Pentax K-x

"The 12.4 megapixel JPEG images were a little soft straight out of the camera at the default sharpening setting"

photographyblog.com | talking about the camera's image-quality

"Noise is well controlled by the Pentax K-x, starting to appear at ISO 1600 and becoming more easily detectable at the faster settings of ISO 3200 and 6400."

photographyblog.com | talking about the camera's iso-noise

"The camera has a deep, contoured handgrip on the right-hand side, coated in a rubberized compound to aid grip, that enabled me to use three fingers to hold it and my right forefinger to operate the shutter button."

photographyblog.com | talking about the camera's feel

PENTAX K-x		Pentax K-x Hands on Review		Pentax KX Review (HD)
	Review Preview Image quality		Review Pro Ergonomics Image quality		Review Image quality

Browse all Pentax K-x videos

The Pentax K-x vs other recent entry-level DSLRs

	24p movies
	For that film look

	Incredible shutter lag
	97 ms shutter lag

	Many cross-type focus points
	9

	Thin
	2.7"

	Image stabilization
	Sensor shift

	Slightly larger than average sensor
	APS-C 23.6x15.8mm

	Really small
	Prosumer size 123x92x68 mm

	Fast shutter speed
	1/6000 of a second

The Pentax K-x vs other recent entry-level DSLRs

	Noisy at high ISO
	811 ISO

	HD movies
	720p @ 24fps

	Small screen
	2.7"

	Very low resolution screen
	230k dots

	Lower true resolution
	12.2 MP

	Slow continuous shooting
	4.7 fps

	Lacks in-camera panoramas
	You could stitch photos in post

	Lacks an external mic jack
	Limited to the in-camera mic

	Below average viewfinder coverage
	96%

	Low boost light sensitivity
	12,800 ISO

	Poor maximum light sensitivity
	6,400 ISO

	No weather sealing
	Need to shelter it from weather

	Fixed screen
	Less flexible

	Manual focus only
	None

	Slightly fewer lenses available
	90 lenses

	Shorter battery life
	420 shots

	Doesn't take 3D photos
	No 3d support

	Old
	September, 2009

	Not so popular
	Among snapsort users

Image quality data for the Pentax K-x provided by DxOMark

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Showing 15 comments

Michael Comora

(3:58 AM, September 07, 2011)

Had a red K-x, but after spending the summer at a horribly lit camp and also using Canon's XS, T1i, and 50D, I decided that it was time to swap. Sold my K-x for $395(!) and ended up buying a T2i. The K-x was great to learn about photo, since it has double IS with most modern lenses, HDR, and a high range of exposure settings. My main drawbacks were the poor low light performance, low-res screen, AA batteries, low resolution (12.2 MP), and lack of autofocus indicators in the viewfinder. Other than that, it's a solid choice, but it's definitely worth the extra $50-100 and getting a Canon T3 or T1i.

Bulriche

(11:29 PM, August 09, 2011)

Buy a k-x. I have both - and a K 20 D. You will be satisfied with the k-x.

Flux

(3:45 PM, August 09, 2011)

Should I get a K-X or a D3100 ?

NewTerritoryImages

(2:44 AM, May 04, 2011)

I got one in white a little more than a year ago. I love it. It's not what I would call a perfect camera, but I don't think you're going to beat it for the price. I will say that having a white camera gets a lot of attention which is good for anyone out looking to get some business. People who don't know any better tend to assume you're a professional just because you have such an "awesome" camera.

NewTerritoryImages

(2:37 AM, May 04, 2011)

I've had mine for a little over a year. The quality of video is fine, but it does drain the batteries rather quickly.

kmuzu

(7:01 PM, April 25, 2011)

I have the blue K-x and love it. It's a great entry level DSLR with many professional features. And don't be scared off by those who say only Canon or Nikon have the variety of lenses necessary- unless you have serious lens lust Pentax has a great selection and the new DSLR can use the old Pentax lenses. The k-x is easy to use and has great auto-focus and image stability. Although it shoots perfectly fine HD video it's not the K-x's strength - there is no microphone input and no HDMI output. For the price and quality the K-x can't be beat.

Henrique

(4:06 AM, April 25, 2011)

Great value. It packs many features for the price, beating similar age cameras on sensor noise and dynamic range. The build quality is above average among entry-level cameras. There's also the often not cited advantage that one can mount any of the great quality legacy Pentax, Sigma and Voigtländer lenses produced in the last 35 years without any adapter or modifications, with manual or auto focus, and with image stabilization in all of them, as the K-x uses image stabilization technology in the sensor itself.

The biggest con for the K-x is that if your main concern is shooting videos, you are probably better off with a Canon entry-level, which pack more resolution, auto focus in video mode and more battery life for not-too-distant price (considering you just stick with the kit lens, that is).

If you care more about photos though, the K-x is a great choice.

Speerdo

(2:45 PM, March 12, 2011)

I just got my K-X yesterday. It came down to the K-X or the Nikon D3100. I feel like I made the right choice. As a beginner, it made sense to get the cheaper camera w/ the in-body stabilization. Now I can pick up any of the hundreds of old K mount lenses on ebay w/o worrying too much about whether the lens has built in I.S. In my experience in the past, 720p video is plenty when it comes to home videos, and they're definitely easier to work with than full 1080p files. I definitely have a lot to learn to really make use of all that this camera offers. If you're a beginner and have never used an SLR before, this camera will have plenty of shooting options to keep you busy. I definitely feel like I made the right choice...especially since I got the BROWN version. Heyo!

Snapsort

(3:51 AM, March 06, 2011)

Did you see this video review of the K-x? The reviewer says he is very impressed with the video quality, though I don't think he mentions the battery life while shooting video.

Jen

(0:18 AM, March 06, 2011)

How would you rate the video quality of the k-x? Does shooting video drain the AA batteries quickly?

Snapsort

(3:07 PM, February 03, 2011)

They are still for sale but are no longer producing new ones, the Pentax K-x has been replaced by the Pentax K-r. This might be a good opportunity to pick a K-x at a discount price.

Jen

(2:33 PM, February 03, 2011)

Is the k-x now discontinued?

Kisaer

(11:16 AM, January 29, 2011)

I love my Pentax K x and I went black. I think the coloured look a little childish. I'm sick of hearing about Canon and Nikon should be the only choice in cameras! Pentax is great value for money and easy to operate with fantastic results. I'll be sticking to Pentax forever.

xio

(4:44 AM, November 27, 2010)

i just ordered one. it's on the way :)

Rickmorgan

(9:07 PM, October 11, 2010)

Seems like a great value to me. The colors are not my style, but I can always get a black one.

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Pentax K-x

Summary Pentax K-x

reviewsWhat are people saying about the K-x

Videos

Pros

The Pentax K-x vs other recent entry-level DSLRs

Cons

The Pentax K-x vs other recent entry-level DSLRs

dxomark

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Showing 15 comments