The Pentax K20D is 14.6 megapixels DSLR digital camera that features a 2.7 inch LCD, enhanced dynamic range mode, weather and dust resistant body, and 16-segment metering.
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Review Index – (updated 17 February’09)
ImagingResource
“With its high level of customization, both during and after shooting, the Pentax K20D offers a wealth of options for advanced photographers who like to tweak settings to perfection. The K20D does take some getting used to in order to produce excellent images, but Pentax makes it easier to acclimatize to the camera by offering a Green mode, which essentially puts the camera into full automatic.”
PCWorld
“The K20D delivered very good image quality overall in the PC World Test Center’s digital camera tests. Even so, the competition–including models from Canon, Nikon, and Olympus–outperformed this Pentax.”
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LetsGoDigital
“Maybe I put the bar too high. The Pentax K20D does deliver outstanding pictures. I have no remarks up to and including ISO 400, higher than ISO 400 noise plays a bigger role. The dynamic range is beautiful, colour reproduction is pleasant and a lot can be gained using RAW.”
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DCResource
“I did find the camera’s interface to be outdated, and sometimes difficult to navigate. I would’ve preferred direct buttons for the items in the function menu, as well. This may sound petty, but you have to choose between displaying the ISO sensitivity and shots remaining on the LCD info display and viewfinder — I want both!”
ComputerActive
“Image-wise the K20D delivers appealing rich and warm colors when left on its factory default settings, and reproduction using the supplied lens is razor sharp. That can’t take away from the fact that the K20D is pricey for anyone who doesn’t need a high resolution for printing large images or the tough exterior.”
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DPReview has reviewed the Pentax K20D and writes -
“Because the K20D offers so much that the enthusiast photographer would enjoy, it would be churlish to let the sensor-based flaws, which have little impact in real-world shooting, prevent us giving the camera our highest award. This isn’t to say it’s a faultless camera or one that’s suited to everybody but one with only minor drawbacks that should only dissuade a small number of potential buyers.”
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ThinkCamera has reviewed the Pentax K20D and writes -
“All in all, the Pentax K20D is a decent camera with enough features to keep top-end enthusiasts, travel photographers and possibly even some pros happy. It’s not the 14.6megapixel sensor that makes this the camera what it is, that almost doesn’t matter – it’s the combination of intuitive layout, functions and relative ease of use. Whether it will do well in the market is a different matter – but there’s no reason to shun Pentax on the basis of brand name, given that the K20D will give any other top manufacturers’ products a good run for their money.”
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RegHardware has reviewed the Pentax K20D and writes -
“The K20D is a serious piece of kit, which demands serious lenses to get the best quality from its 14.6-megapixel sensor. Getting the thing set up to taste requires close attention to the manual and plenty of unhurried tweaking, and accordingly it’s a complete waste of time and money if you just want a competent but straightforward digital SLR. The camera’s weakest point is its flash, but that’s hardly an issue for potential customers who’ll certainly already have a better alternative, or will quickly get one.”
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InfoSyncWorld has reviewed the Pentax K20D and writes -
“Pros: Best-in-class megapixel count. Great, sturdy design. Good interface. Sensor-shift stabilization. Above average noise-management.
Cons: Not the best image quality from an APS-C sensor. Shutter and ISO ranges are on the low-end.”
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CNET has reviewed the Pentax K20D and writes -
“Overall, the K20D is a very good camera for the price. Pentax users looking to step up should feel comfortable doing so. If you’re brand agnostic and looking for a solid midrange SLR, the K20D is a safe bet. It has an extra stop of sensitivity compared with the Canon EOS 40D, which tops out at ISO 3,200 compared with the K20D’s ISO 6,400. Plus, if you think you’ll use the Pentax’s wireless flash control, you should note that Canon forces you to buy a separate controller, or its priciest flash unit, if you want that. Nikon’s D80 has come down in price recently and offers a tempting alternative, though it has 10MP compared with the K20D’s 14MP, and neither that Nikon nor Canon has the K20D’s weather sealing.”
