Pentax K20D

    60
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    Highlights

    • 14.6 MP APS-C CMOS Sensor
    • 100 - 3,200 Native ISO
    • 11 Focus Points
    • Image Stabilization
    • 2.7" 230k dot Fixed Screen
    • Optical (pentaprism) Viewfinder
    • 3.0 fps Continuous Shooting
    • Built-in Flash
    • Wheather Sealed Body
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    Disclosure: We earn money from the affiliate links to products associated with content in this article.

    Overview

    Pentax K20D was announced in 2008 and is an APS-C (23.4 x 15.6 mm) DSLR camera with 14.6 Megapixel CMOS sensor. Its native ISO ranges from 100 to 3,200 and expands to 100 - 6,400 in boosted mode. The camera has a Fixed 2.7" screen with 230k dot resolution and built-in Optical (pentaprism) viewfinder. It has a built-in Sensor Shift in body image stabilization.

    Table of Contents
    1. Overview
    2. Pros and Cons
    3. Predecessor
    4. Screen and Viewfinder
    5. Sensor
    6. Photography Features
    7. Connectivity, Battery and Storage
    8. Other Features
    9. Physical Parameters
    10. For Different Types of Photography
    11. Evaluation
    12. Specifications  

    Pros and Cons

    In this section we present pros and cons of Pentax K20D.

    PROS

    •   Image Stabilization
    •   Built-in Flash
    •   Environmental Sealing
    •   Orientation Sensor

    CONS

    •   No Video Capture
    •   Low Resolution Sensor - 14.6 Megapixel
    •   3,200 Highest Native ISO
    •   11 Focus Points
    •   No Face Detection
    •   Fixed Screen
    •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
    •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.0 fps
    •   No HDMI Output
    •   No Built-in Microphone
    •   No Microphone Input
    •   No Headphone Output
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
    •   No Built-In Bluetooth

    And here are some specifications which fall into average criteria and are neither in PROs nor in CONs category:

    AVERAGE

    •   100 Lowest Native ISO
    •   Screen Size - 2.7"
    •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
    •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/180 sec
    •   DxO Overall Score - 65
    •   Weight - 800 g (1.76 lb / 28.22 oz)

    Predecessor

    Here we are comparing Pentax K20D to its predecessor K10D and displaying the major changes.

    UPGRADES Pentax K20D vs Pentax K10D
    Higher Sensor Resolution 14.6 Megapixel vs 10.2 Megapixel
    Higher Native ISO 3,200 vs 1,600
    Max Image Resolution 4672 x 3104 vs 3872 x 2592
    Timelapse Recording vs
    Larger Screen 2.7" vs 2.5"
    Higher Resolution Screen 230k dot vs 210k dot
    Live View vs
    Higher DxO Low Light ISO 639 vs 522
    Higher DxO Color Depth 22.9 vs 22.7
    DOWNGRADES Pentax K20D vs Pentax K10D
    Multi-Segment Metering vs
    Average Metering vs
    Spot Metering vs
    Lower DxO Dynamic Range 11.1 vs 11.6
    Lower DxO Overall Score 65 vs 66
    Heavier 800 g (1.76 lb / 28.22 oz) vs 793 g (1.75 lb / 27.97 oz)

    For more detailed comparison between the models please visit Pentax K20D vs K10D.

    Screen and Viewfinder

    Fixed screen

    Pentax K20D has a 2.7" Fixed screen with 230k dot resolution which is quite low by today's standards.


    Optical (pentaprism) Viewfinder

    Camera has a built-in Optical (pentaprism) viewfinder. It has a 95% coverage and 0.95x (0.63x 35mm equivalent) magnification.

    Sensor

    Pentax K20D features a 14.6 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor with dimensions of 23.4 x 15.6 mm and a total area of 365 mm2. Its native ISO range is 100 - 3,200 and expands to 100 - 6,400 in boosted mode.


    Here is a sensor size comparison chart where you can see how Pentax K20D's APS-C sensor compares with other types of sensors:

    Sensor size chart
    Sensor Dimensions Area Aspect Ratio Crop Factor
    Image cannot be displayedMedium Format44 x 33 mm1452 mm24:30.79x
    Image cannot be displayedFull Frame36 x 24 mm864 mm23:21x
    Image cannot be displayedAPS-H27 x 18 mm486 mm23:21.3x
    Image cannot be displayedAPS-C23.4 x 15.6 mm365 mm23:21.5x
    Image cannot be displayedAPS-C (Canon)22.3 x 14.9 mm332.3 mm23:21.6x
    Image cannot be displayedMicro Four Thirds17.4 x 13 mm226.2 mm24:32x
    Image cannot be displayed1-inch13.2 x 8.8 mm116.2 mm23:22.7x
    Image cannot be displayed1/1.7-inch7.44 x 5.58 mm41.5 mm24:34.7x
    Image cannot be displayed1/2.3-inch6.17 x 4.55 mm28.1 mm24:35.6x

    Photography Features

    Camera can take pictures up to 4672 x 3104 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolutions like 3872 x 2592, 3008 x 2000, 1824 x 1216 with 3:2 aspect ratios.


    Lens Mount

    Pentax K20D has Pentax KAF2 lens mount. Due to APS-C sensor its crop factor (also called lens multiplier) is 1.5x. This means that a 35mm equivalent focal length of the mounted lens will be equal to its actual focal length times 1.5.


    In-Body Image Stabilization

    The camera has a built-in Sensor Shift in-body image stabilization (IBIS). This means that you are still getting vibration reduction when camera is paired with non-image stabilizied lenses. It also works with lenses with optical image stabilization and in combination can achieve even better compensation.

