Pentax K20D vs Nikon D700 at The Online Photographer

cateto · 12-01-2008, 05:04 AM

The Online Photographer is a reference site, this is no news for anybody here I guess.

Well, in their last entries, they are trying the Nikon D700; and in those comments, there is a very interesting and meaningful comparison between the Pentax K20D and the Nikon D700. And a surprising one, BTW.

No spoils here: just go there if you are interested.

The Nikon D700: the new 400

High ISO vs. Image Stabilization

Besides, Mike Johnston (owner of The Online Photographer) stated that he's about to post his last word on the K20D. Hence: stay tuned!

**krs** · 12-01-2008, 02:01 PM

An interesting read - thanks for posting!

Jonson PL · 12-01-2008, 02:28 PM

Thanks, very impressive. The K20 sure handles well.

benjikan · 12-01-2008, 04:54 PM

Being that I generally shoot at 100 iso and rarely at 400, the quality of the K20D (as I said in an earlier post) is as good as the Canon 1DS Mkll.

Ben

jsherman999 · 12-01-2008, 09:31 PM

Originally posted by benjikan

Being that I generally shoot at 100 iso and rarely at 400, the quality of the K20D (as I said in an earlier post) is as good as the Canon 1DS Mkll.

Ben

The following quote from that article agrees with what you've been saying since day-1 regarding the K20D, Ben:

Quote:

Ultimately, I suspect the image quality (IQ) of the K20D is better than that of the Nikon D700, as I shall try to demonstrate in due course. The Pentax has somewhat higher resolution and better detail; it has slightly tastier, richer color than I've so far eked out of the Nikon. But that's only if you're able to use the K20D within its limitations—meaning, at normal sensitivities. That's a big "if," turns out. Where the D700 just obliterates the K20D—and every other digital camera I've ever used, save the D3—is at high ISO's.

They go on to say at ISO 1600, 3200 and 6400, the Nikon D700 pulls away from everything else, But at ISO 800 and less the K20D is actually a tad better.

Nice.

.

Gus · 12-01-2008, 10:00 PM

Thank for you this post. The IS vs high ISO dilemma is exactly what kept me from crossing over to Nikon and buying a system that would be 4 times as expensive. While the D700 is surely a fantastic camera, and IS surely can't freeze motion, I still couldn't justify the cost for such a narrow advantage in speed.

I winded up upgrading from the K10D to the K20D for a very marginal difference in cost.

cpopham · 12-01-2008, 10:13 PM

Originally posted by Gus

and IS surely can't freeze motion

And while it can't, it CAN do something high ISO can't - help when using a slower shutter speed to intentionally blur a moving object while keeping the scene sharp.

At exactly the most common usage scenario though.

vitalsax · 12-01-2008, 11:01 PM

I did a comparison with the k20d against all FFs and the k20d wins all the times.

here's the D700 vs k20d on the right side

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3286/3068962760_1174311fe0_o.jpg

vic barper.

Gus · 12-01-2008, 11:06 PM

I'm guessing the K20D is the one on the left?

Edit: I messed up, again. It's the other left, the one on the right, right?

lurchlarson · 12-01-2008, 11:08 PM

That's why I'm saving my $. As soon as I can afford it (college is expensive) I'm getting myself one. Granted, by the time I've saved up the money for a k20 they'll prolly be on the k40...

.

I'm happy with the ME Super for now.

vitalsax · 12-01-2008, 11:20 PM

Originally posted by Gus

I'm guessing the K20D is the one on the left?

Edit: I messed up, again. It's the other left, the one on the right, right?

k20d is the one on the right side( the one with more detail

Gus · 12-01-2008, 11:39 PM

Interesting difference. Of course, this could very well be lens dependent, but still impressive.

cateto · 12-02-2008, 02:04 AM

What I find rather shocking is that someone like Mike (whose prestige in the world of photography is out of discussion) states such a "sacrilege" (for some people) as that the image quality of the K20D outperforms that of D700 up to ISO 800.

It seems that the real connoisseurs are paying attention to the approach used by Pentax, instead of automatically buying the (supposedly) always best quality in canikons. Not bad.

