The Pentax K-x is new DSLR digital camera. The K-x features a 12.4 Mp CMOS sensor, 11-point autofocus, Live View and HD video mode. It will be available in a choice of colors – black, white, and limited editions of red.
Our Rating 
(4/5)
Good: Very good noise profile; nice-size viewfinder for its class; relatively speedy.
Bad: Doesn’t display AF points in viewfinder; no HDMI connector; slow Live View autofocus; mediocre LCD; unreliable image stabilization.
12.4 effective megapixels
The K-x incorporates a newly developed CMOS image sensor to assure high-speed image data readout and more flexibility with varying ISO sensitivity levels. With approximately 12.4 effective megapixels, this image sensor accurately reproduces true-to-life images with fine detail and rich color depth. The
K-x offers a wide sensitivity range between ISO 200 and ISO 6400 and allows users to expand the sensitivity range between ISO 100 and ISO 12800 via a custom function to offer greater creative freedom to photographers.
Compact, lightweight body
The PENTAX K-x is one of the most compact, lightweight digital SLR cameras in its class. The stainless-steel chassis and overall design offer a space-efficient layout.
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Widescreen HD movie recording at 1280×720 pixels at a cinematic 24 frames per second (720p24)
The PENTAX K-x movie recording function*1 captures true-to-life movie clips in 16:9 high-definition TV proportions (1280 x 720 pixels) at a frame rate of 24 frames per second. Compatible with every PENTAX interchangeable lens ever made, the Video Capture mode opens a new world of creativity for PENTA K-x owners.
PENTAX-original SR mechanism for sharp, blur-free images
The K-x features the PENTAX-developed Shake Reduction mechanism that effectively compensates for the adverse effects of camera shake by as much as four shutter steps. This innovative mechanism extends its benefits to all PENTAX interchangeable lenses — even those designed for film-format cameras.*2 With this SR mechanism, the K-x produces sharp, blur-free images even under demanding conditions such as telephoto lens photography, shooting in dark or low-light setting without a flash illumination, and sunset scenes.
High-speed continuous shooting at approximately 4.7 images per second
The K-x’s high-speed continuous shooting mode records as many as 17 images (in JPEG recording format) at a maximum speed of approximately 4.7 images per second. This is the fastest of all entry-class models. The K-x also features a more reliable shutter unit, which passed a demanding action test of more than 100,000 shutter releases. The top shutter speed of 1/6000 second allows the photographer to preserve sharp, crisp images of fast-moving subjects.
KEY FEATURES
- High resolution 12.4 megapixel CMOS image sensor features sensor-shift Shake Reduction for stabilized image and video capture up to 4 stops max.
- Large 2.7 inch LCD features Live View with contrast, phase difference, and Face Detection autofocus (up to 16 faces).
- Capture widescreen HD video in full 720p resolution (1280×720) at 24 FPS cinematic framerate, using any PENTAX 35mm lens.
- Highly compact DSLR body design allows for 1 handed operation and comfort when travelling.
- Powerful automatic modes, including PENTAX Auto Picture and scene modes, ensure the perfect shot in any situation, while helping new photographers learn DSLR photography.
- Creative processing and filter modes produce high quality finished images, while offering the ability to explore artistic freedom through unique special effects.
- True HDR image capture blends 3 bracketed images into a single picture with outstanding shadow, highlight, and midrange detail.
- Fast 4.7 FPS capture speed and 1/6000 second maximum shutter speeds are possible with the PENTAX PRIME II image processing engine.
- Responsive 11 point wide angle SAFOX VIII autofocus system focuses quickly and accurately, and can easily track moving subjects.
- Capture up to 1900 shots with universally available, easy-to-find AA lithium batteries (also compatible with AA NiMH rechargeable and alkaline batteries).
- Expanded ISO range covers sensitivities from 100-12800 for extreme low light photography.
High-performance, high-speed PRIME II imaging engine
The K-x features the newly developed PRIME (PENTAX Real IMage Engine) II, that is an upgrade of the original PRIME imaging engine. This new imaging engine offers greater data processing speed and enhanced capability to produce higher-quality images with richer, more accurate color rendition, as well as faster transmission speed of movie data.
Live View function with Face detection of up to 16 faces
In addition to the camera’s viewfinder, the camera features a Live View function that allows users to view subjects on the LCD monitor during shooting. The K-x also offers a choice of three different focusing modes in Live View:
Contrast Auto Focus optimizes the focus based on the subject’s contrast.
Face Detection Auto Focus automatically detects up to 16 faces, then selects the main subject’s face from multiple faces, and captures it in sharp focus.
