Pentax K20D review

[pooh1234567890]

Hi Gordon, would you say this is still a good camera to buy, second hand? Prices seem to be around £280 body only. I am on a budget and this seems quite a good buy!

[IceFritzLanger]

Hi, please answer me before I make a mistake:

Should I buy a Pentax K20D or a K200D. My goal is to do astrophotography with it, Which sensor is the best for this task ? K20D is cmos 14 MPx and K200D is 10 MPx. I really need help.

[cameralabs]

@IceFritzLanger I recommend using a Canon DSLR with Live View for easier focusing and a broader range of adapters, plus the free remote control utility.

[MrPlaystationboy]

i need your help what is the best dslr for under 800$

[BlinkPhotoGalleries]

Really enjoyed watching your video. I subscribed to your channel. If you get the chance, please do the same to mine. Thanks!

[Gostwick]

Gordon,

Are you in a position to do a video review of the Pentax K-7?

I would be very interested in seeing it.

[cameralabs]

@Gostwick Sadly not because Pentax refuses to send me products to test anymore - if you'd like to see me review any Pentax products, please contact Pentaxian1 about it.

[ethiokiddo]

@cameralabs Dang, I'd like to see a review from you on the Pentax K-x. I did comment on their youtube profile; what else can we do?

[cameralabs]

@ethiokiddo we just have to keep asking.

[john240881111]

@cameralabs i agree with all these ppl,, K-X is a must for you Gordon to review, as we all know that its the best ENRTY level to date, from the view point of price:feature ratio.

im saying this coz im a proud owner of the K-X, and Even though i also have the K-7, i always use the K-x in low light shooting!!! thats like crazy good for almost half price of its brother and any other more expensive DSLR's!!!!!!

too bad, PENTAX are being an A-hole with these reviewers...

[cameralabs]

@john240881111 Yep, it's a shame I can't review any more Pentax cameras but Pentax won't send them to me to test. If you'd like me to review Pentax cameras, please ask Pentaxian1 to support me.

[spaggom]

I've recently bought a k20 body new for 450€ (with case slightly damaged), from Ebay - Spain. A real bargain. I'm realy happy with it. If you don't need video or ISO higher than 1600 or if you have Pentax lenses, it's the best camera for the money.

[dvamateur]

I think any comparison to Canon or Nikon is pointless. If you buy Pentax, it means you appreciate the brand. I think Pentax has as strong of a culture around it as Leica. I believe that comparison to mass produced Canon and Nikon cameras is out of place. Pentax is a small campany, subsidary to Hoya Corporation. Canon, is a huge 300,000 employee corporation. How can you even compare these? Also, I am not giving my money to an already large corporation. I will buy Pentax or Olympus.

[Ishcoa]

@dvamateur

If you're a real professional and want top notch lenses, then Canon or Nikon is for you. Pentax can't compare, Nikon and Canon are better. (By the way, Leica is nothing like Pentax.)

[TheOn3LeftBehind]

@Ishcoa Actually, Pentax makes great, sharp lenses.

[wparo]

Thank you very much, Ive always liked your very informative vidoes and very calm and clear voice!! I have bought this camera and wanted to thank you for making it much easier for a beginner like me :D

[arvindsudevan]

Regarding image quality, which camera is better - Pentax K20D or Canon 40D?

[cameralabs]

Have a look at the results and gallery pages of my reviews at cameralabs . com!

[mrandie80]

The k20d! It doesnt have as touch exterior or the snappy 6 fps, maybe af is slower too, but it's a better dslr in many ways..

[urbancolumbus]

Canon has no feel good factor? :) haha :) that makes me laugh.

Dont even try to compare Canon 40D with any Pentax mumbo-jumbo !!

is it the same world wer I live?

Canon has no feel good factor ,,yeahhh right.

[superremf]

i have just bought this camera today as my first DSLR and it is superb. I looked at Canon 450/500 & Olympus E620 and Nikon D5000. Chose the Pentax due to its vastly superior build quality which made the Canons feel like disposable cameras in comparison (only the Nikon got close) and all the reviews which emphasised the quality of the images it can produce. Not bothered that others have better live view - I would have stayed with a compact if I wanted to compose photos that way.

[cyb3r031]

You can get a 40D with 50 1.8 for the same price as 500D 18-55 kit, which has superior build quality.

