| Author: | | Pentaxian Registered: July, 2013 Location: People's Republic of America Posts: 9,910
4 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: September 17, 2018 | Recommended | Price: $250.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | Stabilization, skin tone, no shutter shake, nice colors, ergonomics | | Cons: | High ISO noise, possibly the worst dynamic range in Pentax lineup? | | Years Owned: Almost 3
Ergonomics: 9
Build Quality: 9
User Interface: 8
Autofocus: 8
Features: 8
Value: 9
Image Quality: 8
Noise: 5
New or Used: Used
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The K20D was my first DSLR so it does have a place in my heart. It felt really good in my hands, the pictures looked good if I got them right,
I think the image quality is still very good if kept in a low ISO - I always went to ISO 640 as the max because the noise at ISO 800 and up was very, very bad looking and not so easily fixed because the color accuracy also went down quickly. In comparison, even though the previous model, the K10D, might have the same or even more noise at ISO 800 and up, the noise is so much nicer looking.
But the Samsung sensor did have some very good qualities - the colors, for example, might not be completely accurate, but they were extremely pleasing, in a film kind of way. Skin tones in particular were so beautiful - in fact I think this is unsurpassed in any other Pentax camera.
with DA 35 2.4
 looking back by ChristianRock, on Flickr
with M 50 1.7
 Entrance Road in Fall 2015-50mm by ChristianRock, on Flickr
Image stabilization was also very good, probably aided by the size and mass of the camera, which made it more stable than smaller bodies. Getting shots with my DA 35 2.4 at 1/8s was easy and pictures were sharp almost all of the time! Another bonus from the size of the body was that shutter shake was inexistent with this lens. With my later bodies I always seem to get a little bit, depending on the lens, but the K20D was flawless in regards to that.
What ended up making me switch is that I end up taking a lot of pictures during the day (on lunch walks usually) and I end up with some hard shadows that I need to get details out of. The K20D is not good at that at all. Even the older K10D seems to have much more detail to be extracted from shadows at ISO 100 - I can go 2.5 steps with it, while with the K20D anything over about 1.25 steps would lose detail and have that ugly noise. But in the right light, the pictures are gorgeous and the camera is a pleasure to work with. Knowing its limitations, it can give great results to its owner, and prices on it are very low right now for a solid, really nice handling camera.
With DA 18-55 AL II
 Sitting Pretty by ChristianRock, on Flickr
With Tokina 19-35mm f/3.5-4.5 AF193
 Wedding in the Glorious Ruins by ChristianRock, on Flickr
With SMC-A 70-210mm f/4
 Hanging in the Sun still by ChristianRock, on Flickr
| | | | | | | Senior Member Registered: February, 2011 Location: Brno Posts: 295
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: January 2, 2017 | Recommended | Price: $1,100.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Pentaprism, build quality, nice RAW image quality, ergonomy, live-view, WR, SR, 21 fps, can be controlled from PC software, last true Pentax body | | Cons: | Slow AF, 3 fps, poor hi-iso by today standards, weak jpeg, during live-view it is not possible to change settings | | Years Owned: 13 (2021)
Ergonomics: 9
Build Quality: 10
User Interface: 9
Autofocus: 7
Features: 8
Value: 10
Image Quality: 9
Noise: 6
New or Used: New
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K20D was and still is my favourite Pentax camera. I bought one of first, that arrived here in early 2008. In fact this is the last camera produced by Pentax before Hoya stepped into design.
Some people stated here, that image quality is awful. But they have no clue. JPEG might be weaker, but still even those 12-15MB jpegs do contain a lot of data! But seriously, who shoots jpegs with DSLR?
And when you use RAW and especially after they are pre-processed by "Pentax K20D Raw Border Correcter 0.9.0.0" tool, or latest Lightroom they are very good!! That Samsung sensor coupled with Pentax image processor certainly was the best APS-C in 2008 when Canon still was offering poor EOS 40D and Nikon only had D80!