    Check out the cameras which are frequently compared to Pentax K20D.

    Pentax K10D
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    APS-C

    10.2 MP

    Pentax K100D Super
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    APS-C

    6.1 MP

    Sony a6100
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    24.2 MP

    Sony a6300
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    24.2 MP

    Panasonic G95
    Image cannot be found

    Micro Four Thirds

    20.3 MP

    Canon 5DS R
    Image cannot be found

    Full Frame

    50.6 MP

    Fujifilm S1 Pro
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    16.4 MP

    Fujifilm S5 Pro
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    APS-C

    6 MP

    Canon 5DS
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    Full Frame

    50.6 MP

    Leica M8.2
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    APS-H

    10.35 MP

    Canon Rebel T5
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    APS-C

    18.0 MP

    Canon 7D II
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    APS-C

    20.2 MP

    Connectivity, Battery and Storage

    USB Input

    Pentax K20D has a USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) input for data transfer.


    Battery

    Pentax K20D comes with D-LI50 battery pack.


    External Storage Slots

    The camera has a single SD/SDHC card slot.

    Other Features

    Shutter

    Pentax K20D has Electronically controlled Vertical Run Focal Plane shutter. Shutter speed can go up to 1/4000 sec. Camera can shoot continuously up to 3.0 fps.


    Flash

    Pentax K20D has a built-in flash with maximum range of 13.00 m at ISO 100 and also accepts external flash which can be connected via Hot Shoe or PC Terminal. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/180 sec.

    Physical Parameters

    Pentax K20D has dimensions of 142 x 101 x 70 mm (5.59 x 3.98 x 2.76"). It weighs 800 g (1.76 lb / 28.22 oz) which is neither heavy nor lightweight.

    142 mm (5.59")

    101 mm (3.98")

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    101 mm (3.98")

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    70 mm (2.76")

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    Pentax K20D dimensions

    Pentax K20D for Different Types of Photography

    We give scores to the camera for different type of photography based on its features and specifications. Let us see how Pentax K20D is suitable for six different types of photography.


    Landscape Photography

    GOOD
    79

    Pentax K20D gets a score of 79 and is GOOD choice for Landscape photography.

    •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   Environmental Sealing

    Sports Photography

    AVERAGE
    64

    Pentax K20D gets a score of 64 and is AVERAGE choice for Sports photography.

    •   3,200 Highest Native ISO
    •   11 Focus Points
    •   No Face Detection
    •   Image Stabilization
    •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
    •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.0 fps
    •   Orientation Sensor

    Wildlife Photography

    AVERAGE
    66

    Pentax K20D gets a score of 66 and is AVERAGE choice for Wildlife photography.

    •   3,200 Highest Native ISO
    •   11 Focus Points
    •   Image Stabilization
    •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
    •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.0 fps
    •   Environmental Sealing
    •   Orientation Sensor

    Portrait Photography

    GOOD
    77

    Pentax K20D gets a score of 77 and is GOOD choice for Portrait photography.

    •   11 Focus Points
    •   No Face Detection
    •   Image Stabilization
    •   Screen Size - 2.7"
    •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
    •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/180 sec
    •   Orientation Sensor

    Street Photography

    GOOD
    82

    Pentax K20D gets a score of 82 and is GOOD choice for Street photography.

    •   11 Focus Points
    •   Image Stabilization
    •   Fixed Screen
    •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   Environmental Sealing
    •   Weight - 800 g (1.76 lb / 28.22 oz)

    Travel Photography

    GOOD
    82

    Pentax K20D gets a score of 82 and is GOOD choice for Travel photography.

    •   Image Stabilization
    •   Fixed Screen
    •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   Environmental Sealing
    •   Weight - 800 g (1.76 lb / 28.22 oz)

    Pentax K20D Evaluation

    We evaluate Pentax K20D and give score of 60 out of 100. We also give separate scores for 7 different categories according to the available features and specifications some of which are listed below. These evaluations are relative and may change each time a new camera is added to the database.


    OVERALL
    60

    Sensor

    AVERAGE
    67

    We give Pentax K20D a score of 67 for Sensor parameters.

    •   Low Resolution Sensor - 14.6 Megapixel
    •   100 Lowest Native ISO
    •   3,200 Highest Native ISO
    •   DxO Overall Score - 65

    Photo

    GOOD
    75

    We give Pentax K20D a score of 75 for Photo parameters.

    •   Image Stabilization
    •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
    •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.0 fps
    •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/180 sec

    Video

    BAD
    0

    We give Pentax K20D a score of 0 for Video parameters.

    •   Image Stabilization

    Focusing

    AVERAGE
    69

    We give Pentax K20D a score of 69 for Focusing parameters.

    •   11 Focus Points
    •   No Face Detection

    Screen and Viewfinder

    AVERAGE
    69

    We give Pentax K20D a score of 69 for Screen and Viewfinder parameters.

    •   Fixed Screen
    •   Screen Size - 2.7"
    •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot

    Connectivity

    POOR
    40

    We give Pentax K20D a score of 40 for Connectivity parameters.

    •   No HDMI Output
    •   No Built-in Microphone
    •   No Microphone Input
    •   No Headphone Output
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
    •   No Built-In Bluetooth

    Battery, Storage and Physical

    GOOD
    77

    We give Pentax K20D a score of 77 for Battery, Storage and Physical parameters.

    •   Environmental Sealing
    •   Weight - 800 g (1.76 lb / 28.22 oz)


    For a full specification list please go to the specifications page:

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