Pentax K10D vs Pentax K20D — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Pentax · DSLR · 10 MP · APS-C
Pentax K10D
40
SCORE
|
Pentax · DSLR · 14.6 MP · APS-C
Pentax K20D
47
WINNER
|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Pentax K10D and Pentax K20D are DSLRs released two years apart, the K10D in 2006 and the K20D in 2008. Their body dimensions match at 142 x 101 x 70 mm, so each occupies the same space in a camera bag. Weight is a near match as well: the K10D weighs 793 g against 800 g for the K20D, a 7 g difference. The real choice between them sits in the sensor and shooting features rather than the chassis. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2006 | 2008 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
September 13, 2006 | January 23, 2008 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 142 x 101 x 70 mm | 142 x 101 x 70 mm |
| Camera weight | 793 g | 800 g |
| Optics | 46/100 | 49/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe K20D is the stronger choice for heavy cropping and large prints: its 14.6 megapixels give 46 percent more pixels than the K10D's 10. That gives more room to crop a distant bird and keep detail, and its CMOS sensor replaces the K10D's CCD. The ISO ranges differ: the K20D reaches 3200 ISO standard and 6400 ISO expanded, while the K10D stops at 1600 ISO in both. In-body stabilisation is shared, so any Pentax KAF lens gains shake reduction on either body, and both offer 11 autofocus points and a pentaprism viewfinder. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
10 MP050 | 14.6 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
3872 x 2592 | 4672 x 3104 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CCD | CMOS |
Sensor size ⓘThe sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. |
16 x 24 | 16 x 23 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
 APS-C | APS-C |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
3 fps045 | 3 fps045 |
Lens mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Pentax KAF | Pentax KAF |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
Prime | Prime |
Aspect ratio ⓘThe aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |
 3:2 | 3:2 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
10030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO ⓘRefers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. |
16003003280000 | 32003003280000 |
Min ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
10030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
16003003280000 | 64003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
3044080 | 3044080 |
Max shutter speed ⓘThe maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. |
400080032000 | 400080032000 |
Autofocus points ⓘAutofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. |
110300 | 110300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
 Yes | Yes |
Viewfinder type ⓘThe viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. |
Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentaprism) |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | N/A |
| Video | ||
Read the Video ComparisonVideoNeither camera records video, so moving footage means using a different camera. Both are stills-only DSLRs. Time-lapse is where they split: the K20D has a built-in intervalometer for automated frame sequences, while the K10D does not. For sunset or cloud sequences, the K20D shoots unattended on its own timer, while the same job on the K10D needs an external remote timer. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
✗ | ✗ |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
N/A | N/A |
Max video format ⓘVideo resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. |
N/A | N/A |
Max video frame rate ⓘHow many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. |
N/A | N/A |
Timelapse built in ⓘA built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. |
No |  Yes |
Video file format ⓘDifferent cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. |
N/A | N/A |
| Features | 28/100 | 47/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesLive view is the K20D's most useful everyday addition, framing shots on the rear screen for tripod work, macro setups and awkward angles, while the K10D is viewfinder-only. Connectivity is absent on both: neither body has GPS, Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, so geotagging and wireless transfer stay external. The K20D's rear screen is also larger and higher-resolution, at 2.7 inches and 230000 dots against 2.5 inches and 210000 dots, which helps when checking focus during playback. The rest matches: both bodies have weather sealing for rain and dust, built-in flash plus an external flash shoe, with no touch or tilting screen on either. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
 Yes | Yes |
External flash ⓘExternal flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |
 Yes | Yes |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
✗ | ✗ |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
 Yes | Yes |
| Screen type | LCD | LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen size | 2.5" | 2.7" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
2100001150001500000 | 2300001150001500000 |
Flip screen ⓘA flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |
✗ | ✗ |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
No |  Yes |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
✗ | ✗ |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Storage & battery | 27/100 | 27/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryStorage choices match: each camera takes SD, SDHC or MMC cards in a single slot, with no dual-slot backup on either. One spare card therefore serves either body. Battery ratings match too, at 500 shots per charge under the supplied test conditions on both cameras. The packs differ, though, with the K10D using a D-LI51 and the K20D a D-LI50, so spares and chargers are not interchangeable between the two. Neither camera charges over USB, so both rely on an external charger between shoots. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / MMC | SD / SDHC / MMC |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | D-LI51 | D-LI50 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
500 shots1505000 | 500 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
For most photographers, the Pentax K20D is the better buy. Its 14.6 megapixels give more cropping room for wildlife and distant subjects, and its wider ISO range offers more settings in dim interiors. Live view eases tripod, macro and low-angle framing, and the built-in intervalometer adds unattended time-lapse shooting.
The K10D keeps the same weather sealing, in-body stabilisation, pentaprism viewfinder and Pentax KAF mount, so it remains a capable stills body if you already hold D-LI51 batteries and a charger. For cropping latitude, ISO range and shooting convenience, the K20D's improvements favour it clearly.