The K-x camera design is a compact, lightweight body and simple, user-friendly operations. With the addition of a newly designed CMOS image sensor and an upgraded high-performance imaging engine, the K-x offers outstanding photographic performance at nearly the same level as upper-class models. This includes high-resolution, fine-detailed images delivered by approximately 12.4 effective megapixels, super-high-sensitivity photography and high-speed continuous shooting. The K-x also features an array of advanced functions, including Live View shooting and movie recording. It also provides a pair of handy functions designed to produce highly personalized images with great ease: an upgraded digital filter function to accommodate more sophisticated image processing, and a new cross process mode to produce unexpected, eye-catching finishing touches with unique, intriguing colors. The K-x is not only the perfect camera for first-time digital SLR camera users, but also serves as the ideal backup camera for more experienced photographers. True HDR image capture blends 3 bracketed images into a single picture with outstanding shadow, highlight, and midrange detail Responsive 11 point wide angle SAFOX VIII autofocus system focuses quickly and accurately, and can easily track moving subjects Expanded ISO range covers sensitivities from 100-12800 for extreme low light photography Capture up to 1900 shots with easy-to-find AA lithium batteries Specifications Effective Pixels - approx. 12.4 megapixels Image Sensor - CMOS with a primary color filter Lens Mount - PENTAX KAF2 bayonet mount Monitor - 2.7 TFT color LCD Live View - TTL by Image Sensor Viewfinder - Fixed molded penta-mirror type Storage Media - SD memory card, SDHC memory card Image Formats - JPEG, RAW (12bit) (PEF, DNG), RAW+JPEG File Size - Up to JPEG or RAW - (12M) 4288x28; Movie - (0.9M) 1280x720, 1
Product Details
Amazon Sales Rank: #1443 in Camera & Photo
Brand: Pentax
Model: K-x 18-55mm Navy Kit
Number of items: 1
Dimensions: 2.70" h x
3.60" w x
4.80" l,
1.30 pounds
Display size: 2.7
Features
High resolution 12.4 megapixel CMOS image sensor features sensor-shift Shake Reduction for stabilized image
Large 2.7 inch LCD features Live View with contrast, phase difference, and Face Detection autofocus (up to 16 faces).
Capture widescreen HD video in full 720p resolution (1280x720) at 24 FPS cinematic framerate, using any PENTAX 35mm lens.
Highly compact DSLR body design allows for 1 handed operation and comfort when travelling.
Powerful automatic modes, including PENTAX Auto Picture and scene modes, ensure the perfect shot in any situation
Customer Reviews
The Pentax K-x is a giant killer! I recently upgraded from my beloved Olympus e-510 DSLR with the 14-42mm and 40-150mm kits lenses in order to get a DSLR with better low-light performance and HD video capabilities. I loved my Olympus, but image quality took a nose-dive at ISO 800, and I liked the idea of having an HD camcorder built into my camera to capture high quality family photos and home videos in one device. I eventually settled on the Pentax K-x after first buying, and then returning, a Canon T2i.
I know that the T2i costs almost twice as much as the K-x, and they're not direct competitors, but I think my experience illustrates what a great camera and bargain the K-x is and how, for me at least, it was a giant killer.
I initially pre-ordered a T2i for the $900 MSRP after reading the glowing reviews in the press about the 18MP sensor, the high-ISO performance and the killer 1080p video. When I received the T2i, I was surprised by how cheap and plasticky it felt. It's not that the T2i was likely to fall apart, but my Olympus felt and looked like a higher quality camera, even though it was about $200 less than the T2i when I bought it. I realize that the T2i is a Rebel, but for almost $1000, I expected something more solid.
Even worse was the Canon 18-55mm kit lens, which felt like a toy compared to my Olympus kit lenses. It looked cheap, and the zoom action felt very cheap, and you could hear plastic-on-plastic as you zoomed in and out. There was no lens hood included, and the optional lens hood was only about an inch deep and looked ridiculous. The front element rotated when auto-focusing, which makes using some filters problematic, and you had to switch off AF to manually make focus adjustments. My Olympus lenses did not rotate the front element, and allowed full time focus override without turning off AF. And build-wise, they looked and felt like a higher end lens. But worst of all, Canon kits lens's optical performance was lacking, rendering the 18MP sensor moot.
I could live with the cheap feel of the T2i body and the ugly jelly-bean design, but I came to realize that in order to get a lens that would match the performance of the body, I would need to shell out another $500 or more, and as a hobbyist I just didn't have the budget.
The real deal-breaker with the T2i though, was the use of Quicktime format for the HD video. Quicktime is a proprietary Apple video format, and while I must assume it works well on a new Mac, the QT videos often gave PCs problems. I'd read about this from other users, but I figured that with my high-end PCs and my computer knowledge, I would be okay. But both my new Sony Vaio laptop with Windows 7, ATI 4650 graphics and 4GB of RAM and my desktop computer with Windows XP, dual-core processor, 4GB of RAM, Raptor 10K HDD and nVidia 8800GT graphics would stutter on playback of the 1080p files. And finding affordable programs to edit Quicktime HD video files is another headache. I wasn't about to buy a new Mac just to be able to work with the video from my new camera.
