Pentax K20D vs Leica M8.2

In this comparison, we will evaluate the Pentax K20D and the Leica M8.2, highlighting the advantages of each over the other, discussing their pros and cons, shared strengths and weaknesses, and providing a rating based on their available features and specifications to assist you in choosing the one that best suits your needs.

Pentax K20D was introduced in June 2008 and Leica M8.2 was introduced in September 2008. Let us first list highlights of the models.

Now that we've looked at the most essential specifications and gained a basic understanding of these cameras, we can delve into more details and see the differences between them.

This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Pentax K20D over Leica M8.2.

This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Leica M8.2 over Pentax K20D.

We already listed pros and cons of each model. However, you may also find useful to look at their common strengths and weaknesses shown side-by-side.

Screen

Pentax K20D has a 2.7" screen with 230k dot resolution and Leica M8.2 has a 2.5" screen with 230k dot resolution. Both have Fixed screens.

Viewfinder

Pentax K20D has a built-in Optical (pentaprism) viewfinderLeica M8.2 has a built-in Optical (rangefinder) viewfinder. Pentax K20D has 95% coverage with 0.95x (0.63x 35mm equivalent) magnification and magnification.

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. Leica M8.2 features a 10.35 megapixel APS-H CCD sensor with dimensions of 27 x 18 mm and a total area of 324 mm². Its native ISO range is 160 - 2,500.

Here is a sensor size comparison chart where you can see how different sensors compare with each other:

Sensor size chart

	Sensor	Dimensions	Area	Aspect Ratio	Crop Factor
	Medium Format	44 x 33 mm	1452 mm2	4:3	0.79x
	Full Frame	36 x 24 mm	864 mm2	3:2	1x
	APS-H	27 x 18 mm	486 mm2	3:2	1.3x
	APS-C	23.6 x 15.6 mm	368.2 mm2	3:2	1.5x
	APS-C (Canon)	22.3 x 14.9 mm	332.3 mm2	3:2	1.6x
	Micro Four Thirds	17.4 x 13 mm	226.2 mm2	4:3	2x
	1-inch	13.2 x 8.8 mm	116.2 mm2	3:2	2.7x
	1/1.7-inch	7.44 x 5.58 mm	41.5 mm2	4:3	4.7x
	1/2.3-inch	6.17 x 4.55 mm	28.1 mm2	4:3	5.6x

Pentax K20D can take pictures up to 4672 x 3104 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 3872 x 2592, 3008 x 2000, 1824 x 1216 with 3:2 aspect ratios. Leica M8.2 can take pictures up to 3936 x 2630 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 2952 x 1972, 1968 x 1315, 1312 x 876 with 3:2 aspect ratios.

Lens Mount

Pentax K20D has Pentax K_AF2 lens mount and Leica M8.2 has Leica M lens mount. Due to APS-C sensor in Pentax K20D its crop factor is equal to 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. Due to APS-H sensor in Leica M8.2 its crop factor is equal to 1.3x, this means that a 35mm equivalent focal length of the mounted lens will be equal to its actual focal length times 1.3.

No Low-Pass Filter on Leica M8.2

There is no optical low-pass filter (OLPF), also known as an anti-aliasing filter, in front of the sensor on Leica M8.2. This results in a slightly sharper image but may also introduce moiré patterns and aliasing artifacts when photographing subjects with fine, repetitive patterns or details.

In-Body Image Stabilization on Pentax K20D

Pentax K20D 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.

USB Inputs

Both models have USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) inputs for data transfer.

Battery

Pentax K20D comes with D-LI50 battery pack.

External Storage Slots

Cameras have a single SD/SDHC card slot.

Shutter

Pentax K20D has Electronically controlled Vertical Run Focal Plane shutter. Leica M8.2 has Micro-processor controlled metal-blade slotted shutter with vertical movement Shutter speed can go up to 1/4000 sec on Pentax K20D, and up to 1/4000 sec on Leica M8.2. Pentax K20D 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. Leica M8.2 has no built-in flash but an external flash may be connected via TTL Hot Shoe. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/180 sec on both cameras.

Pentax K20D body has dimensions of 142 x 101 x 70 mm (5.59 x 3.98 x 2.76") and Leica M8.2 body has dimensions of 139 x 80 x 37 mm (5.47 x 3.15 x 1.46"). Pentax K20D weighs 800 g (1.76 lb / 28.22 oz) and Leica M8.2 weighs 591 g (1.30 lb / 20.85 oz).

Pentax K20D

Leica M8.2

142 mm

101 mm

139 mm

80 mm

101 mm

80 mm

70 mm

37 mm