Amateur Photographer Magazine

March UK debut for Pentax K20D

Thursday 24th January 2008

Chris Cheesman

Pentax has today announced plans to launch the 14.6MP K20D.

Speaking at a press launch in Dubai, Gabriele Remmers, marketing communications manager for Pentax Europe, described the K20D as a 'mid-range' model.

It will be available in March at a body only price of £899.99. The K20D will also be out in a £999.99 kit which includes a 18-55mm lens.

Designed to 'build on the success' of Pentax's K10D the K20D uses a CMOS imaging sensor (the K10D uses a CCD chip).

Improvements over the K10D include a larger 2.7in screen, Live View and the addition of a X-sync socket for studio flash.

Weighing 715g the K20D contains an equivalent ISO sensitivity of 100-6400 and borrows the Shake Reduction technology from its K10D sister which it is expected to eventually replace.

Compatible with SD and SDHC memory cards the KAF2-mount camera features 11-point AF with nine cross-sensors (SAFOX VIII AF system) and individual AF point selection.

Pentax describes the camera's 'pixel mapping' capability as follows: 'Pixel mapping interpolates failed pixels, avoiding disturbing white spots in the final image. This function is completed automatically by the camera so that annoying and time-consuming retouching can be avoided'.

More details will appear in AP's 2 February issue, due in shops on 29 January and available to subscribers from Saturday 26 January.

See the full specification here

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