• APS-C 368.2mm2
  • 14.6 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • 23.00mm - 855.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Pentax K20D advantages over Nikon L840

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.05 vs 1.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Thinner
    70 mm vs 96 mm
    Thinner
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    38 vs 7 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/1500 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Nikon L840 advantages over Pentax K20D

  • Less expensive
    $300 vs $800 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 740 vs 530 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Newer
    9 years vs 16 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Lighter weight
    538g vs 802g
    Lighter weight
  • More dots on screen
    921k 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
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    7.4 fps vs 2.8 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • 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

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
  • 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
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • 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

User reviews

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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

Nikon L840
Samsung GX-20
  • $300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $1400
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Nikon L840 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

Nikon L840
Sony DSLR-A380
  • $300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Nikon L840 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

Nikon L840
Pentax K-7
  • $300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $1300
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Nikon L840 vs Pentax K-7

Compared to Nikon P530

Pentax K20D
Nikon P530
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Newer
  • HDMI out

Compare Pentax K20D vs Nikon P530

Nikon L840
Nikon P530
  • $300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Nikon L840 vs Nikon P530

Compared to Nikon B500

Pentax K20D
Nikon B500
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $322
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Pentax K20D vs Nikon B500

Nikon L840
Nikon B500
  • $300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Longer exposure
  • $322
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Bluetooth

Compare Nikon L840 vs Nikon B500

Compare Other Cameras?