
Review Summary
2011-01-24T19:00:00
good weight; easy to use. Instruction book complicated but I am a beginner. Appears to be worth the money as this is high quality
turbo
2010-01-24T19:00:00
I have two superzoom cameras that I have been using - the last one was a Canon SX10-is that I purchased in June from Adorama (Very nice camera). I always wanted a DSLR to just kick it up a notch.I did a lot of research for my first DSLR. I take a lot of thunderstorm, lightning, scenery, sporting events and architectural pictures. I wanted a camera that did not produce a lot of noise in the pictures.I was open minded when I did the research I looked at Canon, Nikon and Sony also. Read a lot of reviews (every camera has pro's and con's) and the Pentax kx came out on top.I must state... This winter has been nasty and I have not taken my camera outside much as of yet. But I have playing around with the camera a bit, it has a lot of cool features. I am chomping at the bit to get out and play with the HDR feature. I have been impressed with the results I have gotten so far out of the camera. There are a lot of features and a big learning curve for me since it is my first DSLR. I can't wait to get familiar with all the features.The price is great. I purchased with 2 kit lenses the 18-55 and the 55-300. I found out that both of these lenses are very good for a kit lens, especially the 55-300.What I suggest is do you research if this is your first DSLR. I really kept an open mind. I did not have any lenses from previous camera systems so that did not sway my decision.So to sum it up, this camera was a great entry level fit for me. Every camera has it's pros and cons and this camera had way more pros then the other cameras I was comparing it to, the price is great for what you get.[...]
Mike
2010-01-10T19:00:00
Great camera for a beginner. It has a lot of auto settings that you can use while you are learning to use it in manual. The camera does have a difficult time with autofocus in low light, but I usually just turn it off. I haven't taken a lot of photos since photography class in college, but so far this camera meets all my needs.
sailebf
2010-01-09T19:00:00
I recently bought this camera after many weeks of searching for the right camera at the right price. The package deal is what sold me on this camera. I have only used it breifly but so far so good. It takes very good pictures, focuses quickly and it fits my hands nicely. Haven't tried using it as a video camera yet but will a bit later. Only negative I can find so far is when I first tried "live view", the camera said that the batteries were to weak and they were brand new, gonna try freshly charged ones later to see if that helps. I only gave it 4 stars because I haven't been able to fully untilize the camera yet.
trlhiker
CMOS with primary color filter and integrated Shake/Dust Reduction sensor movement system
23.4 x 15.6mm
8 bits/channel JPG, 12 bits/channel RAW
12.6 MP
12.97 MP
12M (4288x2428), 10M (3936x2624), 6M (3072x2048), 2M (1728x1152)
1280x720p24 (16:9), 640x416p24 (3:2) (resolution/FPS)
Image sensor movement combined with SP coating (Dust Alert available)
PENTAX KAF3, KAF2, KAF and KA (K mount, 35mm screw mount, 645/67 med format lenses useable w/ adapter and/or restrictions)
Yes
N/A
TTL phase-difference 11 point (9 cross) wide autofocus system (SAFOX VIII)
