Competitors
Canon 500D/T1i Price: $750
is a leading beginner cameras with 3″ hi-res LCD and 15 megapixel image resolution. The most important maybe the access to Canon extensive lenses. But this camera is more expensive and slower in continuous burst (only 3.5 fps), no built-in image stabilization, and image is not as clean as Pentax Kx’ image in high ISO setting.
Nikon D5000 Price: $700
D5000 is also a great low light performer like its brother Nikon D90, but the problem with this camera is lack of built-in auto focus motor. This limit your lens selection. There is no built-in image stabilization either. Like Canon and Pentax beginner DSLR cameras, D5000 has live view and movie mode, plus swivel screen.
Olympus E-620 Price: $700
The E-620 is very small and compact because of smaller image sensor (which is actually a disadvantage). Olympus E-620 has swivel LCD screen and built-in image stabilization. Click the camera name for review.
Conclusion
Pentax Kx is a small wonder. It is great camera for low light condition, very portable (especially combined with Pentax pancake lenses), and the design is very user-friendly. It has two problems that prevent this camera to be the perfect beginner/enthusiasts camera: the active auto focus indicator is absent , and battery life is short when you use photo retouching features and record movie often. However, with the current price point, this camera gives you a better value than its competitors.
Subjective Rating – Relative to entry level DSLR cameras 2009
Image Quality : 5/5
Features : 5/5
Performance : 4/5
Body and Handling : 4/5
Value for Money : 5/5
Image Samples – view more pictures in larger size at my photo gallery
ISO 1600 image is very clean from noise. Great for low light indoor events like church.
ISO 3200 is still very acceptable
at ISO 6400!
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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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