Nikon D800E vs Pentax K20D
54 Imaging
73 Features
80 Overall
75
![Nikon D800E front Nikon D800E front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/gallery/medium/Nikon-D800E/Nikon-D800E-front.jpg)
![Pentax K20D front Pentax K20D front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/gallery/medium/Pentax-K20D/Pentax-K20D-front.jpg)
59 Imaging
54 Features
52 Overall
53
Nikon D800E vs Pentax K20D Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 36MP - Full frame Sensor
- 3.2" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 6400 (Raise to 25600)
- No Anti-Alias Filter
- 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Nikon F Mount
- 900g - 146 x 123 x 82mm
- Launched June 2012
- Superseded the Nikon D700
(Full Review)
- 15MP - APS-C Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 3200 (Bump to 6400)
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- No Video
- Pentax KAF2 Mount
- 800g - 142 x 101 x 70mm
- Announced June 2008
- Previous Model is Pentax K10D
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/photography-glossary-218x150.jpg)
Nikon D800E vs Pentax K20D Overview
The following is a in-depth overview of the Nikon D800E versus Pentax K20D, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by competitors Nikon and Pentax. There exists a sizable gap between the resolutions of the D800E (36MP) and K20D (15MP) and the D800E (Full frame) and K20D (APS-C) feature totally different sensor measurements.
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/No-Surprise-Pentax-17-Pre-Orders-218x150.jpg)
The D800E was manufactured 4 years after the K20D which is quite a significant difference as far as technology is concerned. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).
Before we go straight into a full comparison, below is a quick introduction of how the D800E scores versus the K20D when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Approach-to-AI-Generated-Content-218x150.jpg)
Nikon D800E vs Pentax K20D Gallery
Following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Nikon D800E & Pentax K20D. The entire galleries are available at Nikon D800E Gallery & Pentax K20D Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon D800E over the Pentax K20D
D800E | K20D | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | June 2012 | ![]() | June 2008 | Newer by 49 months |
Display sizing | 3.2" | ![]() | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.5") |
Display resolution | 921k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper display (+691k dot) |
Reasons to pick Pentax K20D over the Nikon D800E
K20D | D800E |
---|
Common features in the Nikon D800E and Pentax K20D
D800E | K20D | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Very precise focusing | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Absent selfie screen | ||
Touch display | ![]() | Absent Touch display |
Nikon D800E vs Pentax K20D Physical Comparison
If you're planning to travel with your camera often, you will want to think about its weight and volume. The Nikon D800E has got outer measurements of 146mm x 123mm x 82mm (5.7" x 4.8" x 3.2") having a weight of 900 grams (1.98 lbs) and the Pentax K20D has sizing of 142mm x 101mm x 70mm (5.6" x 4.0" x 2.8") accompanied by a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).
Check out the Nikon D800E versus Pentax K20D in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.![Camera Size Comparison with Lenses Camera Size Comparison with Lenses](https://pxlmag.com/db/assets/camera-size-comparison-animation.gif)
Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you have chosen at that moment. Underneath is the front view scale comparison of the D800E compared to the K20D.
![Nikon D800E vs Pentax K20D size comparison Nikon D800E vs Pentax K20D size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Nikon-D800E-vs-Pentax-K20D-size-comparison.jpg)
Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the D800E and K20D is 54 and 59 respectively.
![Nikon D800E vs Pentax K20D top view buttons comparison Nikon D800E vs Pentax K20D top view buttons comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Nikon-D800E-vs-Pentax-K20D-top-view-buttons-comparison.jpg)
Nikon D800E vs Pentax K20D Sensor Comparison
Typically, it is tough to envision the contrast between sensor dimensions only by looking at technical specs. The image below will provide you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the D800E and K20D.
As you have seen, each of these cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The D800E due to its larger sensor will make shooting shallow DOF simpler and the Nikon D800E will resolve extra detail due to its extra 21 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also let you crop images a little more aggressively. The newer D800E is going to have an edge with regard to sensor innovation.
![Nikon D800E vs Pentax K20D sensor size comparison Nikon D800E vs Pentax K20D sensor size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/sensor-compare/Nikon-D800E-vs-Pentax-K20D-sensor-size-comparison.png)
Nikon D800E vs Pentax K20D Screen and ViewFinder
![Nikon D800E vs Pentax K20D Screen and Viewfinder comparison Nikon D800E vs Pentax K20D Screen and Viewfinder comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Nikon-D800E-vs-Pentax-K20D-screen-back-comparison.jpg)
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/tiktok-218x150.jpg)
Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/snapchat-218x150.jpg)
Street Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/LP3_cut_13f_0212-218x150.jpg)
Sports Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/iphone-optical-stabilization-218x150.jpg)
Travel Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/samsung-evo-microsd-cards-featur-218x150.jpg)
Landscape Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/maxresdefault-218x150.jpg)
Vlogging Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/ai-licence-218x150.jpg)
Nikon D800E vs Pentax K20D Specifications
Nikon D800E | Pentax K20D | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Nikon | Pentax |
Model | Nikon D800E | Pentax K20D |
Type | Advanced DSLR | Advanced DSLR |
Launched | 2012-06-11 | 2008-06-25 |
Body design | Mid-size SLR | Mid-size SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | Expeed 3 | - |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | Full frame | APS-C |
Sensor dimensions | 35.9 x 24mm | 23.4 x 15.6mm |
Sensor area | 861.6mm² | 365.0mm² |
Sensor resolution | 36MP | 15MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 5:4 and 3:2 | 3:2 |
Full resolution | 7360 x 4912 | 4672 x 3104 |
Max native ISO | 6400 | 3200 |
Max boosted ISO | 25600 | 6400 |
Min native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW files | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Touch to focus | ||
AF continuous | ||
Single AF | ||
Tracking AF | ||
Selective AF | ||
AF center weighted | ||
Multi area AF | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detect AF | ||
Contract detect AF | ||
Phase detect AF | ||
Number of focus points | 51 | 11 |
Cross focus points | 15 | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | Nikon F | Pentax KAF2 |
Total lenses | 309 | 151 |
Crop factor | 1 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display diagonal | 3.2 inches | 2.7 inches |
Resolution of display | 921k dot | 230k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Display technology | TFT Color LCD with 170 degrees wide-viewing angle | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentaprism) |
Viewfinder coverage | 100 percent | 95 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.7x | 0.64x |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 30s | 30s |
Highest shutter speed | 1/8000s | 1/4000s |
Continuous shooting speed | 4.0 frames per second | 3.0 frames per second |
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 modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain, High-speed sync | Auto, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow, Rear curtain, wireless |
External flash | ||
AE bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Highest flash sync | 1/250s | 1/180s |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
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) | - |
Max video resolution | 1920x1080 | None |
Video data format | MPEG-4, H.264 | - |
Mic jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
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 seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 900g (1.98 pounds) | 800g (1.76 pounds) |
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 All around score | 96 | 65 |
DXO Color Depth score | 25.6 | 22.9 |
DXO Dynamic range score | 14.3 | 11.1 |
DXO Low light score | 2979 | 639 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 900 images | - |
Battery form | 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 media | Compact Flash (Type I), SD/SDHC/SDXC UHS-I compliant | SD/MMC/SDHC card |
Storage slots | Dual | 1 |
Retail pricing | $2,389 | $700 |