The Pentax K-x sits in the slot previously occupied by the company’s K200D – one of the best-specified entry-level DSLRs on the market in its time – though that position has now been elevated by the arrival of a new breed of more basic models below it. In Pentax’s line-up that means the K2000/Km designed to entice compact camera users into DSLR ownership with its easy-to-use interface and diminutive scale, and it’s that camera the K-x is immediately reminiscent of (they share the same body).

Despite its small size and use of AA batteries, there is more than a hint of the K-7 about the new model’s specifications. It gains the K-7′s 11-point AF system and PRIME II imaging engine, along with its abilities to correct for chromatic aberration and distortion when using Pentax DA and DFA lenses. It also includes an orientation sensor.

While, unlike the K-m, on the Ashai Pentax Kx you can now at least select the active AF-point, it’s still not displayed in the viewfinder. However, despite of all the shared features with the K2000/K-m and K-7 there is still plenty of new improvements about the K-x.

The camera is based around a 12.4 megapixel CMOS sensor with onboard A/D conversion (a system often associated with Sony Digitals), with output fast enough not only for the camera to shoot at 4.7 frames per second, but also for capturing 24 frames of 720p HD video per second. Along with this sensor come higher ISOs – now up to 6400, expandable to 12800. Plus there’s a revised version of the K-m’s shutter mechanism to allow the high continuous shooting speed, which ups the maximum shutter speed to 1/6000 sec. The camera also features a new ‘cross-processing’ mode on top of an already impressive range of filters and processing options.

Pentax Kx Camera Key Features

* 12.4 megpixel APS-C-format CMOS sensor (total pixels: 12.9 million)
* PRIME II imaging engine
* 1/6000th maximum shutter speed
* 720p HD video (24 fps)
* 2.7″ LCD monitor (230,000 dots)
* Image sensor cleaning (sensor shake)
* 11 selectable AF points
* IS0 200-6400 range (100-12,800 when expanded)
* 4.7 frames per second continuous shooting (for 17 frames)

In the Pentax line-up the K-x sits in the slot between K2000 (K-m) and the semi-pro K-7. While at first sight the new model is pretty much indistinguishable from the K2000, a closer look reveals that, from a features and specification point of view, the Kx has quite lot in common with the K-7, a significantly more expensive camera. It comes with the K-7′s 11-point AF system and PRIME II imaging engine, along with its abilities to adjust for chromatic aberration and distortion when using Pentax DA and DFA lenses. Add 720p HD video, ISO 12800 and 4.7 frames per second continuous shooting to the mix and you’ve got a, for the the K-x’s very attractive price point, impressively well-specified camera.

Crucially the image quality does not lag behind the technical specification. The image output at base ISO shows good detail and colors but where the Pentax Kx really starts to shine is in low light. Its high ISO JPEGs are possibly the best of all current DSLRs with an APS-C size sensor; they certainly beat any of its direct competitors. The omission of visible AF points might be a serious drawback for some photographers but if you’re not one of them with the Pentax K-x you can bag yourself a very capable entry-level DSLR at a bargain price.

Technorati Tags: , ,