JPEG & RAW shooting with the Pentax K20D
The Pentax K20D allows you to shoot in RAW as well as in RAW+JPEG. You have the choice between several JPEG modes and, uniquely, also from two types of RAW. The format of Pentax called PEF is around 2 to 3 MB smaller than DNG. The only advantage of DNG is that there are more programs available for processing DNG than there are for PEF. Pentax also deliver an excellent converter.
Pentax K20D supports SDHC memory cards
The Pentax K20D has more pixels than the K10D. And more pixels means more memory. Of course the camera also supports the SDHC memory cards, so you can insert sufficient memory into the camera. The files are huge, you shouldn't economize on the memory cards, and I'd go for at least a 2GB memory card. The table below shows how many pictures will fit on that type of card.
Considering 2GB of storage capacity:
RAW (PEF) - 4672x3104 pixels - 82 pictures
RAW (DNG) - 4672x3104 pixels - 82 pictures
JPEG - Premium - 4672x3104 pixels - 138 pictures
JPEG - Best - 4672x3104 pixels - 239 pictures
JPEG - Good - 4672x3104 pixels - 429 pictures
JPEG - Standard - 4672x3104 pixels - 830 pictures
JPEG - Premium - 3872x2592 pixels - 206 pictures
JPEG - Best - 3872x2592 pixels - 343 pictures
JPEG - Good - 3872x2592 pixels - 602 pictures
JPEG - Standard - 3872x2592 pixels - 1254 pictures
JPEG - Premium - 3008x2000 pixels - 359 pictures
JPEG - Best - 3008x2000 pixels - 579 pictures
JPEG - Good - 3008x2000 pixels - 991 pictures
JPEG - Standard - 3008x2000 pixels - 1862 pictures
JPEG - Premium - 1824x1216 pixels - 931 pictures
JPEG - Best - 1824x1216 pixels - 1499 pictures
JPEG - Good - 1824x1216 pixels - 2458 pictures
JPEG - Standard - 1824x1216 pixels - 4390 pictures |
Speediness of the Pentax K20D SLR
As for image speed, the Pentax K20D is not really fast. Only three frames per second in the highest resolution. If you want to shoot fast, you have to settle for a resolution less high. At 1.6 Megapixels you can capture 21 frames per second. This is obviously a mode for research. The buffer has hugely increased compared to the K10D. Approximately 15 RAW pictures fit in the buffer and 38 JPEG pictures in the highest quality. Writing to the memory card is carried out fast. Certainly when you use an Extreme III or Extreme IV card.
D-LI50 Lithium Ion battery
As for energy, a Lithium-Ion battery type D-L150 is used. It has a capacity of 1620mAh and 7.2 V. According to Pentax, 740 pictures can be taken without flash and 530 with 50% use of flash. However, whether you can reach these numbers in practice, I doubt it. One thing is for sure, though and that is the long-life of the battery, it really lasts a long period of time. The battery grip offers the use of a second battery, which enables you to keep on shooting for a longer time. In the menu you can select which battery should be used first, the one inside the camera or the one in the handgrip. |
