Pentax K20D
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Pentax K20D[1] | |
 |
|
| Type | digital single-lens reflex camera |
|---|---|
| Sensor | CMOS active pixel sensor with a primary color filter |
| Maximum resolution | 14.6 megapixels |
| Lens type | Interchangeable Pentax "crippled" KAF2 mount compatible with Pentax auto-aperture lenses; older lenses supported in stop-down metering mode. |
| Shutter speed range | 1/4000 sec - 30 sec, Bulb |
| Exposure Metering | TTL open-aperture metering with choice of: 16-segment, Center-weighted & Spot meter |
| Exposure Modes | Program, Sensitivity Priority, Shutter-Speed Priority, Aperture Priority, Shutter-Speed and Aperture Priority, Manual, Bulb |
| ASA/ISO range | ISO Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, boosted: 6400 |
| Rear LCD monitor | 2.7", 230,000 pixels |
| Storage | SD, SDHC |
| Battery | Rechargeable D-LI50 Lithium-ion battery, Optional AC adapter |
| Weight | 715 g (25 oz) without battery |
The Pentax K20D and similar Samsung GX-20 are 14.6 megapixel digital single-lens reflex cameras, announced on January 24, 2008.[2][3] The K20D is available from US retailers as of February 2008.[4]
The K20D and GX-20 have been developed by Pentax of Japan and Samsung of Korea, continuing a collaboration begun in 2005. The K20D is the first Pentax DSLR to include a CMOS image sensor co-developed by Pentax and Samsung and manufactured by Samsung; previous models, including the K10D, were based on CCD sensors made by Sony. Samsung's expertise in sensor design is seen as a major benefit to Pentax, which did not release its first DSLR until 2003, when Nikon and Canon had already become established in the growing market.
As of February 2008, the K20D and GX-20 hold the record for the highest-resolution sensor in the APS-C image sensor format, with their 14.6 megapixel CMOS sensor.
Contents |
[edit] Features
The K20D is the successor to the well-reviewed Pentax K10D prosumer DSLR. The K20D has been released alongside the Pentax K200D (a substantial upgrade of the entry-level Pentax K100D model). Relative to its predecessor, the K20D offers:
- a CMOS image sensor with:
- higher resolution (14.6 megapixels vs. 10 megapixels for the K10D)
- higher sensitivity, up to ISO 6400 equivalent (vs. ISO 1600 for the K10D)
- a slightly larger, higher-resolution, main LCD screen with live view and which can be color-calibrated via custom settings
- a more versatile continuous shooting mode, offering a choice between 3 fps at full resolution and 20 fps at 1.6 megapixel resolution, at least.[5]
- an improved autofocus system and shake reduction system
- a new Dust Alert feature, which scans the sensor for dust particles and highlights their locations for ease of removal
- dynamic range enlargement by 1 EV
- ability to adjust the AF offset to solve front/back focus problems for up to 20 individual lenses
- an X-sync socket for studio flash control
- a new higher-quality (and less-compressed) "★★★★" setting for JPEG images
- selectable levels of in-camera noise reduction
- a separate option for levels of edge sharpening in JPEG images, addressing a frequent complaint in reviews of the K10D
- Portrait, Landscape, Vibrant, and Monochrome image tone settings in addition to Bright and Natural
- Customizable filename prefixes, allowing one to easily distinguish between files from multiple K20Ds
- In-camera hot-pixel mapping
- A trap-focus feature which works with autofocus lenses
The MSRP of the K20D body and lens kit is expected to be €1299,[1] while the GX-20 will reportedly launch at the significantly lower price of €935[6] equivalent
[edit] Samsung GX-20
Under a partnership between Pentax and Samsung Techwin, the K20D is also available as the Samsung GX-20. The two cameras are virtually identical with a few small differences. The text labels for buttons are different, using a slightly smaller font, and the buttons themselves are slightly different in shape and placement. In addition, the hand grip is a slightly different shape, meaning the battery grip for the K20D is incompatible - however, a GX-20 battery grip is available.
The firmware of the Samsung GX-20 is also different, using different menus and symbols, and lacks support for Pentax's PEF raw image format. The JPEG image processing of the GX-20 is reportedly different from that of the K20D;[7].
[edit] References
- ^ a b Pentax K20D official specifications. Pentax.
- ^ Pentax imaging (2008-01-23). "Pentax announces K20D with 14.6 megapixels, K200D, and five new lenses". Press release.
- ^ DPReview.com (2008-01-24). "Samsung SLR evolves with the launch of the GX-20". Press release.
- ^ On February 25, 2008, B&H Photo Video has the K20D in stock.
- ^ DPReview.com forum thread.
- ^ Samsung GX-20. DPReview.com (2008-01-24).
- ^ Samsung GX-20 brief hands-on. DPReview.com (2008-01-24).
[edit] External links
Official:
Unofficial:
- Pentax K20D Blog, following the camera's development and release
- (Japanese) Marketing posters for the K20D, K200D, and new lenses
- (German) K20D brochure
Reviews:
- Pentax K20D Full-Review at Neocamera
- My 2500 word essay on the K20D, by a reviewer who beta-tested the K20D briefly
- Pentax K20D brief hands-on from DPReview.com
PENTAX Digital SLR Timeline
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
