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 preview and live-view. Among similarly-priced cameras, It is only outpaced in terms of continuous shooting speed by the 10 megapixels Canon EOS 40D and the 12 megapixels Sony Alpha A700 which shoot at 6.5 FPS and 5 FPS respectively. It also lacks an eye-start sensor which can automatically turn off the rear LCD like on the Sony Alpha DSLRs and the Canon Digital Rebel XTi.

 

The Pentax K20D performs quite well, both in terms of image quality and responsiveness. Its high-resolution sensor gives it the highest resolution in its class. The sensor delivers plenty of details without increasing noise levels compared to an average lower-resolution DSLR. Still, image noise is slightly behind the latest offerings from Canon.

 

With several innovative features, the K20D distinguishes itself from its competitors. These features include: sensitivity priority mode, shutter-and-aperture priority mode (camera selects ISO), choice of program line for automatic mode, digital white-balance preview and in-camera RAW conversion. Digital white-balance preview is an incredibly efficient way to select the appropriate white-balance. Otherwise, one has to take test shots until the desired results are obtained.

 

The bottom line is that the Pentax K20D is a feature-rich camera with excellent ergonomics and a rather good overall performance. Only the Sony Alpha A700 comes close to the K20D's feature set. The main difference is that the A700 has a faster continuous drive but the K20D is better sealed. The K20D is officially usable in the rain, while the A700 is only protected against humidity and dust. Another close competitor is the more expensive Nikon D300 which sports a 12 megapixels sensor and a 6 FPS continuous drive (8 FPS with optional grip) but lacks stabilization and its weather-seals are specified against casual moisture and dust, not rain.

 

Read the full Pentax K20D review here.

 

 

The Pentax K20D has a nearly identical twin, the Samsung GX-20. Unlike previous clones of Pentax DSLR cameras by Samsung, there are some cosmetics and interface differences between these two cameras. The only functionality difference between these two cameras is that the GX-20 only supports Adobe's RAW format called DNG, while the Pentax K20D also supports Pentax's own compressed format, called PEF.