nikon, and Sony, Pentax made some waves in the prosumer category this morning with its new 14.2 megapixel Pentax K-7 digital SLR.

Like the recently announced Canon Rebel T1i and Nikon D5000, the Pentax K-7 also shoots high-definition video. But unlike those two models, this compact yet very solid DSLR from Pentax is aimed squarely at advanced photographers and aspiring pros.

Details about the K-7 have leaked out to the Internet in recent weeks so most of the camera's top-line specs have already circulated to blogs and digital camera review sites. In case you missed it, here are a few of the "official" highlights for the K-7, a camera which will replace Pentax's previous flagship DSLR, the K20D

• New 14.6MP CMOS sensor with 4-channel output instead of two to lower noise and more quickly process images and HD movies
• Compact and lightweight yet solid camera body with stainless steel chassis and magnesium alloy shell
• 720p HD movie at 30 frames per second
• External 3.5mm stereo mic jack
• Weather resistant, dustproof, and coldproof (14º F, -10º C)
• 5.2 frames per second shooting speed thanks to Prime II processing engine
• New 77-segment exposure metering system
• High Dynamic Range (HDR) mode which combines three images
• Shake Reduction (SR) in-camera stabilization that compensates for sensor rotation
• Electronic level function to help you maintain even horizons in landscape photos
• Improved dust reduction
• Compatible with all Pentax K-Mount lenses

The Pentax K-7 digital SLR will start selling in July 2009 for $1,300, body only. Though the Pentax K20D will be phased out, the entry-level K2000 ($600) will remain in the lineup. Pentax will also begin selling the new D-BG4 battery/vertical shooting grip in July for $230; and two new weather-resistant lenses, an 18-55mm ($200) and a 50-200mm ($250).

I got some hands-on time with a pre-production version of the Pentax K-7 and you can see my special sneak peek at the camera for DemystifyingDigital.com by clicking here.