Pentax K20D vs Panasonic G85

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Pentax K20D vs Panasonic G85

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APS-C 368.2mm²
14.6 megapixels
ISO 100 - 3200

Go in depth with our full Pentax K20D Review.
See real-world photos taken with the K20D.

4/3 224.9mm²
16.0 megapixels
ISO 200 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Panasonic G85 Review.
How does it shoot? Panasonic G85 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the G85.
Compare Panasonic G85 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Panasonic G85 conclusion.

Succeeded by the Pentax K-7
Compare K20D vs K-7

Succeeded by the Panasonic G95
Compare G85 vs G95

Compare PENTAX K-7 vs PANASONIC G95

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Differences

Pentax K20D advantages over Panasonic G85

Larger sensor
APS-C vs 4/3
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 5.05 vs 3.77 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Fast startup
~0.40 vs 0.8 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

530 vs 330 shots
Capture more photos
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos

Panasonic G85 advantages over Pentax K20D

Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs none
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Shoot 4K video
4K (UHD) vs No
Make sure you have a fast computer
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
More dynamic range

More dynamic range

Cameras with more dynamic range allow you to take photos with dramatic differences in highlight and shadow areas while retaining detail in both.

Think of a brilliant sunset on a rocky beach: Bright sunset in the background, with dark rocks in the foreground. High dynamic range means more of the extremes will be faithfully reproduced.

Dynamic range test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
G85 test data on DxO Mark K20D test data on DxO Mark

12.5 vs 11.1 evs
Retain detail in highlight and shadows
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Newer
8 years vs 17 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
HDMI out
HDMI out vs None
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Shoots 24p video
Yes vs No
Gives your movies a big-screen feel
More dots on screen
1040k vs 230k dots
Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
Shoots 1080p video
Yes vs No
You'll want this if you shoot video
More viewfinder magnification
0.74x vs 0.63x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Faster JPEG shooting
9.4 fps vs 2.8 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
Unlimited vs 38 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/16000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
25600 vs 6400 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Both provide
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

NFC
Neither provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
On-sensor phase detect
Neither provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read K20D User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read G85 User Reviews

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Kit with 12-60mm Lens (Black)

Kit with 12-60mm Lens (Black)
Body Only (Black)

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Review Excerpt

Read our Pentax K20D Full Review

Very good image quality; Very good high ISO performance and dynamic range; Fast and accurate autofocus; Excellent 4K video recording quality and features.
OLPF-less sensor is prone to moiré; Electronic viewfinder struggles in low light; Continuous autofocus is limited to 6fps shooting; Below average battery life.
Read our Panasonic G85 Review

The Competition

Compared to Samsung GX-20

Pentax K20D

Samsung GX-20

$800
APS-C

Less expensive

$1400
APS-C

Higher effective ISO

Compare Pentax K20D vs Samsung GX-20

Panasonic G85

Samsung GX-20

$631
4/3

Focus peaking
Tilt-swivel screen

$1400
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic G85 vs Samsung GX-20

Compared to Sony DSLR-A380

Pentax K20D

Sony DSLR-A380

$800
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

$849
APS-C

Tiltable Screen
HDMI out

Compare Pentax K20D vs Sony DSLR-A380

Panasonic G85

Sony DSLR-A380

$631
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Lens selection

$849
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic G85 vs Sony DSLR-A380

Compared to Pentax K-7

Pentax K20D

Pentax K-7

$800
APS-C

Less expensive
Fast startup

$1300
APS-C

Longer stills battery life
HDMI out

Compare Pentax K20D vs Pentax K-7

Panasonic G85

Pentax K-7

$631
4/3

Focus peaking
Tilt-swivel screen

$1300
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic G85 vs Pentax K-7

Compared to Olympus E-M1 II

Pentax K20D

Olympus E-M1 II

$800
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$899
4/3

Focus peaking
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Pentax K20D vs Olympus E-M1 II

Panasonic G85

Olympus E-M1 II

$631
4/3

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

$899
4/3

High resolution composite
Higher effective ISO

Compare Panasonic G85 vs Olympus E-M1 II

Compared to Panasonic G95

Pentax K20D

Panasonic G95

$800
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$848
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Focus peaking

Compare Pentax K20D vs Panasonic G95

Panasonic G85

Panasonic G95

$631
4/3

Less expensive
Bigger RAW buffer

$848
4/3

Built-in Bluetooth
Newer

Compare Panasonic G85 vs Panasonic G95

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