Only later when D90, D300 and EOS 50D were introduced, they caught the DSLR bus again and in some areas (AF, Hi-ISO and video) surpassed this great camera a bit. But for significantly higher price. Anyway K20D still had better WR, in body stabilisation and better fine details in low-ISO images.
Shoot RAW! Keep ISO low in 100-800 range and camera would deliver excellent images printable on A3 without problem. Even up to ISO 1600 they are very usable. ISO 2000 and higher only if you have enough light and use +0.7 to +1EV correction. ISO 3200-6400 is just marketing, not usable for serious work.
When shooting outside on good light, this camera shows what it can do. Colors and contrast are even better than from K5. Keep in mind, that this camera rather underexposes image and avoids any blown highlight sources. Which is good, because you can dig deep into shadows into RAW, but it is hard to save anything from blown areas..
If you are beginner only clicking pics in JPG on auto without any knowledge and thinking, avoid this camera. This is tool for people who know what they want. Definitely not a point-and-shoot DSLR. I used it even for shooting on few weddings as main photographer. No problem at all. Great camera.
Autofocus might be slow and sometimes does not finish the focusing, but it is very accurate. It usually does two iterations and if locks, things are focused. (Unlike K5, which is much faster, but not that reliable)
It also is very cheap camera today, while still offering bright pentaprism, live-view, in body stabilisation, two control wheels and very good weather sealing. Nice camera for serious beginners who want to learn how to shoot raw, develop, how to set correct exposure, use M mode and others. It is also nice for old manual lenses as the live-view can be easily switched and magnification is fast using back wheel without pressing anything else.
And it is still joy to use it sometimes and it also works as nice backup.
btw. I made some videos about this camera:
Movie created BY K20D using TV card and AV output
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jub-sxAnNvQ
K20D WR real life
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTHe-5yH-xQ&t=17s
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: March, 2009 Location: Australia Posts: 422
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: May 16, 2014 | Recommended | Price: $1,200.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Ergonomics, rugged, reliable | | Cons: | High ISO and long exposure noise, AF | | Years Owned: 5
Ergonomics: 9
Build Quality: 9
User Interface: 9
Autofocus: 7
Features: 8
Value: 9
Image Quality: 8
Noise: 6
New or Used: New
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I've owned this camera from new. My ratings are based on the current second hand prices. AF was a nuisance until I installed a split prism screen and re-shimmed the viewfinder screen a few years ago. AF on my Sigma 70-200 f2.8 is fast, sharp and accurate. AF on the FA50 or 77 is slow and can hunt a bit. It's always exhibited noise at high ISO and long exposure.
The controls are very well laid out, and very intuitive. I have a friend with a Canon 40D and I find the controls completely unnatural by comparison.
I have no great urge to upgrade, it performs as well now as when it was new and when coupled with good lenses it only reveals it's weaknesses at the limits of high ISO and low light.
It's still a good camera and will be in my hands for few years yet.
The first image is a 10 second exposure at ISO400, f13 on a modern lens. The second a snap shot that relied on the AF locking on in a second at f8, 1/800 ISO320.
 | | | | | Junior Member Registered: January, 2013 Location: Sturtevant, Wisconsin Posts: 48
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: December 14, 2013 | Recommended | Price: $350.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Built like a tank | | Cons: | | | Years Owned: 3
Ergonomics: 10
Build Quality: 10
User Interface: 10
Autofocus: 10
Features: 10
Value: 10
Image Quality: 10
Noise: 10
New or Used: Used
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I upgraded from my K100D to the K20D with I purchased from a friend. I love it being weather sealed, I use it a lot outside in light rain and snow. I've taken over 7000.00 photos in the last three years and no problems. I can't afford a new K3 so I guess the K20D will be with me for a lot longer. Most of my photos are of my dog and other wildlife and nature.
