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8.0 out of 10

Pentax K20D

14.6 megapixels

Information found in: from 138 sources in 26 countries

Great Deal: $999.99

  • User Score (613)
    9.3 9.3 from 613 reviewers
  • Expert Score (30)
    8.1 8.1 from 30 reviewers
  • Design (12)
    7.9 7.9 from 12 reviewers
  • Value for money (36)
    7.7 7.7 from 36 reviewers
  • Features (17)
    8.4 8.4 from 17 reviewers
  • Ease of use (10)
    7.8 7.8 from 10 reviewers
  • Performance (41)
    8.0 8.0 from 41 reviewers
  • Picture quality (43)
    7.8 7.8 from 43 reviewers
  • Reliability (2)
    9.0 9.0 from 2 reviewers
  • Overall quality (8)
    8.1 8.1 from 8 reviewers
  • Display (33)
    8.2 8.2 from 33 reviewers
  • Construction (4)
    7.9 7.9 from 4 reviewers
  • Video quality (5)
    7.6 7.6 from 5 reviewers
  • Ergonomics (33)
    8.5 8.5 from 33 reviewers
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  • Best Deals

42nd Street Photo In Stock (Z) $999.99 SEE IT
eBay
In Stock (S) $899.95 SEE IT
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In Stock (S) $1,399.95 SEE IT

Prices from Shopzilla (Z), Shopping.com (S)

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  • Score Distribution

Experts:
9-10
(9)
7-8
(20)
5-6
(0)
3-4
(1)
1-2
(0)
Users:
9-10
(447)
7-8
(85)
5-6
(47)
3-4
(3)
1-2
(3)

  • Expert Reviews

  1. Digitaltrends

    Digitaltrends
    30 July 2011

    We haven't had a chance to fully test this product yet, but we've assembled this helpful overview of relevant information on it. Read more

  2. What Digital Camera

    What Digital Camera
    8.8/10
    16 September 2008

    This is a solid camera with much to recommend it, not least its sensor and lovely handling. It stands its ground well against its rivals, even having an edge in terms of resolution. Read more

    • Great build and handling, good colour, good noise control, features
    • Underexposure, sluggish AF, flat-packed live view, limited burst shooting

  3. neocamera.com

    review.neocamera.com
    8.0/10
    29 September 2011

    The 14.6 megapixels Pentax K20D is amazingly fitted with nearly every feature possible for a DSLR camera: stabilization, dust-reduction, weatherproofing, advanced customization, digital white-balance preview, depth-of-field Read more

    • Excellent retention of details at all ISO, Quite accurate metering, Excellent focusing speed and accuracy, Fast and responsive, Built-in stabilization for all lenses, Durable weatherproof body, Innovative exposure modes & ...
    • Yellow color shift at ISO 3200 and 6400, Poor white-balance under artificial light, Image parameter increments too wide, Below average battery life, Sealed body means doors are harder to open

  4. Camera Labs

    Camera Labs
    8.6/10
    1 May 2008

    The Pentax K20D is certainly a powerful and capable DSLR. It inherits an impressive core specification from its predecessor which includes a dust and weather-resistant body, built-in Shake Reduction, a decent optical... Read more

    • Highly detailed images across ISO range., Built-in Shake Reduction., Dust and weatherproof body., Broad degree of customisation.
    • Basic Live View system., Anti-shake not as effective as rivals., Semi-pro pricing, but not as quick or tough., Tendency to underexpose.

  5. Imaging Resource

    Imaging Resource
    14 September 2008

    With its 14.6-megapixel sensor, the Pentax K20D produces some of the highest-resolution photographs in its category. It's a tough job to squeeze that huge number of pixels into an APS-C sized sensor, but the K20D manages it... Read more

    • Rugged construction with stainless steel chassis and full environmental sealing, Nice 2.7-inch, 230,000 pixel LCD that's color adjustable, Built-in Shake Reduction works with all lenses, Dust reduction and dust alert syste...
    • Live view mode has only limited usefulness, Live view mode only covers 98% of image capture area, No focus assist lamp, if light conditions are poor, camera relies on annoying strobing flash to achieve focus, Flash x-sync ...

