Pentax K-x
Encyclopedia
The Pentax K-x is a 12.4 megapixel digital single-lens reflex camera
, announced on September 16, 2009. Pentax K-x uses an Exmor, Sony-made sensor (different than the back-lit Exmor-R used in other Sony models). In some cases it even approaches (but can't quite match) the quality produced by full-frame DSLRs like the Nikon D700
and the Canon 5DMkII
, both with larger sensors. The Pentax K-x is suitable for low light conditions for both still and video photography.
The K-x is a compact model above the entry-level K2000/K-m
. It is lighter than other Pentax DSLRs, including the K2000, and lacks the weather sealing
of the K10D
, K200D
, K20D
, and K-7
, and is intended to be sold with lightweight DA-L-series lenses. It offers some improvements over the high-end K-7, including a maximum sensitivity of ISO 12800 with lower noise
than comparable cameras and even than some of higher class, a maximum shutter speed
improved to 1/6000 s, and a faster burst mode
of 4.7 frame/s. DPReview.com has observed that the K-x offers many of the same features as the K-7 features in what is essentially the same body as the K2000
The K-x also offers a large range of body colors compared to the traditional black DSLR body. In Japan, up to 100 color combinations are available.
The Pentax K-x won the Technical Image Press Association (TIPA) award for Best DSLR Entry Level in Europe 2010 and Time Magazine listed the Pentax K-x in its Best Travel Gadgets of 2009 list.
The Pentax K-x is often sold packaged with the DA-L 18-55mm 3.5-5.6 kit lens
.
Other features:
This essentially means tripod only shots in most cases while trying to minimize any movement.
Self Timer would be the ideal method but unfortunately the Pentax K-x HDR feature cannot be used with the camera's selftimer as it is not enabled in Firmware 1.01 and 1.02 for reasons unknown.
This lack of Timer "drive mode" can be compensated for with a Pentax IR Remote and Remote "drive mode" selection.
In a DPReview test of different AA batteries;
Lithium took 1900 photos and 1100 with 50% flash
Ni-MH 1900mAh took 640 photos and 420 with 50% flash
Alkaline took 210 photos and 130 with 50% flash
The biggest effect on battery life is using LiveView and Video.
Shooting RAW and a JPEG at the same time is also possible.
Videos can be recorded either in HD (1280x720p) or SD (640x416), both with 24 frame/s. They are stored as AVI files.
The sound of the videos are all uncompressed PCM 32 kHz, 16 bit. If sound is not needed for video recordings, it can be deactivated and silent videos can be recorded.
There is no limitation for the length of a video. The only limitation is the file size for each video file which is 4 GB (the maximum file size that is allowed by the FAT32 format of the SDHC cards). So it is possible to shoot until the card is full or the batteries are empty or the sensor has excessive heat (usually after 12 minutes of continuous video shooting).
Digital single-lens reflex camera
Most digital single-lens reflex cameras are digital cameras that use a mechanical mirror system and pentaprism to direct light from the lens to an optical viewfinder on the back of the camera....
, announced on September 16, 2009. Pentax K-x uses an Exmor, Sony-made sensor (different than the back-lit Exmor-R used in other Sony models). In some cases it even approaches (but can't quite match) the quality produced by full-frame DSLRs like the Nikon D700
Nikon D700
The Nikon D700 is a professional grade full-frame digital single-lens reflex camera introduced by the Nikon Corporation in July 2008 and manufactured in Japan. It uses the same 12.1 megapixel "FX" CMOS image sensor as the Nikon D3, and is Nikon's second full-frame digital SLR camera...
and the Canon 5DMkII
Canon EOS 5D Mark II
The Canon EOS 5D Mark II is a 21.1-megapixel full-frame CMOS digital single-lens reflex camera made by Canon. It succeeds the EOS 5D and was announced on September 17, 2008.-Improvements compared to original EOS 5D:...
, both with larger sensors. The Pentax K-x is suitable for low light conditions for both still and video photography.
The K-x is a compact model above the entry-level K2000/K-m
Pentax K2000
The Pentax K-m is a 10.2 megapixel digital single-lens reflex camera, announced on September 22, 2008 at the 2008 Photokina trade show along with the DA-L series of lightweight, inexpensive lenses. It was discontinued in November of 2009, being replaced by the more recent Pentax K-x.The K-m is...
. It is lighter than other Pentax DSLRs, including the K2000, and lacks the weather sealing
Waterproofing
Waterproof or water-resistant describes objects relatively unaffected by water or resisting the ingress of water under specified conditions. Such items may be used in wet environments or under water to specified depths...
of the K10D
Pentax K10D
The Pentax K10D and similar Samsung GX-10 are 10.2 megapixel digital single-lens reflex cameras launched in late 2006. They were developed in a collaboration between Pentax of Japan and Samsung of Korea....
, K200D
Pentax K200D
The Pentax K200D is a 10.2 megapixel digital single-lens reflex camera, announced on January 24, 2008 along with the higher-end K20D. It was discontinued in December 2008, giving it the distinction of being one of the shortest-lived DSLR cameras....
, K20D
Pentax K20D
The Pentax K20D and its clone, the Samsung GX-20, were 14.6 megapixel digital single-lens reflex cameras manufactured by Pentax that were announced on January 23, 2008. The K20D was available in the U.S...
, and K-7
Pentax K-7
The Pentax K-7 is a 14.6-megapixel digital single-lens reflex camera, announced on 20 May 2009. This is the first new flagship model released by Pentax since its merger with Hoya Corporation on 31 March 2008.- Features :...
