Pentax K20D First Thoughts

[Jerry Jackson]

Aesthetically, the Pentax K20D is virtually identical to the previous generation K10D, and it takes an experienced eye to notice the differences between these two SLRs. Pentax added a X-sync port for connecting studio strobes and a slightly larger 2.7-inch LCD monitor, but beyond these differences there is little to differentiate the exterior of the K20D from the K10D.

(view large image)

Despite the visual similarity, however, the K20D is a unique animal. The addition of a 14.6-megapixel CMOS image sensor, improved high ISO performance, live view, and an amazing burst shooting mode capable of up to 20 frames per second make the K20D a truly impressive camera.

For a quick run-down of what's new with the K20D, take a look at our video overview:

As a working photographer and owner of multiple Pentax DSLRs (including the K10D) I'll be the first to admit that I wasn't too excited about the release of the K20D. Given the modest increase in specs over the K10D I suspected that the K20D wouldn't have much to offer current Pentax users. My initial disappointment has all but been erased after the arrival of the K20D in our office. The first time you see the results from an image taken at ISO 6400 (the K20D's regular upper limit of 3200 can be boosted by one stop) and test the 20fps burst mode (at 1.6 megapixel resolution only, but still very cool) you quickly realize how much Pentax has improved their top-level SLR. The durable, weather-sealed, plastic body and comfortable grip hide a photographic workhorse. Not bad for a camera with a street price of less than $1,500.

ISO boosted to 6400 (view large image)

So far, shooting with the K20D has been an absolute joy. The mirror slap and shutter noise is clearly dampened more on the K20D than on previous bodies, and although the K20D uses the same 11-point autofocus system found on the K10D the autofocus sound was noticeably quieter on the K20D. For occasional sports shooters, the full-resolution 3fps burst mode should be more than enough to capture action, but if you are willing to trade resolution for speed the K20D does offer a jaw-dropping 20fps burst mode which captures action almost as if you are using a video camera.

On balance, the K20D offers up an uncompromising feature set that will appeal to experienced users and working shooters seeking a high-performance durable camera. With lots of functions and manual control, in-camera shake reduction, good metering, excellent lens choices, the impressive ISO range, and jaw-dropping burst speed, I'm excited to see just how much this camera can deliver.

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Look for our full review of the Pentax K20D in the coming week.

 

[usapatriot]

Excellent first thoughts article, the K20D does seem to be quite an amazing camera for the price.

[Jerry Jackson]

Excellent first thoughts article, the K20D does seem to be quite an amazing camera for the price.

Absolutely. The price/performance ratio was one of the many reasons I picked up a pair of K10D bodies for work. The new K20D continues that excellent Pentax tradition of offering solid photographic tools at reasonable prices.

So far, I'm impressed with what I'm seeing out of the K20D. I'll be sure to keep the forum posted as the final review draws near.

[M42Guy]

This is NOT the original review I read earlier! This is an excerpt from that larger review:

"It's worth mentioning that Pentax includes the new DA 18-55mm AL II
lens (which was used for our studio shots) if you purchase the "kit" version of the K20D. This rebuild of the popular DA 18-55mm lens offers a new lens construction which provides better edge definition and contrast over the older 18-55mm lens. The Pentax website says, "This lens has improved resolution to match with high resolution sensors and PENTAX SP coating which protects the exposed lens elements." We didn't conduct detailed laboratory testing of the new lens, but I can say this particular lens seems to perform better than my personal copy of the older DA 18-55mm lens."

The author also discussed the fact that the K10D might be adequate for current owners, in the final paragraphs.

Now, I wonder why the review got changed???

[Jerry Jackson]

This is NOT the original review I read earlier! This is an excerpt from that larger review:

"It's worth mentioning that Pentax includes the new DA 18-55mm AL II
lens (which was used for our studio shots) if you purchase the "kit" version of the K20D. This rebuild of the popular DA 18-55mm lens offers a new lens construction which provides better edge definition and contrast over the older 18-55mm lens. The Pentax website says, "This lens has improved resolution to match with high resolution sensors and PENTAX SP coating which protects the exposed lens elements." We didn't conduct detailed laboratory testing of the new lens, but I can say this particular lens seems to perform better than my personal copy of the older DA 18-55mm lens."

The author also discussed the fact that the K10D might be adequate for current owners, in the final paragraphs.

Now, I wonder why the review got changed???

It's OK ... it didn't get changed. On this website we write a "First Thoughts" Review on cameras we think will be popular and then write a more in-depth full "Review."

This is the "First Thoughts" ... the "Review" contains the section you are thinking about and hasn't been changed.