AF Auto, AF Single (w focus lock), AF Continuous (available in Action mode including Auto Picture Action, Kids, Pet, Stage Lighting, Night Snap, P/A/S/M/B/Sv), Manual
11 point auto, 5 point auto, AF point select, center/spot
Yes, via built-in flash
Pentamirror
96%
0.85X (w/ 50mm F1.4 at infinity)
0.85X (w/ 50mm F1.4 at infinity)
Natural-Bright-Matte III
-2.5 to 1.5
Optical & Digital (available via programmable Green button)
2.7" TFT color LCD monitor w adjustable brightness
230,000 dots
Yes
TTL by CMOS image sensor
100%
Magnification (2-6X in AF, 2-10X in MF), grid pattern, bright/dark indication, histogram
Contrast w Face Detection (up to 16 faces), contrast, phase difference
Retractable P-TTL popup flash
12 (100/m), 16 (200/m)
25mm wide angle (equivalent to 35mm)
On, off, redeye, slow sync, slow sync w redeye, slow sync w trailing curtain, wireless
-2 to 1 EV in 1/2 steps
Hotshoe (P-TTL, high speed sync available), wireless with PENTAX dedicated flash, X-sync socket
1/180 sec
SD, SDHC
USB 2.0 hi-speed, AV out
NTSC, PAL
Power source: 4 AA (lithium, NiMH rechargeable, alkaline)
Approx 1900 (1100 w 50% flash, CIPA)
Approx 680 min
Yes (optional)
Sensor-shift Shake Reduction (4 stops max)
TTL open aperture, 16 segment metering
EV 1-21.5 (ISO 200, 50mm F1.4)
Yes
Yes
Yes
+/- 3 EV (1/3 and 1/2 steps)
Yes (available via programmable AF/AE-L button)
Yes, 3 frames, up to +/- 1.5 (1/2 steps) or +/- 1.0 (1/3 steps)
200-6400 (1, 1/2, 1/3 EV steps), up to 1600 in Bulb, expand to 100-12800
200-6400 (1, 1/2, 1/3 EV steps), up to 1600 in Bulb, expand to 100-12800
Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Fluorescent (D, N, W, L), Tungsten, Flash, CTE
Yes
Electronically controlled, vertical run, focal plane shutter
1/6000 to 30 sec, bulb
Auto Picture (Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Action, Night Scene Portrait, StandardFlash Off), Picture (Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Action, Night Scene Portrait, Standard Flash Off), Scene (Night Scene, Surf & Snow, Food, Sunset, Kids, Pet, Candlelight, Museum, Stage Lighting [JPG], Night Snap [JPG]), Program, Sensitivity Priority, Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority, Metered Manual, Bulb (available in Metered Manual), Movie
Auto Picture (Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Action, Night Scene Portrait, StandardFlash Off), Picture (Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Action, Night Scene Portrait, Standard Flash Off), Scene (Night Scene, Surf & Snow, Food, Sunset, Kids, Pet, Candlelight, Museum, Stage Lighting [JPG], Night Snap [JPG]), Program, Sensitivity Priority, Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority, Metered Manual, Bulb (available in Metered Manual), Movie
Yes
P, A, S, M, B (in Metered Manual), Sv (Sensitivity Priority)
Custom Image Modes: Bright, Natural, Portrait, Landscape, Vibrant, Muted, Monochrome. Color modes include gamut radar and fine adjustment for saturation, hue, key, contrast, sharpness (regular and fine adj). Monochrome mode includes adjustment for film filter effects (green, yellow, orange, red, magenta, blue, cyan, infrared), toning (sepia warm/cool), key, contrast, sharpness (regular andfine adj). Cross Processing mode available for creative random effect generation.
