
Review Summary
2012-03-11T21:00:00
The Pentax K-x was my first DSLR. I recently switched from it to Canon's T2i mainly due to availability of lenses I could borrow (and the sweet Adorama deal I got on the T2i). My biggest complaint about the K-x is its lack of focus point indicators in the viewfinder. Other than that it's an excellent camera. You can buy K-mount lenses for little money and put them on the K-x. Pentax's "catch-in-focus" makes shooting with a manual focus lens extremely easy. The "green button" is also very handy and made learning to shoot in manual mode easy. The menu system on the Pentax is also easier to navigate than on the Canon, and the Pentax has more bells and whistles built in. Pentax DSLRs have a reputation for a loud shutter and loud autofocus. These did not bother me while I had the K-x, but my Canon is very quiet in comparison. Additionally the autofocus seems much faster on the Canon than on the Pentax. Overall I loved loved loved my Pentax K-x. High ISO and the ability to mount old lenses make it a lot of fun. The lack of focus indicators in the viewfinder can lead to frustration, so I would advise shoppers to get a K-r instead. Navigation of the Pentax K-x is definitely superior to the Canon T2i.
Monkey B.
2011-03-13T21:00:00
I have never owned a DSLR before and after reading a few reviews I decided to jump on board with the Pentax K-X. I couldn't be happier with the overall performance of the camera so far. It takes crisp pictures, has a plethora of options and features to play around with and it stands apart from the crowd with its blue color. A couple complaints I do have so far though are minor, one is that I wish it had an IR eye on the back of the camera so I can use the IR remote to snap pictures from behind without needing a mirror. Two is that I wish it had a different option for labeling the folders; currently the file label is a bit awkward from how my last camera labeled the folders. Again minor issues that shouldn't deter anybody from this wonderful camera!
KYLE S.
2011-01-12T19:00:00
Let me first state that this is my first experience buying and using a DSLR camera. I did a lot of research and read many reviews before making the decision to purchase this specific camera. I'm convinced that I made the right decision and my experience with Adorama so far has been very good. The camera looks and feels great, is easy to handle and is fun to use. I'm learning how to use the many features of a DSLR and this camera makes it quite easy to view/change settings quickly. The included manual is thorough and a great reference. I'm very impressed with the quality of the Pentax K-x and the price was what I was looking for as a first DSLR buy. Overall I would definitely recommend this camera and I look forward to using it far into the future.
RLB
2011-01-11T19:00:00
I've taken my K-x out many times and have been really happy with the quality of the images that I have gotten. I snagged my favorite shot (so far) on the first weekend I had the camera, which indicates how easy it is to pick up the camera and take good pictures. I had a film slr several years ago and found the transition to digital fairly easy with the K-x.I've picked up an inexpensive used manual focus K mount Takumar Bayonet telephoto lens. Getting good shots with the lens only required changing a menu option and shooting in Av or Manual mode. The only thing that would have made it easier is one of those old style prisms that helped get things in focus.The included SW with the K-x is usable and basically lets you do anything you can do on the camera. Once I realized that I have to apply a crop, before I can modify it ... things fell into place.I really fell in love with this camera, the specs are really good for a camera kit that I picked up for much less than I thought I'd have to pay for a dSLR. Something that I didn't know before I got the camera is that the Pentax user community is really friendly and welcoming! [...] there are plenty of good quality lenses to drool over until my skill level is high enough to warrant getting a new lens. The fact that old lenses can be used with image stabilization if you go through the trouble of putting in the focal length is a big plus in my book and will tide me over until I can get that new, fast lens. This is a great camera at a great price. I've been able to capture the shots as I see them in my minds eye without fail. I would like a faster lens, but the kit lens seems to do a good job and it is a kit lens after all. Based on my great experience so far ... if I ever grow out of the K-x, I'll be looking at getting a K5!
Randy S.
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
027075160088






My first DSLR and so far I'm loving it!
By RLB
Let me first state that this is my first experience buying and using a DSLR camera. I did a lot of research and read many reviews before making the decision to purchase this specific camera. I'm convinced that I made the right decision and my experience with Adorama so far has been very good. The camera looks and feels great, is easy to handle and is fun to use. I'm learning how to use the many features of a DSLR and this camera makes it quite easy to view/change settings quickly. The includ...
View full Review
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.
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