| | | | | | | New Member Registered: November, 2010 Location: Timisoara Posts: 22
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: December 11, 2014 | Recommended | Price: $550.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Superb image quality, superb colors and high level of details, high level of customizations, very solid build, very good kit lens , a true wonder if you know how to use it, used indor with an external flash(in my case AF 280T and AF200T) become a wonder. | | Cons: | none for me | | Years Owned: 4
Ergonomics: 10
Build Quality: 10
User Interface: 10
Autofocus: 8
Features: 10
Value: 10
Image Quality: 10
Noise: 8
New or Used: Used
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I own this camera since 2010 , I am the second owner. For me this was my first DSLR and I was blown away by its image quality and detail, autofocus and the feeling of this camera in the hand.
Despite the fact that some say that is noisy at high ISO and have only 3 FPS or the autofocus is not as fast as competitors, despite all this, if you know how to use this camera, you will never be dissapointed. The image quality and detail are at a very high level even compared with the actual generation of cameras suuch as Pentax K3 or Nikon D7100. I have pictures taken at ISO 2000 and 3200 that look verry good on a big computer monitor, without any post processing.
Beside all this, with today post processing programs the noisy 3200 ISO becomes a memory.
And as i mentioned on the positive aspects, used indorr with an external flash it will blow away or at least stand up even in front of the most expensive DSLR of today.
And with a good lens and photographic skills you can compensate the slow speed of only 3fps.
Actualy the last weekend I was at a party on a club with my colleagues and I pose all that party with my K20D equiped with the AF200T flash and the kit lens, the AF200Tflash is an old fpash without focus assist lamp so the whole night I was shooting on manual focus with the focus preset at around 2 meters and guess what 90% of the pictures was perfet focused perfet exposed vivid colors and some of my colleagues who own more recent and expensiVe DSLR was amased by the quality of the pictures.
And all this magic pictures that Pentax K20D produce are because I got to know this camera and also some basic technical aspects of the photography.
As a conclusion even this is a 2008 generation camera and since then a lot of upgrades are on the market I still not feel the need to change it with the latest generation camera, because in the right hands this camera shine and more, if you combine it with the latest photo editing software the pictures taken with this camera will stand up many years forward.
PS. 99% I used the kit lens on this camera and still my colleagues who own dslr's are amased by the sharpness of the pictures the collors contrast even if the pictures are unprocessed.
| | | | | New Member Registered: January, 2014 Posts: 1
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: January 30, 2014 | Recommended | Price: None indicated
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Size makes you feel like a pro newsreporter photographer.Perfect ergonomic body. | | Cons: | For portrature none,for action requires more skill from user. | | Years Owned: 2 months
Ergonomics: 10
Build Quality: 10
User Interface: 10
Autofocus: 8
Features: 10
Value: 10
Image Quality: 10
Noise: 7
New or Used: Used
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As an owner of a KX and k100d i have to say neither come close to the proffessional feel the K20 body has.The KX has had front focusing issues since i bought it and i just cannot trust it when it matters.The k100d has been utterly dependable and will continue to be my back up.The KX will fufill the role of a holiday camera as it has video mode.Everyone searches for the right camera for them and for a bargain second hand price my dream has been realized.The BG2 grip is an added bonus for my big hands and makes this camera look even more awesome and adds an extra shutter release.I hope all you pentax owners can find a model you are truly happy with as it means you can concentrate on whats most important and that is enjoying taking photos.
| | | | | Senior Member Registered: December, 2012 Location: Vancouver Island, BC Posts: 238
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: January 6, 2014 | Recommended | Price: $282.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | great value, vibrant images | | Cons: | high iso shooting (ISO800+) | | Years Owned: 1
Ergonomics: 9
Build Quality: 9
User Interface: 8
Autofocus: 7
Features: 8
Value: 9
Image Quality: 9
Noise: 7
New or Used: Used
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I bought my K20D a year ago. Was a pentax film camera user 20 yrs ago - still had some nice lenses so decided to buy my first DSLR as a pentax to use my old lenses.