(capture): Toy Camera, High Contrast, Soft, Starburst, Retro, Color Extract (6),Fisheye, Custom (8)
Folder name (standard, date)
Approx 4.7 FPS (Continuous Hi: 17 JPG, 5 RAW), 2 FPS (Continuous Lo: unlimited JPG, 11 RAW)
Yes (12s, 2s)
Yes, infrared (0s, 3s, continuous)
One Shot (no data, basic data, full data, color channel histogram), Multi Image Display (4, 9, 16, or 36 thumbnails), Calendar Filmstrip, Folder, Magnification (quick zoom available), Select & Delete, Movie Playback (no data, basic data, full data), Bright/Dark Indication
Image Rotation, Digital Filter, Resize, Cropping, Slideshow, Image Comparison, RAW Development, Index Print, Protect, DPOFson, Protect, DPOF
Toy Camera, Retro, High Contrast, Extract Color (6), Watercolor, Pastel, Miniature, Base Parameter Adj, Monochrome (filter effects, toning), Color (6), Soft, Starburst, Fisheye, Slim, HDR, Custom Filter
Still: RAW (PEF, DNG), JPG (EXIF 2.21), DCF 2.0 (design rule for camera file system), DPOF, Print Image Matching III
AVI (Motion JPG)
22
Windows XP/Vista, USB 2.0 port
Mac OS-X 10.3-10.5, USB 2.0 port
English, French, German, Spanish, Swedish, Dutch, Italian, Russian, Portuguese, Danish, Finnish, Polish, Czech, Hungarian, Turkish, Greek, Japanese, Korean, Traditional/Simplified Chinese
Fiber reinforced plastic polymer covers around a rugged stainless steel chassis
32-104°F
4.8 x 3.6 x 2.7"
Without battery or removable memory: 18.2 oz
Loaded and ready: 20.5 oz
Pentax 1 year limited warranty
027075159464
Great Entry Level DSLR
By Mike
I have two superzoom cameras that I have been using - the last one was a Canon SX10-is that I purchased in June from Adorama (Very nice camera). I always wanted a DSLR to just kick it up a notch.I did a lot of research for my first DSLR. I take a lot of thunderstorm, lightning, scenery, sporting events and architectural pictures. I wanted a camera that did not produce a lot of noise in the pictures.I was open minded when I did the research I looked at Canon, Nikon and Sony also. Read a lo...
View full Review
Great camera for a novice photographer
By sailebf
Great camera for a beginner. It has a lot of auto settings that you can use while you are learning to use it in manual. The camera does have a difficult time with autofocus in low light, but I usually just turn it off. I haven't taken a lot of photos since photography class in college, but so far this camera meets all my needs.
The extremely compact and lightweight PENTAX K-x is perfect for users stepping up from a point and shoot digital camera to their first digital SLR.
12.4 effective megapixels
The K-x incorporates a newly developed CMOS image sensor to assure high-speed image data readout and more flexibility with varying ISO sensitivity levels.
Widescreen HD movie recording at 1280x720 pixels at a cinematic 24 frames per second (720p24)
The PENTAX K-x movie recording function captures true-to-life movie clips in 16:9 high-definition TV proportions (1280 x 720 pixels) at a frame rate of 24 frames per second.
PENTAX-original SR mechanism for sharp, blur-free images
The K-x features the PENTAX-developed Shake Reduction mechanism that effectively compensates for the adverse effects of camera shakeby as much as four shutter steps. This innovative mechanism extends its benefits to all PENTAX interchangeable lenses - even those designed for film-format cameras.
High-speed continuous shooting at approximately 4.7 images per second
The K-x's high-speed continuous shooting mode records as many as 17 images (in JPEG recording format) at a maximum speed of approximately 4.7 images per second. This is the fastest of all entry-class models. The K-x also features a more reliable shutter unit, which passed a demanding action test of more than 100,000 shutter releases. The top shutter speed of 1/6000 second allows the photographer to preserve sharp, crisp images of fast-moving subjects.
High-performance, high-speed PRIME II imaging engine
This new imaging engine offers greater data processing speed and enhanced capability to produce higher-quality images with richer, more accurate color rendition, as well as faster transmission speed of movie data.
Live View function with Face detection of up to 16 faces
In addition to the camera's viewfinder, the K-x features a Live View function that allows users to view subjects on the LCD monitor during shooting.
Digital Filter function
The K-x's digital filter function allows users to process recorded images in a variety of creative ways within the camera and produce highly creative visual expressions. With a choice of 16 different filters including Color Extract, Retro, Soft, Starburst, Toy Camera, and more (including a custom filter for building multiple effects), photographers may apply multiple filters to a singleimage for customized effects
Cross Process mode
The K-x features a new Cross Process mode that automatically and randomly adds finishing touches to exposures to create eye-catching images with unique, intriguing colors (just like images treated with Cross Process* in film photography). This mode adds a whimsical element to digital photography since photographers don't know the results until the captured image is actually displayed on the camera's LCD monitor.