Pentax K20D

The 14.6MP Pentax K20D is the highest resolution sensor available in a prosumer camera today. There are pro models at $8000 or more that feature even higher resolutions, but the $1299 MSRP K20D is a long way from that price class. When it was introduced in late 2007, the K20D was the first 14MP class camera, and its introduction surprised the photo establishment with a Pentax-designed and Samsung-manufactured CMOS sensor.

Tests of K20D resolution show the highest resolution available in its class at lower ISOs. However, resolution and image quality at higher ISO settings are compromised by the higher noise of the K20D at these settings. It appears Pentax made the conscious decision to use minimum in-camera noise processing at higher ISOs.

Pentax K20D In-Camera JPEG vs. Noiseware Processed
ISO	Pentax K20D In-Camera JPEG	Pentax K20D Noiseware Processed
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800
1600
3200
6400
Click on any of the above image crops for the full image. Note: Full size images are between 1.9MB and 11.7MB!

Noiseware completely changes the dynamics of high ISO image capture on the K20D. The comparison of JPEG images that have been Noiseware-processed to the original in-camera JPEG images shows a dramatic improvement in image quality, particularly at ISO 800 and beyond.