K20d

[Matthew_Buchan]

Has anyone got one of these?
What is the reliability like on this model?



Matt

[john60wales]

Matt,
Never has the K20D but I did have the K10D [which is pretty similar]... & to be honest I loved it! It never let me down [until dropped from a balcony abroad]. The only downside [as far as I'm concerned] was the focus speed - it certainly wasn't the best! I don't think the K20D was a hell of a lot different to the K10D - apart from a few more pixels. I even accidentally left it out in a thunderstorm a while back - & it was fine [lens was screwed mind]... so as long as you don't get too drunk ... & drop it from a 1st floor balcony onto concrete... it should last you a long time

Cheers
John

[Matthew_Buchan]

Thanks John
I think I will keep in mind not to drink whilst I have the camera with me lol.
Would you recommend it as an entry level DSLR?
Do they have a the K mount fitting for the lenses?



Matt

[GDN]

K20D is a great camera (I had the K10D before it). It is a step up from the K10D, but can also be used by a novice. It's a camera you can 'grow' into....

[Monobod]

The K20D is a fine camera and the higher resolution over the K10D is very noticeable. Fine detail in distant trees and grass is much better.

I am sure you will not have any problems with reliability. These cameras are as solidly built as a tank, but they are heavy because of that. The weight does have the advantage of stability when shooting with a long lens.

If you can stretch to the K-7, then you will have the added bonus of full live view for macro work and of course video. There are many other refinements on the K-7 that are too many to mention here.

I did own the K10D, then bought the K20D, which I still have along with the K-7. I sold the K10D, but will keep the K20D as a second body.

[GDN]

The K7 has just dropped in price again (after the cash back offer finishes) and is now a staggering £799....

I believe the K20D has now been superceded with the other Pentax cameras K7, K-m and K-x.

[Oggy]

Hi Matthew - welcome to the forum.

I too am very happy with mine. 15 months and still Oggyproof. I find it quite a step up from the K10.

GDN makes a good point about the K7 coming down in price and the K20 is if anything going the other way as they are out of production, but physically they are quite different. If you want something that feels large and chunky, then the K20 is for ypu. The K7 is much smaller.

One correction to GDN's post - I believe the Km is also discontinued.

[GDN]

One correction to GDN's post - I believe the Km is also discontinued.

Ah ok... Guess its time for another new model to be announced/released then... K30D anyone?

[Monobod]

If you look on the Pentax.co.uk website, the following cameras are listed as available:

K-7, K-x, K-m white, K-m, K20D, K200D and the K10D. Seven bodies as I see it.

How on earth does Damien conclude in his editorial (AP 30th Jan 2010) that Pentax only have two bodies?

To my mind, it is this kind of reportage that is discouraging more to buy into the mark, causing the slow down in sales. It certainly isn't the quality of the product. See Angela's head to head with the Canon 7D, it is only the sligtly slower Autofocus and the viewfinder that has lost a point or two. Remember that the 7D is over £1200.

Confused, yes, annoyed, yes I am a bit.

Pentax bashing seems to be the flavour of the month again!

[Oggy]

The Pentax website is out of date. If you look at the dealers' sites such as SRS Microsystems you will find only the K7 and the Kx are available. Both cameras seem to have been received well though.

[dangie]

To my mind, it is this kind of reportage that is discouraging more to buy into the mark, causing the slow down in sales....
....Pentax bashing seems to be the flavour of the month again!

Unfortunately I don't think this will ever go away. Why it is I really don't know.

[Monobod]

If the Pentax site is out of date, then I apologise, but I still get the feeling that there is little done to talk of the merits of the cameras and more about the shortfalls. I have seen little mention for example, of the new K-7 dust removal system, which is far ahead of the competition other than Olympus, who use the same.

We all know that the Pentax autofocus is a tich slow, but it is not really that much of a problem and we are talking comparisons with cameras costing £300 to £400 more such as the 7D.

[Oggy]

The Kx is shaping up to be a great little camera too. It's high ISO performance is well above it's price.

[GDN]

BUT it only takes AA batteries and has fewer features that the K10d, K20d and K7. I'll wait until they put the sensor into a new body...

[Done_rundleCams]

..has now discontinued the K20D and <u>Their warehouse has NO MORE K20D's </u> as I was told last week when inquiring about the availability of a K20D for a customer.

It, of course, is/maybe different in the UK -- warehouse wise -- and there are K20D's in shops, of course

Cheers,

Jack

[Monobod]

And I have one in my bag under my desk! And it is NOT for sale!

[welshwizard645]

I bought one to replace my K10D.

Not regretted, having toyed with the idea of getting a D700, but the K20D is a great camera.

[offertonhatter]

In response to the OP, the K20D is a great camera. The High ISO performance is superior to my K10D and the colour rendition is different. Not better or worse, just different. I still use both the K10D and K20D for different things, and still I am happy. So much so I have held back on the K-7.
Handling wise, no different to the K10D (same body) but has the advantage of X-sync and superior controls in the menus (colour balance settings, 20 fine tune lens corrections etc)
If you can find one, get it. Shame it is not magnesium bodied but its build is great.
Downsides - I had a new sensor after 8 months as all images had a blue stripe on images, but support from pentax was good. Shutter and AF speed still not fast compared to rivals, so dont consider it as a sports camera, or take a LOT more photos!
Is it better than the D300 and EOS50D? well in some ways yes (IQ, handling for me) and no (AF speed, not magnesium, FPS) but it was 2/3rds the price.

As an after thought, if the K-x had the Pentaprism and indicated AF points, then that camera would be the perfect replacement for my *istDS too. Don't worry about AA batteries for the K-x, it does have its advantages.

[JohnHallett]

According to this weeks AP, the Bath branch of LCE have a 5* used on with a 18-55mm for £499. Tel: 01225 462234