Pentax K20D vs Sony A900
59 Imaging
53 Features
52 Overall
52


54 Imaging
66 Features
62 Overall
64
Pentax K20D vs Sony A900 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 15MP - APS-C Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 3200 (Push to 6400)
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- No Video
- Pentax KAF2 Mount
- 800g - 142 x 101 x 70mm
- Revealed June 2008
- Superseded the Pentax K10D
(Full Review)
- 25MP - Full frame Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 6400
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
- No Video
- Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
- 895g - 156 x 117 x 82mm
- Launched October 2008
- Later Model is Sony A99

Pentax K20D vs Sony A900 Overview
Its time to look much closer at the Pentax K20D vs Sony A900, both Advanced DSLR cameras by rivals Pentax and Sony. There exists a large gap among the sensor resolutions of the K20D (15MP) and A900 (25MP) and the K20D (APS-C) and A900 (Full frame) enjoy different sensor dimensions.

The K20D was introduced 3 months prior to the A900 and they are both of a similar age. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).
Before getting in to a full comparison, below is a short summation of how the K20D matches up vs the A900 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Pentax K20D vs Sony A900 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery images for Pentax K20D & Sony Alpha DSLR-A900. The whole galleries are provided at Pentax K20D Gallery & Sony A900 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax K20D over the Sony A900
K20D | A900 |
---|
Reasons to pick Sony A900 over the Pentax K20D
A900 | K20D | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Screen resolution | 922k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer screen (+692k dot) |
Common features in the Pentax K20D and Sony A900
K20D | A900 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | June 2008 | ![]() | October 2008 | Same age |
Manual focus | ![]() | Very exact focus | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither offers selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Neither offers Touch screen |
Pentax K20D vs Sony A900 Physical Comparison
If you are looking to carry your camera regularly, you have to think about its weight and dimensions. The Pentax K20D offers external dimensions of 142mm x 101mm x 70mm (5.6" x 4.0" x 2.8") along with a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs) while the Sony A900 has dimensions of 156mm x 117mm x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2") accompanied by a weight of 895 grams (1.97 lbs).
Examine the Pentax K20D vs Sony A900 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Always remember, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are employing at the time. Here is the front view sizing comparison of the K20D compared to the A900.

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the K20D and A900 is 59 and 54 respectively.

Pentax K20D vs Sony A900 Sensor Comparison
Typically, it can be hard to visualize the difference in sensor sizing merely by going through specifications. The graphic here will help provide you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the K20D and A900.
Plainly, both cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The K20D using its smaller sensor is going to make achieving shallower DOF trickier and the Sony A900 will provide greater detail using its extra 10 Megapixels. Higher resolution will enable you to crop pictures a little more aggressively.

Pentax K20D vs Sony A900 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K20D vs Sony A900 Specifications
Pentax K20D | Sony Alpha DSLR-A900 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Pentax | Sony |
Model | Pentax K20D | Sony Alpha DSLR-A900 |
Category | Advanced DSLR | Advanced DSLR |
Revealed | 2008-06-25 | 2008-10-22 |
Body design | Mid-size SLR | Mid-size SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | - | Bionz |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | APS-C | Full frame |
Sensor measurements | 23.4 x 15.6mm | 35.9 x 24mm |
Sensor surface area | 365.0mm² | 861.6mm² |
Sensor resolution | 15 megapixels | 25 megapixels |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Max resolution | 4672 x 3104 | 6048 x 4032 |
Max native ISO | 3200 | 6400 |
Max enhanced ISO | 6400 | - |
Min native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW images | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch focus | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detect autofocus | ||
Contract detect autofocus | ||
Phase detect autofocus | ||
Number of focus points | 11 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | Pentax KAF2 | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
Amount of lenses | 151 | 143 |
Crop factor | 1.5 | 1 |
Screen | ||
Range of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display size | 2.7 inches | 3 inches |
Resolution of display | 230 thousand dot | 922 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch screen | ||
Display tech | - | TFT Xtra Fine color LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentaprism) |
Viewfinder coverage | 95% | 100% |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.64x | 0.74x |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 30s | 30s |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/4000s | 1/8000s |
Continuous shutter speed | 3.0fps | 5.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | 13.00 m (at ISO 100) | no built-in flash |
Flash settings | Auto, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow, Rear curtain, wireless | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless |
External flash | ||
AEB | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Fastest flash sync | 1/180s | 1/250s |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Max video resolution | None | None |
Microphone input | ||
Headphone input | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 800g (1.76 lb) | 895g (1.97 lb) |
Dimensions | 142 x 101 x 70mm (5.6" x 4.0" x 2.8") | 156 x 117 x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall score | 65 | 79 |
DXO Color Depth score | 22.9 | 23.7 |
DXO Dynamic range score | 11.1 | 12.3 |
DXO Low light score | 639 | 1431 |
Other | ||
Battery life | - | 880 shots |
Battery format | - | Battery Pack |
Battery model | D-LI50 | NP-FM500H |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Type of storage | SD/MMC/SDHC card | Compact Flash (Type I or II), Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, UDMA Mode 5, Supports FAT12 / FAT16 / FAT32 |
Storage slots | 1 | Dual |
Pricing at release | $700 | $2,736 |