Pentax K20D First Impressions

[Suhit Gupta]

http://www.anandtech.com/digitalcam...doc.aspx?i=3259

"The Pentax K20D has the highest resolution available in an APS-C sensor SLR. It is 20% higher resolution than the new Sony A700/Nikon D300 Sony sensor pair at 12.2 MP and almost 50% higher than the Canon 40D. Those are numbers that are hard to ignore. Those who wondered why Pentax entered into a partnership with Samsung a few years ago finally have their answer. Samsung wanted to play in the high-end sensor market with Sony and Panasonic; their partnership with Pentax was to develop sensors for the digital SLR market. We don't know details yet, but we have to guess the Hoya merger also plays into this scenario since Hoya is the world's largest maker of optical glass. You would be surprised to see a list of companies who buy their lens glass from Hoya (THK)."

Unbelievable! For just over $1300, you can get the highest resolution camera in its class, which is a far cry from the $8000 range or so that most of the competitors charge. More impressively, Pentax hasn't just stuffed in a bunch of extra pixels on the sensor. They have thought about how to create a better image with this chip as well. While a detailed review is not in yet, read on to find out whether this is worth following. Verdict so far looks like a yes.

[Suhit Gupta]

http://www.anandtech.com/digitalcam...doc.aspx?i=3259

"The Pentax K20D has the highest resolution available in an APS-C sensor SLR. It is 20% higher resolution than the new Sony A700/Nikon D300 Sony sensor pair at 12.2 MP and almost 50% higher than the Canon 40D. Those are numbers that are hard to ignore. Those who wondered why Pentax entered into a partnership with Samsung a few years ago finally have their answer. Samsung wanted to play in the high-end sensor market with Sony and Panasonic; their partnership with Pentax was to develop sensors for the digital SLR market. We don't know details yet, but we have to guess the Hoya merger also plays into this scenario since Hoya is the world's largest maker of optical glass. You would be surprised to see a list of companies who buy their lens glass from Hoya (THK)."

Unbelievable! For just over $1300, you can get the highest resolution camera in its class, which is a far cry from the $8000 range or so that most of the competitors charge. More impressively, Pentax hasn't just stuffed in a bunch of extra pixels on the sensor. They have thought about how to create a better image with this chip as well. While a detailed review is not in yet, read on to find out whether this is worth following. Verdict so far looks like a yes.

[SassKwatch]

While I certainly agree this is a camera to watch, I'm not sure what it's most appropriate competitors are. In the Canon lineup, the 40D may compare in price, but it *seems* the 5D would be a better comparison functionally.(?) I'm not sure where the '$8000' comparison plays though......the 1DS MkIII is a 21mp device if memory serves, and a full-frame machine at that. So, not sure trying to put the K20D up against it is a fair test.

I'll likely be in the market for a new machine later this year, and thus far Nikon's D300 has been heading my short list with the Canon 5D (or it's successor.....which it's probably fair to think might be announced some time this year) a close 2nd.

But for the money, this K20D could well sneak into the running as well. Will be interesting to see the reviews pan out, and if anyone will suggest that 14.6mp in a CMOS sensor might be introducing more noise than it's capable of handling efficiently.(??)

In any case, the time has certainly come to say that it's GREAT to be a digital shooter!

[Jason Dunn]

Originally Posted by SassKwatch

I'll likely be in the market for a new machine later this year, and thus far Nikon's D300 has been heading my short list...

It's suuuuch a nice camera! If you don't have a big investment in lenses, it's great to be able to evaluate each camera platform on its own merits. I was a 100% Canon guy until I got my hands on the Nikon D200, and haven't looked back since.