Phase Difference Auto Focus accesses the AF sensor positioned in the camera body to optimize focus on the subject.
Innovative Image Processing Functions
Digital Filter function
The cameras’s digital filter function allows users to process recorded images in a variety of creative ways within the camera and produce highly creative visual expressions. With a choice of 16 different filters including Color Extract, Retro, Soft, Starburst, Toy Camera, and more (including a custom filter for building multiple effects), photographers may apply multiple filters to a single image for customized effects.
Cross Process mode
The camera features a new Cross Process mode that automatically and randomly adds finishing touches to exposures to create eye-catching images with unique, intriguing colors (just like images treated with Cross Process*3 in film photography). This mode adds a whimsical element to digital photography since photographers don’t know the results until the captured image is actually displayed on the camera’s LCD monitor.
High-precision 11-point AF sensor
The high-precision, wide-frame SAFOX VIII autofocus system of the camera features 11 sensor points (with nine cross-type sensors positioned in the middle) to automatically capture even off-centered subjects in sharp, crisp focus. Photographers also may select one of the sensors as a focusing point to accommodate specialized applications.
DCRP writes:
“Despite a few flaws, most of which are minor, the Pentax K-x is an impressive entry-level digital SLR. It brings very good image quality (especially with a decent lens), snappy performance, tons of features, HD movie recording, and good build quality to the table for under $650 (with a lens). If you’re looking for your first digital SLR, then the camera should be high on your list.”
Rating: N/A
MacWorld writes:
“Overall, the K-x offers an image quality and a photographic performance to rival many higher end cameras, with the inclusion of fun and user-friendly features to satisfy the most creative of beginners and enthusiasts alike”
Rating: ★★★★☆
RegHardware writes:
“Overall, the camera offers an image quality and a photographic performance to rival many higher end cameras, with the inclusion of fun and user-friendly features to satisfy the most creative of beginners and enthusiasts alike”
Rating: ★★★★☆
NeutralDay writes:
“the camera is very small, while still being quite comfortable to handle…because the camera is so fun to use, takes such good pictures, and is so darned affordable, it’s not just highly recommended, it’s “Essential“
Rating: ★★★★½
LaptopMag writes:
“While there are other DSLRs, such as the $629 Nikon D5000, that offer better image quality for both photos and videos, there’s no question that the Penatx K-x is still a good value.”
Rating: ★★★½☆
PCMag writes:
“Breaking the boring, black D-SLR mold, the colorful Pentax K-x is the least expensive HD-video-capable D-SLR you’ll find. And it takes great pictures, too, even in low light..”
Rating: ★★★★☆
Specifications:
Body material:
• Plastic on stainless steel chassis
Sensor:
• 23.6 x 15.8 mm CMOS sensor
• Primary color filter
• 12.4 million total pixels
• 12.9 million effective pixels
Shake Reduction:
• Sensor-Shift type
Dust reduction:
• Image sensor moving mechanism and SP coating
Image sizes:
• [12M] 4288 x 2428 pixels
• [10M] 3936 x 2624 pixels
• [6M] 3072 x 2048 pixels
• [2M] 1728 x 1152 pixels
Image formats:
• JPEG (Conforms to Exif 2.21), (Best, Better, Good)
• Compressed RAW ( PEF )
• Non-compressed RAW ( DNG )
Color space:
• sRGB
• Adobe RGB
Lenses:
• PENTAX K, KA, KAF, KAF2 and KAF3 mount lenses
FOV crop:
• 1.5x
Focusing:
• 11-point wide autofocus system (SAFOX VIII)*
• TTL Phase matching
• Focus point selectable
Focus modes:
• AF-Auto
• AF-Single
• AF-Continuous
• Manual focus
AF assist:
• Built-in flash
Shooting modes:
• Auto Picture mode
• Picture mode
• Scene mode
• Program AE
• Sensitivity-Priority AE
• Shutter-Priority AE
• Aperture-Priority AE
• Metered Manual
• Bulb
Picture modes:
• Portrait
• Landscape
• Macro
• Action
• Night scene portrait
• Standard Flash-Off
Scene modes:
• Night Scene
• Surf & Snow
• Food
• Sunset
• Kids
• Pet
• Candlelight
• Museum
• Stage Lighting
• Night Snap
Metering modes:
• Multi-segment metering
• Center-weighted metering
• Spot metering
Metering:
• TTL open-aperture 16-segment metering
• Exposure range: EV 1-21.5（Standard Output Sensitivity 200 50mm F1.4）
AE Lock:
• Can be allocated to AF button by Menu.
