Pentax K20D and K200D now official

Manfr3d

If this isn't a statement from Pentax I dont know what is.

Here some specs:

• New 14.6-megapixel CMOS sensor with Dust Reduction. (from samsung not sony)
• Shake Reduction (SR) to 4 Exposure Levels with opto-magnetic sensor 3D.
• 11-point AF with 9 cross sensors and individual AFAnpassung.
• Sensitivity to ISO 100 - 6400.
• 2.7''monitor with 230,000 Dots.
• Pentax KAF2-Lens.
• Free adjustable white balance with bracketing function.
• 14 bit analog converter.
• File formats: JPEG into 4 stages, RAW (optional DNG, PEF or format) .
• Preview features: real-time view, and Optical Digital Preview.
• Optional battery grip, removable disks Matt.
• SD and SDHC Memory Cards.
• Dimensions: 141.5 (W) x 101 (H) x 70 (T) mm, Weight: 715 grams (without battery and
SD memory card) .
• EUR 1299, - in a set with 18-55mm II.

If you read the links below pay attention to the
different exposure modes that the camera is
capable of, quite interesting.

K20D Hands On:
http://www.dpreview.com/news/0801/08012312pentaxk20dhandson.asp
K20D Specs:
http://www.dpreview.com/news/0801/08012311pentaxk20d.asp
K200D Specs:
http://www.dpreview.com/news/0801/08012310pentaxtk200d.asp

ziggy53

Oh wow! I think Pentax may be serious about staying "in the game". clap

The tests, especially comparative tests, should be interesting.

FWIW, I have a friend with a Pentax K100D and he produces some really nice results. I sent him an e-mail to see if he was aware of the K20D.

Did you see Pentax is also introducing some new lenses?

http://www.dpreview.com/news/0801/08012309pentaxlenses.asp

swintonphoto

I was happy to see these announcements. They look like really great cameras. Hopefully the Pentax users here are excited!

jdryan3

Even as a current Canon user, I'm glad to see Pentax still in the game. Brings back fond memories of the mid-70s when that is what my friends all used just as I got into photography.

largelylivin

As a happy K10D owner, the only question is how long I can hold out!

Missing from the 'specs': also sports a one button-one click 3/5 auto exposure bracketing feature for up to +/-2 ev, new X-sync, and a new high capacity battery for up to 750 exposures, but still compatible with the K10D's battery grip.

Hey, is the adapter for 645 and 67 lenses new?

Are they ever going to start shipping the their 300/f2.8?

MarkR

ziggy53 wrote:

Oh wow! I think Pentax may be serious about staying "in the game". clap

The tests, especially comparative tests, should be interesting.

FWIW, I have a friend with a Pentax K100D and he produces some really nice results. I sent him an e-mail to see if he was aware of the K20D.

Did you see Pentax is also introducing some new lenses?

http://www.dpreview.com/news/0801/08012309pentaxlenses.asp

New lenses:

The SDM lenses are mad-money. I'm sure if you have to have one, you'll pay the price, but still ... WAY out of my league.

35mm Macro looks intriguing. I would think that it would appeal to those who want a 50mm-equivelant walk around lens, which also has macro capability.

Not sure that the kit lens, MKII is going to turn any heads. Be interested to see how it compares to the original kit lens (which, stopped down, is much better than I gave it credit for initially.) EDIT: from the website: "This lens has improved resolution to match with high resolution sensors and PENTAX SP coating which protects the exposed lens elements." Problems with the original kit lens and the K20d?

I have to assume that the 55-300 is replacing the 50-200mm lens. Makes sense: get rid of the overlapping zoom range with the kit lens, and add a little extra reach. The larger filter size compared to the 18-55 is a bummer, though (58mm vs. 52mm).

claudermilk

On paper those specs sound very encouraging. Looks like Pentax is indeed serious about contendig with Canon and Nikon. To which I say great! The more the merrier; this puts pressure on everyone to stay at the top of their game and only benefits we consumers.

However, the question is: what does the output look like? Is that ISO 6400 usable as it is with Canon and now Nikon, or is it a mess like older Nikons?

In playing with a K10D and K100D briefly, I can say I was a little bit tempted. They are nicely-made cameras & handle well. I can only assume the new ones are even better.

MarkR

claudermilk wrote:

On paper those specs sound very encouraging. Looks like Pentax is indeed serious about contendig with Canon and Nikon. To which I say great! The more the merrier; this puts pressure on everyone to stay at the top of their game and only benefits we consumers.

However, the question is: what does the output look like? Is that ISO 6400 usable as it is with Canon and now Nikon, or is it a mess like older Nikons?

In playing with a K10D and K100D briefly, I can say I was a little bit tempted. They are nicely-made cameras & handle well. I can only assume the new ones are even better.

There's some supposed leaked photos of the K20D at ISO 3200 that looked pretty plastic-y to me.

I notice that the K200D loses ISO 3200. I'm guessing that they couldn't deliver quality at high ISOs with the added pixel density, which is a shame. I'm very satisfied with IQ on my K100d at 1600 except for some shadow noise that's easily taken care of in software.

Grainbelt

The Hobbyist wrote:

I notice that the K200D loses ISO 3200. I'm guessing that they couldn't deliver quality at high ISOs with the added pixel density, which is a shame. I'm very satisfied with IQ on my K100d at 1600 except for some shadow noise that's easily taken care of in software.

On the upside, they dust and weather sealed it, which makes it one of the few DSLR's I'd throw on the bike.

I was hoping the new 450D would deliver some useful features, but it didn't. I'm going to buy a new camera before the next d-rebel comes out, and the K200D and the E510 are at the top of the list.

