interchangeable lenses. It also keeps digital noise to a minimum by automatically raising its own sensitivity, allowing it to increase the sensitivity from ISO 100 to the highest level of ISO 6400 (via a custom function).
[2] Approximately 14.6 effective megapixels for true-to-life, rich-gradation images:
The K20D features a newly-developed 14.6 MP CMOS sensor. Coupled with a high-performance imaging engine incorporating PENTAX-original image-processing technologies, it assures fine- detailed, rich-gradation images. The K20D also features a new Custom Image function, which lets the photographer select one of six finishing touches to reflect his or her creative intentions with great ease with the ability to further fine tune them.
[3] High-performance, high-speed PRIME imaging engine:
The K20D incorporates the PENTAX-original PRIME (Pentax Real IMage Engine) as its imaging engine. Designed exclusively for PENTAX digital SLR cameras, it assures well- balanced, true-to-life images with faithful colour reproduction by efficiently controlling digital signals transmitted by the CMOS image sensor and other photographic factors, including white balance. This imaging engine also features a DDR2 (Double Data Rate 2) memory to assure speedy image processing and high-speed data transfer.
2.PENTAX-original SR (Shake Reduction) mechanism
The K20D is equipped with the PENTAX-developed SR (Shake Reduction) mechanism, which effectively reduces camera shake for sharp, blur-free images even under demanding shooting conditions, such as when using a telephoto lens, shooting at night without supplementary flash illumination, or using extended exposures for sunset scenes. This innovative mechanism offers an outstanding compensation effect equivalent to approximately 2.5 to 4 shutter-speed steps. The lighter image sensor unit and refined data-control algorithm provide further image stabilization resulting in more effective SR operation. This SR system extends outstanding shake-reduction benefits to nearly all existing PENTAX interchangeable lenses.*
*Lenses compatible with this mechanism are: PENTAX K-, KA-, KAF- and KAF2-mount lenses, screw-mount lenses (with an adapter); and 645- and 67-system lenses (with an adapter). Some functions may not be applicable with certain lenses.
3.New Live View function
The K20D features a new Live View function, which allows the user to view the image on the LCD monitor during shooting. This comes in handy when the photographer must move their eye from the viewfinder in specialized applications, such as low- and high-angle compositions. This function also allows the user to confirm the shake-reduction effect on the monitor during shooting.
4.Expanded Dynamic Range function
The K20D has added a dynamic-range expansion function, which allows the user to expand a dynamic range (or a range of gradation reproduction) while retaining the proper contrast to avoid white-washed areas. With an approximately 1EV expansion effect, it assures beautiful, rich- gradation images.
5.Comprehensive Dust Removal system
The K20D features the user-friendly Dust Removal (DR) system to prevent dust from sticking to the surface of the CMOS image sensor (or low-pass filter). Applied to the image sensor surface through the vapor deposition of a fluorine compound, the PENTAX-original SP (Super Protect) coating effectively prevents dust and stains from sticking to the surface. Any dust that remains on the surface of the image sensor is shaken off when the SR system shifts the image sensor at high speed. 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. This upgraded DR system offers a new Dust Alert function, which allows the user to check for dust on the image sensor in advance.