Pentax K-x DSLR now official: 12.4MP, 720p video, coming October for $650
By Ross Miller 
posted Sep 17th 2009 1:03AM
posted Sep 17th 2009 1:03AM
Read - Press release
Read - Brief hands-on
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That red is mighty sexy.
So there is a market for the red one. I couldn't figure out for the life of me why it was red.
The spyshots for K-x where right. Its 'Char Aznable' red.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Char_Aznable
http://gundam.wikia.com/wiki/Char_Aznable
Pentax, being a Japanese company, knows the implications of releasing their camera this particular shade of red relative to its pop-cultural icon. There are obvious references.
@reddyroc look at almost any major tech gadget that has come out since 2004, we love our colors. MP3 players, phones, even 360 and PS3 mods.
haha, I came to post that it looked like a gundam, nice to see I'm not alone with my crazy thoughts =]
@Zac i could hang with a blue ipod, but i wouldn't rock a red dslr. all i'm sayin.
Holy crap.
It comes in basically any color combination you want. in fact, me want!
http://www.camera-pentax.jp/k-x/#/simulator/120101
http://www.camera-pentax.jp/k-x/#/ranking
First we get the stormtrooper K2000, then the Boba Fett K2000, and now we have Optimus Prime's K-x. Seriously, what's with all the crazy colors, Pentax?
It's hot that red.
I didn't know ISO was expandable. Don't think my 450d can do that.
Nah the 400 450 etc D don't do it, others do though.
The thing that is rather odd is that it expands down to 100, I don't really get that, what does it do... apply a darken filter to the image
@Cy Starkman
That's basically right, ISO Expansion means it's pure software, the sensor hardware is running at the nearest native ISO (200 in this case). Software adjusts the image to the desired exposure, but you sacrifice dynamic range on the low end and increase noise on the high.
This sensor was probably designed for higher ISOs at the sacrifice of lower. (This isn't the first DSLR with the lowest native ISO at ISO 200).
@Cy Starkman: Expanding down an ISO value means increasing exposure. The camera basically meters at the base ISO and overexposes the image with a shutterspeed slower than what the meter suggests. Works most of the time except in situations where the highlights are super bright.
That is the most vibrant DSLR I've ever seen.
DA L ? Figures, its a replacement for the K-m...
Awesome red colour though...
Wow nice color
black on red
nice
"Nice" comment and redundant use of the word nice.
Euurkk RED, it's devil's camera ;-(
I'm looking to get my wife an entry-level DSLR, but have only really considered Nikon or Canon. Are Pentax cameras popular? Why would I choose them over Nikon or Canon?
The only thing i can comment about wrt Nikon vs. Canon vs. Pentax is that Pentax camera's have in-body shake reduction, meaning lenses are cheaper and lighter... with Nikon and Canon, you'd pay a premium for Vibration Reduction (VR)/Image Stabilisation (IS)...
Since you're getting your wife an entry-level DSLR, i'd go with Pentax... It'd be cheaper lens-wise... plus Pentax camera's can use every single pentax lens ever made...
The backward compatibility with older lenses is also available for Canon and Nikon, sometimes with adapters. The big caveat with using old lenses is that you lose some functionality of the camera because the older lenses simply don't support those features. In many cases that includes auto-focus which most amateur photographers would consider critical. Besides which, unless you have an investment in older lenses already the likelihood that you will gain any benefit from backward compatibility is slim to none. The red color is pretty nice, but will not make your pictures come out better. I have a friend who swears by his Pentax. Canon and Nikon are the most popular brands (probably in that order, though I'm just guessing). I use a Nikon myself now, but grew up using my dad's Canon film SLRs. They're all good. So buy the camera with the feature set that best meets your needs. If you buy 1st party lenses and flashes, Nikon is supposed to have better flash technology. Canon and Nikon both have high quality glass throughout their price ranges. You will find fanboy arguments for both. I have no knowledge about the Pentax glass.
@glenn s
I'm not sure why you would make a comment about Pentax when you don't appear to know anything about them.
The level of backwards compatibility with Pentax is far beyond Canon or Nikon. Pentax has used the same K mount since 1976 and auto focus works on these new bodies with any lens that had AF (screw drive or SDM).
Pentax also makes excellent and unique glass (DA*, FA* and the Limiteds).
You wouldn't.
Pentax might make a decent camera, but there is a reason why the market is dominated by canon and nikon. Stick with the big two.
