Last updated: Review & Sample Photos @ PhotographyBlog (28 April’08)

The Pentax K20D (announced 23 Jan’08) is the successor to the K10d featuring 14.6 megapixel CMOS sensor, built-in Shake Reduction, Custom Image modes, with six preset options, offer superior control of how the PRIME processor develops images, Weather and dust resistant body, Dust Reduction and Dust Alert, advanced 16-segment metering and 11-point AF, with 9 cross sensors, and a 2.7 inch high resolution, wide view LCD monitor.

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Pentax K20D Reviews

PhotographyBlog reviews the Pentax K20D and writes;
“This camera produces noise-free images at ISO 100 all the way up to ISO 800, with significant levels of noise first appearing at ISO 1600. The fastest speeds of 3200 and 6400 are undoubtedly noisy but still useable..Overall a great performance by the K20D.”
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TrustedReviews reviews the Pentax K20D and writes;
“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 K20D is a very accomplished camera and exceptional value for money.”
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NeoCamera reviews the Pentax K20D and writes;
“The bottom line is that the K20D has one of the most complete feature set of any DSLR. It brings some unique features and exposure modes into a very thoughtful and ergonomic design. Plus, since image quality and performance are great, there is no doubt the K20D is a worthy digital SLR.”
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PhotoReview reviews the Pentax K20D and writes;
“The pop-up flash performed as well as the flash on the K10D and provided good and even exposures throughout the test camera’s ISO range. Long exposures at night were relatively free of colour noise up to ISO 800 but noise increased visibly thereafter. At ISO 6400, noise was quite obvious, although no stuck pixels were found.”
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PopPhoto reviews the Pentax K20D and writes;
“In noise or color accuracy tests, however, the K20D doesn’t outclass the Nikon D300, especially at ISO 3200 and 6400, or when shooting JPEGs at any ISO. At ISO 1600 it earns a Moderate noise rating, but thanks to its high resolution and Excellent color accuracy at that ISO, it still qualifies for an Excellent image quality rating from ISO 100 to ISO 1600..”
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DCI has a preview of the Pentax K20D and writes;
“It is the best option for photographers who have bags of old Pentax lenses laying around and otherwise won’t be able to use them. But if you’re buying a DSLR for the first time, you might be better off with a cheaper model like the new Digital Rebel XSi.”
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PopPhoto has a preview of the Pentax K20D and writes;
“The camera is fun to use, without being intimidating and it’s backlog of compatible lenses will prove to be useful to existing Pentax users. On the downside, the inaccurate metering is a disappointment, though easily remedied by anyone with a basic understanding of the principles of exposure, but it really should be better.”
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TrustedReviews has a preview of the Pentax K20D and writes;
“The camera is fun to use, without being intimidating and it’s backlog of compatible lenses will prove to be useful to existing Pentax users. On the downside, the inaccurate metering is a disappointment, though easily remedied by anyone with a basic understanding of the principles of exposure, but it really should be better.”
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ePhotozine reviews the Pentax K20D and writes;
“All the time I used the camera, it felt sturdy and even in the desert, I knew I wasn’t going to have too much trouble…If you need a DSLR with 14Mp, dust alert features and good anti-camera shake, then the K20D is definitely a camera to look at.”
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Pentax K20D Samples

- Pentax K20D Sample Photos @ PhotographyBlog
- Pentax K20D Sample Photos @ NeoCamera
- Pentax K20D Sample Photos @ PopPhoto
- Pentax K20D Sample Photos @ TrustedReviews
- Pentax K20D Sample Photo @ ISO 3200

Pentax K20D User Manual (PDF)

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Pentax K20D Press Release

PENTAX K20D: A High-Performance Lens-Interchangeable Digital SLR Camera for Truly Demanding Photo Enthusiasts

PENTAX Corporation is pleased to introduce the PENTAX K20D lens-interchangeable digital SLR camera. This medium-class model offers superb image quality, an array of advanced features and outstanding reliability and operability to meet the specialized and exacting demands of photo enthusiasts, including advanced amateurs. It incorporates a newly developed image sensor to bring out the optimum performance of PENTAX interchangeable lenses, while offering the features and functions needed to maximize the pleasure and excitement of digital photography.

The K20D’s development was based on the popular PENTAX K10D, which not only attracted great interest and high acclaim from users around the world, but also swept prestigious camera awards across the globe in 2007.

The new CMOS image sensor, exclusively developed for K20D, is designed to optimize the performance of PENTAX interchangeable lenses. Featuring approximately 14.6 effective megapixels and the latest noise-reduction technology, it assures superb image quality a step above its predecessors.

The K20D also offers an array of advanced features and user-friendly functions, including: a new Custom Image function that lets the user select or adjust the image’s finishing touches to their preference; an upgraded, more reliable SR (Shake Reduction) system; a comprehensive Dust Removal system; a multi-mode exposure system for faithful reproduction of the photographer’s creative intentions; and a dependable dust-proof, water-resistant body construction. As a result, the K20D easily meets the diversified, exacting demands of discerning photographers.
Major Features

1. High-quality image reproduction

■ Newly developed CMOS image sensor:
The K20D features a newly developed CMOS (complementary metal oxide silicon) image sensor measuring 23.4 mm x 15.6 mm. After a thorough review of previous image sensors, PENTAX greatly reduced the area of circuitry around the pixel field to expand the light-sensitive area, while narrowing the camera’ depth to nearly 60%, it achieved overall downsizing. Since it can detect diagonal light with great accuracy, the sensor can bring out the optimum performance of PENTAX interchangeable lenses. It also keeps annoying digital noise to a minimum by automatically raising its own sensitivity, allowing to increase the sensitivity from ISO 100 to the highest level of ISO 6400 (via a custom function).

■ Approximately 14.6 effective megapixels for true-to-life, rich-gradation images:
The K20D’s new CMOS sensor features an approximately 14.6 effective megapixels. Coupled with a high-performance imaging engine incorporating PENTAX-original image-processing technologies programmed to yield natural, true-to-life descriptions, it assures fine-detailed, rich-gradation images. In addition, the K20D features a new Custom Image function, which lets the photographer select one of six finishing touches to reflect his or her creative intentions with great ease.

■ High-performance, high-speed PRIME imaging engine:
The K20D incorporates the PENTAX-original PRIME (PENTAX Real Image Engine) as its imaging engine. Designed exclusively for PENTAX digital SLR cameras, it assures well-balanced, true-to-life images with faithful color reproduction by efficiently controlling digital signals transmitted by the CMOS image sensor and other photographic factors, including white balance. This imaging engine also features a DDR2 (Double Data Rate 2) memory to assure speedy image processing and high-speed data transfer.

2. PENTAX-original SR (Shake Reduction) mechanism assuring greater reliability

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See also: Digital Camera | Pentax

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