Duplo · 12-02-2008, 07:31 PM

Originally posted by vitalsax

I did a comparison with the k20d against all FFs and the k20d wins all the times.

here's the D700 vs k20d on the right side

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3286/3068962760_1174311fe0_o.jpg

vic barper.

How did you process the images, from RAW or in camera jpg?

Originally posted by cateto

The Online Photographer is a reference site, this is no news for anybody here I guess.

Well, in their last entries, they are trying the Nikon D700; and in those comments, there is a very interesting and meaningful comparison between the Pentax K20D and the Nikon D700. And a surprising one, BTW.

No spoils here: just go there if you are interested.

The Nikon D700: the new 400

High ISO vs. Image Stabilization

Besides, Mike Johnston (owner of The Online Photographer) stated that he's about to post his last word on the K20D. Hence: stay tuned!

Yes and another very reliable guy from LL stated that his G10 equaled his hassy 39MP digital back...

Does that mean the G10 is better than the K20D when used within its performance window?

:-)

mattdm · 12-02-2008, 07:57 PM

T.O.P. is a photography site, not a gear guide or number-crunching exercise. It rarely stoops to this pixel-peeping kind of thing, so in a way it's more interesting than average when they do.

The point of the exercise isn't really to compare the two camera bodies, but to answer the question: does low-noise high ISO sensitivity trump shake reduction?

12-01-2008, 05:04 AM	#1
cateto Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Spain Posts: 189	Pentax K20D vs Nikon D700 at The Online Photographer The Online Photographer is a reference site, this is no news for anybody here I guess. Well, in their last entries, they are trying the Nikon D700; and in those comments, there is a very interesting and meaningful comparison between the Pentax K20D and the Nikon D700. And a surprising one, BTW. No spoils here: just go there if you are interested. The Nikon D700: the new 400 High ISO vs. Image Stabilization Besides, Mike Johnston (owner of The Online Photographer) stated that he's about to post his last word on the K20D. Hence: stay tuned!

12-01-2008, 10:00 PM	#6
Gus Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 71	Thank for you this post. The IS vs high ISO dilemma is exactly what kept me from crossing over to Nikon and buying a system that would be 4 times as expensive. While the D700 is surely a fantastic camera, and IS surely can't freeze motion, I still couldn't justify the cost for such a narrow advantage in speed. I winded up upgrading from the K10D to the K20D for a very marginal difference in cost. Last edited by Gus; 12-01-2008 at 10:15 PM.

12-01-2008, 11:06 PM	#9
Gus Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 71	I'm guessing the K20D is the one on the left? Edit: I messed up, again. It's the other left, the one on the right, right? Last edited by Gus; 12-01-2008 at 11:10 PM. Reason: Correction

12-01-2008, 11:08 PM	#10
lurchlarson Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Oregon, USA Photos: Albums Posts: 681	That's why I'm saving my $. As soon as I can afford it (college is expensive) I'm getting myself one. Granted, by the time I've saved up the money for a k20 they'll prolly be on the k40.... I'm happy with the ME Super for now.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Pentax K5 or Nikon D700??? Help!!!	conradcjc	Pentax K-5 & K-5 II	83	09-05-2011 12:31 PM
For Sale - Sold: Nikon D700 w/Nikon Battery Grip, Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 16-35mm f/4G ED VR II (US)	luke0622	Sold Items	1	11-04-2010 10:41 AM
Nikon D700 VS PENTAX	dylansalt	Pentax DSLR Discussion	138	07-05-2009 11:11 PM
Nikon D700 vs. K20D	Michaelina2	Pentax DSLR Discussion	12	12-01-2008 02:30 PM
Hot: The Online Photographer puts K20D in top 10, better image quality than D300"	cateto	Pentax News and Rumors	28	06-18-2008 07:16 AM

12-01-2008, 02:01 PM	#2
krs Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: St. Louis, MO Photos: Gallery Posts: 395	An interesting read - thanks for posting!

12-01-2008, 02:28 PM	#3
Jonson PL Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Copenhagen Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,842	Thanks, very impressive. The K20 sure handles well.