@balls:
the reason canon and nikon seem to be dominating the market is cause resellers get commission for selling canon/nikon ...
@DT:
so be careful in looking for a camera, the person in the store might immediately push you to canon or nikon if you come into the store blind...
so do your research.. properly.... i spent agonising weeks looking up different cameras in the price range i wanted... when i started looking up different brands and models, i looked at the Sony a350 first... then looked at Olympus, then Canon then Nikon... then settled on Pentax...
look at what you (or your wife) want and compare
Well, if you're basing your decision on which is most popular, Nikon or Canon might be your choice.
Of course, one could also make the case that you should get an iPhone based in that (yeah, I said it).
I'd want to know why you want one that's popular.
Pentax presents a high value option in the lower half of the market. Their particular feature tends to be a lotta features in a small body...strangely enough, that's what they've been known for, oh, I don't l know, 30-some-odd years ago.
"there is a reason why the market is dominated by canon and nikon"
uh-huh. same reason as iPod. Folk don't know.
The proper reason to pick a camera - or not - is strictly image quality. So wait until the camera's been reviewed, then compare *the pictures it takes* to similarly priced cameras. See which ones take better (less noisy, good color) images in the darkest and brightest situations. When considering DSLR prices, compare prices on the lenses you'll be wanting as well.
Once you figure out which takes the best shots in your price range, that's the camera you want.
Cameras are tools designed to take pictures. Good pictures are the entire point. Not the camera's paint job. Well, unless you're a total poser, of course.
@Glenn Pratt
If you read my comment carefully, you would have noticed that I said right there at the end that I didn't know anything about Pentax. I also relayed that I have 2nd hand info from a friend who loves his. So I am in no way putting Pentax cameras down. I commented because the OP asked for advice about what camera to choose. Grow a thicker skin.
@glenn s
The parent asked why someone would choose Pentax over Nikon or Canon. You did nothing to answer the question and gave misleading information about lenses. Why you would bother to try and field a question you don't know anything about?
Camera for Dexter?
Is that the IR port on the handle?
Yes
Yes, many camera's have an IR port on the grip. It's usually for wireless shutter release devices.
Looks like stormtrooper pimp to me
The Red and Navy colors are limited editions.
It's not red, it's blushing - It's camera shy.
Wow there are a lot of Dads commenting on engadget it seems...
it is HOT! Why didn't anybody think of this before
Would anyone say this is a good price?
I have no knowledge of camera prices.
its a decent price. i paid about $600cdn for my xsi/450d back in january. the pentax has higher iso capability and does video. keep in mind i dont know how much noise this thing picks up at 6400 iso and how jelly-ish the video capture may be.
720/24p is awesome!
So is it 18-55mm, or like double that because of the sensor? 36-110mm?
@allenvanhellen
It's not a 2x crop like 4/3rds, current Pentax DSLRs, like most others, are APS-C, specifically 1.5x crop, so the kit lens is 27-82mm in 35mm equivalent.
Oh my God I'm crying because this is so beautiful!
looking good
That's one red camera.
WAAAAAAAAAAAANT!
Check this out for a laugh:
http://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-news-rumors/73720-wow-k-x-has-20-body-colors-5-grips-colors-japan.html
Wow...I don't think there's any other DSLR on the market with this feature set at this price point. Pentax is making moves and the color offering is an ingenious marketing move that will grab the beginner's segment looking to make the jump to DSLR.
Pentax K-x has clearly two flaws with its policy,
1. K-x did not an AF Adjustment in its Setup menu, there many AF-error is related with the various lenses and not only a problem in the DSLR camera body, so that an AF Adjustment storage is necessary.
2. K-x did not have a HDMI output port. but K-x has a useless "Video out".
Nikon can be being the same flaws to the Nikon's entry-level DSLR but them were inessential, because Nikon is strong in DSLR's market.
however, Pentax cannot take to burden the same flaws, because Pentax is puny in DSLR's market.
Peter,
What Nikon, Olympus or Canon offering for $650 (with kit lens) has auto focus adjustment?! I had to sell my Pentax K200D and upgrade to a K20D for this. and I don't even use it, because my K20D has been sharp as a tack.
A REAL glaring omission, for me, is the lack of an ISO button. But the K-x's entry level intentions are clear, so it's not that big of a deal. It at least has the green button, which is so nice:)
Most people seem to be saying the red looks good but it looks pretty garish and ugly to me...
