Pentax K-x review: Impressive features meet portability in Pentax's latest DSLR

Product Overview

Overall rating:

87%

Pentax K-x

Overall score:87%
Features:90%
Value:90%
Performance:85%
Image Quality:90%
Design:80%

Pros:

  • Plenty of useful features, easy and fun to use, AA batteries available everywhere

Cons:

  • No illumination of AF points, menu system a little dated, no rubberised thumb-rest

Product:

Pentax K-x Review

Manufacturer:

Price as reviewed:

£600.00

Verdict

The Pentax K-x manages to offer plenty of functionality in a small package, and produces images of a high standard. As a beginner’s camera it provides plenty to explore, while equally it wouldn’t be out of place as backup to a more expensive model, given its portability. The lack of AF-point illumination and the low-resolution LCD screen may put some off, but for such foibles it makes up in other areas such as the impressive focusing system. It might not be for everyone, but as a contender to Canon and Nikon’s alternatives it puts up a mighty good fight.

Details

AF Points:11, 9-cross-type
Cable Release:Optional
PC Socket:No
Max Flash Sync:1/180sec.
Built-in Flash:GN 12m @ ISO 100
DoF Prview:Yes
Colour Temp Control:Yes, white balance adjustment by colour
White Balance Bracket:No
Colour Space:AdobeRGB, sRGB
Focusing Modes:Auto, single, continuous
Exposure Comp:±3EV (0.5EV steps or 0.3EV steps)
Dust Reduction:Yes
Built-in Image Stabilisation:Yes
Weight:515g (without batteries, card or accessories)
Movie Mode:Yes
Dimensions:91.5 x 122.5 x 67.5mm
Live Mode:Yes
Power:4xAA batteries
Connectivity:USB 2.0
Memory Card:SD/SDHC
Field of View:approx. 96%, 0.85x magnification
Viewfinder Type:Pentamirror (Dioptre adjust: -2.5 to 1.5)
Drive Mode:4.7fps
White Balance:Auto, 10 presets, manual setting
ISO:200-6400 (exp. To ISO 100 and 12,800)
Metering System:16 segment system - multi-segment, centre-weighted, spot
Compression:3 stage
Exposure Modes:Auto, PASM, Sensitivity priority, 13 scene
Shutter Speeds:Manual: 1/6000 - 30 sec, bulb (Electronically controlled vertical-run focal plane shutter)
File Format:Raw, JPEG, Raw + JPEG, AVI
Lens Mount:Pentax KAF2
LCD:2.7in, 230,000dots
Focal Length Mag:1.5x
Sensor:12.9MP total, 12.4MP effective, CMOS APS-C type
Output Size:4288x2428
  1. 1. Pentax K-x review - Features
  2. 2. Design and Value for Money
  3. 3. Performance
  4. 4. Image Quality
  5. 5. Verdict
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