The 7D is using a CCD sensor instead of the more popular CMOS. While CMOS has better noise output I find that the colors produced by a CCD is far superior. For someone like me who does minimal PP, I would say that the out of camera pictures from the 7D is good to go most of the time.
Although I had a 5D, 7D and A700, I still prefer the pictures taken by the 5D and 7D. Now that my 5D and A700 are gone, I am still holding on tightly to my lovely 7D.