+1. It just doesn't look good to me.
The white is the pretty one.
Though I'd probably go for the generic-looking black, considering I don't live in a particularly secure part of the world..
Their white DSLR looks really nice.
http://www.itechnews.net/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/pentax-k2000-dslr-limited-white-edition.jpg
I think the red channel is clipping.
This looks like an entry level model to me and the low price reflects that. It's a replacement for the K-m so no point comparing it to the top-of-the-line K-7. Though it has a pentamirror and single dial most of the other specs are way up there.
1/6000s shutter
11 AF points
4.7 FPS drive mode
Ouch, the red is giving me a lens flare.
The Sony 12MP sensor may prove to be superior to the Samsung one found in K7 though...
Its going to be another Red October!
Make it full frame and I might be interested.
But then it wouldn't be small, light or affordable.
???
Is it just me or does a bright picture = more comments?
Also I take it this doesn't have a mic in? (I didn't see anything about it)
No, there's no mic-in.
Hot red is awesome!
Too. Much. Red.
this seems to have an autofocus on the body... similar to the d80 or d90... is this true?
i've only ever really looked into canon and nikon... i've never really looked into pentax much.. what kind of lenses can you use?
All current Pentax dSLRs have support for both SDM (in-lens AF motor) and traditional screw-drive lenses. Reverse compatibility is kind of one of the hallmarks of the Pentax system--you can natively mount lenses going back to the early 70s, as well as M42 screwmount lenses via an official adapter ($30). There's a HUGE range of excellent old glass out there to be used.
Pentax lenses. :P
Like Nikon they have kept compatibility with old lenses, so you can basically use almost any Pentax lens ever made (for 35mm cameras). You can also use adapters for M42, medium format lenses, lenses from other brands... and obviously Sigma etc. also make lenses for Pentax, there have been many third party manufacturers for Pentax mount lenses in the past, though they were all manual ones. Pentax' own lenses are supposed to be of pretty high quality.
Hmmm, should I have just bought the Nikon D3000?
didn't look at all the pictures until now - I see an ISO button on the directional pad...maybe this is actually a dedicated button? Or maybe it works like Olympus's ISO button.
*sigh*
Another camera to boast about filming in 720p, even though the audio is the same-old, same-old, tired crappy MONO !!!
Seriously... when will they learn?
Good video CANNOT be paired with crappy audio!
It's like watching a DVD with CAM sound!
If you're doing any kind of serious filmmaking with it, won't you be using an external recording device for sound, anyway?
The K-7 has stereo mic input if you really need the feature. This is a $650 entry-level cam. Can't expect everything at that price.
I wouldn't want my camera to shout "come look at me, I'm taking photos, can you all see me?". A camouflage version however...
At least you can say you have a RED One.
The navy blue looks quite decent, though I'm afraid it would get scratched all the time... my camera has to stand rough handling.
This looks pretty good. http://www.lostfocus.de/archives/2008/04/01/olympus-e-420-in-bunt/
pual,
What Nikon, Canon, even Olympus, Which one is like a same puny with Pentax?
Peter,
Yo, i'm really happy for your ability to write in language that isn't your first, and Ima let you finish, but you make no sense at all. The Nikon D3000 costs more, and doesn't have AF adjustment, nor does the outgoing Canon XSi. The Olympus E620, as far as I know, doesn't have autofocus adjustment either.
Babelfish FTL.
it is HOT! Why didn't anybody think of this before
"They're all gonna laugh at you...laugh at you...laugh at you...."
The navy blue one is absolutely stunning.
Red color made this camera look like a toy. -_- Anyway if you want info of Canon or Nikon review visit http://rebeldigitalslr.com
Very true - for professionals. But if this really aims to be a true hybrid camera, replacing the need for a camcorder while on vacation, the sound should still be on par with the image quality.
Otherwise, the 720p video is just a gimmick.
Canon was the first to implement good video *and* stereo audio in their PowerShot S series, as well as in the TX1, and currently their SX20 and SX1 hybrid cams can do beautiful 1080i/p with great sound, comparable with what's produced by dedicated DV camcorders... so why is Pentax doing any less?
not only Black, Red and Blue but
20 body colors x 5 grip colors = 100 combination colors
http://www.pentax.jp/japan/imaging/digital/slr/k-x/image/fea5_img03.jpg
http://www.camera-pentax.jp/k-x/#/simulator/120101
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