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Camera Labs reivews K20

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jamesm007

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I dont respect Camera Labs anymore because of this obviously biased review. Read it for yourself, or at least the conclusion, its a poor comparison and would have a non Pentax or Samsung owner believing the K20 is a plastic camera with some weather seals but no metal and slow and just plain not up to the standards of a real semi-pro camera like the Canon 40d. And it costs too much compared with cameras like the Sony A350.

I believe Pentax/Samsung is turning up the heat and reviewers really have to dig and dig deap or just not tell the whole truth to put the K10/GX10 K20/GX20 in a poorer light than they should be.

I choose the Samsung GX10 because for the money it had no competition, no other camera could really do anything better as far as IQ and for sure its rivals where not as tough. Same for the K20, I will get it down the road, but my GX10 is a superb camera and the Sony A100 and Oly E510 feel like toys compared to it and the K10, sorry but its true, even if thier IQ is as good. That was very unfair to say the 40D is made of magnesium alloy and not say anything about the K20s stainless steel chassis and super hard outer shell.
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jamesm007
Samsung GX10, Sigma 17-70mm, 70-300mm APO
http://s195.photobucket.com/albums/z77/jamesm700/
 
jamesm007 said:
sorry but its true, even if thier IQ is as good. That was very unfair
to say the 40D is made of magnesium alloy and not say anything about
the K20s stainless steel chassis and super hard outer shell.
Click to expand...
I think it is a very thin layer of Magnesium alloy stuck to a polycarbonate base, so I don't think the fact that it is "metal" makes it any stronger. The metal is there just to say it is metal. Considering I liked my K10D better than the Canon 40D, I am sure I will like the K20D better than the 40D (I am not knocking the 40D, I just didn't like it).

Don't let these reviews get too you, as you said it is clearly had a bias for the reviewers favorite camera. Most of us tend to like what we spent money on and like to think it is better than the other choices. It is best to stay open minded and not worry about your tools capabilities ;)
 
I just read through it and thought it was fairly balanced. Yes, there are some inaccuracies and some negative criticisms also; but no camera (or review!) is perfect.

Hope I don't violate any copyright here, but a few selected positive quotes from the review (and only from just the first page so that I don't overstep the character limit of posting here):

"As such the K20D inherits tough construction and weatherproofing with no fewer than 72 seals against humidity, dust and sand. It may not feature the magnesium alloy shell of semi-pro models, but it certainly feels very solid and confident in your hands."

"... it should be noted the K20D, like the EOS 40D, but unlike the cheaper models, sports a heavier but brighter penta-prism viewfinder."

"The K20D feels very comfortable in your hands, inheriting an excellent grip from the K10D."

"The choice of different Program lines, along with the Hyper Program mode show how Pentax is continuing to innovate in commonly-used areas which other manufacturers haven’t enhanced for years."

"The Shutter / Aperture Priority (TAv) mode works in reverse by allowing you to set the desired shutter speed and aperture, leaving the K20D to find an ISO sensitivity to match. You could argue they’re novelties, but it’s nice to see a company embracing the unique capabilities of a DSLR and offer new shooting modes which wouldn’t be possible on a film model."

" ... Pentax does allow you to fine tune the colour balance of the LCD which is a fairly unique option in its class."

"If you’re into tweaking, you’ll love the K20D as it offers no fewer than 36 custom settings, including adjusting the size of exposure and sensitivity steps, activating the neat one-push bracketing feature (more on next page), adjusting noise reduction, and configuring the finger and thumb dials in any mode."

"And if you’re an HDR photographer, forget the simulation and be sure to check out the K20D’s excellent bracketing options on the next page."

I would recommend a perusal of the review to anyone about to buy a DSLR. (NB. I have no affiliation with that site).

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Cheers,
sfa
 
I sympathize. I've had my K10D for 8 months and love it. I joined the local photo club and noone asked what i had, until i started posting some of my pictures. Then I got: "Now, what is it you shoot with"

The pictures speak for the camera. And they are great.

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Phil
 
I've always liked Cameralabs' video reviews, but on this one they did not even display the AF point selection and grid on the LiveView demo; they just mentioned it in passing. Though I guess he's right about the Pentax implemention being behind the competition, it really depends on which competition; the 40D isn't that much better IMO.
 
I read the review and I thought it was pretty balanced. I have to agree that the Live view is a "bolt on" and always seemed to me to be an after thought. In the end the qulity of the camera photos and the ease of use will sell the camera. While it does not have a magnesium frame, I have picked up some of the others and they feel junky. I am very happy with my K10D and it has been a great camera to learn about photography on. I dont think Pentax will ever compete with all the fancy add ons some of the others offer, nor should it.
 
Compare the money the others (C & N) spend on advertising in the magazines and you quickly realise why the reviews are biased.

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Regards,
Harry Phillips

Warning: Getting 'into' photography is easier than getting out!
 
The reviews are fine for entertainment purposes, but if you like what you shoot with then no matter what they say, good or bad, you will still be happy. I love the K20D, find it superb to anything else near its class for all the unique features, but most of all for the fine results it is capable of rendering. I've handled some of the competition, and honestly, it just didn't match up for me. The D300 was the closest match I found, but was not as easy to use and failed to offer the Pentax advantages I have come to rely on. The main think is still to get what is right for you, and no review can tell you that.
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Boy, those guys are hung up on magnesium aren't they?

Here's a quote:

"...the decent viewfinder, comfortable grip, innovative exposure modes, twin control dials and vast degree of customisation makes it a great camera to use in traditional photographic terms..."

