LCD Screen and Viewfinder
LCD screen is basic, plain 2.7″ , 230k. Compared to recent years DSLR, this screen is a bit outdated but it is not bad. Viewfinder is relatively big compare to beginner DSLR camera. Only Canon 500d and 450D can match the size of the viewfinder.
Auto Focus performance
Auto focus (used with 18-55 kit lens) is surprisingly fast in bright light or low light situation. You will get AF confirmation in the viewfinder (hexagonal green dot) but there is no indicator where the active focus point is. For who that rely on automatic 5 points, 11 points or central point AF, it might not be a problem, but for those who usually use other individual AF point, it might be a bit of inconvenience.
Image quality and ISO
Pentax Kx images in natural setting are not bright and saturated like competitor like Canon DSLR, but they are more muted and a bit cold. It is similar to Nikon DSLR such as Nikon D90. Nikon and Pentax Kx uses Sony sensor, and that might explain the similarity.
But don’t too worry if you don’t like muted color, because you can always set higher saturation in Pentax custom setting or deal with it later in your favorite photo editing program. But off course it won’t match Canon color when you both set the saturation setting to the max.
The sensor strength is on high ISO setting. It matches Nikon D90 and even slightly better. Combined with built in shake reduction, this camera is very good in low light photography such as night scene or indoor performance. This performance might be the best for crop sensor camera up to date and only to be beaten by expensive full frame camera such as Nikon D700 or Canon 5D mark II [Check out Pentax Kx ISO comparison images]
Other facts / findings
- Pentax Kx is available in 100 colors combination in Japan
- Built-in photo processing like auto HDR is slow (takes approx. 10 sec to process and to make a good HDR, you need tripod). It also drain batteries power quickly. Live view, movie recording is very basic for DSLR standard and it also drain batteries. Prepare plenty of rechargeable AA batteries if you keen on using these features.
- The kit lens 18-55mm is generally an OK kit lens, but to get better image quality especially sharpness and image acuity, I recommend you to look for some better lenses such as Pentax 16-45 f4 or 17-70mm f4.
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{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
If I’ve read this right, you say that the K-x has a swivel-screen. No images I’ve seen of it shows this, so I wonder if it’s really so. Is it?
A quote form the comparison to the Olympus E-620 on the last page of the review: “Like Pentax KX, it has swivel LCD screen”
Kx does not have swivel screen. Thanks for the correction.
I see. I was hoping it did
Maybe the K30D.
Regardless of swivel screen or not, the kx is a great started DSLR camera. It takes great pictures and its compact size is unbeatable. I have coupled it with the Pentax 10-17mm zoom fisheye lens and have had great results. If you want to check out some samples I have them posted on my blog http://www.kxuser.com as well as tutorials and other info about this camera. Thats how happy I am with it. Regardless, have fun shooting!
This is a good camera until the PCB board goes out 3 months and purchasing it. When you send it in for repair you will be told the warranty will not cover it and it will cost half the price of the camera to repair it . It may be a great little camera until something goes wrong. This is a junk camera with a junk warranty
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