18 March 2008
The new K20D from PENTAX aims to build on the success of the acclaimed K10D.
A completely new camera concept has been developed for the K20D that clearly raises the standard for this class of digital SLR with its high performance features and extensive functions.
Outwardly it is immediately clear that the K20D meets professional standards with its dust and splash-proof body. At the heart of the camera is a CMOS sensor with an effective resolution of 14.6 megapixels with extremely low noise characteristics. A further new development is Pixel mapping that interpolates failed pixels, avoiding disturbing white spots in the final image. This function is completed automatically by the camera so that annoying and time-consuming retouching can be avoided.
An integrated dust shield prevents dust particles from contaminating the sensor. This is a two-step system that consists of an effective dust-rejecting special coating on the low-pass filter and a function that vibrates to shake the remaining dust off the sensor. The vibration system can be set to work automatically when the camera is switched on or can be activated manually as needed.
The dust that is shaken off the image sensor falls onto an adhesive sheet positioned at the bottom of the SR unit, eliminating any possibility of its returning to the image sensor surface. As any such physical system is only effective while in actual use an additional warning system has been integrated. With the "Dust Alert" function a vertically and laterally correct image of the sensor is shown on the monitor to indicate exactly where any stubborn dust particles may be adhering to the sensor.