Pentax K20D - Expert Reviews

Award: Highly Recommended!

Review summary: 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. The changes that have been made are:

Pros: 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 seals, high build quality, ...

Cons: Continuous shooting rate slow by modern standards, Hot pixels can occur and can't be automatically removed, Noise reduction cannot be raised as high as the competition, Live view mode adds very little to the camera (it is neither seamless nor able to ...

Verdict: The Pentax K20D could be seen as a K10D Mk2, a camera that attempts to move on while putting right the minor flaws in its predecessor.

Review summary: Does class-leading 14.6 megapixel count mean a class-leading DSLR from Pentax? We investigate...

Pros: Intuitive layout, design and shooting modes

Cons: smc Pentax-DA 3.5-5.6 18-55mm AL II lens has ghosting issues ; Overall, not hugely different to K10D

Verdict: There are a variety of little extras that go a long way with the Pentax K20D - the ability to shoot simultaneous RAW (PEF or DNG) and JPEG (via the one-touch RAW button), and modes such as ISO priority: fix the shutter and aperture settings and the ...

Review summary: Up against the big boys, the K20D flexes its muscles and gains ground in the already saturated dSLR market.

Pros: Impressive performance ; 14 megapixels at a relatively low price ; weather sealed ; nice control layout ; wireless flash control

Cons: Slightly inaccurate colors ; shake reduction could be more effective

Verdict:  Pentax's 14-megapixels K20D is a great choice for a midlevel SLR and offers a lot of bang for the buck.

Review summary: The Samsung GX-20's twin rolls into the SLR saloon, but is Cameratown big enough for the both of them?

Pros: Image stabiliser. Live View. Tank-like build. Fast autofocus

Cons: Expensive. Slow continuous shooting

Review summary: It's neither entry level nor professional dSLR, but the Pentax K20D sits comfortably in between the two categories. Boasting 14 megapixels and a load of excellent features, this shooter can run with the big boys while still being small enough to carry ...

Pros: Impressive performance ; 14 megapixels at a relatively low price ; weather sealed ; nice control layout ; wireless flash control

Cons: Slightly inaccurate colours ; shake reduction could be more effective

Verdict: Pentax's 14-megapixel K20D is a great choice for a midlevel SLR and offers a lot of bang for the buck