The award speech: "Choosing a digital SLR for our top award for 2009 has been a very difficult decision. We've seen some superb cameras this year, including the Nikon D300s, D5000 and D3x, the Canon EOS 5D MkII, 500D and 50D, the Sony A300 and A330, and the Olympus E-620. One camera stands out even in such esteemed company though, and that is the Pentax K-7. Although Pentax lags some way behind Canon and Nikon in worldwide sales, its digital SLR cameras have seldom been less than excellent, and at their best can match or exceed anything the mass-market competition can offer. The K-7 is a high-spec semi-professional model featuring a rugged weatherproof body, a 14.6-megapixel CMOS APS-C sensor, sensor-shift image stabilisation, HD video recording with a port for an external microphone, and an innovative in-camera HDR mode giving it the best dynamic range in its class. In terms of overall performance, it's a match for any of its rivals, and its image quality is second to none. Add to the equation clever features such as an electronic spirit level, automatic tilt correction and aperture/shutter priority shooting and you have an instant classic that will appeal to professionals and keen amateurs alike. If we were buying a new digital SLR today, we would choose the Pentax K-7 without hesitation" Link