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Nikon D800 vs Pentax K20D

Portability
54
Imaging
72
Features
80
Overall
75
Nikon D800 front
 
Pentax K20D front
Portability
59
Imaging
53
Features
52
Overall
52

Nikon D800 vs Pentax K20D Key Specs

Nikon D800
(Full Review)
  • 36MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400 (Raise to 25600)
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 900g - 146 x 123 x 82mm
  • Announced June 2012
  • Succeeded the Nikon D700
  • Updated by Nikon D810
Pentax K20D
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Boost 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  • Superseded the Pentax K10D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 D800 vs Pentax K20D Overview

On this page, we are contrasting the Nikon D800 versus Pentax K20D, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by brands Nikon and Pentax. There is a sizable difference between the image resolutions of the D800 (36MP) and K20D (15MP) and the D800 (Full frame) and K20D (APS-C) provide totally different sensor dimensions.

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The D800 was brought out 4 years later than the K20D and that is quite a significant difference as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras have the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before getting right into a full comparison, here is a quick overview of how the D800 grades against the K20D with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D800 over the Pentax K20D

 D800 K20D 
AnnouncedJune 2012June 2008Fresher by 49 months
Display dimensions3.2"2.7"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution921k230kSharper display (+691k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax K20D over the Nikon D800

 K20D D800 

Common features in the Nikon D800 and Pentax K20D

 D800 K20D 
Manually focus Very exact focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither includes Touch friendly display

Nikon D800 vs Pentax K20D Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to carry your camera often, you will have to think about its weight and proportions. The Nikon D800 features exterior measurements of 146mm x 123mm x 82mm (5.7" x 4.8" x 3.2") accompanied by a weight of 900 grams (1.98 lbs) while the Pentax K20D has measurements of 142mm x 101mm x 70mm (5.6" x 4.0" x 2.8") with a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

Look at the Nikon D800 versus Pentax K20D in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are employing at the time. Here is a front view sizing comparison of the D800 compared to the K20D.

Nikon D800 vs Pentax K20D size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the D800 and K20D is 54 and 59 respectively.

Nikon D800 vs Pentax K20D top view buttons comparison

Nikon D800 vs Pentax K20D Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is very tough to envision the gap between sensor sizing simply by reading through specs. The graphic here may provide you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the D800 and K20D.

All in all, both of those cameras have different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The D800 due to its larger sensor will make shooting shallow DOF less difficult and the Nikon D800 will give extra detail having its extra 21 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop pics a bit more aggressively. The newer D800 will have an advantage when it comes to sensor technology.

Nikon D800 vs Pentax K20D sensor size comparison

Nikon D800 vs Pentax K20D Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D800 vs Pentax K20D Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D800 Portrait photography features
Pentax K20D Portrait photography features
83
has manual focus
sensor resolution is great (36MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
provides face detection focus
supports RAW formats
71
manual focus
resolution is good (15MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon D800
Street photography with Pentax K20D
59
great sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
environment proofing
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
65
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW files
weather proof
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D800 Sports photography features
Pentax K20D Sports photography features
73
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
sensor resolution is great (36MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
provides tracking autofocus
environment proofing
supports phase detect auto focus
slow frames per second (4.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
68
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (15 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
weather proof
sensor has phase detect AF
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D800 Travel photography features
Pentax K20D Travel photography features
66
environment proofing
sensor resolution is great (36MP)
built-in flash
screen is not selfie friendly
64
weather proof
resolution is good (15 megapixels)
has built in flash
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon D800
Landscape photography with Pentax K20D
78
has manual focus
swap lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen size is good (3.2")
sensor resolution is great (36MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
environment proofing
has double storage slots
no image stabilization
70
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (15 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW files
weather proof
screen is small (2.7 inch)
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D800 Vlogging advice
Pentax K20D Vlogging advice
30
provides face detection focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
comes with external microphone port
screen is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
9
lack of video recording
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Nikon D800 vs Pentax K20D Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D800 and Pentax K20D
 Nikon D800Pentax K20D
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Pentax
Model Nikon D800 Pentax K20D
Class Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Announced 2012-06-11 2008-06-25
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Expeed 3 -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame APS-C
Sensor measurements 35.9 x 24mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 861.6mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 36 megapixel 15 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 5:4 and 3:2 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 7360 x 4912 4672 x 3104
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Maximum enhanced ISO 25600 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 51 11
Cross focus points 15 -
Lens
Lens mount Nikon F Pentax KAF2
Total lenses 309 151
Crop factor 1 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3.2 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of display 921k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech TFT Color LCD with 170 degrees wide-viewing angle -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x 0.64x
Features
Min shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 4.0 frames per sec 3.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain, High-speed sync Auto, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow, Rear curtain, wireless
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/250 secs 1/180 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30, 25, 24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 50, 30, 25 fps), 640 x 424 (24 fps) -
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 900 grams (1.98 pounds) 800 grams (1.76 pounds)
Physical dimensions 146 x 123 x 82mm (5.7" x 4.8" x 3.2") 142 x 101 x 70mm (5.6" x 4.0" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 95 65
DXO Color Depth score 25.3 22.9
DXO Dynamic range score 14.4 11.1
DXO Low light score 2853 639
Other
Battery life 900 shots -
Battery style Battery Pack -
Battery model EN-EL15 D-LI50
Self timer Yes (2 to 20 sec, 1 to 9 exposures at intervals of 0.5, 1, 2 or 3 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type Compact Flash (Type I), SD/SDHC/SDXC UHS-I compliant SD/MMC/SDHC card
Card slots Two One
Pricing at release $2,999 $700