Maximum resolution 14.6 megapixels | Recording medium SD, SDHC | |
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Type digital single-lens reflex camera Lens Interchangeable Pentax KAF2 mount compatible with Pentax auto-aperture lenses; older lenses supported in stop-down metering mode. Sensor CMOS active pixel sensor with a primary color filter ASA/ISO range ISO Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, boosted: 6400 | ||
The Pentax K20D and its clone, the Samsung GX-20, are 14.6 megapixel digital single-lens reflex cameras manufactured by Pentax that were announced on January 23, 2008. The K20D was available in the U.S. market from February 2008 through autumn 2009.
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The K20D and GX-20 bodies were developed by Pentax, while the CMOS sensor was manufactured by Samsung - a result of a partnership begun in 2005. Although both cameras share similar hardware, each camera has its own design, firmware, and image processing algorithms. The K20D is the first Pentax DSLR with a CMOS image sensor co-developed by Pentax and Samsung. Samsung's expertise in sensor design is seen as a major benefit to Pentax, which did not release its first DSLR until 2003, when most other camera manufacturers had already established themselves in the growing digital SLR market.
At the time of their release, the K20D and GX-20 had the highest resolution sensor in the APS-C image sensor format at 14.6 megapixels. In 2009, Pentax announced the K-7, the successor to the K20D, with a modified CMOS sensor, smaller design, and many new features including HD video recording.
The latest firmware release, version 1.04, was made available in April 2010. It solved issues with certain SDHC memory cards. The previous firmware update, version 1.03, was made available in April 2009 and improved Shake Reduction (SR) accuracy as well as autofocus performance in some conditions. Users can download firmware updates from the Pentax website.
Features
The K20D is the successor to the well-reviewed Pentax K10D prosumer DSLR. The K20D was released alongside the Pentax K200D, a substantial upgrade of the entry-level Pentax K100D. Relative to its predecessor, the K20D offers:
As of August 2009, the MSRP of the K20D body in the U.S market was $629. The price with a DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 II lens kit was $699.
Samsung GX-20
Under a partnership between Pentax and Samsung Techwin, the K20D was also available as the Samsung GX-20. The two cameras were virtually identical with a few small differences. Button text labels used a slightly smaller font, while the buttons themselves were slightly different in shape and placement. In addition, the hand grip was a slightly different shape, meaning that the battery grip for the K20D was incompatible with the GX-20. A separate GX-20 battery grip was available.
The firmware of the Samsung GX-20 is also different, using different menus and symbols. It also lacks support for the Pentax PEF raw image format, reportedly opting for Adobe's RAW format instead. The JPEG image processing of the GX-20 is reportedly different from that of the K20D.