  6. PC World

    PC World
    7.0/10
    22 December 2008

    Although the K20 Read more

    • High resolution, Faithful color rendition
    • No AF assist light; have to raise flash, Autofocus hunts frequently

  7. DP Review

    DP Review
    17 September 2008

    The feature changes between the K10D and K20D are subtle but this is mainly because there was little that the K10D needed adding to its pretty formidable features list. Read more

    • Excellent image quality at low ISO settings, Image quality still good as ISO 1600, Ergonomics up with the best of the best, Large and bright Pentaprism viewfinder (0.95x magnification), Robust body with dust and weather se...

  8. Steve's Digicams

    Steve's Digicams
    19 May 2008

    Playback Features & Menus Function, Record and Custom Menus Controls, Storage, I/O, Power Flash and Viewfinder Shake Reduction, Lens Mount, Lenses Bundled PENTAX Software Steve's Conclusion Sample Pictures 360-degree Read more

  9. Digital Camera Review

    Digital Camera Review
    14 March 2008

    When Pentax announced the K10D back in 2006, serious amateurs and professionals quickly started paying attention. The K10D was more rugged and feature-packed than any Pentax Digital SLR before it. Read more

  10. DigitalCameraInfo.com

    DigitalCameraInfo.com
    1 February 2008

    - Fast AF system - Accepts all Pentax lenses - Comfortable hand grip - PC sync socket - Water-resistant - Longer battery life Dislikes - Live view LCD blacks out when focusing - Grainy optical viewfinder - Lengthy, verbose Read more

  • User Reviews

  1. Great camera however....

    Amazon
    8.0/10
    Reviewer: Raghuram Krishnaswamy, Amazon
    26 June 2011

    Three years later (July 2011) - I love a lot of things about this camera. I also bought a SMC DA wide angle and telephoto lenses with the camera and boy did I get good shots on safari. Read more

  2. a good camera

    Abes of Maine
    8.0/10
    Reviewer: zenith, Abes of Maine
    19 October 2010

    Overall, I love this camera. But seriously, it's too heavy for a girl. The color is sharp and the details in dark is charming. Read more

    • Good Image Quality, Large Clear LCD
    • Noise when shooting, Too heavy

  3. "Pentax made switching to digital a snap."

    CNET
    9.0/10
    Reviewer: couliseaux, CNET
    9 April 2010

    I was reluctant to switch from 35mm, and shot with a Pentax PZ-20 for years. This camera was an easy upgrade, after I finally decided to make the leap to digital. Read more

    • Easy controls with lots of custom settings. High ISO. More bells and whistles than I'll likely ever learn to use.
    • Auto focus fumbles in low light. Maybe too many shooting modes.

  4. If you see one, buy it.

    Ebay
    10/10
    Reviewer: pcvrz34, Ebay
    7 January 2012 See Product at eBay ($899.95)

    In my opinion it is the best DSLR out there. Read more or see product

  5. pentax 20d

    J&R
    6.0/10
    Reviewer: bob the best picture person, J&R
    14 July 2009

    [*]. do not but this camera. horrible in low light and is very inconvienient to take pictures with. Read more

    • Bright LCD, Comfortable Controls, Easy To Use, Fast Shutter Speed, Great Image Quality, Strong Construction
    • Loud, Poor In Low Light, Slow Focus

  6. pentaxforums.com

    pentaxforums.com
    10/10
    Reviewer: pentaxforums.com
    9 June 2011

    I don't think I can add too much more than what's been already said but I "downgraded" to the K20D from a K-7 and I consider this a better camera. Read more

    • IQ, ISO Noise
    • AF and WB

  7. Great camera! Highly recommended

    OneCall
    10/10
    Reviewer: Chris S, OneCall
    9 March 2009

    Bought this as a companion to my K10D. The K20D does extremely well in low light and gives good quality images above ISO1600 (extended range goes to iso6400). Read more

    • Bright LCD, Comfortable Controls, Easy To Use, Fast Shutter Speed, Great Image Quality, Image Stabilization, Strong Construction
    • Heavy

