Minor (possibly software-only) enhancements I think Pentax should make to the K20D

[dnaxe]

I've used the K20D for awhile, and I think the following minor usability improvements which might not require any hardware changes would be really useful! (Waves at Kevin)

Do let me know if there's actually some camera option which enables/allows any of these, or if there is something I'm missing.

1. Live view - option to overlay shooting information

2. Live view - option to force AF at the point at which live view is engaged (as in, when live view is engaged, attempt AF before going into live view mode)

3. new partially dedicated button - pressing and holding the delete picture button and turning a right hand dial changes ISO/WB, or alternatively pressing the delete button when photo is not being shown, and turning a dial changes ISO/WB. (Assuming that the presses don't occur when viewing a photograph onscreen)

4. allow Raw button to be repurposed for ISO/WB changes

5. Interactive "info" screen - afer info is pressed, the up/down/left/right and ok buttons allows settings to be selected and changed. Pressing the shutter should still take a photograph, and changes should be smart (e.g. in av mode, changing the av should change the shutter, while changing the shutter should change the av etc.)

6. live view - settings seem to be erased - looks like it always shoots at full auto?

[creampuff]

Sorry but I disagree on the points you've raised.

1) Live View is after all to help composition in lieu of using the viewfinder. Having shooting info visible would partially obscure the view, so what's the point? After all the relevant exposure info is already displayed on the LCD panel.

2) You can set the AF point beforehand in AF.S by pressing the AF button and selecting the focusing point with the 4 way controller (read the manual).

3) I think this is a sure recipe for one to inadvertently erase images. Better to leave the Delete button alone and not assign any other function for it.

4) Again I see no purpose for assigning another function for the RAW button. One can already customize to change ISO through the e-dials in the Custom menu. As to WB, the current arrangement is fine imo, and if one needs to fine tune the WB, a simple button arrangement won't hack it.

5) I don't get your point. A camera captures individual images at a determined aperture/shutter/ISO/WB parameter. How does one change any of the parameters after the image has been captured and saved? Sorry I catch no ball...

6) Settings erased? Don't know what you mean. LV will shoot according to the exposure mode that you set. If you set to any of the Auto modes, it will meter according to what you point the camera at.

[dnaxe]

Creampuff:

1) Have you tried live view recently? The LCD panel (next to the shutter release button right?) is blank.

2) eh. so? The LV is not focussed when switched to LV. Why is this a feature?

3) lol. really? *shrug* you're welcome to your opinion How is this a bad thing as an option?

4) might not fine tune. How is this a bad thing as an option?

5) [pressing info screen -before- capturing anything shows you shooting information. That's what I'm referring to.

6) try using LV. In manual mode it's fine - the settings stick. But try, say, SV. Swtich the aperture to a value. (say, f/15). Swtich to live view. Note how the picture is not taken with f/15.

[creampuff]

Live View captures exposure in real time as the mirror is flipped up and the sensor is directly exposed. Compare that to the conventional non-LV mode, where exposure readout is measured by a photo-sensor at the bottom of the mirror box. That's the likely reason we are not able to get any exposure readout or indication during LV.

That's my answer to your point #1 (yes I know the LCD indicates the ISO only), #5 and #6

#2 if you can't figure that one out I can't help you (LV works in real time)

#3 is pretty simple common sense, there is always a risk of the user pressing the wrong buttons and in field conditions/dark situations, one might inadvertently delete images unintentionally. I don't think any camera manufacturer assigns any other function to the DELETE button.

#4 Using one button might work if you're selecting the pre-set WB settings but please tell me how would you fine tune WB on the Green~Magenta and Blue~Amber axis with one button?

If you're unhappy with your K20D's LV implementation, either don't use it or use a different camera. What could be simpler than that.

[dnaxe]

1) So you were wrong in your first response? You could be right in your second (and I think you probably are because this would explain item 6 as well). If so, 1 and 6 are not software changes. Oh well. reduces liveview usefulness.

2) When I switch on live view, I find that I invaribly have to refocus. I'm just asking that the camera tries to focus before i switch to live view.

3) you can't delete pictures using just the delete button and a dial. No other camera manufactrer provides Sv, TAv or multiple exposure (i think) either.

4) I said - yes - no fine tuning.

5) I don't think you understand. Switch on the camera, then press info immediately. You'll see a settings display on the rear lcd. Change any setting, and this settings display disappears. I'm asking for it to be persistent (except for the shutter) and additionally for the selection/ok keys to allow changes to individual settings as far as possible.

[dnaxe]

OMGOMGOMG.

In "P", "Av" and "Tv" modes, the K20D changes ISO by holding down "OK" and turning the front dial.

<3

EXCELLENT!! *runs screaming*

[istDeS]

Originally Posted by dnaxe OMGOMGOMG. In "P", "Av" and "Tv" modes, the K20D changes ISO by holding down "OK" and turning the front dial. <3 EXCELLENT!! *runs screaming*

In "Sv", "Tv" and "Av" modes, you can actually assign the changing of ISO to the front or rear dial. Cutting the steps to hold the "OK" button.

[dnaxe]

Originally Posted by istDeS In "Sv", "Tv" and "Av" modes, you can actually assign the changing of ISO to the front or rear dial. Cutting the steps to hold the "OK" button.

Yeah - I will probably still stick to SV generally still, but this is a nice feature anyway