Pentax K20D?

Dom

Dom

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I'm seriously considering getting a Pentax K20D. Is it as good as I think it is?

I've use Pentax before and they do fell good in my hand.
 
it's very good as long as you don't need ~5fps or the fastest AF.
If you already have Canon gear though wouldn't you be better off with a 40D/50D?
 
Excellent camera.
Build quality is superb.
Easy to use.

Caveat - had I researched the photography scene more thoroughly I'd probably have bought Nikon (had long experience of Nikon 35mm).

Would I be getting better results with a comparible Nikon? I doubt it, but there is a far greater choice of Nikon (and Canon) kit than Pentax.
 
Smashing camera, worth every penny.
Scott
 
Excellent camera, best "bang for buck" camera I have ever used.
 
I have the k20d and as said before if you dont need the 5fps and can put up with the af its a fantastic buy check out my bird shots on the bird section.
 
Thank you all for the feedback, I think a decision has been made.

As for 5 fps, not bothered.

Elvis, I'm going over to the bird section now to look at your shoots.
 
elvis said:
I have the k20d and as said before if you dont need the 5fps and can put up with the af its a fantastic buy check out my bird shots on the bird section.
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Had a look at those pics - excellent.

Checked your camera bag. I presume you used your big Sigma zooms to get those?
 
Don't forget if your after a K20D then look at the Samsung GX20. Its exactly the same camera, but with a slightly diff profile and a samsung badge. The plus is that it often comes in cheaper.

Hence why I have the GX10, was cheaper than the K10D!!

I love my GX10, so would imagine you'll enjoy the GX20.

Rob
 
heidfirst said:
it's very good as long as you don't need ~5fps or the fastest AF.
If you already have Canon gear though wouldn't you be better off with a 40D/50D?
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Doesn't the K20d go faster than 5fps? I thought it could do a LOT faster than that but at reduced resolution.
 
Rob.Marsh said:
Don't forget if your after a K20D then look at the Samsung GX20. Its exactly the same camera, but with a slightly diff profile and a samsung badge. The plus is that it often comes in cheaper.

Hence why I have the GX10, was cheaper than the K10D!!

I love my GX10, so would imagine you'll enjoy the GX20.

Tob
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I've not really looked at the GX20 yet, Meanly because I've got my reservations about Samsung.

I shall download the manual and have a good look.


Nod said:
Doesn't the K20d go faster than 5fps? I thought it could do a LOT faster than that but at reduced resolution.
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Yes it can, something daft like 20 fps @ 1.6 Mp.
 
Dom said:
I've not really looked at the GX20 yet, Meanly because I've got my reservations about Samsung.
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Its only re-badged by samsung mate, apart from a slight visual difference in shape and the menu options its the same camera.

I'm sure you have your reasons to have reservations about samsng but I am a big fan. My GX10 is a lovely bit of kit and I'd recomend them time and time again.

Rob
 
My main reservation that has any real consequence. Is the RAW format the GX-20 saves in.

Just to put this in context. I only use open source software.
 
Dom said:
My main reservation that has any real consequence. Is the RAW format the GX-20 saves in.

Just to put this in context. I only use open source software.
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GX20 saves in DNG format (Adobe)

I am sure PAINT.NET can work with that. Is it not open source?
 
It's not looking good for Paint.NET.
It's Windows only, I'm don't using Micro$oft.
It's not open source.
 
From a quick look at this, you'll find DNG easier to deal with than PEF.

Edit: Scratch that, you shouldn't have a problem with either.
 
photon said:
From a quick look at this, you'll find DNG easier to deal with than PEF.

Edit: Scratch that, you shouldn't have a problem with either.
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I prefer shooting in RAW and not having the option with the Samsung is putting me of.

Plus I'm of the age that the name Pentax hold more weight than Samsung.
 
Ok you've lost me here. DNG is a raw file, and adobe camera raw handles it, as does the free raw convertor you get with the camera.

The only diff between the K20D and the GX20 is the fact that the K20D can do either DNG or PEF isn't it?

I don't understand what you mean by RAW being better than DNG....?
 
Dom said:
There are some subtle differences that make RAW a little better.
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As I understand it. DNG is a RAW file format just like NEF & PEF are (probably is a Canon version also)

Don't all cameras that can produce RAW do so in a format like DNg etc.

Is there a camera that produces "pure" .raw files ?
And, if so, just what is to be gained by that.

I'd like to see this discussion opened up to a wider audience than Pentax users.
 
To cut a long story short.

Shooting RAW is one less process the camera does that I can do on my computer and have total control over.

It has also been said that the IQ of DNG isn't quite as good as PEF. I'm just going of what I've read on the internet.

Not to split hairs DNG can't be RAW. As it's not straight of the Image chip.
 
I'm not sure your correct there Dom.

DNG is Adobe's attempt at standardising the RAW file format as currently there is no standard. Pentax and Samsung have chosen to support it, whilst other manufacturers use other formats.

What do you take to be a true RAW format then?
 
Mike.P said:
I dont think the Samsung has burst mode does it?

Also harder to find (and more expensive) if you want a grip on it .. I nearly bought a GX20 from Play.com last week (£299 body only) but my K10D grip wouldnt fit.
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Not sure about the burst mode.

you are right about grips, the pentax doesn't fit due to the profile difference in the cameras. The grips are out there, I managed to get one last week from Jacobs, but not without a lot of searching.
 
Rob.Marsh said:
What do you take to be a true RAW format then?
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RAW has had nothing done to it in camera.

DNG has had stuff done to it in camera.

Also I've read Adobe's specification on their DNG. DNG is basically a TIFF file, so by definition it can not be RAW.
 
Is DNG just not the file format after the 'raw' file (for example, on a Canon the 'raw' file would be a .CR2 file) has been converted purely to be read by Adobe? IIRC all it does is tranfer it to a file format so it can be read, and it does nothing to the image at all?

In fact, isnt 'raw' just a psudonym like 'hoover' is for vaccum cleaners? There are many different names for it but they all do the same thing!
 
Mike.P said:
Thats good to know, I have seen people posting on various forums for a Samsung grip so now know where to send them :thumbs:
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Lets hope I didn't get their last one! ;)
 
Dom said:
To cut a long story short.

Shooting RAW is one less process the camera does that I can do on my computer and have total control over.

It has also been said that the IQ of DNG isn't quite as good as PEF. I'm just going of what I've read on the internet.

Not to split hairs DNG can't be RAW. As it's not straight of the Image chip.
Click to expand...

This discussion about RAW has been started on the talk photography forum to hopefully bring in more views from non Pentax users.
Header is "Raw discussion".
 
I'm only just returned to photography after a couple of years break, but an acquaintance of mine used to have one of the previous Pentax models. It was similar in that it had image stabilisation built-in to the body.

One thing I recall about this model is that everyone who bought one - my friend included - were very happy with it indeed, and would rave about it at the least opportunity.
 
Nod said:
Doesn't the K20d go faster than 5fps? I thought it could do a LOT faster than that but at reduced resolution.
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"Single-frame , Continuous Hi [approx. 3fps, until: 38 frames JPEG, 14 frames RAW (PEF), 16 frames RAW (DNG)], Continuous Lo [approx. 2.3fps , until: the memory card becomes full JPEG, 14 frames RAW (PEF), 16 frames RAW (DNG)], Burst [approx. 21fps, 115frames (1.6M *** JPEG)], "
http://www.pentax.co.uk/en/product/19385/body/specifications/Photo_Digital_SLR.html

but do you buy an advanced amateur/ semi-pro DSLR for 1.6Mp JPEGs?
 
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