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GoodGearGuide has reviewed the Pentax K20D and writes -
“While you can use the LCD to frame shots you have to focus manually or use the clumsy mirror lift system (which has a few seconds’ delay). This means that although it may work for inanimate shots, trying to capture a moving target using live view is going to be a fruitless endeavor. We were also annoyed that the aperture and shutter speed disappear from the top mounted LCD when live view is running, making it difficult to tweak your shots.”
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Camera Labs has reviewed the Pentax K20D and writes -
“Crucially, the K20D also misses out on other aspects more commonly found in semi-pro models. It may have the upper screen and now sports an X-Sync port, but the body isn’t magnesium alloy and the 3fps continuous shooting speed is less than half that of the 40D’s 6.5fps. It’s also annoying not to find dedicated buttons for things like sensitivity and white balance, nor the possibility of seeing both ISO and shots remaining on either the top screen or through the optical viewfinder.”
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Steve’s Digicams has reviewed the Pentax K20D and writes -
“Bottom line – The K20D is a great camera for the photo-enthusiast – and maybe for the pro too. The new 14.6-megapixel CMOS image sensor, combined with a lot of modern technology create a wonderful camera for only $1,129.95. The Live View function, in-body Shake Reduction capability and improved Dust Reduction system show that PENTAX is serious about evolution of the K body line. The ability to use any PENTAX glass means I can even use my 20 year old PENTAX lenses on the K20D.”
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PhotographyBlog has reviewed the Pentax K20D and writes -
“The one improvement that feels more like an after-thought is Live View. Pentax’s marketing literature isn’t making a big deal out of this feature, and after using it you can certainly understand why. Live View on the K20D only really makes sense if the camera is mounted on a tripod, and even then it offers very little feedback to the photographer. Even worse, you can’t actually change any of the important camera settings like the aperture or shutter speed when it’s activated. If Live View is one of your must-have features, we’d advise you to look elsewhere.
Despite the half-baked Live View mode and an increase in price over the K10D, the Pentax K20D is a significant improvement on its predecessor. The shutter release mechanism and auto-focusing system are still noisy, and we’d upgrade the supplied 18-55mm kit lens as soon as possible to get the best out of the sensor, but overall the K20D remains one of the most innovative DSLRs currently available, which we can once again highly recommend.”
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DPExpert has reviewed the Pentax K20D and writes -
“The Pentax K20D is an improvement on the already good K10D. The new 14mp CMOS sensor delivers finer resolution without any apparent increase in noise. Compared with the Nikon and Canon competition the Pentax feels a little rough and gritty. The body graphics and the menus are not as elegant, which may be the area where production costs have been kept low. But where it matters, in truly important and useful features, it is clear that this camera has been designed by photographers and not by the marketing department.”
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TrustedReviews has reviewed the Pentax K20D and writes -
“With the launch of the K20D Pentax is taking on the top players in the semi-pro DSLR market. It has a class-leading specification, with build quality, handling and performance to match, and has exactly the sort of features that will appeal to advanced amateurs and semi-professionals. The slight problems with exposure consistency are annoying but not fatal, and the breathtaking detail of that 14.6MP sensor more than makes up for it. The K20D is a very accomplished camera and exceptional value for money.”
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NeoCamera – 17 March’08 – reviews the Pentax K20D and thinks it’s one of the best cropped DSLR camera on the market. Here’s a summary of their review -
“Here’s a camera that leads it’s class with an extensive list of features and detail rich images. However, due to the lower frames per second burst rate they do point out it is particularly suited for non-action photography. The K20D’s viewfinder is also only 95% which lags behind the competition. Another point of disappointment was the on-board image stabilization which was not as good as Pentax claims it is.”