  8. AL II Lens

    Newegg
    10/10
    Reviewer: Newegg
    8 May 2009

    When buying the K20D with 18-55mm lens, make sure it is an AL II instead of AL I. Most of the other sites are trying to sell you the AL I lens. Also google some of the other sites looking for customer reviews. Read more

    • It is everything I could ask for in a camera. I have had a Pentax SF10 for ages and was itching to upgrade to a digital SLR. I just didn't want to pay a lot and was waiting for the prices to come down.
    • I wish I waited a couple of weeks, and I could have saved a couple of more dollars. But then I would not have some great pictures of my kid.

  9. LetsGoDigital

    9.0/10
    Reviewer: Jeff - United States, LetsGoDigital
    22 November 2011

    This is my third Pentax camera. All have been fantastic, but the Pentax 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... Read more

  10. Nice Body

    B&H Photo
    10/10
    Reviewer: WS100TW, B&H Photo
    19 March 2009

    I had a flock of Cedar Wax Wings land in our Pyracantha bush just after getting the camera delivered. I just fired up the camera put on the tele lens and I got great shots. No fuss with lens shake, just turn it on. Read more

    • Changeable focus screens, Comfortable Controls, Easy To Use, Fast Shutter Speed, Flash hot shoe, Flash sync, Image Stabilization, Metal lens bayonet parts, SD cards vs Compact flash, Strong Construction, View finder focus
    • Heavy, Loud, No std split screen focus

  • WikiFreak Description

The Pentax K20D has a single-lens reflex. It is the product of the collaboration between Samsung of Korea and Pentax Japan; the K20D is almost identical with the Samsung GX-20 with just a few differences. The Pentax K20D is the first DSLR that uses the image sensor that Samsung and Pentax created the CMOS image sensor. With a sensor that has a maximum resolution of 14.6 megapixel and a higher sensitivity of ISO 6400 that ensures high quality images.

Features

K20D has a 2.7 inch main LCD with 230,000…

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Edit

The Pentax K20D has a single-lens reflex. It is the product of the collaboration between Samsung of Korea and Pentax Japan; the K20D is almost identical with the Samsung GX-20 with just a few differences. The Pentax K20D is the first DSLR that uses the image sensor that Samsung and Pentax created the CMOS image sensor. With a sensor that has a maximum resolution of 14.6 megapixel and a higher sensitivity of ISO 6400 that ensures high quality images.

Features

K20D has a 2.7 inch main LCD with 230,000 pixels that displays high resolution images that are in focus. It has a Dust Alert feature that inspects the sensor for any dust particles and shows their exact location for an easier removal. It also has a very flexible continuous shooting mode that features a variety between 3 frames per second in full resolution and 20 fps at 1.6 megapixel resolution. Images are stored in SD or SDHC memory cards.

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  • Manufacturer's Description

The Pentax K20D SLR Digital Camera provides the perfect combination of advanced SLR functions and ease-of-use features to satisfy the photo enthusiast and professional photographer. The 14.6 megapixel CMOS sensor offers superior image resolution with maximum control over noise, and the sensor-shift Shake Reduction system is compatible with any Pentax lens ever produced, including the latest SDM lenses.

  • Camera Type: SLR/Professional
  • Resolution: 15.1 Megapixel
  • LCD…

Specifications

  • Format
    SLR
  • Max resolution
    4672 x 3104
  • Low resolution
    3872 x 2592, 3008 x 2000, 1824 x 1216
  • Image ratio w:h
    3:2
  • Effective pixels
    14.6 million
  • Sensor photo detectors
    15.1 million
  • Sensor size
    23.4 x 15.6 mm (3.65 cm²)
  • Pixel density
    4.0 MP/cm²
  • Sensor type
    CMOS
  • Sensor manufacturer
    Samsung

Release Date

  • First seen
    24 January 2008

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Previous questions about this product

  • zooming

    Can this camera do videos? specifically can it zoom while shooting?

    (No answers yet. Write an answer!) 2008-09-23

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