I guess most photographers would be happy with a camera with great image quality and great to use in "traditional photographic terms." The reviewers seem rather conflicted, however.
*************************
Tom in Delaware
Photoblog: http://homepage.mac.com/galoot_9/blog/momentary.html
 
I guess "traditional photographic terms" probably means: (1) using the VF instead of LV, (2) relying on proper timing rather than FPS, (3) keeping noise and detail rather than removing noise and detail.
 
From the review

"Unusually for a camera of its class though, there’s no buttons dedicated to ISO or White Balance modes. To access these you’ll need to press the Fn button and press the four-way rocker left for white balance, right for ISO, up for drive mode and down for flash settings."

While I agree about the lack of a dedicated WB button, it's really easy to set up one of the e-dials to change the ISO in Av or Tv mode. I have set the front e-dial (in Av mode) and rear e-dial (in Tv mode) to change the ISO via the custom settings menu.

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The Beatings Will Continue Until Morale Improves.
GMT+8
 
You "think it is a very thin layer..."? Actually, you do not think. Check facts before posting such total and complete rubbish. You may like to start here:

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canoneos40d/page4.asp
viking79 said:
jamesm007 wrote:
Click to expand...
...
viking79 said:
I think it is a very thin layer of Magnesium alloy stuck to a
polycarbonate base, so I don't think the fact that it is "metal"
makes it any stronger. The metal is there just to say it is metal.
Click to expand...
...
 
That's great. Thanks for the information.
However, I mostly use manual mode.
Hopefully, next model would feature external button for ISO.
Pentaprism said:
From the review
"Unusually for a camera of its class though, there’s no buttons
dedicated to ISO or White Balance modes. To access these you’ll
need to press the Fn button and press the four-way rocker left for
white balance, right for ISO, up for drive mode and down for flash
settings."

While I agree about the lack of a dedicated WB button, it's really
easy to set up one of the e-dials to change the ISO in Av or Tv mode.
I have set the front e-dial (in Av mode) and rear e-dial (in Tv mode)
to change the ISO via the custom settings menu.

--
--------------------------------------------------------------------
The Beatings Will Continue Until Morale Improves.
GMT+8
Click to expand...
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cb
 
the k10d and k20d can hande iso in a milion ways. i don' understand this problem. i shoot verything and i find the k10d, and so the k0d, capable f everything.

clearly the d300 cost 600 dollars more has the advantage of being fast and more fps, the metering is more acurate in certain situations, but again when you know your gear you can handle all situations carefully. probably the d300 is more precise, but the pentax is very capable in all situtions.
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http://www.pbase.com/jon1976
 
Being honest I didnt find it a negative review.

It was mostly positive, from what I read.

I would tend to agree that a camera such as this could use some extra bits, yes more fps (hey 4fps wouldnt kill them..not for this cost), and a dedicated AF assist is really a must for cameras in this price range.

I was shocked at how crude and somewhat useless the live view appears to be, so I think his bolted on comment appears justified.

What does impress is the sensor ala noise. Interesting to note the improved results on RAW over jpeg esp res etc.

I think its right to say cameras like the 40d do offer more in "some aspects", esp FPS, plastic or mag alloy isnt an issue IMO, though the 40d does have a decent ish LV mode, least its of some use, esp hooked up to a pc.

As a non pentax shooter, I dont see enough here to tempt me, though I respect what they are doing. Pentax need to learn that they must raise the bar, or DROP the price. Its a mistake fighting it out in this class at that price, K20d should be cheaper, and it would appeal a lot more.

THat said, again high ISO is very impressive for the new sensor, and really shows sony up in this dept. If pentax can be a bit more bold with their design and features, the future is looking pretty good.
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I am not the 'Ghost Hunter', nor am I the Irish actor in the 'Quiet Man' ;-)
 
Barry Fitzgerald said:
Being honest I didnt find it a negative review.

It was mostly positive, from what I read.
Click to expand...
Yep, a reasonable conclusion, although I personally thought it was 'balanced' rather than overtly positive ...
Member said:
As a non pentax shooter, I dont see enough here to tempt me, though I
respect what they are doing. Pentax need to learn that they must
raise the bar, or DROP the price. Its a mistake fighting it out in
this class at that price, K20d should be cheaper, and it would appeal
a lot more.
Click to expand...
The price has just dropped (this last week and so too late to impact this review); it went down from HK$11,990 to HK$9,150 here in Hong Kong (7.8 HK$ = 1 US$). Other places are reporting similar drops (apparently in response to a recent Canikon price drop?!, but I don't keep an eye on the prices of other brands)

But ... it's still not enough to tempt me (K10D/K100DS shooter). They improved the one aspect (the sensor and IQ) which I already thought was quite good enough thank you in the [multi-award winning] K10D.

So ... I'll wait for the K30D or the KxD to see what's on offer ...

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Cheers,
sfa
 
i have read the review. poor handling?? not good construction??
my k10d fall down from 1,5 meter and reported minor scratches.

the iq is very high and this is important. the underexposure poin look to me similar to the jpeg softness.

but as i have seen here in dpreview , yesterday the softness of jpeg was a minor point and a great problem, today, with the last d300 and other review, is a plus.

anoher myth is the antishake 2 stops. i reached more than 3 stops in real nature. clearly u have to know how to shoot fr this. with other technique i used the sigma 10-20 at 1 sec wih very usable reslts, ad 0,5 with sharp results.
 
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