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

Pentax K20D