AE Bracketing:
• ±0.5EV to ±1.5EV (1/2 EV steps)
• ±0.3EV to ±1.0EV (1/3 EV steps)
• ±0.7EV to ± 1.0EV (1/3 EV steps)
Exposure compen.:
±3 EV (1/2 EV or 1/3 EV steps)
Exposure steps:
• 1/2 EV
• 1/3 EV
Sensitivity:
• Auto (selectable range)
• Manual : 200-6400*
• Bulb Mode: up to ISO 1600
• Expandable ISO 100 – 12800
• 1EV, 1/2EV or 1/3EV steps
Shutter:
• Electronically controlled vertical-run focal plane shutter
Shutter Speed:
• 30 to 1/6000 sec
• Bulb
White balance:
• Auto
• Daylight
• Shade
• Cloudy
• Tungsten Light
• Fluorescent Light (W, D, N, L (Light Bulb))
• Flash
• CTE
• Manual setting with WB fine adjustment
Image parameters :
• Saturation (-4 to +4)
• Hue (-4 to +4)
• Sharpness (-4 to +4) (two types)
• Contrast (-4 to +4)
Viewfinder:
• Fixed molded penta-mirror type
• Natural-Bright-Matte II focusing screen
• Field of view approx. 96%
• Magnification approx. 0.85X (with 50mm F1.4 lens, infinity, -1m)
• Diopter adjustment approx. -2.5 – +1.5m
LCD monitor:
• TFT color LCD monitor
• Brightness adjustable
• Wide angle view
• 2.7 inch
• Approx. 230,000 pixels
Live View:
• TTL by Image sensor
• Enlargement (2X, 4X, 6X in case of AF mode, 2x, 4x, 6x, 8x, 10x in case of MF mode)
• Grid pattern, white/black out warning display, Histogram
display
• AF: Contrast detection + Face detection / Contrast detection /
Phase difference detection
Flash:
• Built-in retractable P-TTL pop-up flash
• Guide number: approx. 16* (Standard Output Sensitivity 200/m)
• Angle of view coverage: 28mm wide-angle (35mm equivalent)
• Flash Exposure Compensation: -2 EV – +1EV (1/2EV steps)
• P-TTL
• 1/180 sec flash-sync
External Flash:
• Hot shoe, sync-speed: 1/180 sec.
• Wireless-sync with PENTAX dedicated flash
Flash compensation:
• -2.0 to +1.0 EV
Drive modes:
• Single-frame
• Continuous (Hi, Lo)
• Self-timer (12s, 2s)
• Remote control (0s, 3s)
• Auto bracket
Self-timer:
• 12 sec
• 2 sec
Continuous shooting:
• 4.7 fps – 17 JPEG, 5 RAW
• 2 fps – until card is full or 11 RAW
Remote release:
• InfraRed remote (optional)
• Instant or with 3 sec delay
Custom functions:
• 22 custom-programmable functions available
Preview:
• Optical / Digital preview
Playback mode:
• One Image
• Index (4 or 9 or 16 or 36* thumbnails)
• Enlargement (up to 16X, scroll available)
• Image Rotation
• Folder view
• Slideshow
• Histogram
• Bright/Dark area
• Calender
• Resize
• Trimming
• Index
Digital filter
(Rec Mode):
• Toy Camera
• High Contrast
• Soft
• Star Burst
• Retro
• Extract Color
• Custom
• Fish Eye
Digital filter
(Playback):
• B&W
• Sepia
• Color (18 type)
• Soft (three-level amount adjustable)
• Illustration (Pastel/Watercolor)
• HDR (3 type)
• Slim (+/- 8 level amount adjustable)
• Brightness (+/- 8 level amount adjustable)
• Toy Camera
• High Contrast
• Soft
• Star Burst
• Retro
• Miniature
• Fish Eye
• Extract Colour
• Base Tweaking
• Custom
Menu languages:
• English
• French
• Germany
• Spanish
• Swedish
• Dutch
• Italian
• Russian
• Portuguese
• Danish
• Finnish
• Polish
• Czech
• Hungarian
• Turkey
• Japanese Korean
• Traditional Chinese
• Simplified Chinese
• Greek
Connectivity:
• USB/Video
• USB 2.0 (HI-SPEED)
• Compatible with NTSC and PAL formats
Storage:
• SD or SDHC card
Power:
• Four AA (lithium, alkaline, and rechargeable Ni-MH) batteries
• Optional AC adapter
Dimensions:
• 122.5mm x 91.5mm x 67.5mm (4.8 x 3.6 x 2.7 in)
Weight (no batt/lens):
• 515g (18.2 oz.)
Weight (no lens):
• With lithium batteries and SD card: 580g (20.5 oz.)