A year later it has paid for itself many times over (I use it to take product shots for my business and photograph events etc. at our business).
Photo quality was good enough for a billboard (seriously - an amazing shot from my K20D on a highway billboard that looks amazing)
One aspect that frustrated me somewhat was the ability to use higher ISO settings, anything over ISO 800 tended to be noticeably grainy. Also the autofocus would hunt around quite a bit, especially in lower light situations. So after a year, and reading many reviews on this forum I upgraded to a K5.
Keeping my K20D - as a backup / 2nd camera / camera for my daughter.
Great value in a DSLR - great image quality, good feature set.
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: January, 2011 Location: Minahasa, North Celebes (Sulawesi) Posts: 586
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: January 6, 2013 | Recommended | Price: $600.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Professional look, build like a tank, dependable auto WB, paired with no hassle with legacy manual lenses | | Cons: | The size might not for everybody | | Years Owned: 2
Ergonomics: 10
Build Quality: 10
User Interface: 9
Autofocus: 9
Features: 9
Value: 10
Image Quality: 9
Noise: 8
New or Used: Used
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This is my parting review for my trusted K20D  Upgraded from K100DS to K20D. The camera served me well for about two years before I decided to go K-5. Sold it to a very happy friend, and sold his K-r for this 
I practically lives in a tropical rain forest, it rained hell and the weather is damp and wet all year long. My K20D accompanied my trips into deep forest, streams, creeks. I also love camping days on the seashores, so my K20D befriends sea breeze, sand and dust. Mind you, I have no WR lens, but as long as I did not toss it head-first in a river, I know it will survive. I love photography, but I don't care much about cleaning gears everyday, so this camera have survived both weather and abuse. There was a time I really treated this camera really really bad, hoping that it will defunct, so there will be a reason for me to get it replaced, but it simply won't die on me. It did not give up, never, ever, presumably because of it's build to last forever. Damn!
I praised K20D battery life. I'm not a 'one shot one kill' photographer, I like doing exploration shots, I'm a trigger happy guy. I full-charge the battery and it'll stay 'full' for hundreds upon hundreds of shots. On groups hunting, all my friends worries about their battery life. I don't. I know that when the day is over, there will be enough juice left, even enough for a night shooting session. If I'm going to wander in the woods or beaches for days, I'd attach the BG with an extra battery, and I will return happy with thousands great images.
I've owned K100Ds, seen K10D, K-x, and K-r shots, and K20D is very reliable shooting at 'default' setting. While other bodies must compensate up and down to get naturally perfect image, K20D's image is just right, no need to wiggle with settings, and outcome a crisp, sharp, WB-correct images. I could push the saturation up very high, yet there's no 'yellowing' effect suffered by other bodies.
AF is better to previous models, but inferior to K-r. I had a film SF-1 and cursed the absence of AF illumination on K20D. Pentax should have put it there, and in all of other bodies, since it helped a lot when focusing in dark. Everybody knows that Pentax lags when it comes to AF, but I shoot mainly with legacy MF lens anyway.
Don't buy negative reviews about K20D ISO, it's not that bad, it's ISO performance is good up to 800 -or 1600 if shooting in less dark condition -but K20D sensor is really not build for night shoots and long exposures. I'm into long exposures lately, so yes, finally I found a reason to upgrade.
K20D represents everything Pentax. I know that you could only get it used these days, but if you're looking for a reliable camera you can abuse, yet still giving a perfect results, buy this, no regrets.
| | | | | Site Supporter Registered: October, 2006 Location: North Face of Mount Shasta Posts: 120
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: February 29, 2012 | Recommended | Price: $1,000.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | IQ - Build - ISO Performance - Responsiveness - Ergonomics - Sealing - Image Stabalization | | Cons: | AF for fast moving subjects, Burst speed slower than comp | | Years Owned: 3.5
Ergonomics: 10
Build Quality: 10
User Interface: 9
Autofocus: 7
Features: 9
Value: 9
Image Quality: 9
Noise: 8
New or Used: New
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This purchase has been one of the best purchases I've ever made. There has been times that I wish that Pentax had the same after-market support that Nikon & Canon enjoy, but when you weigh some of the advantages of this system, it was the right choice for me.
