Pentax K20D vs Pentax K100D Super

      Pentax K20D

      Pentax K100D Super
      60
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      54
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      Disclosure: We earn money from the affiliate links to products associated with content in this article.

      Overview

      In this comparison, we will evaluate the Pentax K20D and the Pentax K100D Super, 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 Pentax K100D Super was introduced in June 2007. Let us first list highlights of the models.

      Pentax K20D 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

      Pentax K100D Super Highlights

      • 6.1 MP APS-C CCD Sensor
      • 200 - 3,200 Native ISO
      • 11 Focus Points
      • Image Stabilization
      • 2.5" 210k dot Fixed Screen
      • Optical (pentamirror) Viewfinder
      • 2.8 fps Continuous Shooting
      • Built-in Flash
      Table of Contents
      1. Overview
      2. Pros and Cons
      3. Advantage of Pentax K20D
      4. Advantage of Pentax K100D Super
      5. Common Strengths and Weaknesses
      6. Screen and Viewfinder
      7. Sensor
      8. Photography Features
      9. Connectivity, Battery and Storage
      10. Other Features
      11. Physical Parameters
      12. For Different Types of Photography
      13. Evaluations
      14. Specifications  

      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.

      Pros and Cons

      In this section we present pros and cons of Pentax K20D and Pentax K100D Super.

      PROS

      Pentax K20D

      Pentax K100D Super

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

      CONS

      Pentax K20D

      Pentax K100D Super

      •   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
      •   No Video Capture
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 6.1 Megapixel
      •   200 Lowest Native ISO
      •   3,200 Highest Native ISO
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   11 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 210k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 2.8 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
      •   No Environmental Sealing


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

      AVERAGE

      Pentax K20D

      Pentax K100D Super

      •   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)
      •   Screen Size - 2.5"
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/180 sec
      •   Weight - 646 g (1.42 lb / 22.79 oz)

      Advantage of Pentax K20D

      Pentax K20D
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      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Pentax K20D over Pentax K100D Super.

      Pentax K20D vs Pentax K100D Super
      Higher Sensor Resolution 14.6 Megapixel vs 6.1 Megapixel
      Lower Native ISO 100 vs 200
      Max Image Resolution 4672 x 3104 vs 3008 x 2008
      Timelapse Recording vs
      Larger Screen 2.7" vs 2.5"
      Higher Resolution Screen 230k dot vs 210k dot
      Live View vs
      Higher Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent) 0.63x vs 0.57x
      Higher Max Continuous Shooting 3.0 fps vs 2.8 fps
      Environmental Sealing vs
      Orientation Sensor vs

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

      Pentax K10D
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      APS-C

      10.2 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

      Fujifilm S1 Pro
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      16.4 MP

      Canon 5DS R
      Image cannot be found

      Full Frame

      50.6 MP

      Fujifilm S5 Pro
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      6 MP

      Canon 5DS
      Image cannot be found

      Full Frame

      50.6 MP

      Leica M8.2
      Image cannot be found

      APS-H

      10.35 MP

      Canon Rebel T5
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      18.0 MP

      Canon 7D II
      Image cannot be found

      APS-C

      20.2 MP

      Pentax K-01
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      APS-C

      16 MP

      Advantage of Pentax K100D Super

      Pentax K100D Super
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      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Pentax K100D Super over Pentax K20D.

      Pentax K20D vs Pentax K100D Super
      Higher Viewfinder Coverage 95% vs 96%
      Average Metering vs
      Spot Metering vs
      Lighter 800 g (1.76 lb / 28.22 oz) vs 646 g (1.42 lb / 22.79 oz)

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Pentax K100D Super.

      Pentax K200D
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      APS-C

      10.2 MP

      Pentax K100D
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      APS-C

      6.1 MP

      Fujifilm GFX 100 II
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      Medium Format

      102 MP

      Sony a6500
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      APS-C

      24.2 MP

      Nikon D3100
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      APS-C

      14 MP

      Fujifilm X-T2
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      APS-C

      24.3 MP

      Canon 70D
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      APS-C

      20.2 MP

      Sony a6100
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      APS-C

      24.2 MP

      Nikon 1 S2
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      1-inch

      14.2 MP

      Canon 5DS R
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      Full Frame

      50.6 MP

      Sony a6400
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      APS-C

      24.2 MP

      Nikon Z8
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      Full Frame

      45.7 MP

      Common Strengths and Weaknesses

      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.

      STRENGTHS Pentax K20D Pentax K100D Super
        Image StabilizationSensor ShiftSensor Shift
        Built-in Flash
      WEAKNESSES Pentax K20D Pentax K100D Super
        No Video Capture
        Low Resolution Sensor14.6 Megapixel6.1 Megapixel
        Low Native ISO3,2003,200
        Few Focus Points1111
        No Face Detection
        Screen TypeFixedFixed
        Low Resolution Screen230k dot210k dot
        Low Max Continuous Shooting3.0 fps2.8 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

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Screen

      Pentax K20D has a 2.7" screen with 230k dot resolution and Pentax K100D Super has a 2.5" screen with 210k dot resolution. Both have Fixed screens.