BikePilot

They look pretty cool, though I sure wish they'd not waisted their time with live view and rather gone about speeding up the burst mode a bit. Also, I'd be happier with higher iso capability than more pixles. We'll see how it does:) If nothing else, it may push k10d prices even lower.

oh, I also really like that they weatherproofed the k200d, I wish everone would seal up their cameras, I love my sealed up little olympus point and shoot

Glory2Jesus4Photography

I don't shoot Pentax But I hope that they are able to bring some great things to the table. The more innovation there is just makes others have to keep up and if Pentax and some of the other none big two are willing to do all the innovating and bring some very useful tools to there cameras then every one else will have to do something to keep up and keep there market. Competition is great for the consumer as long as every one stays in competition.

Miguel Delinquento

Lenses are what last

ziggy53 wrote:

Did you see Pentax is also introducing some new lenses?

http://www.dpreview.com/news/0801/08012309pentaxlenses.asp

Yep, lenses are what I like to spend money on. These days bodies seem so transitional. I've had the K10D for a few months and am still figuring out a few nifty things. I'll probably pick up the K20D in two years, just like I did going from the *DS to the K10D.
The DA* 300 f4 and 200 f2.8 high-end lenses look very sweet. They are weatherproof and have ultra-sonic components and an amazing build quality. I have the DA* 50-135 f2.8 and am thrilled by the optical quality and feel.
The 35mm macro f2.8 Limited is the one I can see purchasing first. Normal-sized focal length in a small footprint that I can slip into a pocket.
The consumer-level zooms also look good. To have five new lenses announced for the next few months is a healthy sign.

M

gus

swintonphoto wrote:

Hopefully the Pentax users here are excited!

Im sure both of them will be over the moon with this.

MarkR

gus wrote:

Im sure both of them will be over the moon with this.

I don't want what's popular; I just want what's best.

claudermilk

The Hobbyist wrote:

There's some supposed leaked photos of the K20D at ISO 3200 that looked pretty plastic-y to me.

I notice that the K200D loses ISO 3200. I'm guessing that they couldn't deliver quality at high ISOs with the added pixel density, which is a shame. I'm very satisfied with IQ on my K100d at 1600 except for some shadow noise that's easily taken care of in software.

Heh, thanks for removing any serious temptation then. No clean 3200 means no deal for me. I truly need the speed.

MarkR

claudermilk wrote:

Heh, thanks for removing any serious temptation then. No clean 3200 means no deal for me. I truly need the speed.

Surely you're not trusting MY judgement?

I'm sure that there will be more high-ISO pics "in the wild" in a few weeks. I gotta believe that, regardless of whatever magic Samsung pulled off to get high-ISO images on an APS-C sized sensor with 14 MP on it, at 3200 and 6400, it's all about the noise-reduction algorithm anyway.

largelylivin

Here's a video presentation and full specs from the K20D Product Manager at Pentax. Can't buy one until March!:cry But it looks like it will be worth the wait!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZlVEe2y9e4

largelylivin

I'm sure that there will be more high-ISO pics "in the wild" in a few weeks. I gotta believe that, regardless of whatever magic Samsung pulled off to get high-ISO images on an APS-C sized sensor with 14 MP on it, at 3200 and 6400, it's all about the noise-reduction algorithm anyway

The've changed from a CCD device to a CMOS. The big advantage is with CMOS you can adjust the sensitivity by changing the bias voltage. In a CCD device, sensitivity adjustment all takes place in the A/D converter which inherently amplifies both the picture and the noise.

MarkR

largelylivin wrote:

The've changed from a CCD device to a CMOS. The big advantage is with CMOS you can adjust the sensitivity by changing the bias voltage. In a CCD device, sensitivity adjustment all takes place in the A/D converter which inherently amplifies both the picture and the noise.

Well, proof is in the pudding, and I think we're both waiting for the pudding! :eat

Wait a second, there's more than two Pentaxians in this thread!

Gus, you were wrong!

gus

The Hobbyist wrote:

Wait a second, there's more than two Pentaxians in this thread!

Gus, you were wrong!

k k k ...3 then :wow

Manfr3d

gus wrote:

k k k ...3 then :wow

I count half too, becauze I use my gf's Pentax whenever possible :rutt

hawkeye978

Popular Photography has some test pictures on their website of the K20. They show some 100% crops of the same shot with increasing ISO. It looks good to at least ISO 1600 so I'm impressed that they pull that off with a 14 MPix sensor. I have a K10 and I'm really happy with it's performance and the K20 looks impressive. Article with pictures can be found here.

Arvan

This is not good for my savings

Im happy with the K10D..And i really don´t need an uppgrade because i consider myself not that good.

But i love to buy new gadgets

What i really want is the new lenses..50-135 , 200 f/2.8, 300 f/4 and..ohh so much more

harjtt

Good to see Pentax and Samsung introducing some nice upgrades to their DSLR lineup. I alwyas the thought the K10D was a fine camera and the K20D looks as if it'll carry on the good work.

Cheers

Harj

largelylivin

largelylivin wrote:

The've changed from a CCD device to a CMOS. The big advantage is with CMOS you can adjust the sensitivity by changing the bias voltage. In a CCD device, sensitivity adjustment all takes place in the A/D converter which inherently amplifies both the picture and the noise.

Adendum. I also noticed that the K20D will have a 14 bit A/D rather than the 22 bit A/D in the K10D. That might sound backwards to you, but they were using the 22 bit A/D to cover the entire dynamic range of the CCD chip, meaning that for whatever sensitivity they wanted, they essentially threw away the unused bits in the anti-noise processing. That in itself is another source of noise: gone. You can be sure that the noise reduction algorithm will be much simpler and with better results.

Manfr3d

There is a nice K20D Video on the net made by Pentax:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZlVEe2y9e4