Pentax K200D vs Pentax K20D — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Pentax · DSLR · 10.2 MP · APS-C
Pentax K200D
44
SCORE
|
Pentax · DSLR · 14.6 MP · APS-C
Pentax K20D
47
WINNER
|
|---|---|---|
 |  | |
| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Pentax K200D and Pentax K20D are APS-C DSLRs announced on the same day, 23 January 2008, and both use the Pentax KAF lens mount. Your existing KAF lenses fit either body. The K20D is the larger, heavier body, while the K200D is the more compact model. The K200D is the lighter, more compact body for carrying. It measures 134 x 95 x 74 mm and weighs 690 g, against 142 x 101 x 70 mm and 800 g for the K20D, a 110 g difference. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2008 | 2008 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
January 23, 2008 | January 23, 2008 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 134 x 95 x 74 mm | 142 x 101 x 70 mm |
| Camera weight | 690 g | 800 g |
| Optics | 48/100 | 49/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe K20D is the stronger choice for heavy cropping and large prints, with 14.6 megapixels against 10.2 on the K200D. The extra pixels let you crop a distant bird and still print large. It also reaches ISO 3200 as a standard setting and 6400 expanded, against the K200D's 1600 in both ranges, for more sensitivity headroom in dim light. Both cameras stabilise the sensor in-body, so any KAF lens gains shake reduction. Both share 11 autofocus points and a 1/4000 second shutter limit. The viewfinders differ: the K20D uses a pentaprism, the K200D a pentamirror. The K20D also shoots at 3 fps against 2.8 fps. Sensor types differ too: CMOS in the K20D, CCD in the K200D. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
10.2 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. |
2.8 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 (pentamirror) | Optical (pentaprism) |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | N/A |
| Video | ||
Read the Video ComparisonVideoNeither camera records video, so movie clips need a separate device. The K20D does offer built-in interval shooting for time-lapse work, capturing a sunset across hours without an external remote. The K200D does not. | ||
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 | 34/100 | 47/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesLive View is the K20D's practical advantage here, letting you frame and focus on the rear LCD for tripod work, low macro angles, or copy-stand photography where the viewfinder is awkward. The K200D offers no live view, so composition is viewfinder-only. Beyond Live View, the feature sets match. Both offer weather sealing for rain and dust, a built-in flash plus an external flash shoe, and the same 2.7-inch 230,000-dot LCD. Neither has a tilting or touch screen, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or GPS. | ||
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 | 2.7" | 2.7" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
2300001150001500000 | 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 | 51/100 | 27/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe K200D is the better choice for long days away from a charger. It is rated at 1800 shots from four AA batteries, against 500 shots for the K20D's D-LI50 pack, a gap of 1300 shots between the ratings. Storage choices are the same. Each accepts SD, SDHC and MMC cards in a single slot, so your cards transfer directly. Neither camera offers USB charging. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / MMC | SD / SDHC / MMC |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | 4 x AA batteries | D-LI50 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
1800 shots1505000 | 500 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
For most stills work the Pentax K20D is the better camera. Its 14.6 megapixels leave more room to crop distant wildlife or print large, and its ISO 3200 standard range offers more headroom indoors and after dark. Live View, interval shooting and the pentaprism viewfinder aid tripod, macro and time-lapse work.
The Pentax K200D is the better pick when endurance and weight matter most. Its 1800-shot AA rating suits long travel days, and it is 110 g lighter than the K20D. You keep the shared KAF mount, stabilisation, weather sealing and 11-point autofocus, giving up resolution, Live View and interval shooting.