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Pentax K20D reviews
You can find here the most interesting reviews / ratings from the well-known expert sites about the Pentax K20D Camera. Here are the reviewers:
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- 16 February 2009 - |
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- 0 |
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- 30 December 2008 - |
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- 4.5 |
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- 05 September 2008 - |
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- 0 |
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- 26 June 2008 - |
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- 4.5 |
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- 19 May 2008 - |
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- 4.5 |
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- 19 May 2008 - |
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- 0 |
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- 28 April 2008 - |
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- 4.5 |
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- 19 April 2008 - |
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- 4.5 |
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- 10 March 2008 - |
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- 4.5 |
Imaging Resource 's conclusion / rating - 16 February 2009 |
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 quite well; noise isn't a practical factor until ISO 800, edges are well-preserved, and even at ISO 1,600 8x10-inch prints are excellent. In its default settings, automatic white balance tends to produce overly warm images for our taste, but the Pentax white balance system is heavily adjustable to suit anyone's needs.
There are enough shooting modes to cover just about any shooting situation. Pentax made a bold stride by including Burst Shooting mode, and while it's interesting to play around with, it's limited in just enough ways to be really useful. Shake reduction continues to be excellent, one of the best implementations we've seen, with crisp results at very slow shutter speeds. Live view mode makes an appearance, but without being able to adjust aperture, shutter speed or pretty much any setting while it's activated, it becomes a fair bit about trial and error. In a studio setting, Live view comes in handy, but in the field, it just slows you down.
The Pentax K20D has enough features to appeal to the advanced photographer, and has the rugged construction to appeal to the professional. However, Pentax is only now beginning to provide a few key lenses in its SDM (supersonic drive motor) line. Autofocus performance, while tenacious and effective, isn't as fast as other manufacturers at acquiring lock-on. To its credit, the K20D will hunt for much longer, and in many instances achieve focus, where other systems will give up.
With its high level of customization, both during and after shooting, the Pentax K20D offers a wealth of options for advanced photographers who like to tweak settings to perfection. The K20D does take some getting used to in order to produce excellent images, but Pentax makes it easier to acclimatize to the camera by offering a Green mode, which essentially puts the camera into full automatic. But to achieve the best the camera can offer, you'll have to make the leap at some point to the more advanced modes...
Imaging Resource's rating: |
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- 0 |
Complete review here
LetsGoDigital 's conclusion / rating - 30 December 2008 |
The fact that I am enamored with the Pentax K20D might have something to do with emotions rather than strong arguments. Sometimes your feelings have to prevail over the facts. Certainly the pancakes together with the Pentax K20D digital SLR form a combination that is by no means to be sneezed at. Small, speedy and good quality. The minor flaws you have to take for granted. And the smart functions that no other brand but Pentax offers, are the real plus points. Hopefully before long we will spot more Pentax DSLR cameras in the streets; the Pentax K20D certainly deserves it...
LetsGoDigital's rating: |
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- 4.5 |
Complete review here
DCResources 's conclusion / rating - 05 September 2008 |
There are a few other issues that I want to mention before I wrap things up. I did find the camera's interface to be outdated, and sometimes difficult to navigate. I would've preferred direct buttons for the items in the function menu, as well. This may sound petty, but you have to choose between displaying the ISO sensitivity and shots remaining on the LCD info display and viewfinder -- I want both! Finally, the bundled Pentax Photo Browser software is quite slow, as least on my (very modern) Mac.
Despite its flaws, I liked using the Pentax K20D. It offers build quality and features that make you assume that it's in the same price range as the Canon 50D and Nikon D300, but you can pick one up for around $1000 (body only). If live view and a fast burst rate are very important to you, then I'd probably look at something else. But for a sturdy, good all-around D-SLR, then the K20D is worth a look....
DCResources's rating: |
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- 0 |
Complete review here
DPReview 's conclusion / rating - 26 June 2008 |
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. And in that respect, it's a huge success. The K20D builds on the strengths of its forebear and corrects for the issue that plagued us most. It offers a great on-paper specification that is backed-up by a level of customization that allow you to tailor the camera to the way you want to shoot.