Given the generation of this body, it is hard to fault some of the issues that have been cited here as weaknesses. It's ISO performance is quite good for it's generation, image quality, resolution and features compete well with the competition of it's day (and no slouch by today's standards).
The only real negative with the K20d is the auto focus' inability to deal with moving subjects.
If you are mainly interested in static subjects such as portraits, landscapes, macro, etc., the K20d is still one hell of a deal given they can now be had for less than $500.
I'm glad I chose this system and I'm looking forward to upgrading to whatever succeeds the K5. I will keep my K20d for the foreseeable future as a very competent second body.
| | | | | Closed Account Registered: November, 2008 Location: The edge of nowhere, Alberta, Canada Posts: 467
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: December 31, 2011 | Recommended | Price: $900.00
| Rating: 7 |
| Pros: | Image quality, ergonomics | | Cons: | Autofocus speed and accuracy, noise at higher ISO | | Years Owned: 3
Ergonomics: 10
Build Quality: 10
User Interface: 10
Autofocus: 4
Features: 9
Value: 9
Image Quality: 10
Noise: 6
New or Used: New
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Now that I'm no longer trying to sell my K20D, I can be brutally honest about its shortcomings. But to be fair, I also need to mention why I would still recommend this camera even though I've now moved up to the K-5.
First, the good news. In situations where you can keep ISO low (400 and below), image quality is fantastic. I also found the ergonomics to be pretty much a masterpiece; in fact, if I could transfer the button layout to the K-5, the latter would be as close to a perfect camera as one could get, in my opinion.
However, strengths aside, the autofocus (AF) performance and higher ISO noise of the K20D are its Achilles Heels, to say the least. My first SLR had been a film one, a Canon Elan IIE, and never once did I have a problem with how it focused. In fact, I can't recall more than a very few situations when I ever used manual focus (MF); I think I used it more out of curiosity than due to any failure of the AF.
Six years after selling my Canon and using a point-and-shoot digital, I bought the K20D, my first DSLR, and automatically assumed that the AF would be spot-on; after all, this camera was 12 years newer in terms of technology than my old Canon was, right? WRONG!!!!! From the moment I attached my first lens, AF in anything but bright conditions was usually a struggle and often a downright frustration. With all but my DA 35mm Macro Limited, I was definitely using MF more than I was using AF in slightly to moderately dim situations, but I also still had to resort to MF a certain amount even in some brighter conditions.
Another frustration is the level of noise at higher ISOs. I realize that not many other DSLRs were much better than the K20D at the time, but in situations where flash was impractical (ex. hockey arena) or not allowed (ex. wedding ceremony) and I was forced to shoot upwards of ISO 1,250 (the absolute highest I was willing to go), I was not impressed with what I got, even after post-processing.
Therefore, once I got my hands on a K-5 for the first time about a year ago, I was astonished at how much faster and more accurate it was than the K20D in these respects. I finally had my hands on a Pentax DSLR that was pretty much as awesome as my old Canon film SLR was with AF! Couple that with how I was able to go up to ISO 6,400 and get about the same amount of noise as ISO 1,250 on the K20D and I was sold.
Some might consider this review too harsh in the sense that I've based it so much upon AF and high ISO performance. True, AF is of little or no importance to the Pentax user shooting manual lenses, or the user more concerned about landscape or studio photography that can be shot at ISO 400 or less. For people like this, I recommend the K20D hands-down since it can also now be found at very attractive prices.