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PhotoReview – 10 March’08 – takes a first look at the Pentax K20D and thought shots tended to be darker than those shot with the K10D. Here’s a summary of their review -
“the reviewer really liked the dust notification system which points out where dust spots are on the sensor so they can easily be removed. Image quality was good however skin tones appeared to be slightly off with a little to much saturation. White balance did alright under fluorescent lighting but had a problem eliminating the yellow cast under incandescent lights. One last gripe was that when you switch to Live View the camera slows WAY down.”
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ShutterBug – 22 February’08 – takes a first look at the Pentax K20D and feels the K20D is an evolutionary development and not a revolutionary new camera. Here’s a summary of their review -
“If you need a high resolution camera but don’t need a fast frame rate the K20D may just fit the bill. Because of its live view the K20D should be a strong contender in the prosumer target market. Its live view does operate slightly different than the competition. When AF is selected, focusing does not begin until after the shutter release button is fully depressed. Consequently, instead of a delay for focus acquisition while composing an image, “shutter lag” occurs just before the photo is actually taken.”
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PopPhoto – 16 February’08 – has a first impressions review of the Pentax K20D and thought it had impressive image results. Here’s a summary of their review -
“This camera’s stumbling points are its high ISO performance and low light auto focus speed. The reviewer noted the sensor-shift mechanism image stabilization system provided about 4 stops advantage. As stated earlier image quality was excellent, in fact, it captured better detail than most DSLR’s in its price range.”
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DigitalCameraInfo – 04 February’08 – has a first impressions review of the Pentax K20D and noted the preproduction model they had was REALLY slow. Here’s a summary of their review -
“This is Pentax’s first attempt at live view and the result is super slow system and the reviewer suspects it’s not because it was a preproduction camera but that it is a design problem. the slowness could be the kiss of death for sports and action photographers. Lots of buttons on the camera body gives photographers tons of shooting control but if more features are wanted, good luck wading through the cameras long and confusing menu system.”
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Well… we would have to say the DigitalCameraInfo review was not impressed with the K20D.
PopPhoto – 27 January’08 – has a first look at the Pentax K20D and liked the pro quality build and feel. Here’s a summary of their review -
“Apparently the camera stacks up pretty well in the ISO 100 – 1600 range with the other competitors in the entry level DSLR range. Pentax did however choose to leave out a couple of features that would have been icing on the cake. #1 – Faster burst rate #2 – A rear button auto focus option”
TrustedReviews – 25 January’08 – has a hands on preview of the Pentax K20D and feels the camera delivers nice sharp images. Here’s a summary of their review -
“This is just fun camera to use but the metering system is unpredictable and disappointing. considering a cameras primary function is to accurately expose images the K20D seems to have inherited Pentax’s historical underexposure problems. considering the level of technology available in todays marketplace this aspect of the camera is really unacceptable.”
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ePhotozine – 24 January’08 – has reviewed the Pentax K20D and appreciated the dust alert system. Here’s a summary of their review -
“For a company that proclaims they are not in the pixel race the K20D arrives with the highest pixel count in the line. The major upgrades are the dust alert system and anti shake system. One item that was mysteriously missing was a larger 3 inch LCD which would have made it a little more competitive with other models on the market. All in all a nice camera but is worth upgrading to?”
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Owner Feedback
]Sample Photos
[Sample Test Photos at ImagingResource]
[Sample Test Photos at LetsGoDigital]
[Sample Test Photos at DCResource]
[Sample Test Photos at LetsGoDigital]
[Sample Photos at DPReview]
[Sample Photos at RegHardware]
[Sample Photos at CNET]
[Sample Photos at Camera Labs]
[Sample Photos at Steve's Digicams]
[Sample Photos at PhotographyBlog]
[Sample Test Photos at TrustedReviews]
[Sample Test Photos at NeoCamera]
[Sample Test Photos at PhotoReview]
[Sample Test Photos at PopPhoto]
[Sample Test Photo at PopPhoto]
[Sample Test Photos at TrustedReviews]
[Sample High ISO (3200) Test Photo at ePhotozine]
Specifications
[Official Pentax Specifications]
Owners Manual
Press Excerpt
GOLDEN, CO. PENTAX Imaging Company announced a new digital SLR camera model the PENTAX K20D digital SLR camera with 14.6 megapixels Equipped with advanced features including dust-proof and weather-resistant bodies, an improved PRIME image processor, and PENTAX developed Shake Reduction that works with any of the 24 million PENTAX lenses ever manufactured.
