Pentax K20D 14.6 Megapixel Digital SLR Camera Body Only

Pentax K20D

Strengths: Excellent resolution, built in SR, low noise at high ISO, good JPEG processor

Weakness: Focus sluggish in low light, only 3FPS, 14.6MP means large files (especially RAW)

If you have already bought into the Pentax system, the K20D is a nice upgrade from any previous Pentax SLR. The 14.6MP CMOS sensor produces extremely detailed images with excellent color and dynamic range. Noise is surprisingly low for a camera with this many pixels - lower then the 10MP sensor used in other Pentax SLRs. On the downside, 14.6MP means you have to deal with large image files. JPEGS...
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If you have already bought into the Pentax system, the K20D is a nice upgrade from any previous Pentax SLR. The 14.6MP CMOS sensor produces extremely detailed images with excellent color and dynamic range. Noise is surprisingly low for a camera with this many pixels - lower then the 10MP sensor used in other Pentax SLRs. On the downside, 14.6MP means you have to deal with large image files. JPEGS are 10+ MB, while RAWs can be 15-20MB.

The built in SR (shake reduction) works well. Any lens you mount on this camera is stabilized, meaning you can shoot at 2-3 stops longer shutter speed and still get sharp pictures.

Focusing is pretty good, but not perfect. In low light focus can be sluggish; the camera will hunt for a moment before locking focus. I have found focus to be accurate even in low light however. The lack of blazing fast focus plus the relatively slow 3FPS burst makes this camera not the greatest for shooting fast action.

The JPEG processor is excellent, a step up from previous Pentax SLRs. The out of camera JPEGS are sharp, colorful, and have relatively low noise without too much detail smearing noise reduction. Overall image quality for this camera is excellent. Images are detailed, colorful, and have good dynamic range.

By SVfront - Sep 28, 2008

Top of the line camera

Strengths: Lots of features, Low noise, focus correction capability, body of k10d, penta prism

Weakness: Too much resolution, large files

I upgraded to this camera from a k100d. I mostly photograph my now one year old daughter. The k100d gave me beautiful results in-doors in low light where most of my daughter's photos were taken. Now she has become a toddler and runs around. I wished my k100d could allow some extra speed to catch her moving around. I read that the k20d gives an extra stop over the k100d. I was initially reluctant...
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I upgraded to this camera from a k100d. I mostly photograph my now one year old daughter. The k100d gave me beautiful results in-doors in low light where most of my daughter's photos were taken. Now she has become a toddler and runs around. I wished my k100d could allow some extra speed to catch her moving around. I read that the k20d gives an extra stop over the k100d. I was initially reluctant to put down considerable amount of money just to get the extra stop. But, then I got tempted and bought it.

Now that I have it, I see so many advantages with the k20d. It fits perfectly in my hands. There are easily accessible controls right on the camera to control most of the parameters. And yes, it does have an extra stop over the k100d. I took some test photos with the k20d at all ISO ranges and down resolved them to 6 MP and compared them to the k100d photos in the same test set-up. I see about 1 to 1.5 stops advantage for the k20d. That is a wonderful achievement considering the fact that k20d is a 14.6 MP camera.

My only gripe is that Pentax has unnecessarily chosen to go for such a high resolution. I believe that had they made the sensor only 10 MP with the same technology, they could have improved the noise performance by at least another 1/2 to 1 stop. Imagine getting usable 6,400 ISO images! I don't think there are any lenses (even primes) that can out resolve 14.6 MP sensor. (Maybe, at some limited apertures some primes can be close). Moreover, all it does is highlight flaws in the photographer's technique and fill up the memory cards and hard disc!

Aside from this personal gripe, this is one excellent camera, though quite expensive for my needs. In the hands of an able photographer, this is one camera to beat.

By muraliy - Jul 8, 2008

Excellent performance, only minor issues

Strengths: Unique shooting modes like TAv and Sv. Comfortable fit, controls easy to reach. High-iso performance. In-body image stabilization. Sturdy, solid feel. Weather sealing (w/sealed lens.)

Weakness: 3 fps (if you care.) Bad pixels (only visible under rare circumstances.)

This is my first DSLR, but I did a ton of research before choosing the K20D, and I'm glad I did. It's been a joy to use so far, especially when paired with a Pentax Limited prime lens. The relative light weight and compactness of such a combination, combined with excellent image quality and performance, cannot be beat. On the other hand, combined with the Pentax or Tamron 18-250mm lens, you have...
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This is my first DSLR, but I did a ton of research before choosing the K20D, and I'm glad I did. It's been a joy to use so far, especially when paired with a Pentax Limited prime lens. The relative light weight and compactness of such a combination, combined with excellent image quality and performance, cannot be beat. On the other hand, combined with the Pentax or Tamron 18-250mm lens, you have an extremely flexible and convenient camera, which still has surprisingly good image quality. In all cases you get image stabilization with any lens, a great benefit in low light shooting.

The only issue I have is with occasional hot pixels in images. Since the 1.01 firmware release this is mostly a non-issue, only very rarely in images with large amounts of high contrast transitions do a few of the bad pixel mapping artifacts become visible. (For example, a black dress with hundreds of reflective sequins caused a few errant pixels to appear near black/white transitions, where the camera had substituted some data for a bad pixel.)

By warpmote - Jul 6, 2008

Excellent

Strengths: Large pixel, solid

Weakness: weak white balance

This is my second pentax dslr, I chose pentax because it's got a lot of features including shake reduction and water-resistance. High iso pictures taken by K20d are outstanding, so you can still take great pictures in a low-light environment.

By Electronic King - Jul 9, 2008

Pentax Rocks!!!!

Strengths: Features,Price,Build Quality

Weakness: burst speed -3fps-

This is my third Pentax camera. All have been fantastic, but the K20D is by far the cream of the crop. Almost any customizeable feature available, huge sensor, superior image quality even with the kit lens (DA 18-55 II) Plus it just feels more solid in your hands than any other camera in its class. Highly recommended.

By jefftoe - Jun 10, 2008