Yes true, I am giving my gut feeling and all I can report is that I'm very pleased with the output I see, especially when shooting PEF and PP'd.

These were all taken in relatively low light

OK these are straight camera Jpegs (with standard in camera high ISO noise reduction) and only a size reduction for posting.
I'm convinced there is an improvement. I don't think the camera was actually bad before but I would say it is now really very good. ISO 1600 is super clean IMHO.

Satsumas ISO 2000

[IMG]http://img35.imageshack.us/img35/7365/cjsatsumaiso2000.jpg[/IMG]

Satsumas ISO 3200

[IMG]http://img3.imageshack.us/img3/23/cjsatsumaiso3200.jpg[/IMG]

Satsumas ISO 5000

[IMG]http://img35.imageshack.us/img35/4677/cjsatsumaiso5000.jpg[/IMG]

Bananas ISO 1600

[IMG]http://img37.imageshack.us/img37/1492/cjbananaiso1600.jpg[/IMG]

Bananas ISO 1600

[IMG]http://img689.imageshack.us/img689/4740/cjbanana2iso1600.jpg[/IMG]

Wine ISO 3200

[IMG]http://img34.imageshack.us/img34/4420/cjwineiso3200.jpg[/IMG]

Wine ISO 5000

[IMG]http://img69.imageshack.us/img69/7555/cjwineiso5000.jpg[/IMG]

My curiosity was sparked after reading this recent K7 -v- 50D review (Friday 26th Feb) on ephotozine. In particular I was interested in the comments about an improvement in high ISO noise performance that Matt Grayson had identified with the latest v1.03 firmware. Pentax make no mention of it in there accompanying notes so having just run a few quick tests I wonder if they are missing a trick?

Have a look and see what you think.
These were all shot in RAW PEF and converted using Capture One 5 Pro on standard settings (with a slight exposure compensation on a couple). They were then resized in Helicon Filter Pro with very minimal noise reduction applied.

Satsumas ISO 2000

[IMG]http://img27.imageshack.us/img27/3732/satsumasiso2000.jpg[/IMG]

Satsumas ISO 3200

[IMG]http://img269.imageshack.us/img269/2196/satsumasiso3200.jpg[/IMG]

Satsumas ISO 5000

[IMG]http://img269.imageshack.us/img269/512/satsumasiso5000.jpg[/IMG]

Bananas ISO 1600

[IMG]http://img37.imageshack.us/img37/8927/bananasiso1600.jpg[/IMG]

Bananas ISO 1600

[IMG]http://img27.imageshack.us/img27/848/bananasmoreiso1600.jpg[/IMG]

Wine ISO 3200

[IMG]http://img402.imageshack.us/img402/3521/wineiso3200.jpg[/IMG]

Wine ISO 5000

[IMG]http://img526.imageshack.us/img526/3250/wineiso5000.jpg[/IMG]

You could try Helicon Filter link the fully featured version 4.93 is now available as a free download. It's actually quite a capable package and includes RAW conversion if shoot DNG.

Blimey Oggy that is horrible

I'm glad to hear everyone is OK, definitely have a rethink on security measures

Nice shots Peter, like Tim I think the last one is my favourite.

When I first looked at these I wondered what they might look like in monochrome, I think I prefer the colour version of the first shot (which happens to be my favourite of the series). I also like the 'looking through the smashed window' shot but this time in black and white.

A very atmospheric series Andrew and not a little depressing but nicely captured of course

I've probably used the pixel map function twice with my K-7 (on demand rather than periodically) and it works just as advertised.

Sorry to shower a bit of cold water on you guys but the big Sigma is a fair bit cheaper from SRS link