Pentax K-x 12.4 MP Digital SLR with 2.7-inch LCD and 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL and 50-200mm f/4-5.6 ED Lenses (Black)

by Pentax

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 4.8 x 3.6 x 2.7 inches ; 1.3 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B002OEBTCI
• Item model number: K-x 18-55mm & 50-200mm Kit
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #433 in Camera & Photo (See Top 100 in Camera & Photo)

  #38 in

  Camera & Photo > Digital SLRs

• Date first available at Amazon.com: September 16, 2009

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

Choose a camera that redefines the entry-level digital SLR category. The Pentax K-x offers high-end features including Live View, HD video and photographic performance that challenges higher class models. Since there’s no rule that SLR cameras must come in one color, try the K-x in a choice of white or black, as well as special, limited edition red and navy. With a one-handed shooting design that is extremely compact, lightweight, and easy-to-use, the very affordable K-x is perfect for users stepping up from a point-and-shoot digital camera to their first digital SLR.

Pentax K-x Features & Highlights

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 (1280x720) at 24fps 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 4.7fps 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.

What's in the Box

• USB Cable I-USB7
• Strap O-ST53
• Hotshoe Cover FK
• Eyecup FQ
• Body Mount Cover
• Software CD-ROM S-SW99
• AA Lithium Batteries (x4)

Product Description

Choose a camera that redefines the entry-level digital SLR category. The PENTAX K-x offers high-end features including Live View, HD video and photographic performance that challenges higher class models.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great DSLR, I couldn't be happier., January 9, 2010

By	James M. Lach (Charlton, MA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Pentax K-x 12.4 MP Digital SLR with 2.7-inch LCD and 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL and 50-200mm f/4-5.6 ED Lenses (Black) (Electronics)

This my first DSLR. I am very happy with the purchase. It is very easy to use and takes great photos. I will occasionally still get a blurry or under/overexposed photo which I assume is somehow my fault but overall the auto setting just seems to work. I do get alot more pictures of my 3 year old's smiling face because it focuses so much faster than my old camera. I am just starting to use some of the more advanced features but I used some of the filters only a day or two after first trying it. They were very easy to use, actually, the whole camera is very intuitive.

I am not a professional photographer. I imagine there are things the camera can't do but I don't know what. The shake reduction seems to work really well and battery life is really good as long as you don't do a lot of movies or live view. The battery indicator was a bit wacky but I updated the firmware and it is fixed.

In a nutshell, worth every penny.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars EXCELLLENT Camera, January 1, 2010

By	Bob "Bob" (Little Rock, AR) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Pentax K-x 12.4 MP Digital SLR with 2.7-inch LCD and 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL and 50-200mm f/4-5.6 ED Lenses (Black) (Electronics)

I really did my homework on this one. The K-x is my first dSLR and I am very pleased with it. I have taken almost 600 pictures in about every possible condition. I am still on the first set of batteries. It really shows off in low light conditions. The two kit lenses are very good. I have had zero problems. Make sure to download the updated firmware available online.

Major pluses for me include: a) Image stabilization is in the camera body. When I add more lenses, I don't have to buy lenses with built-in stabilization. b) The low-light capability as mentioned earlier. NO other camera in this class performs as well, according to many reviews. [...].

The increase in picture quality over my point and shoot is literally like night and day.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Camera with a Few Flaws, March 23, 2010

By	M. Evans "oneiros11" (Eugene, OR USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Pentax K-x 12.4 MP Digital SLR with 2.7-inch LCD and 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL and 50-200mm f/4-5.6 ED Lenses (Black) (Electronics)

I recently upgraded to the K-X from a Panasonic FZ50. I wanted a lightweight camera that could shoot in low light. (I purchased the 50-200mm kit, since this telephoto is significantly lighter than the 55-300mm.) I was drawn to the K-X's low noise profile at high ISOs. The first thing I noticed upon using the camera is that the K-X is very responsive and fast. The controls and menus are intuitive and very easy to navigate.

Image Quality: I was pleased with the first images out of the camera, letting the K-X choose the exposure values. Good clarity, exposure, white balance, and color value. No discernible chromatic aberration. I have also used shutter mode when I want a narrow depth of field. The camera seems to create a pleasing bokeh. In scenes with flowers and fruit stalls, the colors are rich and vivid. The in camera digital filters were an unexpected treat. You can get creative with this camera w/o resorting to Photoshop. I shoot a lot of landscapes, and K-X produced decent results. Compared with my earlier camera, the K-X seems to have a much wider dynamic range. The relatively brighter sky does not cause the camera to underexpose the land. I have some questions about the white balance and color space in landscape work. However, with some tweaking via the accompanying Pentax Digital Camera Utility software, I have been satisfied with the results. While exploring this, I noticed that I actually prefer the default color space to Adobe RGB, which suggests that Pentax has worked hard to produce a pleasing image right out of the camera. The supplied software seems very flexible compared to an earlier version of Silky Pix. I love the fact that I can modify the white balance and exposure value of JPEGs, in addition to the other processing options. The software would be enhanced if one could use it to apply the camera's digital filters. Then you wouldn't have to drain the battery to let the camera do the processing. Another enhancement would be to include a digital grad filter. But perhaps this is too much to expect.

One of the features of this camera is that it can combine multiple images to create an HDR. I use HDR a great deal in my work. However, the HDR images from this camera seemed lifeless and washed out - especially the stronger HDR2. I will continue to experiment with this, but probably will stick with combining images in the HDR software I use.

One flaw that may point to less than optimal factory conditions that K-X seems to suffer from dust issues. The first camera I received showed multiple spots on the images after I changed the lens in very clean, indoor conditions. I returned this camera, and the second camera immediately showed dust inside the viewfinder, which thus far I have been unable to remove. The dust removal system did remove some other dust that appeared on the sensor. While the viewfinder dust does not affect the image, it was annoying to see it there on the first day of use. After reading about DSLRs and dust, I have picked up a Giotto Rocket Blaster, which is a tool that can be used to blow dust off the sensor. Since the Panasonic had a fixed lens, dust was never a problem.

Pros:
Low noise at high ISO
Light weight - even with 50-200mm lens
In camera digital filters can unleash your creativity
Excellent quality images
Wide Dynamic Range
Good value

Cons:
Battery Life
HDR washed out
Dust issues

Bottom Line: So far I am happy with my K-X. If you buy one, experiment with the settings and take some time to get to know the menus and controls.