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Pentax K20D

1. RAW/JPEG Control: Switch between RAW and JPEG shooting with the press of a button positioned beside the lens mount. 2. Go Green: Don’t have time to think through all the settings? If you’re not ready for the action that jumped in front of the lens, hit this button to switch to auto exposure on the fly. 3. Shake Reduction: Pentax’s sensor-shift Shake Reduction counters handheld camera shake with all lenses. You should disable Shake Reduction when using a tripod. This switch makes it easy, without having to scroll through menus.

PENTAX K20D

ESTIMATED STREET PRICE: $769 (w/18-55mm ƒ/3.5-5.6 lens)

TWO RAW FORMATS: The K20D can shoot RAW images in Pentax’s own PEF RAW format or in Adobe’s “universal” DNG format.

MULTIPLE EXPOSURES: Using the multiple-exposure mode, you can set the camera to combine two to nine shots into a single image. After each exposure, the image is displayed, giving you the option to accept or delete it. Once you’ve shot and accepted the number of shots you preselected, the final image is saved.

SENSOR CLEANING SYSTEM: High-frequency vibrations shake dust off the sensor assembly each time you switch the K20D on, while a Pentax fluorine coating discourages dust collection in the first place. Plus, the camera will alert you if dust remains after the cleaning cycle..

LIVE VIEW LCD: The K20D’s 2.7-inch Live View LCD monitor gives you a 100-percent field of view for precise compositions. Or, use the optical viewfinder, which offers a depth-of-field preview mode.

Last year, this excellent model was in the midpriced category. Now, at $699 for the body only, it’s nearly twice as good a deal.

The 14.6-megapixel Pentax/Samsung CMOS sensor delivers great image quality and ISO equivalents from 100 to 3200, or up to 6400 in expanded-range mode. The sensor also incorporates a dust-removal system and sensor-shift image stabilization that steadies the image no matter which lens you’re using.

When it comes to lens selection, you have a lot of choices. The K20D, like all Pentax D-SLRs, is backward-compatible with every Pentax lens (some require optional adapters).

For the best performance, we recommend using lenses that Pentax has developed for use with its digital SLRs, which include the DA Star, DA, DA Limited and D FA lens lines. Pentax currently has 24 lenses in these four lines, including several zooms, wide-angle primes and designed-for-digital lenses that also are compatible with 35mm film cameras. Lenses marked “WR” are outfitted with extra protection against the elements to complement the camera’s all-weather personality.

For action subjects, you can capture images at about three frames per second, for up to 38 JPEGs, 14 PEFs (Pentax RAW) or 16 Adobe DNGs in a single burst. Exposure bracketing also is possible: Choose three or five frames in 1/2- or 1/3-stop increments.

STANDOUT FEATURE:The K20D features a dust- and weather-resistant body that lets you shoot in harsh conditions with no worries. Plus, 72 seals protect the camera from moisture and dust, and the fiber-reinforced polycarbonate body built around a stainless-steel chassis is designed to take elements in stride.
VERDICT:Excellent performance and rugged construction make this one of the most durable camera investments in the under-$1,000 category.

Pentax K200D
With many of the features of the K20D, including weather-proofing, sensor-shift image stabilization and compatibility with the Pentax lens system, the 10.2-megapixel K200D sells for about $650 with an 18-55mm ƒ/3.5-5.6 lens. It’s a good alternative to the K20D if you don’t need the higher- resolution sensor. Plus, it uses AA batteries—convenient when traveling.

Pentax K2000
You can save even more by going with the entry-level K2000, which can be had with the 18-55mm ƒ/3.5-5.6 lens for about $549 (or even less). The K2000 is definitely geared toward first-time SLR owners, with less emphasis on control and weather-proofing than its more expensive siblings, and greater emphasis on automatic shooting and ease of use. The K2000 also uses AA batteries.

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PENTAX K20D

ESTIMATED STREET PRICE: $769 (w/18-55mm ƒ/3.5-5.6 lens)

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