      Viewfinder

      Pentax K20D has a built-in Optical (pentaprism) viewfinderPentax K100D Super has a built-in Optical (pentamirror) viewfinder. Pentax K20D has 95% coverage with 0.95x (0.63x 35mm equivalent) magnification and Pentax K100D Super has 96% coverage with 0.85x (0.57x 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. Pentax K100D Super features a 6.1 megapixel APS-C CCD sensor with dimensions of 23.5 x 15.7 mm and a total area of 246.5 mm2. Its native ISO range is 200 - 3,200.


      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
      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-C23.6 x 15.6 mm368.2 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

      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. Pentax K100D Super can take pictures up to 3008 x 2008 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 2400 x 1600, 1536 x 1024 with 3:2 aspect ratios.


      Lens Mount

      Cameras have Pentax KAF2 lens mount. Due to their APS-C sensor their crop factor (also called lens multiplier) 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.


      In-Body Image Stabilization

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

      Connectivity, Battery and Storage

      USB Inputs

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


      Battery

      Pentax K20D comes with D-LI50 battery pack and Pentax K100D Super comes with 4 x AA battery pack.


      External Storage Slots

      Cameras have a single SD/SDHC card slot.

      Other Features

      Shutter

      Pentax K20D and Pentax K100D Super have Electronically controlled Vertical Run Focal Plane. shutter. Shutter speed can go up to 1/4000 sec on Pentax K20D, and up to 1/4000 sec on Pentax K100D Super. Pentax K20D can shoot continuously up to 3.0 fps. Pentax K100D Super can shoot continuously up to 2.8 fps.


      Flash

      Cameras have built-in flash with maximum range of 13.00 m at ISO 100 on Pentax K20D. They also accept external flash which can be connected via Hot Shoe or PC Terminal to Pentax K20D and via Hot Shoe to Pentax K100D Super. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/180 sec on both cameras.

      Physical Parameters

      Pentax K20D body has dimensions of 142 x 101 x 70 mm (5.59 x 3.98 x 2.76") and Pentax K100D Super body has dimensions of 129 x 91 x 71 mm (5.08 x 3.58 x 2.8"). Pentax K20D weighs 800 g (1.76 lb / 28.22 oz) and Pentax K100D Super weighs 646 g (1.42 lb / 22.79 oz).

      Pentax K20D

      Pentax K100D Super

      142 mm

      101 mm

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      129 mm

      91 mm

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      101 mm

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      91 mm

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      70 mm

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      71 mm

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      Size comparisons of Pentax K20D and Pentax K100D Super

      Pentax K20D and Pentax K100D Super for Different Types of Photography

      We give scores to the cameras for six types of photography based on their features and specifications. Let us see how suitable they are for each type of photography.

      Landscape Photography

      Pentax K20D

      Pentax K100D Super

      GOOD
      79
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing
      AVERAGE
      56
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 210k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing

      Sports Photography

      Pentax K20D

      Pentax K100D Super

      AVERAGE
      64
      •   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
      AVERAGE
      57
      •   3,200 Highest Native ISO
      •   11 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 210k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 2.8 fps

      Wildlife Photography

      Pentax K20D

      Pentax K100D Super

      AVERAGE
      66
      •   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
      AVERAGE
      55
      •   3,200 Highest Native ISO
      •   11 Focus Points
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 210k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 2.8 fps
      •   No Environmental Sealing

      Portrait Photography

      Pentax K20D

      Pentax K100D Super

      GOOD
      77
      •   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
      AVERAGE
      69
      •   11 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Size - 2.5"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 210k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/180 sec

      Street Photography

      Pentax K20D

      Pentax K100D Super

      GOOD
      82
      •   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)
      GOOD
      78
      •   11 Focus Points
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 210k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 646 g (1.42 lb / 22.79 oz)

      Travel Photography

      Pentax K20D

      Pentax K100D Super

      GOOD
      82
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 800 g (1.76 lb / 28.22 oz)
      GOOD
      80
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 210k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 646 g (1.42 lb / 22.79 oz)

      Evaluations

      We evaluate Pentax K20D and Pentax K100D Super and give them scores of 60 and 54 out of 100 recpectively. 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.


      Pentax K20D

      Pentax K100D Super

      OVERALL
      60
      OVERALL
      54

      Sensor

      Pentax K20D

      Pentax K100D Super

      AVERAGE
      67
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 14.6 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   3,200 Highest Native ISO
      •   DxO Overall Score - 65
      AVERAGE
      59
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 6.1 Megapixel
      •   200 Lowest Native ISO
      •   3,200 Highest Native ISO

      Photo

      Pentax K20D

      Pentax K100D Super

      GOOD
      75
      •   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
      AVERAGE
      69
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 2.8 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/180 sec

      Video

      Pentax K20D

      Pentax K100D Super

      BAD
      0
      •   Image Stabilization
      BAD
      0
      •   Image Stabilization

      Focusing

      Pentax K20D

      Pentax K100D Super

      AVERAGE
      69
      •   11 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      AVERAGE
      69
      •   11 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Pentax K20D

      Pentax K100D Super

      AVERAGE
      69
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Size - 2.7"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
      AVERAGE
      64
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Size - 2.5"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 210k dot

      Connectivity

      Pentax K20D

      Pentax K100D Super

      POOR
      40
      •   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
      POOR
      40
      •   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

      Pentax K20D

      Pentax K100D Super

      GOOD
      77
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 800 g (1.76 lb / 28.22 oz)
      POOR
      41
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 646 g (1.42 lb / 22.79 oz)


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

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