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Nikon D780 vs Pentax K20D

Portability
57
Imaging
77
Features
89
Overall
81
Nikon D780 front
 
Pentax K20D front
Portability
59
Imaging
54
Features
52
Overall
53

Nikon D780 vs Pentax K20D Key Specs

Nikon D780
(Full Review)
  • 25MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Expand to 204800)
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 840g - 144 x 116 x 76mm
  • Launched January 2020
  • Succeeded the Nikon D750
Pentax K20D
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Increase to 6400)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 800g - 142 x 101 x 70mm
  • Announced June 2008
  • Superseded the Pentax K10D
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Nikon D780 vs Pentax K20D Overview

On this page, we will be evaluating the Nikon D780 vs Pentax K20D, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by brands Nikon and Pentax. There exists a considerable gap between the sensor resolutions of the D780 (25MP) and K20D (15MP) and the D780 (Full frame) and K20D (APS-C) boast totally different sensor sizes.

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The D780 was unveiled 11 years later than the K20D and that is quite a large difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras have the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before getting straight to a in depth comparison, here is a short summation of how the D780 grades versus the K20D in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D780 over the Pentax K20D

 D780 K20D 
AnnouncedJanuary 2020June 2008Fresher by 141 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen dimensions3.2"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution2359k230kClearer screen (+2129k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K20D over the Nikon D780

 K20D D780 

Common features in the Nikon D780 and Pentax K20D

 D780 K20D 
Manual focus More exact focus
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen

Nikon D780 vs Pentax K20D Physical Comparison

If you're intending to carry your camera frequently, you will have to consider its weight and measurements. The Nikon D780 features physical dimensions of 144mm x 116mm x 76mm (5.7" x 4.6" x 3.0") and a weight of 840 grams (1.85 lbs) whilst the Pentax K20D has proportions of 142mm x 101mm x 70mm (5.6" x 4.0" x 2.8") accompanied by a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

Examine the Nikon D780 vs Pentax K20D in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you use at that time. Here is a front view over all size comparison of the D780 and the K20D.

Nikon D780 vs Pentax K20D size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the D780 and K20D is 57 and 59 respectively.

Nikon D780 vs Pentax K20D top view buttons comparison

Nikon D780 vs Pentax K20D Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it's tough to visualise the gap between sensor sizing just by reviewing specs. The photograph below will help provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the D780 and K20D.

All in all, both of these cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The D780 having a bigger sensor will make shooting shallow DOF simpler and the Nikon D780 will deliver extra detail having an extra 10MP. Higher resolution will let you crop photographs more aggressively. The younger D780 will have an advantage with regard to sensor innovation.

Nikon D780 vs Pentax K20D sensor size comparison

Nikon D780 vs Pentax K20D Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D780 vs Pentax K20D Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D780 Portrait photography information
Pentax K20D Portrait photography information
86
manual focus
great MP (25 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
has face detection autofocus
saves RAW formats
72
you can focus manually
good resolution (15MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Nikon D780 as a Street photography camera
Pentax K20D as a Street photography camera
71
tilting screen
big sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
features focus by touch
weather proofing
good ISO range (51,200)
does not have image stabilization
65
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
weather sealing
fixed screen
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D780 Sports photography features
Pentax K20D Sports photography features
82
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
great MP (25MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
has tracking autofocus
weather proofing
good battery (2,260 shots)
supports phase detect autofocus
does not have image stabilization
68
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (15MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
weather sealing
comes with phase detect AF
max fps very slow (3.0 fps)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D780 Travel photography info
Pentax K20D Travel photography info
71
good battery (2,260 shots)
weather proofing
connects via bluetooth
features focus by touch
great MP (25MP)
display is not selfie friendly
64
weather sealing
good resolution (15 megapixels)
built-in flash
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D780 Landscape photography advice
Pentax K20D Landscape photography advice
81
manual focus
switch lenses (Nikon F mount)
nice screen size (3.2 inches)
great MP (25MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
good ISO range (51,200)
saves RAW formats
weather proofing
good battery (2,260 shots)
has dual storage slots
does not have image stabilization
71
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (15MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
weather sealing
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D780 Vlogging information
Pentax K20D Vlogging information
32
touchscreen capability
has face detection autofocus
high quality video (3840 x 2160 pixels)
comes with external mic jack
display is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
9
no video shooting
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Nikon D780 vs Pentax K20D Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D780 and Pentax K20D
 Nikon D780Pentax K20D
General Information
Brand Nikon Pentax
Model type Nikon D780 Pentax K20D
Type Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Launched 2020-01-07 2008-06-25
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Expeed 6 -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame APS-C
Sensor dimensions 35.9 x 23.9mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 858.0mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 25 megapixel 15 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Highest resolution 6048 x 4024 4672 x 3104
Highest native ISO 51200 3200
Highest boosted ISO 204800 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Minimum boosted ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 51 11
Cross type focus points 15 -
Lens
Lens support Nikon F Pentax KAF2
Available lenses 309 151
Crop factor 1 1.5
Screen
Range of display Tilting Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3.2 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of display 2,359 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100% 95%
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x 0.64x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 900 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 7.0 frames per second 3.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings no built-in flash Auto, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow, Rear curtain, wireless
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync - 1/180 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 24p, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 120p, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 100p, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 50p, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 30p, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 25p, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 24p, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM -
Highest video resolution 3840x2160 None
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB Yes USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 840 gr (1.85 lb) 800 gr (1.76 lb)
Physical dimensions 144 x 116 x 76mm (5.7" x 4.6" x 3.0") 142 x 101 x 70mm (5.6" x 4.0" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 65
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.9
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 11.1
DXO Low light rating not tested 639
Other
Battery life 2260 photographs -
Battery form Battery Pack -
Battery ID EN-EL15b D-LI50
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible) SD/MMC/SDHC card
Storage slots Two 1
Retail pricing $2,297 $700