• APS-C 368.2mm2
  • 14.6 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 14.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 3200

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Differences

Pentax K20D advantages over Sony DSLR-A290

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • More cross-type AF points
    9 vs 1
    Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
  • Pentaprism viewfinder
    Pentaprism vs Pentamirror
    Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.63x vs 0.55x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    2.8 fps vs 2.4 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    38 vs 18 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    6400 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Sony DSLR-A290 advantages over Pentax K20D

  • Less expensive
    $500 vs $800 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Lighter weight
    508g vs 802g
    Lighter weight

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

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • 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
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • 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

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Buy the Pentax K20D

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Review Excerpt

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

Sony DSLR-A290
Samsung GX-20
  • $500
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • HDMI out
  • $1400
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Higher effective ISO

Compare Sony DSLR-A290 vs Samsung GX-20

Compared to Nikon D5000

Pentax K20D
Nikon D5000
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Top deck display
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Higher effective ISO

Compare Pentax K20D vs Nikon D5000

Sony DSLR-A290
Nikon D5000
  • $500
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Sony DSLR-A290 vs Nikon D5000

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

Sony DSLR-A290
Sony DSLR-A380
  • $500
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Lighter weight
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Bigger JPEG buffer

Compare Sony DSLR-A290 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

Sony DSLR-A290
Pentax K-7
  • $500
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $1300
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Sony DSLR-A290 vs Pentax K-7

Compared to Sony DSLR-A390

Pentax K20D
Sony DSLR-A390
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Top deck display
  • $507
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Pentax K20D vs Sony DSLR-A390

Sony DSLR-A290
Sony DSLR-A390
  • $500
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • More viewfinder magnification
  • $507
  • APS-C
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Sony DSLR-A290 vs Sony DSLR-A390

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