PENTAX KX

PENTAX KX Digital Camera Review

The Pentax K-x is unquestionably the most attention-getting 12.4-megapixel DSLR in its price class. It comes in four colors – black, white, navy and red – which makes this camera radically distinctive. Its competitively low price includes an 18-55mm lens as well as 720p video and a rapid shooting speed of 4.7 fps.

Released in late 2009, the K-x hands down has the most unique design of any DSLR. It is also constructed to be tough and made out of a combination of fiber-reinforced plastic polymer coverings and a stainless steel chassis. As a rule, Pentax markets its DSLRs, including the K-x, to the adventurous outdoor types.

The K-x’s control layout combines a navigational pad with other buttons for shooting modes. Pentax has added an Autofocus/Autoexposure lock at the top right at the back of the K-x, making it convenient for users to lock in rapidly on a subject in motion. Other controls include Live View, exposure compensation, playback buttons, menu, delete, and info, apart from a 5-button navigation pad. The 2.7-inch screen with a 230,000 dots resolution display brilliant images that are easy to see even when shooting in direct sunlight.

The menus are easy to navigate even by touch as each major setting, such as Info, Menu and Autofocus, has its own dedicated button. A five-button navigational dial makes it even easier.

The K-x has an ISO range of 200-6400. ISO levels of 100 through 12800 are offered as expansion options. The camera has a High Dynamic Range (HDR) capability that blends three shots to obtain the best exposure from every element of the photo. These blends may take several seconds to process but the results are sharp and well-exposed.

In addition, the K-x is capable of HD video with a 1280 x 720 resolution and can shoot at a frame rate of 24 fps. The recording audio quality is strong and the colors as well as the overall image output are of high-quality.

One of the K-x’s strongest advantage is its speed. It can snap stills at a maximum rate of 4.7 fps, way faster than the Nikon D5000 (4.0 fps), Canon EOS Digital Rebel T1i (3.4 fps), or Sony Alpha DSLR-A380 (2.5 fps). During demo shoots, the K-x did the best job of freezing a speeding subject. The strategically-placed AF/AE-L button is particularly helpful in this aspect.

Unlike most digital cameras sold today, the K-x is powered by 4 AA batteries instead of the rechargeable ones. It can shoot around 1,900 exposures on a single charge.

Owing to its sturdy construction, rapid fire shooting rate, multiple color options, 11-point Autofocus sensor, and the option to get two lenses for less than the price of a competing brand, the Pentax K-x is without a doubt a winner hands down. Although other DSLR’s may come up better in the stills and video department, the Pentax K-x is unquestionably still an outstanding buy.