Because the K20D offers so much that the enthusiast photographer would enjoy, it would be churlish to let the sensor-based flaws, which have little impact in real-world shooting, prevent us giving the camera our highest award. This isn't to say it's a faultless camera or one that's suited to everybody but one with only minor drawbacks that should only dissuade a small number of potential buyers. ...
Complete review here
Camera Labs 's conclusion / rating - 19 May 2008 |
Pentax has certainly made a number of improvements over the already very capable K10D, which in turn makes the K20D a powerful and feature-packed DSLR. The biggest and most important is of course the sensor, with the K20D delivering the most detailed images from a camera at its price point, while respectably keeping noise levels under control at higher sensitivities. This alone will sell it to many people.
If these are the things you look for in a DSLR, then we can easily recommend the K20D, but its relatively high price, disappointing Live View, tendency to underexpose and uncomfortable positioning rules out our Highly Recommended award. If you want more effective anti-shake, superior Live View, faster continuous shooting and a bigger or more flexible screen, then there are simply better or cheaper alternatives out there. As always, its crucial to weigh-up which features really mean most to you when shopping for a new DSLR and this applies more than ever here. And finally if you are sold on the K20D's feature-set and handling, be sure to compare it with Samsung's equivalent, the GX-20 which may be available at a cheaper price. ...
Camera Labs's rating: |
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- 4.5 |
Complete review here
Steves Digicams 's conclusion / rating - 19 May 2008 |
The K20D is a great camera for the photo-enthusiast - and the pro shooter alike. The new 14.6-megapixel CMOS image sensor, combined with a lot of modern technology create a wonderful camera for around US$1100. The Live View function, in-body Shake Reduction capability and improved Dust Reduction system show that PENTAX is serious about evolution of the K body line. The ability to use any PENTAX glass means I can even use my 20 year old PENTAX lenses on the K20D. Do you need 14-megapixels you ask? Just zoom in to 100% on some of our Sample pictures and see for yourself just how great this camera's images are. ...
Steves Digicams's rating: |
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- 0 |
Complete review here
PhotographyBLOG 's conclusion / rating - 28 April 2008 |
At first glance the Pentax K20D simply looks like an incremental upgrade of the K10D, with relatively few additions on offer apart from the headline-grabbing 14 megapixel resolution. Whilst the increased image size is certainly worthy of attention, Pentax have made a substantial number of improvements underneath the surface that add up to make the K20D a really compelling DSLR camera.
Despite the half-baked Live View mode and an increase in price over the K10D, the Pentax K20D is a significant improvement on its predecessor. The shutter release mechanism and auto-focusing system are still noisy, and we'd upgrade the supplied 18-55mm kit lens as soon as possible to get the best out of the sensor, but overall the K20D remains one of the most innovative DSLRs currently available, which we can once again highly recommend....
PhotographyBLOG's rating: |
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- 4.5 |
Complete review here
TrustedReviews 's conclusion / rating - 19 April 2008 |
With the launch of the K20D Pentax is taking on the top players in the semi-pro DSLR market. It has a class-leading specification, with build quality, handling and performance to match, and has exactly the sort of features that will appeal to advanced amateurs and semi-professionals. The slight problems with exposure consistency are annoying but not fatal, and the breathtaking detail of that 14.6MP sensor more than makes up for it. The K20D is a very accomplished camera and exceptional value for money....
TrustedReviews's rating: |
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- 4.5 |
Complete review here
PhotoReview 's conclusion / rating - 10 March 2008 |
Pentax has designed its 14.6-megapixel K20D model to appeal to demanding photo enthusiasts but many of its features will also appeal to professional photographers. Like the earlier K10D model, the K20D is built to resist dust and moisture with seals protecting 74 different parts of the camera body. Physically the two cameras are similar, with identical body dimensions, although the new model has a larger LCD and is five grams heavier than its predecessor....
PhotoReview's rating: |
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- 4.5 |
Complete review here
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