[superremf]

but you still wouldnt be comparing like for like. d40 has metal body , d500 & k20 have plastic body over metal frame however k20 is totally superior execution of the concept. Canon had no feel good factor, and no tactile touches which inspired me to part with the cash for it.

[veldringr]

Hello friend ! I would like to ask you, how do you feel about the pentax after 2 months of use ! I had the big dillema about choosing the nikon d5000 or the e620 for about a month, and today i found out about the k20d and i m thinking about choosing this one eventually. I really liked what i saw in every sample picture in all the sites and that it looks more of a semi-pro category comparing to the others! Thank you for your time

[youtoolgofckurself]

great review man. next time do an unboxing video of this pentax K20D. looking forward to it.

[cameralabs]

Glad you enjoyed it. I won't be doing any unboxing videos though!

[philphie]

what's better: pentax k20d or Nikon D90?

[joker1009998]

i've heard this camera has some af issues, how does the autofocus speed of this camera compare to the sony a200?

[Macinabit]

I can't see why cameras have live view on them. If you know how your kit works you know what your shots are going to come out like!. You don't see pro wedding photographers standing playing with live view or in a studio. I have never even investigated as to how it works. If you are a novice then OK it helps you out but it seems many semi pro models are spending money on this when they could use it in other areas of the camera.

[cameralabs]

If you've not investigated it, then you're hardly giving it a fair chance! Just because it's not for you doesn't mean it's not for everyone. I find it incredibly useful for confirming the focus on static compositions like landscape shots, and in doing so have realised just how many innaccuracies there can be in the normal phase change system, through lack of calibration. It's also invaluable for astro or macro photography. See my astro photography video for an example.

[AvisSpes]

it's actually very useful for fine tuning focus, especially at night or in low light. you'd be surprised how much help that 2" or 3" lcd can give you.

[Macinabit]

Hi AvisSpes. OK well it seems as though I am missing out on something here!!. I will give it a try in the next few days, seems as though everyone rates it!! so off I go :). regards. Macinabit

[philphie]

some cameras have very very poor viewfinders

[Macinabit]

Hi Gordon. Had this one for 6 months now and for the cannonistas sorry but it beats canon hands down. Studio work gets a WOW when clients see the prints, canon gets a NICE factor. The 50D I had was good for wildlife and sports if that is where your work is then go for the 50D with a quality glass, if you are in a studio or weddings then this one wins the clients and gets the bread on the table. The Pentax flash AF-360FGZ has an exposure compensation for shots with hard light behind

[Renpopo]

what capacity SD will it support?

[adrianlinski]

are you going to do a review on the pentax k-7?

[cameralabs]

I hope so.

[theandyman1005]

HELP!!!! In your opinion, for an advanced amateur, should i get the Nikon d80 with the 18-200 VR lens, or the K20d with the 18-250 lens. I really don't know, although i do really like the nikons controls and menu system. Thanks for the help.

[lolitaluvphotography]

Hi there If you really want better well opiniated answer Feel Free to discuss this Matter at Cameralabs Forum

[aes1229]

get the d80, pentax tends to get over looked when the 3rd party lens and flashes are made. so there wont be as many

[theandyman1005]

Cool, thanks guys. Just got a D80 with the 18-200 VR, and loads of accesories for £499 and i couldn't be happier. Just won £500 in a photography competition with it as well. Hehe

[philphie]

would you recommend this dslr for someone coming from analog slrs? i'd be using it for semi-pro use. being my first DIGITAL slr i'd need an easy to use interface and settings but it'll be used for semi-pro so i'll need to customise it to my specific needs once i learn the tricks of the trade. and how fast is the shooting on this compared to canon 450d? would i buy this for the body or for access to pentax's great lenses becuase i've found it for excellent price but that's with sigma lenses

[cameralabs]

Hi philphie, have a look through my full review of this camera at cameralabs . com - and feel free to ask the pentax members of the cameralabs forum what they think...

[TakeThisMoney]

I just got the camera and I think it falls in the semi-pro catergory. Because the sensor size is bigger than the canon 50D (which you put it in the semi-pro catergory)

[cameralabs]

We're not talking about the difference between cropped and full frame here though! Both the 50D and K20D have what the industry refers to as cropped frame sensors. The 50D's measures 22.3x14.9mm, while the K20D's measures 23.4x15.6mm - hence the 1.5x crop of the Pentax to the 1.6x crop of the Canon. This doesn't make any real difference though.

