Comparison between k200d and k20 in terms of noise

Please somebody advise me. My hobby is shooting indoor sports (mostly short track) and I need to use my k200d on ISO1600. Of course, pictures are a bit noisy (even after Ninja). Does it make sense to upgrade to k20d (or K-7) just from noise point of view? I can not find any info about the noise comparison of different level Pentax Dslrs. Thanks.

The K200D sensor is the same as the K10D, a CCD 10.2Mp sensor. In the K20D, Pentax changed to a CMOS construction 14.6Mp sensor which has a much lower operating temperature.

CCD sensors can be prone to overheating during heavy use, like indoor sports events, and excessive noise can become an issue.

The lower operating temperature and improved noise immunity of the sensor in the K20D would make it more suitable to your needs IMHO.

If you are going to buy one, there are plenty of little used bodies available. Stocks of new ones will fairly soon become very scarce I think.

You might also consider the Samsung GX20 camera. It's the same camera as the K20D but with different firmware, a different badge on the front, and slightly different ergonomics. The GX20 can be bought for less money than the K20D, usually.

Any lenses you have for your K200D will work on either a K20D or GX20 body.

Thanks. Theoretically you are absolute right, CMOS sensors are far less noisy than CCD ones. But higher pixel number also means higher noise... 14.6Mp CMOS vs. 10.2Mp CCD. That's why I would be happy to see any real comparison.

If it's any help, I use the K10D and the K20D and to be honest noise is not really an issue with either of them.

In both cases I usually use 200 ISO as standard. If the need arises, then I do quite happily up the ISO, preferring a slightly grainy (noisy) but sharp image to an unsharp one.

Noise intrudes from 800 ISO, but not excessively so, and the need for faster speeds than that is a bit debateable IMHO. However, I have used 1600 ISO when needed.

When we used film, how often did we really reach for the Agfapan 1000 or the Kodak 2475 Recording Film? Very rarely, I suspect.

Well, I never use high ISO but I should when shooting short track (fast moving competitors, low light, flash is forbidden...) ...and I do this hobby a lot. I like my k200d very much, it is an exceptional good entry level DSLR, I can not see any reason to upgrade, unless k20d (or k-7) produces significantly lower noise at ISO1600. That is my hesitation...

Not a comparison, but have a look at my images on the first page of this thread. Taken with the K20D + DA* 300mm @ ISO 6400.

I think it shows quite clearly that high ISO works quite well, certainly in bright daylight. I appreciate however that high ISO performance at lower light levels as you will experience may not be as good.

Peter - where are the photos?

I use my GX20 regularly at ISO 1600 for indoor low light music photography & noise is not really an issue as long as correctly exposed.

i used to use my k100d at 1600 also & that was not really a high noise camera but at 3200 it showed a lot of noise.

HTH

Gary

i did find the k20d better than the k20d but not by much, but it has an advantage of the higher isos,

Scott, you mean found the k20d better than the k200d (or vica versa)?

yeah sorry the k20 better than the k200 but not by much,

I have the GX20 and find noise no great problem provided images are exposed corectly
the two images below were shot at my sons wedding recently both with the pentax 16-45 lens

Zoltan,

goto link.
Under Image Quality Database (Compare Cameras) just choose make (Pentax) and models (k200d & k20d) or whatever.

Ragnar

Sorry, here.

Ragnar,
Many thanks, this is what I really need, it is absolutely useful. (I am still waiting for appearing k-7 on this comparison and then decide what to do.)
Thanks again.