However, for people like me who were getting upset at how Canon and Nikon AF performance was putting the K20D to shame, even with some of their cheaper cameras, and nailing shots in lower light or faster action situations, I eventually reached the breaking point of frustration. I grew tired of struggling to get better shots in these situations despite my years of experience. People like me who shoot a certain percentage of photos that require fast, accurate focus in lower light situations can quickly get frustrated by the limitations of the K20D, and therefore I cannot recommend it in these situations.
So the K20D is a camera that you need to carefully consider purchasing based upon what you want to shoot: If it suits your style and method of photography, you will be immensely satisfied. If you're forced to push it to its limits, however, you will likely be dissatisfied more often than not.
| | | | | Forum Member Registered: November, 2008 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 88
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: October 20, 2011 | Recommended | Price: $700.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Build quality, price, IQ | | Cons: | Not the fastest AF or best ISO (nowadays...) | |
Well I thought it's probably about time to post my review 
This camera has been as solid as a rock and has never missed a beat in my 3 years of ownership. It has seen snow, rain, mud, weddings, messy hands, jungles and sweat! The body is reassuringly hefty (not cumbersome, but large) so that bigger lenses don't dwarf the body. I remember mounting a DA* 16-50mm to a k-x and it looked insane! All was back to normal on the gripped K20d though Having said that, it's also a great travel camera when a 40mm is strapped on the front. Not pocketable, but not far off either.
I think at the time, this camera was a ravingly good deal - I got it with cashback from Pentax, knocking £100 off the price. It was such a great deal that I actually considered selling it 6 months later for a profit. Thankfully I didn't! The only thing that seems to be truly lagging now is the AF, but I'm not keen on being too dependent on it anyway. So much so that i use the DA lenses in Quick-shift manual all the time and only auto focus using the AF button. Works a treat
Even years after it's release you can still get stellar images from it, as you can from a lot of older cameras which are now on the scrap-heap. I think there's a chance people are going to start buying 'old' pro cameras (D2X, S5 pro) and get stunning results. My view is that people are going to start seeing drastically diminishing returns from high end cameras - when you think of what more you could want from something like the K-5 / D7000 / 5D mkII, you are essentially splitting hairs!
So if you want something that feels like it will last another decade and serve you like a loyal pet - go get one (cheap) !
| | | | | Inactive Account Registered: December, 2008 Location: Zagreb, Croatia Posts: 533
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: December 18, 2010 | Recommended | Price: $1,000.00
| Rating: 7 |
| Pros: | WR, customisable, K mount
| | Cons: | too large for me, poor high ISO performance, poor low light AF
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| Pros | WR, customisable, K mount | | Cons | too large for me, poor high ISO performance, poor low light AF | | Rating | 7 | | Price (U.S. Dollars) | 1000 | | Years Owned | 2 |
I can recommend this camera: Yes
Value, Features, Performance & Size
great value, packed with features, weather resistant, great built
Camera Review
Since this is a review of the K20d in 2010 (almost 2011), I'll try to put it in today perspective (but also depict my past experience).
First of all, I have to say that the camera was a sort of a let down for me. Why? I bought it for all the wrong reasons. This was my first DSLR and as all n00bs do, I spent most of my money on the body which, in the end, was too advanced for me. It would have been a lot better If I went with the k200 and a DA 40 Ltd.
What were "all the wrong reasons" ? Well, I thought every DSLR had great AF under low light and great high ISO performance. It doesn't. The K20d didn't. It was almost useless for me under low light with the kit lens. In those conditions, white balance was mostly off also. These are my main 2 gripes with it. My third gripe was that It was too big for me. Because of that It was mostly left at home. Notice how buying a k200 and a DA 40 Ltd would fix all my problems with it? Newbies learn from my experience!  Put your money in lenses, not body!
Also, by even by 2008. standards, it is slow (3fps) and lacks video implementation.