12-01-2008, 04:54 PM	#4
benjikan Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Paris, France Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,308	Being that I generally shoot at 100 iso and rarely at 400, the quality of the K20D (as I said in an earlier post) is as good as the Canon 1DS Mkll. Ben

12-01-2008, 09:31 PM	#5
jsherman999 Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,237	Originally posted by benjikan Being that I generally shoot at 100 iso and rarely at 400, the quality of the K20D (as I said in an earlier post) is as good as the Canon 1DS Mkll. Ben The following quote from that article agrees with what you've been saying since day-1 regarding the K20D, Ben: Quote: Ultimately, I suspect the image quality (IQ) of the K20D is better than that of the Nikon D700, as I shall try to demonstrate in due course. The Pentax has somewhat higher resolution and better detail; it has slightly tastier, richer color than I've so far eked out of the Nikon. But that's only if you're able to use the K20D within its limitations—meaning, at normal sensitivities. That's a big "if," turns out. Where the D700 just obliterates the K20D—and every other digital camera I've ever used, save the D3—is at high ISO's. They go on to say at ISO 1600, 3200 and 6400, the Nikon D700 pulls away from everything else, But at ISO 800 and less the K20D is actually a tad better. Nice. .

12-01-2008, 10:13 PM	#7
cpopham Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Auckland Posts: 553	Originally posted by Gus and IS surely can't freeze motion And while it can't, it CAN do something high ISO can't - help when using a slower shutter speed to intentionally blur a moving object while keeping the scene sharp. At exactly the most common usage scenario though.

12-01-2008, 11:01 PM	#8
vitalsax Inactive Account Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: U.S. /Miami - Florida. Posts: 208	I did a comparison with the k20d against all FFs and the k20d wins all the times. here's the D700 vs k20d on the right side http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3286/3068962760_1174311fe0_o.jpg vic barper.

12-01-2008, 11:20 PM	#11
vitalsax Inactive Account Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: U.S. /Miami - Florida. Posts: 208	Originally posted by Gus I'm guessing the K20D is the one on the left? Edit: I messed up, again. It's the other left, the one on the right, right? k20d is the one on the right side( the one with more detail

12-01-2008, 11:39 PM	#12
Gus Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 71	Interesting difference. Of course, this could very well be lens dependent, but still impressive.

12-02-2008, 02:04 AM	#13
cateto Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Spain Posts: 189 Original Poster	What I find rather shocking is that someone like Mike (whose prestige in the world of photography is out of discussion) states such a "sacrilege" (for some people) as that the image quality of the K20D outperforms that of D700 up to ISO 800. It seems that the real connoisseurs are paying attention to the approach used by Pentax, instead of automatically buying the (supposedly) always best quality in canikons. Not bad.

12-02-2008, 07:31 PM	#14
Duplo Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Copenhagen Photos: Gallery Posts: 924	Originally posted by vitalsax I did a comparison with the k20d against all FFs and the k20d wins all the times. here's the D700 vs k20d on the right side http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3286/3068962760_1174311fe0_o.jpg vic barper. How did you process the images, from RAW or in camera jpg? Originally posted by cateto The Online Photographer is a reference site, this is no news for anybody here I guess. Well, in their last entries, they are trying the Nikon D700; and in those comments, there is a very interesting and meaningful comparison between the Pentax K20D and the Nikon D700. And a surprising one, BTW. No spoils here: just go there if you are interested. The Nikon D700: the new 400 High ISO vs. Image Stabilization Besides, Mike Johnston (owner of The Online Photographer) stated that he's about to post his last word on the K20D. Hence: stay tuned! Yes and another very reliable guy from LL stated that his G10 equaled his hassy 39MP digital back... Does that mean the G10 is better than the K20D when used within its performance window? :-)

12-02-2008, 07:57 PM	#15
mattdm Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Boston, MA Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,948	T.O.P. is a photography site, not a gear guide or number-crunching exercise. It rarely stoops to this pixel-peeping kind of thing, so in a way it's more interesting than average when they do. The point of the exercise isn't really to compare the two camera bodies, but to answer the question: does low-noise high ISO sensitivity trump shake reduction?