, and is intended to be sold with lightweight DA-L-series lenses. It offers some improvements over the high-end K-7, including a maximum sensitivity of ISO 12800 with lower noise
Image noise
Image noise is random variation of brightness or color information in images, and is usually an aspect of electronic noise. It can be produced by the sensor and circuitry of a scanner or digital camera...
than comparable cameras and even than some of higher class, a maximum shutter speed
Shutter speed
In photography, shutter speed is a common term used to discuss exposure time, the effective length of time a camera's shutter is open....
improved to 1/6000 s, and a faster burst mode
Burst mode (photography)
Burst is a mode in a camera mostly in SLRs. In this mode, several images can be captured with one press on the shutter. This is used mainly in mixed-light conditions or when the subject is in successive motion. The photographer can then select the best image of the group or arrange them in a...
of 4.7 frame/s. DPReview.com has observed that the K-x offers many of the same features as the K-7 features in what is essentially the same body as the K2000
The K-x also offers a large range of body colors compared to the traditional black DSLR body. In Japan, up to 100 color combinations are available.
The Pentax K-x won the Technical Image Press Association (TIPA) award for Best DSLR Entry Level in Europe 2010 and Time Magazine listed the Pentax K-x in its Best Travel Gadgets of 2009 list.
The Pentax K-x is often sold packaged with the DA-L 18-55mm 3.5-5.6 kit lens
Kit lens
A kit lens is a "starter" lens which can be sold with an interchangeable-lens camera such as a single-lens reflex camera. The kit consists of the camera body, the lens, and various accessories usually necessary to get started in SLR photography. A kit lens can be sold by itself; ie; not in a kit...
.
Other features:
- Live previewLive previewLive preview is a feature that allows a digital camera's display screen to be used as a viewfinder. This provides a means of previewing framing and other exposure before taking the photograph. In most such cameras, the preview is generated by means of continuously and directly projecting the image...
- HD 720p video at 24 frame/s
- In-body stabilization
- HDR(High Dynamic Range)High dynamic range imagingIn image processing, computer graphics, and photography, high dynamic range imaging is a set of techniques that allows a greater dynamic range between the lightest and darkest areas of an image than current standard digital imaging techniques or photographic methods...
Image Capture
In-Body Stabilization
The built in Shake Reduction function automatically turns off in the following situations.- Self-Timer
- Remote control shooting
- Bulb shooting
- HDR Capture
HDR High Dynamic Range
HDR takes 3 frames of different exposure and combines them into a single jpeg image while turning off the shake reduction.This essentially means tripod only shots in most cases while trying to minimize any movement.
Self Timer would be the ideal method but unfortunately the Pentax K-x HDR feature cannot be used with the camera's selftimer as it is not enabled in Firmware 1.01 and 1.02 for reasons unknown.
This lack of Timer "drive mode" can be compensated for with a Pentax IR Remote and Remote "drive mode" selection.
AA Battery Life
There are many reports that using 4xAA rechargeable Sanyo Eneloops will give ~500-1000 photos on a single charge with firmware 1.01 depending on usage.In a DPReview test of different AA batteries;
Lithium took 1900 photos and 1100 with 50% flash
Ni-MH 1900mAh took 640 photos and 420 with 50% flash
Alkaline took 210 photos and 130 with 50% flash
The biggest effect on battery life is using LiveView and Video.
RAW formats
The camera can shoot RAW images using either the Pentax PEF format or the open standard Adobe Digital negative (DNG).Shooting RAW and a JPEG at the same time is also possible.
Video function
The camera is capable of recording HD Video files which made it quite popular for some independent filmmakers. The camera is using the "DV codec alike" MJPEG codec, which is a very soft compression that creates relatively huge video files but on the other hand allows editing of this video files even on older editing systems with less CPU power. The advantage of this compression method is that it saves every single frame as a progressive frame and is (compared to AVCHD) not only saving the changes inside the group of pictures.Videos can be recorded either in HD (1280x720p) or SD (640x416), both with 24 frame/s. They are stored as AVI files.
The sound of the videos are all uncompressed PCM 32 kHz, 16 bit. If sound is not needed for video recordings, it can be deactivated and silent videos can be recorded.
There is no limitation for the length of a video. The only limitation is the file size for each video file which is 4 GB (the maximum file size that is allowed by the FAT32 format of the SDHC cards). So it is possible to shoot until the card is full or the batteries are empty or the sensor has excessive heat (usually after 12 minutes of continuous video shooting).
Firmware
The Pentax K-x Firmware updates have fixed a few issues.- Compatible with SDXC memory card.
- Added three kinds of particular effect shooting function (Pre-set 1,2 and 3) on [Cross Processing].
- Added assignment of Cross Processing function to the green button.
- Improved accuracy of Battery Level Indicator under specific conditions and improved stability for general performance.
Reviews
- Pentax K-x Review – dpreview.com
- Pentax K-x Digital SLR Review – ephotozine.com
- A terrific DSLR for beginners with masses of headroom for those learning the ropes – TechRadar.com
- Pentax K-x Review – photographyblog.com
- Pentax K-x Reviews and guides – kxuser.com
- Pentax K-x Feature page demonstrating digital filter (Traditional Chinese) – www.dcfever.com
- Pentax K-x reviews and shopping guide - www.pentaxk-x.net
- Pentax K-5 - wikoshop.com