So back went the T2i, and my quest for a new camera continued. I was just about to pull the trigger on a Nikon D5000, when I came across the Pentax K-x.
The first thing that grabbed my attention was the styling. I thought the red was killer, but I wasn't that brave. And the camera looked dead-sexy in navy blue, but when I saw the white version, I was in love. One thing I liked about my Olympus was that it was something DIFFERENT than all the Nikons and Canon Rebels you see every other parent carrying to school or sports functions. I would often get questions about it from people who didn't realize that Olympus even MADE DSLRs. With this Pentax, I would again have something out of the ordinary.
Then I started reading reviews of the K-x. One of the great things about the T2i is the high ISO image quality, and according to the reviews and the sample images I was looking at, the K-x was right there with it.
And the K-x also did HD video. There were some limitations, such as 720p and lack of full control over exposure while shooting video, but I didn't really mind since the samples I downloaded looked great, even on my 110" 1080P home theater projector. And 720p files take less space than 1080p and require less processing power to playback and edit. And best of all, the K-x uses Motion JPEG video format, which plays back great on PCs and is compatible with almost any Windows video editing program. The MJPEG format does use more disk space than the equivalent QT file, but hard drives and SD cards are cheap these days, so it's not a big deal.
Another great thing about the K-x is that it has sensor-based image stabilization in the body, so any lens you stick on the camera is stabilized. My Olympus used a similar system, and I was very happy with it. The big advantage is that you can be non-stabilized lenses so they'll be smaller, lighter, and less expensive.
I ended up buying the K-x in white with the 18-55mm lens. The K-x looks and feels like a higher quality camera than the T2i, and matches my Olympus in this department. The kit lens is also a very worthy piece of hardware.
With the money I saved on the Pentax, I was able to buy the legendary Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 lens, a Pentax 55-300mm zoom lens, and a Sigma speedlight. The flash was new, but I got great deals on the slighty-used lenses on eBay and Craigslist.
I've been using the Pentax for a couple months now, and have taken hundreds of pictures. I am absolutely thrilled with the camera and couldn't be happier with the photos and videos I'm getting. The T2i did have just slightly more detail, but other than that I would say the K-x has equal image quality. And the 12MP RAW image files of the K-x are faster to work with than the 18MP files of the T2i and take up much less space on SD cards, so you don't have to worry about filling up nearly as fast.
That's not too much negative I can say about the camera. I would like it to have a mini-HDMI port and a standard mini-USB port, and continuous auto-focus would be nice in video mode, but no other DSLR has that yet. Stereo mics would also be nice.
I suspect that the image stabilization system may not be as good as the one in my Olympus, but I can't say for sure since my 300mm is longer than the telephoto I had with the Olympus and will therefore be more prone to shake.
I get compliments on the Pentax everywhere I go, and it's been a joy to use and own. I could not be happier with my purchase.
In the future I'll probably add a Sigma 30mm F1.4 prime and a Sigma 10-20mm ultra-wide zoom to my lens kit.
Just for the record, I'm not trying to bash on the T2i. It is an amazing camera that is currently without peer in its price range. But if you're like me and you only have about $1000 to spend, I think you will get much more value by going with a less-expensive but almost-as-capable camera like the K-x, and using the extra money on high quality lenses. My F2.8 constant-aperture lens has been a revolution for me, and I recommend every budding photographer make room in their budget for something similar.
the BEST entry level DSLR The Pentax K-x is my first DSLR and I am very happy that I chose this over this over the other major brands for various reasons:
1) Great noise reduction (up to 3200 ISO with little noise)
2) I can buy and use older Pentax lenses (I prefer the "A" type cuz they are quality and inexpensive) as well as the new digital ones.
2) 720 HD video (without major limits except what your SD card gives)
3) Internal Shake Reduction (for movies and photos)
4) Lots of different filtering options (though I prefer PP)
5) Easy user interface (intuitive menu)
6) AND IT'S SUPER CHEAP!!!
Basically, it all comes down to what lens collection you want to be a part of and how much you are willing to pay. The Pentax K-x has a lot of features for the price and so for my budget, it has been a joy.
Remarks to previously stated cons
1) Battery life (I use new Eneloops and Energizers that work days in my camera using the 1.01 firmware update)
2) No AF confirmation (oh well, i use manual focus lenses and replaced my focus screen with a Nikon K-3)
Pentax K-X I received my camera and in a few minutes I was out shooting pictures and HD videos. I had went online and read up on the camera weeks leading up to the purchase, so I had some knowledge of the camera's setting. It is a great camera for the price. I took about 500 pictures this weekend up at Queen Mary's Park in Long Beach, Ca covering the 18th LAcalendar Motorcycle Show. The pictures came out beautifully. I used a Tamron AF 28-300 zoom lense that I bought at a local camera shop. The depth of field on a lot of the photos are unbelievable. Super sharp and super clear. The custom picture settings are a plus. I went in and adjusted some to meet my needs for a different look. The Pentax corperation has a long history of great cameras and quality one can trust. I'm glad that I made this purchase after testing and reading about the other more expensive DSLR cameras that are out there. The ones that everybody are buying because someone in Hollywood used it to make a movie. But apples to apples, the K-X is right up there with them but on a lower price scale which any lowbudget director will appreciate.
