Successor model to the multiple award-winning K10D, the K20D offers superb image quality, an array of advanced features and outstanding reliability and operability to meet the specialized and exacting demands of discerning photographers.

The new CMOS image sensor, exclusively developed for the K20D, is designed to optimize the performance of PENTAX interchangeable lenses. Featuring approximately 14.6 effective megapixels and the latest noise-reduction technology, it assures superb image quality a step above its predecessors.

The K20D also offers an array of advanced features and user-friendly functions, including a new Custom Image function that lets you select or adjust the image’s finishing touches to your preference, an upgraded, more reliable SR (Shake Reduction) system, a comprehensive Dust Removal system, a multi-mode exposure system for faithful reproduction of your creative intentions, and a rugged dust-proof, water-resistant body construction that will keep you shooting, rain, dust or shine.

High-quality image reproduction

[1] Newly developed CMOS image sensor:

The K20D features a newly developed CMOS (complementary metal oxide semiconductor) image sensor measuring 23.4 mm x 15.6 mm. After a thorough review of previous image sensors, PENTAX greatly reduced the area of circuitry around the pixel field to expand the light-sensitive area, resulting in about the same pixel size as 12 megapixel sensors used in other DSLRs. This also results in a sensor that is not as thick that will accept light at a steeper angle. The sensor can detect diagonal light with great accuracy, bringing out the optimum performance of PENTAX interchangeable lenses. It also keeps digital noise to a minimum by automatically raising its own sensitivity, allowing it to increase the sensitivity from ISO 100 to the highest level of ISO 6400 (via a custom function).

[2] Approximately 14.6 effective megapixels for true-to-life, rich-gradation images:

The K20D features a newly-developed 14.6 MP CMOS sensor. Coupled with a high-performance imaging engine incorporating PENTAX-original image-processing technologies, it assures fine-detailed, rich-gradation images. The K20D also features a new Custom Image function, which lets the photographer select one of six finishing touches to reflect his or her creative intentions with great ease with the ability to further fine tune them.

[3] High-performance, high-speed PRIME imaging engine:

The K20D incorporates the PENTAX-original PRIME (Pentax Real IMage Engine) as its imaging engine. Designed exclusively for PENTAX digital SLR cameras, it assures well-balanced, true-to-life images with faithful colour reproduction by efficiently controlling digital signals transmitted by the CMOS image sensor and other photographic factors, including white balance. This imaging engine also features a DDR2 (Double Data Rate 2) memory to assure speedy image processing and high-speed data transfer.

PENTAX-original Shake Reduction mechanism
for sharp images

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The K20D is equipped with the PENTAX-developed Shake Reduction (SR) system, which effectively reduces camera shake for sharp, blur-free images even under difficult shooting conditions.

This system does not require special anti-shake lenses and can be used with almost all existing PENTAX interchangeable lenses.*
* Lenses compatible with this mechanism are: PENTAX K-, KA-, KAF- and KAF2-mount lenses; screw-mount lenses (with an adapter); and 645- are 67-system lenses (with an adapter). Certain lenses may lose part of their functions.

New Live View function

The K20D features a new Live View function, which allows the user to view the image on the LCD monitor during shooting. This comes in handy when the photographer must move their eye from the viewfinder in specialized applications, such as low- and high-angle compositions. This function also allows the user to confirm the shake-reduction effect on the monitor during shooting.

Expanded Dynamic Range function

The K20D has added a dynamic-range expansion function, which allows the user to expand a dynamic range (or a range of gradation reproduction) while retaining the proper contrast to avoid white-washed areas. With an approximately 1EV expansion effect, it assures beautiful, rich-gradation images.

Comprehensive Dust Removal system

The K20D features the user-friendly Dust Removal (DR) system to prevent dust from sticking to the surface of the CMOS image sensor (or low-pass filter). Applied to the image sensor surface through the vapor deposition of a fluorine compound, the PENTAX-original SP (Super Protect) coating effectively prevents dust and stains from sticking to the surface. Any dust that remains on the surface of the image sensor is shaken off when the SR system shifts the image sensor at high speed. Dust that is shaken off the image sensor falls onto an adhesive sheet positioned at the bottom of the SR unit, eliminating any possibility of its returning to the image sensor surface. This upgraded DR system offers a new Dust Alert function, which allows the user to check for dust on the image sensor in advance.