[M42Guy]

It's OK ... it didn't get changed. On this website we write a "First Thoughts" Review on cameras we think will be popular and then write a more in-depth full "Review."

This is the "First Thoughts" ... the "Review" contains the section you are thinking about and hasn't been changed.

========

I appreciate the illumination. The abbreviated version appeared to me to shift "tone" quite a bit, but no doubt a result of compression. As you might glean from the "M42Guy" moniker, I'd like to see the Pentax brand continue to thrive, but the ground has shifted with (C) and (N) with 80%-plus DSLR share, and Sony battling (N) for 2nd place - leaving it hard for those with lower share to compete; especially with 2 models per year, and the costs of getting a totally new model out. My concern is that the typical Pentax owner, some of whom are still raving about 6.3 MP, will find the K200D at about $800 WITH lens more than adequate for an upgrade; rather than spending another $500 just to get to the price of the 14MP K20D body-only. The brand badly needs to attract non-legacy-mount new blood, and Sony has publicly stated that they face the same problem with the A700, causing them to put out a flurry of new models, many in that under-$1000 bracket.

What I'd love to see is a test of the same SDM lens on both the K10D and K20D; and then a test of the NON-SDM same-focal-range lens on both bodies. Throwing in the K200D into that comparo would also be valuable. My guess is that SDM performance would be the difference in low-light AF response with a moving subject, rather than the K20D body with the identical SAFOX.

[Jerry Jackson]

M42Guy, yes, I do think the K200D is MORE than enough camera for average folks looking for a DSLR ... and if something happened to my backup/second K10D body or my old *ist DL I "might" buy a K200D rather than a K20D due to the performance/size/price ratio.

SDM lenses provide MUCH quieter focusing and faster focusing with heavy glass elements. I am currently testing the new DA* 200mm F2.8 ED with SDM and we hope to have a full review of that lens up soon (depending on when I get all the sample photos and testing finished).

When I connect the 200mm to the K20D or K10D the focus is fast and quiet.

When I connect the 200mm to the old *ist DL the focus is slower and a little louder since the camera's AF motor has to do all the work.

I plan to include some tests indicating the AF speed of the 200mm with and without SDM on at least three different Pentax DSLRs.

[M42Guy]

M42Guy, yes, I do think the K200D is MORE than enough camera for average folks looking for a DSLR ... and if something happened to my backup/second K10D body or my old *ist DL I "might" buy a K200D rather than a K20D due to the performance/size/price ratio.

SDM lenses provide MUCH quieter focusing and faster focusing with heavy glass elements. I am currently testing the new DA* 200mm F2.8 ED with SDM and we hope to have a full review of that lens up soon (depending on when I get all the sample photos and testing finished).

When I connect the 200mm to the K20D or K10D the focus is fast and quiet.

When I connect the 200mm to the old *ist DL the focus is slower and a little louder since the camera's AF motor has to do all the work.

I plan to include some tests indicating the AF speed of the 200mm with and without SDM on at least three different Pentax DSLRs.

========

Great. I think some buyers are seeing the K20D body ITSELF as faster for AF; but I think all the credit goes to the lens. I still question how many Pentax buyers will step up for the motorized lenses at a grand a pop; more than they've spent for a body thus far.

Since a lot of buyers are looking to use zooms rather than primes, I'd like some idea of how the "longer" zooms will function in terms of AF speed, rather than the 18-55's, where the "rack travel" is a lot smaller. The specific problem here for me would be performance of, say, a 70mm-200mm in low ambient and non-contrasty light (a modeling light on a softbox), WHILE zooming (changing focal length). I've seen the Canon Mark II used in that way with the 70-200mm f/2.8 USM fire off 6-7 well-focused shots in studio in 6 seconds WHILE zooming, but that's also a function of the additional AF points speeding everything up. If Pentax is looking to go upmarket, they'd have to radically upgrade the 11-point SAFOX. The Canon is in a different space entirely (and the full rig with battery pack is 16 pounds); but the Nikon D300 is bringing performance on that order to a $1700 price point for the body; not a heck of a lot more than the K20D body. The f/2.8 aperture is really needed to get enough light to the sensor for the AF to speed up.

For most Pentax owners, they'd not be shooting fast action where the subject is moving in and out relative to the focal plane; and would not be looking for the low-light (say EV 2 or less) performance that the ring-DSM lenses excel at. Pentax intimated that the next-gen stuff would be ring-DSM, which won't allow retofit to the older-gen cameras like the DS - but heck, it's time someone who needed that capability updated, period.

Using ring-DSM will give Pentax another boost over the current SDM (Pentax' own acronym) configurations. I wonder if they're licensing the motor technology, or designed it in house. Canon has had these since the 1990's.