Improving on the technology of the award winning K10D, the flagship PENTAX K20D is the highest resolution camera in the advanced photo enthusiast category and allows more experienced photographers, who demand complete control, to fully customize the camera. The most significant features in the K20D include:
A newly developed CMOS image sensor to bring out the optimum performance of PENTAX interchangeable lenses. Featuring 14.6 effective megapixels and the latest noise-reduction technology, the sensor assures superb image quality.
Custom Image functions that allow users to select between six preset options and further adjust image processing, including saturation, hue, contrast and sharpness. The K20D also offers an Expanded Dynamic Range function that allows users to gain more contrast and detail in bright settings.
A Live View that allows users to see the full image area to confirm composition, focus status and lighting on the large 2.7 inch LCD monitor. A grid display may be engaged to help assure the perfect arrangement of an image and Auto Focus may be activated by simply pressing the AF button on the back of the camera. Further fine tuning of the image can be confirmed with the 4X or 8X zoom option.
An improved Dust Reduction system that features the new Dust Alert function to pinpoint the exact location of dust particles for the photographer to remove.
A weather and dust resistant body that allows photographers to keep shooting even in harsh conditions.
A PC sync socket for more advanced photographers who use studio lighting.
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{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
The Pent ex KID may have more megapixels than my new Canon D but it is still only at 12bit A/D conversion next to the Canon’s 14bit. The Canon 40D
also has a much faster auto focus system and blows the K20D away in low light capabilities with its lack of digital noise at higher ISO’s. Add to that the fact that the Pentax K20D can only shoot at a snail like 3 FPS versus the Canon 40D’s 6.5 FPS, and you have more than enough reasons to dump Pentax and stick with Canon!
So you’ve tested both side by side under the same conditions?
It 14bit A/C is so great then you must really love the 22bit A/D used in the K10D. Don’t put so much emphasis on numbers game. 12 clean bits is better than 14 noisey bits anyday. I work in signal processing and the last few bits don’t buy you anything. You must be looking at different preview tests than I am, at high ISO the K20D (iso 1600) the fact is the worst Camera in the class is the Canon not the Pentax, its as good as the Nikon D300 and with more Megapixels can be cleaned up to a higer resolution if needed.
http://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-news-rumors/20289-k20d-noise-comparison-against-a700-40d-d300-d3.html
On FPS and AF, yes the Canon is better, if you need that then its a good choice. If you need to bash other brands to feel good about your Canon purchase then you need help.
PS: If I had to have 6 fps and better AF in low light than the Pentax K20D, The Nikon D300 would be a much better choice than the Canon 40D any day. I’ll be buying a Pentax K20d as soon as the price drops below $1000.
Pentax K20D’s High Resolution Quality Image and versatile White Balancing options, Time Lapse Intervalometer PLUS the AF adjustment for different lenses IMHO are the best selling point of the new K20D, I dont see the need for a faster FPS for ive never seen a bride running in 100 meter dash nor a portrait shot on the move But the pentax k20d 21-FPS at 1.6mp is fun to use
I’ve own and use Olympus OM-10,
Nikon FE2 & FM2, Pentax MZ50,
Digital — K100d, K10D and MY Pentax K20D is a Rich Featured kick-ass DSLR. (I’ll wait for another K30D or K40D)
If you use SDM lenses on the Pentax, it will focus just about as fast as a Nikon or Canon camera. You need to compare things with similar accessories.