Custom Image function
The K20D is equipped with a new Custom Image function that lets the user select one of six modes and then, if desired, to further adjust the image’s finishing touches to their preference. Allowing a minor adjustment to tone, saturation, contrast, and sharpness, this function enables the user to take photographs that truly reflect their photographic vision. The user easily operates the selection and adjustment process by recording a preview image and checking the effect as they make the adjustments.
7. Versatile exposure system for faithful reproduction

[1] Hyper Program function:

The K20D’s Hyper Program function allows the user to instantly switch to the Shutter- or Aperture-Priority AE mode from the Programmed AE mode, with a simple turn of the electronic dials on the grip. To return to the Programmed AE mode, simply press the green button positioned next to the shutter release button. The advantage this gives relative to Program Shift is that should the lighting change before the shutter is released, the desired shutter speed or aperture is still used while the other variable adjusts to maintain the correct exposure. Select from one of four different program curves, including MTF (optimum aperture)

[2] Hyper Manual function:

When shooting in Manual mode, a single push of the green button allows the user to instantly set the proper exposure for the subject. The user can then either take the image or quickly shift the exposure to obtain a desired degree of over- or under-exposure.

[3] Sensitivity-Priority mode:

The K20D features a unique Sensitivity-Priority (Sv) mode, which is designed to automatically select the optimum combination of aperture and shutter speed for a user-selected sensitivity. The sensitivity can be shifted instantly in 1/2 or 1/3 steps by turning the electronic dial on the back panel.

[4] Shutter/Aperture-Priority mode:

Taking full advantage of the unique capability of digital cameras permitting automatic shift of sensitivity at any time, the Shutter/Aperture-Priority (TAv) mode automatically selects the most appropriate sensitivity for a user-selected shutter-speed/aperture combination. It allows the user to experiment with a greater range of photographic expressions with ease, allowing the depth of field and degree of subject movement blur to be maintained even if the lighting changes.

Bright, clear viewfinder

Featuring a glass pentaprism, the K20D’s viewfinder offers an approximately 95-percent field of view and an approximately 0.95-times magnification for easy viewing of the subject and effortless confirmation of focus and composition. Coupled with the acclaimed Natural-Bright-Matte II focusing screen, it delivers a large, bright subject image.

Dust-proof, water-resistant construction

The K20D boasts an extremely reliable dust-proof, water-resistant construction, with special seals applied to 74 different parts of the camera body, including the shutter release button and all the switches, levers and dials, making it possible for you use the K20D in the rain or in dusty locations without worries.
10. Continuous shooting to capture all the action
To trace the movement of an active subject or capture a sequence of the events, the K20D offers a continuous shooting mode that allows the user to capture as many as 38 images in succession (in JPEG recording format) at a maximum speed of approximately three images per second. When switched to the new high-speed advance mode, the user can take up to approximately 115 images at the speed of approximately 21 images per second.**
** The image size is fixed at 1.6 megapixels in JPEG format in the Burst Shooting mode.

Large 2.7-inch wide-view LCD monitor

The K20D features a large 2.7-inch colour LCD monitor with approximately 230,000 dots on its back panel and allows you to zoom in on the image up to 32X. Its wide-view design allows the user to check the monitor image from approximately 160 degrees both vertically and horizontally and facilitates low- and high-angle shooting when using the Live View function.

High-precision 11-point wide-frame AF

The K20D’s sophisticated SAFOX VIII autofocus system features 11 sensor points (with nine cross-type sensors positioned in the middle) to automatically focus on the subject with utmost precision, regardless of where they are in the frame. When the subject is captured in focus, the in-focus sensor point is automatically superimposed in red in the viewfinder for at-a-glance confirmation.

Powerful long-life rechargeable battery

The K20D uses the large capacity D-LI50 lithium-ion rechargeable battery which can capture approximately 740 images*** (approximately 50% more when compared with conventional cameras) when fully recharged. Drastic improvement of battery capacity is realized thanks to the energy saving design of all electrical components.
*** Under testing condition prescribed by PENTAX, when using D-LI50 lithium-ion rechargeable battery with no flash

Other features

• Choice of 16-segment multi-pattern metering, center-weighted metering and spot metering to accommodate various photographic applications

• Reliable, durable shutter unit assuring more than 100,000 shutter releases

• High-rigidity cold rolled stainless-steel chassis

• 36 custom functions to personalize camera operations

• Universal-type X-sync socket (new feature) allowing direct connection of studio flash systems

• Customizable RAW button for single-action image-file type switching

• Digital Preview that allows previewing and recording of the preview image

• Optional Battery Grip (D-BG2) available for extended shooting sessions

• Nine digital filters to add creative and artistic touches

• In-body RAW data development for images to either JPEG and TIFF format

• Compatibility with SDM equipped lenses for quiet, extra-smooth autofocus operation

• PENTAX PHOTO Laboratory 3, RAW data processing software, PENTAX PHOTO Browser 3, browser software and PENTAX REMOTE Assistant 3, camera control software, included on the accompanying CD-ROMgreater than conventional 12-bit, 4,096-gradation A/D converters.

PENTAX KAF2 bayonet mount

AF-single (with focus lock); AF-continuous and Manual focus available

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