Pentax K-x

Opinion: I am a Pentaxian which I have *istD, DS2, K100D,
K10D, K20D, K-m (K2000), and this K-x.

The K-x does produce much smoother image and very
noticeable improvement from the CMOS sensor
compare the K-m(K2000). So it is not just only the
image pixel count is larger, it also produce much
smoother and sharper image. Also the noise control are
much better than K-m and it is almost produce low
noise image as K20D .

The new feature such as highlight and shadow
compensation is ready work that can pumps those
details in the dark area and lower the clip at bright
area. Those creative filters are fun to play with.

The Video/Movie are nice and smooth, but not as
good as my other camera such as Olympus E-P1 and
Canon 5D mark II, but for the price, it does really good
job and I have no super expectation to compare with
5D MK II which is 6-7 times of its price. There is some
problem of the movie mode which is stated as below.

The newer 11 point focusing is faster and accurate.
The new Life View is a great power tool that added on
it and I love it.

Those creative filters which can capture on the fly or
even can edit afterward which are making the
photography a very creative and fun.

Those in camera color chromatic error and lens
distortion error correction control which made for
Pentax lens are really work and save lots of time in
post-production and I think this is a high end feature in
the high end camera only and now we can have it for
such a very little amount of money and we can fix
those error by in camera. Only you have to expect to
have a little time to “render” before you can review it,
but it only does take about half a second time to
“process” it, but for the result, it is worth to wait.

The new in camera HDR is really work out good, it
does have 2 stage (normal and strong), but you have
to use tripod as it does turn of the SR stabilizer and
you almost cannot make 1 perfect aligned images on
hand held. But the image result is stunning. There is
some problem of the HDR that is state below.

For the price and the features, there is no doubt this is
the best price for the performance, although there is
no perfect camera at all, but this is one of the best
feature, image resolution, overall handling and result for
its price. This camera does pack with many stunning
features that should be on Pro level camera but with a
entry-level price. As I am a professional photographer
who currently also use cameras such as Canon 5D Mark
2, Penatx K20D, Leica etc for living, I think this camera
can join the force and I will use it with my next
project, and I does make a great creative boost with
professional result with a great price.

Opinion: As I owner of a K10D, I have now purchased the K-X.

IQ is really outstanding ! Either indoor or outdoor. AF is fast and accurate. Viewfinder is clear enough.

Really happy with it.

Works fine with Eneloops too.

Opinion: I previously owned a K2000 and have operated a K10D, XSi, D90 for several days and tried out a T1i, D5000, A330 for long periods of time doing comparisons in a store.

I am extremely pleased with my new Pentax K-x. In comparison to the XSi, T1i, D5000, and A330 (cameras around the same class), the biggest advantage in the K-x I feel is build quality. The grip is nice, hand filling, and sturdy. The aforementioned cameras all feel like toys and makes it uneasy to hold a large lens firmly and comfortably.

Second, I feel that the usability is significantly better than the competitors system, especially in the new K-x. The menu is very easy to navigate, the e-dial can be used to navigate menus or change settings in the info screen/any subscreen, very quickly. Say I want to change metering mode. Hit info, go to metering mode, move e-dial. To change again, push info, move e-dial, shoot. Quite easy!

Here is an opinion from a teacher:

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1036&message=33202013

The 1-handed layout is a huge plus - many times I take pictures with 1 hand thanks to SR. Also, changing lenses is a lot easier on this camera because you can access it with your right hand.

AF is much faster than the previous Pentax offerings, on par or better than the entry levels I have tried from Nikon/Canon/Sony. In addition, it locks onto certain targets better because 9 of the 11 sensors are cross-type, while there are only 1 on the others.

The AF indicator is a non-issue, you can assign the green button to center AF and use the 4-way pad to select a focus point, no other buttons involved. I use this for sports. Green button with right index, 1 to 2 max arrows with thumb, focus, and shoot. No need to remove my eye from the viewfinder.

Other reasons I prefer this camera to the competition:
- AA batteries - shares batteries with flash and other devices at home. You can get a good smart charger (must be smart - intelligent cutoff so it doesn't overcharge) for like $15, many have car adapters. Any improvements in batteries is an upgrade for any camera that uses the AA format. From Alkalines to NiCd to NiMH to Hybrid NiMH and NiZn, we have come a long way and it's only getting better.
- Stellar high - ISO performance, as good as or better than the D90 I shot with!
- Supreme dynamic range - best in its class:
http://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-dslr-discussion/77974-lumolabs-k-x-vs-k-7-dynamic-range-champion-2009-a.html
- 4.7 FPS - great for sports. Buffer is smaller but it still shoots pretty good after the 17 shots, and I have never run over that limit in sports - there is always time between critical moments for the buffer to unload
- customizable auto ISO (only nikon and pentax have this), change the upper limit of ISO very easily with the e-dial when you push the right d-pad button. No need to look up. Or push down and use e-dial to manually select one. Much better than on previous cameras.
- Lens compatibility with previous K/M/A/F/FA lenses or any K-mount lenses. Also M42 with adapter. And SR with all of them. SR with all third party lenses too.
- trap-AF for focus bracketing, or action shots with manual focus lenses.
- MF in-focus indicator better and more accurate
- green button resets to program line
- auto white balance can be set to strong for good correction even in tungsten.
- has features like Exposure bracketing +/-3, spot metering for extremely reliable metering on high contrast shots (point at brightest area, spot meter, do EV Comp +3) while Canon/Nikon/Sony skimp on some of these core features, though they include the less useful AF point indicator.
- Video looks better than the competition, especially with SR enabled

Things I don't like:
- Bulb exposure NR - I believe all CMOS cameras have this. Although the K-x has the great remote bulb feature of 1st click starts, 2nd stops, it still takes a dark frame each time.
- trap-AF doesn't work on all lenses, including M42 and F and newer lenses that don't have MF/AF switch on lens
- no TAv mode

Compared to the K10D and D90, the K-x is smaller but still very solid. It doesn't have 2 dials like the these, but the way the K-x is set-up, I actually don't miss the 2nd dial as much as I thought I would. The K10D has lens-specific focus adjustment which is nice for f/1.4 lenses or if you get a used lens that doesn't focus quite right. The K-x has a global debug setting. K10D of course has nice weathersealing which would've been awesome but this is an entry level. D90/K10D both offer battery grips but I don't miss them either. D90's video sucks in comparison.

Lastly, I love the way the white K-x looks, it makes me want to take it places and take pictures! I was hesitant seeing pictures, but then I saw one in person - much better in person.

Opinion: Had for almost 2 weeks. good color. less noise at 3200 then the k7. a little harder to figer out then my k200. Not one for most of there filters. Proplem with battry sencer. took camra back, will buy a gain when they fix this proplem