What was good about it? The colors. I love Pentax colors. LOVE em! It does a great color rendition of skies and rocks and has nice greens. Also, AF under good light was good. Under good conditions, the image quality was great. It has a great build (you can feel the quality). WR was a bonus, since I hike and shoot climbing. It has 2 dials. Can't imagine having a camera without 2 dials now.
So, now would be a good time for a conclusion. As I said, It was a "sort of" letdown for me. But not a complete one. We had good moments and it introduced me to Pentax.
Today, in 2010/11, would I recommend a K20d. Yes! To who? To anyone who want's to learn photography on the cheap. It's a great body, and coupled with a M42 converter and some M42 glass, it's a winner combo. Just don't except to shoot low light indoors with fast AF.
Also, by even by 2008. standards, it is slow (3fps) and lacks video implementation.
| | | | | New Member Registered: May, 2016 Posts: 6 | | Review Date: February 29, 2024 | Recommended | Price: None indicated
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Colours,contrast, shadows etc. | | Cons: | Lowlight AF | | Ergonomics: 10
Build Quality: 10
User Interface: 10
Autofocus: 8
Features: 10
Value: 10
Image Quality: 10
Noise: 9
New or Used: Used
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K20D. I love it. Great colours, great contrast, artistic DR, Does not lose details and contrast at all iSO etc.I like all the photos I took with the k20D
I take photos for fun. I used Pentax k100d Super,K20D,KR,K7,K5,K5IIs, Nikon d300,d90,d700 and Canon 40D. My favorite camera K20D
If you are taking photos of moving objects in low light,K20D is not for you.Other than that, it's a great camera.
 | | | | | Senior Member Registered: July, 2022 Location: Ocala, FL Posts: 115 | | Review Date: March 13, 2023 | Recommended | Price: $75.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Rugged, Feature Rich, Ergonomic | | Cons: | Not too much | | Years Owned: 1
Ergonomics: 8
Build Quality: 9
User Interface: 9
Autofocus: 7
Features: 7
Value: 10
Image Quality: 8
Noise: 8
New or Used: Used
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This is a camera that I purchased simply because it came with a Pentax FA 50mm F1.4 strapped to it's nose for under a hundred bucks.
I thought this camera was going to behave like a K7 - the one K series camera I disliked enough to sell outright.
The K7 had noise such that I only used mine for shooting at base iso with flash or with B&W picture settings because the grain kind of blended into black and whites much better - I really really disliked this, your milage may vary, but for me this issue put me off so much I skipped it.
I got the K20D and found the noise was much less, the camera is well made and ergonomic, it takes decent pictures at 14mp and with good glass it behaves admirably.
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: December, 2017 Posts: 469 | | Review Date: August 5, 2019 | Recommended | Price: $650.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | Well balanced, excellent ergonomics, RAW files are great. | | Cons: | higher ISO settings generate noise. | | Years Owned: 9
Ergonomics: 9
Build Quality: 9
User Interface: 8
Autofocus: 6
Features: 9
Value: 9
Image Quality: 9
Noise: 6
New or Used: New
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I am into my fourth K20d. Was about to move to more recent models when my eye caught a glimpse of quality problems.
These are unknown to me with older generation bodies.
Found me another K20d in near mint condition to replace the stolen one.
I use low ISO and do most of the shooting with MF lenses with auto aperture.
Older lenses give me exactly what I want besides full control over the settings.
I seldom use AF, so the limited performance of the older bodies does not bother me.
After the K20d I will probably find me a decent K5 II.
New bodies? I am quite happy to let others do the research to find out later what I should have avoided.
Nothing beats experience in regard to women and cameras.
I am surprised by some of the negative reviews of the K20d.
Maybe some users have their expectations too high.
To me the K20d gives excellent results using legacy lenses and MF.
Pictures of my Hasselblad 1600F camera. Build in 1952, fully restored in good working order. A legendary camera.
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