[ma11ohad]

bottom line what counts is the results.. the k20D in my opinion is at least a semi pro camera. by far giving you more for the money then the so popular canonikons. some will compare this camera to the canon 40D. but you have to remember its a Pentax cam. Pentax is famous for amazing quality prime lenses and optics. if shooting with primes is your thing and you are looking for the best for less money Pentax is one of the best options. you will not know unless you hold a limited lens for yourself

[SpeedFreakNO]

The Pentax K-m and K200D, K100D, K110D and K10D also have bigger sensors than all Canon non-1D/5D cameras, but that doesn't mean they're semi-pro. Though the K10D certainly is.

[tomcat39843]

Gordon, you are a nice guy and I appreciate tough reviews, but looking at your K10D, K20D, K200D reviews I noticed a lot of "but"s and "it may ... but"s. Unfortunately, there is some implicit preference to things that the Pentax line doesn't do that well (fast shooting, live view) over others it does very well (lens compatibility, image quality). Pentax's offerings serve a market that isn't addressed by anyone else and I feel that your reviews do not fully appreciate this.

[cameralabs]

Hi tomcat39843, there's only so much I can say in the videos - have you read the full reviews which go with the videos at cameralabs . com? I always weigh up the pros and cons on the verdict pages.

[TheStig000]

He goes in much more depth on his website. 10 minutes isn't much to go into detail with. He posts competing camera's images side by side with the camera he's reviewing so you can see the real world performance. Check it out.

[menu12345]

that brings me back to K10d since those functions dont cocern me much

[1650million]

So, if I understood correctly, there is no way to use liveview IF you´re trying to shoot anything that moves (so zero use for street photography, for example). There´s not even a signal (visual or acoustic) that says the camera achieved focus!

So, it´s the Sony Alpha 300/350's liveview implementation the only one current DSLR capable of shooting moving objects with no delay?? (Seems a little weird to me...)

Thanks Gordon, keep going!

[cameralabs]

They are quite different LV implementations, and it depends what you want, but yes, the Pentax one here is so basic it's not really useful at all. For a full explanation of how they all work, check the design pages of our full reviews at cameralabs . com!

[thepentaxianmkii]

The idea behind this LV was to give studio photographers something like the ground glass on a 4x5 studio setup. This camera is geared towards studio photographers more than the K10D. You can see evidence of this in the built-in PC-synch socket.

[TheStig000]

And the external lighting port is another clue to what audience this camera is aimed at. I think its trying to fill that niche.

[nomtai]

I find that the K20D falls more in the semi professional category than the Canon 40D, which is made of magnesium but not weatherproof (btw magnesium is not "more resistant", if you drop them chances are they'll both break). I know which of of the two I'd like to have with me on a serious journey. The live view is not as good but live view is one of those function for which no one has found a purpose. Unfortunately the Pentax name on the K20D guarantees it lukewarm reviews as this one.

[cameralabs]

If you read my review of the K20D at cameralabs . com I don't think you'd describe it as lukewarm! As for live view, you might not find it useful, but many do - check out my video on astrophotography with the 40D. I know that's a specialist application, but to say no-one's found a purpose for it is just not true. It's also very useful for macro work.

[cameralabs]

And if you think the Pentax name guarantees lukewarm reviews, you clearly haven't seen my K200D review at cameralabs . com either!

[StayDefiant]

is it the same/similar waterproof protection as olympus E3.

Which one would you pick E3 or K20D?

[cameralabs]

Unless you actually get them both very wet and see what happens, it's hard to say definitively... feel free to discuss this further on the cameralabs forums...

[xmeda]

Depends on what ot use for.. 4/3 system cannot achieve that hi-iso performance and has much more expensive lenses.

[onagus2008]

Why do you consider this semi-professional?

[cameralabs]

Weatherproof, tough build and sync port for external lighting mainly, but the high res doesn't hurt!

[killiandarcy42023]

camera labs or anyone

i was thinking of getting an slr and i was woundering which one i should get. i was thinking of the nikon d40 or the e410, which one should i get?

