Pentax K20D SD Cards

McLaughlin · 03-21-2021, 01:53 PM

Does this camera have a limitation on the capacity of an SD card it can use? I usually use 16GB cards and never fill them up. No Problems. I tried formatting (just to see how it worked) a 128 GB card but it always gives an error message and does not format. If so, what's the limit?

Jack McL

Adam · 03-21-2021, 02:02 PM

Check out this article for a breakdown:

Comprehensive SD Card Guide for Photographers - Articles and Tips | PentaxForums.com

The TLDR is that you can use up to 32gb cards, but those must be SDHC and not SDXC.

C_Jones · 03-21-2021, 02:02 PM

Please note the following address goes to an earlier post and answers that may answer your question. It appears to be an up to 32 GB card.

SD cards for K20D - PentaxForums.com

reh321 · 03-21-2021, 02:27 PM

Originally posted by McLaughlin

Does this camera have a limitation on the capacity of an SD card it can use? I usually use 16GB cards and never fill them up. No Problems. I tried formatting (just to see how it worked) a 128 GB card but it always gives an error message and does not format. If so, what's the limit?

I'm not sure of the answer to your question - but I can give the following answer: I got some 64gb cards on sale two years ago. They worked correctly at first, but started failing after a few times. I eventually discovered that cards larger than 32gb were formatted using "EXFAT", a mode invented by Microsoft for larger areas of memory, and that eventually caused problems for my cameras other than my Q-7 - which is still using the 64gb card from back then. Since then, I have personally limited myself to 32gb cards, which is plenty large for me.

dbs · 03-21-2021, 02:54 PM

Hi Jack

Basically the card types that were around at camera launch are all you can use ( sdhc ).
Do you have a more recent camera for the 128 gb card ? So that you can do another reformat and hopefully it will work.

Dave

35mmfilmfan · 03-21-2021, 03:25 PM

32 GB SDHC cards - when shooting RAW, expect about 1100 - 1200 shots per card, so basically two to three cards per year.

Added info:

Format the card in the camera, not in Windows - Windows puts hidden files on the card, which the camera cannot read. Or else use the Windows utility SDFormatter :

https://www.sdcard.org/downloads/formatter/sd-memory-card-formatter-for-windows-download/

pschlute · 03-21-2021, 03:36 PM

K20D is 10 years old now ? Tech improves every year. Old cameras don't.

stevebrot · 03-21-2021, 07:31 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by pschlute

K20D is 10 years old now ?

Released 2008! 13 years!

Steve

dbs · 03-21-2021, 07:44 PM

Originally posted by stevebrot

Released 2008! 13 years!

Steve

Feels like a couple of years ago to me..

I have a K5 and have to remember not to get the latest and greatest new cards ..

35mmfilmfan · 03-22-2021, 01:09 AM

Still happy with mine.

03-21-2021, 01:53 PM	#1
McLaughlin New Member Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Hoschton, Georgia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8	Pentax K20D SD Cards Does this camera have a limitation on the capacity of an SD card it can use? I usually use 16GB cards and never fill them up. No Problems. I tried formatting (just to see how it worked) a 128 GB card but it always gives an error message and does not format. If so, what's the limit? Jack McL

03-21-2021, 02:02 PM	#2
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,594	Check out this article for a breakdown: Comprehensive SD Card Guide for Photographers - Articles and Tips \| PentaxForums.com The TLDR is that you can use up to 32gb cards, but those must be SDHC and not SDXC. Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

03-21-2021, 02:02 PM	#3
C_Jones Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: NY Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,079	Please note the following address goes to an earlier post and answers that may answer your question. It appears to be an up to 32 GB card. SD cards for K20D - PentaxForums.com Last edited by C_Jones; 03-21-2021 at 02:10 PM.

03-21-2021, 03:25 PM	#6
35mmfilmfan Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Norfolk, UK Posts: 4,322	32 GB SDHC cards - when shooting RAW, expect about 1100 - 1200 shots per card, so basically two to three cards per year. Added info: Format the card in the camera, not in Windows - Windows puts hidden files on the card, which the camera cannot read. Or else use the Windows utility SDFormatter : https://www.sdcard.org/downloads/formatter/sd-memory-card-formatter-for-windows-download/ Last edited by 35mmfilmfan; 03-22-2021 at 01:08 AM. Reason: Added info and suggestion

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03-21-2021, 02:27 PM	#4
reh321 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: South Bend, IN, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,177	Originally posted by McLaughlin Does this camera have a limitation on the capacity of an SD card it can use? I usually use 16GB cards and never fill them up. No Problems. I tried formatting (just to see how it worked) a 128 GB card but it always gives an error message and does not format. If so, what's the limit? I'm not sure of the answer to your question - but I can give the following answer: I got some 64gb cards on sale two years ago. They worked correctly at first, but started failing after a few times. I eventually discovered that cards larger than 32gb were formatted using "EXFAT", a mode invented by Microsoft for larger areas of memory, and that eventually caused problems for my cameras other than my Q-7 - which is still using the 64gb card from back then. Since then, I have personally limited myself to 32gb cards, which is plenty large for me.

03-21-2021, 02:54 PM	#5
dbs Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Clare Valley S A Photos: Albums Posts: 7,563	Hi Jack Basically the card types that were around at camera launch are all you can use ( sdhc ). Do you have a more recent camera for the 128 gb card ? So that you can do another reformat and hopefully it will work. Dave

03-21-2021, 03:36 PM	#7
pschlute Moderator Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Surrey, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,192	K20D is 10 years old now ? Tech improves every year. Old cameras don't.

03-21-2021, 07:31 PM - 1 Like	#8
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by pschlute K20D is 10 years old now ? Released 2008! 13 years! Steve

03-21-2021, 07:44 PM	#9
dbs Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Clare Valley S A Photos: Albums Posts: 7,563	Originally posted by stevebrot Released 2008! 13 years! Steve Feels like a couple of years ago to me.. I have a K5 and have to remember not to get the latest and greatest new cards ..

03-22-2021, 01:09 AM	#10
35mmfilmfan Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Norfolk, UK Posts: 4,322	Still happy with mine.

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