The Pentax K-x is an entry-level 12.4 megapixel DSLR camera targeted at — entry-level users. And that means dumbed-down controls, easy to navigate interface, easy mode switching, and a softy pricing scheme. But all of this doesn’t mean the K-x is limited to beginners: the K-x is a great DSLR camera. In fact it is anything but an “entry-level, easy to navigate interface, easy mode switching, and a softy pricing scheme” type of DSLR. Read on to see the review (and my thoughts), in detail.
Full disclosure: This is a review/evaluation unit sent in by Pentax Imaging Corp.
Price as Reviewed: $599 with 18-55mm kit lens.
Features, Features, And More Features
To the average consume, what a camera (read: DSLR) comes all down to is specs and price. That’s right: hardcore specs. Because with that bit of information, you can envision what types of photos you can take with a good DSLR (don’t forget the lens!).
The Pentax K-x features a 12.4 megapixel CMOS sensor, 18-55mm basic kit lens (with the $599 package), 720p HD video recording at 24 FPS for a full 5 minutes, ISO range of 100-6400, up to 11-point autofocus, HDR image capture, 4.7 FPS capture speeds, built-in flash, and a compact body with tons of color options.
There’s also the dead simple UI, which I’ll talk about later. And before I move on, I’d like to point out that mostly the reviewing seen here will focus on “good” parts first, “bad” parts last. And no comparisons to other DSLRs in terms of image quality. You know you have to go to DPReview for all of that laboratory testing.
Design
Let’s see here, what can I say? This review unit is red, it’s small and very compact, it’s glossy, it’s very nice looking, it has a powerful pop-up flash, a fast-focusing viewfinder, a sharp 2.7” TFT color LCD monitor with 230,000 dot resolution, comfortable grip……..I could go on and on. Did I mention the controls and buttons are all solid and in the right places? I didn’t? Oh well. Then here’s a gallery:
There is one issue I have though is with the Pentax K-x’s build. No, not the quality of the build; it’s top-notch and solid all around. While it may not matter to the average user, I think it’s important nonetheless. The problem is that the entire body finish is semi-glossy much like a regular point-and-shoot camera, with exceptions for the focusing and zoom rings. And that means it’s relatively slippery. Carrying a $600 DSLR even with the bundled strap feels like you’re waiting for the perfect time to drop it, since most DSLRs have a matte finish somewhere other than around the hand grip, which for the K-x, is thin and leather-like.
Image & Video Quality
To quickly start this off I’d like to say here that your lens is the major player when taking photos on a DSLR. In the K-x’s case, the $599 package comes with a 18-55mm lens with manual focus and autofocus that is good enough for general photo taking and some forms of macro photography, as seen in the images below. All of the photos taken were with a range of settings, primarily macro without flash, higher levels of exposure, auto ISO, and cropping, whereas the light bulb shot used f/22, 1/125, and ISO 6400.
As for the HD 720p video below, it was taken with auto video modes and manual focus.
The Puny Amount Of Ports (And Then Some)
Ports? What ports? The Pentax K-x really hasn’t heard of anything more than a USB port, AV-out, a hotshoe for external flash and that sort of thing, and support for SD and SDHC cards. Sorry, no HDMI over here, though a certain upcoming DSLR review will feature an HDMI port, and that’s one of the K-x’s main rivals. Still, I’ll leave that for another day.
User Interface
“If a cat can use an iPad, with a little training it can use the K-x.”
To explain the easy-to-use interface is almost too easy. If a cat can use an iPad, with a little training it can use the K-x. From flipping through exposure settings, changing the ISO, settings the capture modes, playing with cropping and filters, it’s all pseudo easy. One thing however that isn’t as easy as it should be is switching trough sub-menus and scenes. Granted though, there are only 8 scene modes, none of which I’ve found useful to take a single photo, since changing general settings takes only a few presses in the main menus.
Conclusion
“The K-x is a great DSLR camera.”
Pros:
- Strong image quality
- Fast shooting
- Easy menus
- Easy to change the settings back and forth
- Small, compact size
Cons:
- Semi-glossed body isn’t necessarily attractive, nor grippy
- It’s 2010 Pentax, and you’re using AA batteries for this thing!
- No HDMI port