[cameralabs]

Feel free to ask on the Cameralabs forums, but do mention what sort of things you want to photograph, and please also try them in person first as one will probably look and feel better to you in practice. Also check the verdict pages on cameralabs . com for each review for comparisons.

[xmeda]

Gordon, can you pls perform some third party lens tests with videotours?

like sigmas, tokinas, tamrons.. especially those, which are affordable. Like sig17-70 level..

[cameralabs]

Maybe in the future, but right now there's lots of cameras and other lenses which need covering!

[tachyon17011701]

Thanks for the post! Hope you test the K200D too!

[puppyindallas]

I hope you test it also, I love my k200d and think all it's features and it's low price make it the best deal on the market today, great shake reduction.

[RickyTomatoes]

Hey Gordon, you should make a video of the camera gear you use yourself...we wanna see what you got!

[cameralabs]

I spend most of my time testing new gear, so the cameras I personally use are the ones you'll see in my future reviews! If you'd asked me over the past few weeks, I'd have said the K20D for example...

[xmeda]

and your own one?

[cameralabs]

As I said, I now pretty much only use the cameras which I'm currently testing.

[alpha1canismajoris]

Hey,

Can you guys do a nikon D60 vs, D40 vs. Rebel XTi vs. E410/510 review?

[cameralabs]

If you go to the verdict page of our D60 review, you'll see I've compared several of these models...

[CanOfSpam]

I liked the lens, I am thinking myself getting a allround lens like that. Any lens you would recommend for a 40D?

Never liked Pentax cameras though. Too many switches and dials all over. Seems almost messy.

[cameralabs]

Feel free to ask about Canon lenses in the Canon section of the Cameralabs forum!

[magix93]

the live view is shitty

[eieui]

How bad is the AF? I heard that it's a little imprecise at dim light...

[pdf101]

and the slow lens...

[cameralabs]

The AF speed greatly depends on which lens you have attached. I tested it with the 18-250mm becuase that's all Pentax had available. This lens isn't the fastest at focusing.

[SpeedFreakNO]

I have big doubts that the magnesium alloy body of other brands are that much stronger that the polycarbonate glassfiber reinforsted steel chassis of the K20D. And if they are, I doubt it's needed, I'm pretty sure the insides will break before the body in a fall or hit hard enough on any of the kind of bodies.

[xmeda]

I won't ever use my k20D as hammer :) but Im sure it can take huge abuse.. plastic cover can be changed easilly if camera drops on concrete from 2-3m for example, but also it acts as some deformation zone and internals won't be that destructed I guess :)

Magnesium is hard and scratch-proof, ok, but if you hit stone, internals are going to get the same g as whole camera..

[SpeedFreakNO]

I've lost mine from almost two meters on stone, and it got scratched, but worked perfectly still. I don't think any more strength is needed TBH.

[SpeedFreakNO]

Thanks for a good review. I've been waiting for it from CameraLabs. I own the K10D and a few DA* lenses, so I'm curious to see how the images turns out on the K20D with those lenses. The Live View is a bit of a let down, but I'm not THAT interested in it. It does stop down the lens when you use Live View,right?Then it will still be ok for fokus check for macro, which is nice.

The 40D is faster, but I have used the K10D a bit for sports,and it's worked very well for me,I haven't missed more FPS.

[icy2527]

I'm still waiting for E-420 and E-520 reviews . Pentax is not in my wishlist.I don't like Pentax colors style .

[xmeda]

have you ever heard about raw? :D

[icy2527]

Yes,But I don't shoot in RAW frequently . IMO not many people shoot in RAW format and prefer more convenient JPG.

[hadidiehode]

-.-  please buy a compact or bridge camera

[icy2527]

Oh,I have E-500 and FZ8.I don't have much time to do with RAW .My point is not many people shoot in RAW and Why Pentax doesn't produce the camera that give good result in JPG?I think they have to change image processor ,it's too slow and doesn't produce good quality JPG (look so digitally color ).

I like my E-500 because it produces natural color than Pentax . For noises I don't care very much about noise because I don't print in large picture and I don't have 100 inches screen to see in 100%.

[SpeedFreakNO]

The camera gives perfect results in JPEG, just adjust the settings to your liking. When the K10D came, it was too bland and not good for print right out of the camera, now with the K20D it's the opposite, and people now complain about the opposite. It's strange I think.

