The Pentax K-x is a 12.4

megapixel In digital imaging, a pixel (abbreviated px), pel, or picture element is the smallest addressable element in a raster image, or the smallest point in an all points addressable display device. In most digital display devices, pixels are the smal ...

digital single-lens reflex camera A digital single-lens reflex camera (digital SLR or DSLR) is a digital camera that combines the optics and the mechanisms of a single-lens reflex camera with a digital imaging sensor. The reflex design scheme is the primary difference between ...

, announced on September 16, 2009. The Pentax K-x uses a Sony Exmor sensor (different from the back-lit Exmor-R used in other Sony models). In some cases it even approaches the quality produced by full-frame DSLRs like the

Nikon (, ; ), also known just as Nikon, is a Japanese multinational corporation headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, specializing in optics and imaging products. The companies held by Nikon form the Nikon Group. Nikon's products include cameras, camera ...

D700 and the

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5DMkII, both with larger sensors. The Pentax K-x is suitable for low light conditions for both still and video photography. The K-x is a compact model above the entry-level K2000/K-m. It is lighter than other Pentax DSLRs, including the K2000, and lacks the weather sealing of the K10D, K200D, K20D, and K-7, and is intended to be sold with lightweight DA-L-series lenses. It offers some improvements over the high-end K-7, including a maximum sensitivity of ISO12800 with lower

noise Noise is unwanted sound considered unpleasant, loud or disruptive to hearing. From a physics standpoint, there is no distinction between noise and desired sound, as both are vibrations through a medium, such as air or water. The difference arise ...

than comparable cameras and even than some of higher class, a maximum

shutter speed In photography, shutter speed or exposure time is the length of time that the film or digital sensor inside the camera is exposed to light (that is, when the camera's shutter (photography), shutter is open) when taking a photograph. The am ...

improved to 1/6000 s, and a faster burst mode of 4.7 frame/s. DPReview.com has observed that the K-x offers many of the same features as the K-7 features in what is essentially the same body as the K2000 The K-x also offers a large range of body colors compared to the traditional black DSLR body. In Japan, up to 100 color combinations are available. The Pentax K-x won the Technical Image Press Association (TIPA) award for Best DSLR Entry Level in Europe 2010 and

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listed the Pentax K-x in its Best Travel Gadgets of 2009 list. The Pentax K-x is often sold packaged with the DA-L 18-55mm 3.5-5.6

kit lens A kit lens is a "starter" lens which can be sold with an interchangeable-lens camera such as a single-lens reflex camera. It is generally an inexpensive lens priced at the lowest end of the manufacturer's range so as to not add much to a camera ki ...

. Other features: *

Live preview Live preview is a feature that allows a digital camera's display screen to be used as a viewfinder. This provides a means of previewing framing and other exposure before taking the photograph. In most such cameras, the preview is generated by m ...

*HD 720p video at 24 frame/s *In-body stabilization * HDR (high-dynamic-range) image capture The K-x was discontinued in March, 2011, shortly after the Pentax K-r was introduced. Also introduced at a similar price was the mirrorless

Pentax K-01 Pentax K-01 is a mirrorless interchangeable-lens camera announced in February 2012. It uses the Pentax K mount. The camera was listed as discontinued in February 2013, but the following July was reintroduced to the Japanese market in a new whi ...

In-body stabilization

The Pentax K-x includes in-body stabilization for shake reduction, similar to the Sony Optical Steady-Shot system. The Shake Reduction function automatically turns off in the following situations. * Self-Timer * Remote control shooting * Bulb shooting * HDR Capture

High-dynamic-range imaging (HDR)

HDR takes three frames of different exposure and combines them into a single jpeg image while turning off the shake reduction. This essentially means tripod only shots in most cases while trying to minimize any movement. Self timer would be the ideal method but unfortunately the Pentax K-x HDR feature cannot be used with the camera's self timer as it is not enabled in Firmware 1.01 and 1.02 for reasons unknown. This lack of timer "drive mode" can be compensated for with a Pentax IR remote and remote "drive mode" selection.

AA battery life

There are many reports that using 4xAA rechargeable Sanyo Eneloop batteries will give ~500–1000 photos on a single charge with firmware 1.01 depending on usage. In a test of different compatible AA batteries: * Lithium took 1900 photos and 1100 with 50% flash * Ni-MH 1900mAh took 640 photos and 420 with 50% flash * Alkaline took 210 photos and 130 with 50% flash The biggest effect on battery life is using LiveView and Video.

RAW formats

The camera can shoot RAW images using either the Pentax PEF format or the open standard Adobe

Digital negative Digital Negative (DNG) is a patented, open, lossless raw image format developed by Adobe and used for digital photography. Adobe's license allows use without cost on the condition that the licensee prominently displays text saying it is licensed ...

(DNG). Shooting RAW and a JPEG at the same time is also possible.

Video function

The camera is capable of recording HD video files which made it quite popular for some independent filmmakers. The camera is using the "DV codec alike" MJPEG codec, which is a very soft compression that creates relatively huge video files but on the other hand allows editing of this video files even on older editing systems with less CPU power. The advantage of this compression method is that it saves every single frame as a progressive frame and is (compared to AVCHD) not only saving the changes inside the group of pictures. Videos can be recorded either in HD (1280x720p) or SD (640x416), both with 24 frame/s. They are stored as AVI files. The sound of the videos are all uncompressed PCM 32 kHz, 16 bit. If sound is not needed for video recordings, it can be deactivated and silent videos can be recorded. There are some limits for the length of a single video. At the very least, there is a limitation on the file size for each video file, which is 4 GB (the maximum file size that is allowed by the FAT32 format of the SDHC cards). But it is possible that a video will not reach 4 GB because it will be limited by excessive sensor heat (usually after 12 minutes of continuous video shooting). Depleted batteries or a full memory card may also interfere with video length.

Firmware

The Pentax K-x firmware updates have added functionality and fixed a few issues. * Improved reliability of recording operation when using SDXC memory card. (v 1.03) * Compatible with SDXC memory card. (v 1.02) * Added three kinds of particular effect shooting function (Pre-set 1,2 and 3) on ross Processing (v 1.01) * Added assignment of Cross Processing function to the green button. (v 1.01) * Improved accuracy of Battery Level Indicator under specific conditions and improved stability for general performance. (v 1.01)

References

External links

Reviews

Pentax K-x Review
– dpreview.com
Pentax K-x Digital SLR Review
– ephotozine.com
A terrific DSLR for beginners with masses of headroom for those learning the ropes
– TechRadar.com
Pentax K-x Review
– photographyblog.com
Pentax K-x Reviews and guides
– kxuser.com
Pentax K-x Feature page demonstrating digital filter (Traditional Chinese)
– www.dcfever.com
Pentax K-x reviews and shopping guide
- www.pentaxk-x.net
Pentax K-5
- wikoshop.com File:PentaxKx 1.jpg, olive green body with "pancake" lens File:PentaxKx 2.jpg, olive green body with "pancake" lens File:PentaxKx 3.jpg, olive green body with a zoom lens File:PentaxKx 4.jpg, back side with display (olive green body) {{Pentax DSLR cameras K-x Live-preview digital cameras Cameras introduced in 2009 Pentax K-mount cameras