Pentax K20D SLR Review

The controls on the grip side of the camera are identical to those on the K10D. In the photo above you can see the Power switch/DOF Preview and Shutter Release button, the "Green" button which resets exposure settings and auto adjusts the appropriate exposure when in Manual mode. And you can also see the monochrome data LCD. Out on the front just below the shutter release button is the front e-dial.

The data LCD display indicates: (1) Shutter speed, (2) Aperture value, (3) Flash mode, (4) Drive mode, (5) EV bar, (6) Auto bracket, (7) Flash exposure compensation, (8) Exposure compensation, (9) Battery level, (10) White balance, (11) ISO warning, (12) RAW capture, (13) RAW+JPEG capture

The Mode Dial has positions for: USER (configurable), Green Program AE, Hyper-Program AE, Sensitivity priority AE, Shutter-Priority AE, Aperture-Priority AE, Shutter & Aperture-Priority, Hyper-Manual and Bulb.

Underneath the Mode Dial is the Metering Selector switch with positions for Spot, Center-weighted and Multi-segment options.

The controls on the back of the K20D also echo those of the K10D. The 2.7-inch color LCD is slightly larger than the display found on the K10D and is used for accessing the menus and reviewing captured images. New to the K20D, the LCD also functions as a Live View monitor. To the left of the eye level finder is the Exposure Bracketing button, to the right is the rear e-dial. The AE-Lock button functions in Playback Mode as an image Protect button. Beneath that is the Exposure compensation button which when pressed also illuminates the top data LCD. The AF button forces the auto focus function. The 4-way controller lets you navigate menus and select images during playback. Around it is the AF point switching dial. The Fn button calls up the Function menu (see next page for details). Next to that is the Shake Reduction switch. To the left of the LCD is the MENU button to enable the onscreen menus, the DELETE (trash can) button is for erasing images, the INFO button in record displays camera and exposure settings, in playback it toggles display of exposure data or histogram. The PLAYBACK (blue arrow) button puts the camera into review mode.

On the front next to the lens is the RAW button that lets you quickly change from JPEG to RAW image capture mode. Below is the Focus Mode selector switch.

Images are stored on any size SD or SDHC flash memory cards. Shown here is a Kingston Elite Pro 50x 2GB SD card.

Approximate storage

Input /output ports reside on the left side of the K20D, behind a hinged, hard plastic door. On top is for the Cable Switch CS-205 optional wired release port. There is also a wireless remote, the Remote Control F, that can be used within 5 meters of the camera.

In the middle we can see a combination connector for USB 2.0 (high-speed) or Video Out (selectable NTSC or PAL format), both cables are supplied with the camera.

On the bottom is the jack for the optional AC Adapter Kit D-AC50, a complete AC adapter kit that includes both AC adapter and AC plug cord to connect the adapter to an electrical outlet.

The K20D is powered by a high-capacity proprietary PENTAX D-LI50 7.4v 1620mAh Lithium-ion battery pack. Included with the camera is the D-BC50, a compact AC rapid charger.

The optional D-BG2 Weather-sealed Battery Grip ($195.95 US MSRP) holds a D-LI50 battery, and can also store an extra SD memory card and infrared remote control. The grip has vertical release function, e-dials, depth-of-field preview, green button, and more. (This grip does not include an extra battery, memory card, or infrared remote, which are available separately.)

Shown in the photo above is the D-BG2 Grip on a PENTAX K10D.