And I know a lot of people who whoot RAW, so I'm not sure you're correct in that not many do. I see no reason to not shoot RAW. Fixing images later, even hundreds, doesn't take much time at all if you know how to use your tool.

[ftpaddict]

Funny, I find myself using RAW 99.5% of the time. I think it's one of the biggest advantages of using a DSLR.

[xmeda]

for me cca 80% jpeg**** and rest jpeg+pef

And I'am more than content. If somebody needs special color management {and has some different eyese :]} then raw will serve.

Oly has waaaay inferior image quality. Smaller sensor = more noise.

E420 is unique due its small size, IQ is not stunning :D Try iso 800/1600 with it and compare.

[BloodGTRproductions]

hopes that it comes to singapore

[629180]

looks great

[Gravisher]

Pentax K20D Rulz...it has better image quality than the 40D and it's Noise IQ is also better

[cameralabs]

The Image quality is certainy very good on the K20D, but don't forget the 40D can shoot over twice as fast and has a useful live view mode. We've detailed their differences in our full review of the K20D which goes with this video at cameralabs . com.

[themanwhoknew]

I can tell you're not doing as many digital camera's anymore.

[cameralabs]

Do you mean non-DSLRs? That's not true! I reviewed the Panasonic TZ5 and FX35 in the past few weeks and have more coming in the future.

[hanzakbar]

lol.. i really liked the way you demonstrated the live view first :D

[dryan2]

seem like theyve really tken alot from canon

[xmeda]

what they taken?

SR for any lens? sealed body? sens. priority? hyper manual? iso6400? back-compatibility? AF-fine tuning? LCD colour tuning? dualRAW? 21fps possibilty?

blah blah.. canon should learn a lesson in pentax

[kris1991]

Great review and hands on! The K20D is quite a nice camera. Hope you do the K200D as well!

Thanks!

[JD95]

Thank you for the review!

Your videos get better and better every time!

[MandeepGadgetBoy]

I like taking pictures with my camera, I wish I had a DLSR or something like that. I like the lens with the super-long zoom! :-)

[xmeda]

Long lens usually produces worse image. And especially in DSLR terms its hard to build good superzoom because of amount of good glass needed, which means big and heavy optics which means brutal amount of money.. look at Sigma APO 200-500mm F2.8

Lenses like cheap tamron 18-250 simply cannot produce good results and are slow.. it has F6.3! at 250mm..

Only primes can be built without too much compromises.. so for pentax for example FA31/FA77mm both F1.8 or in cheaper league FA50mm F1.4

[MandeepGadgetBoy]

If I were to buy a camera, I'd go for Sony.

[cameralabs]

Be sure to check the outdoor noise results page of our K20D review at the Cameralabs website - it's very revealing to compare it against the Sony A350 and Canon 450D / XSi throughout its sensitivity range...

[xmeda]

Well.. nice video, but I miss mention of lens back-compatibility, AF fine tuning, in-camera raw development.. etc..

No magnesium alloy body? Who cares, this dslr has higly rigid stainless-steel chassis. :D You easilly can beat someone with it in self-defence :D Thats why it wights 800g.

Plastic-only body would be around 450-500g only.

+ ISO can be changed by holding OK and turning wheel.. its quick and no need to go to menu

[cameralabs]

Hi xmeda, the video here is just a brief overview - please see the review which goes with it at cameralabs . com for details on everything you've mentioned. And as for live view on DSLRs, it is genuinely useful in some applications - see our 40D astrophotography video for an example.

[xmeda]

Yes, LV can be useful, it was one of reasons why I waited 3months for K20D instead of buying K10D.

For me its useful in some macro situations or if you shoot with camera above head.. ok. But its not a key parameter on dslr.

For usefull live-view, camera should have flip-out-n-turn LCD.. this remains for the future.

AF tuning (only D3/D300 and 1D/Ds have it too) can be very usefull especially with older lenses.

[DudefishDoohikie]

I would've like an increase in fps but I must admit the K20D does seem like a great powerful camera to upgrade to!

[tachyon17011701]

Thanks for the review! Hope you do the K200D (with the K10D sensor) soon!

[snajperSLO]

Good review. The K20D is nice but i hate live view in DSLR cameras :)

[zawor7]

so K20 is far away from Live View :D

[xmeda]

If you are sticked to using live-view, do not buy any dslr, it would be waste of imaging technology.