Pentax K-x Digital SLR Camera ISO and Image Samples: You’ll Be Impressed

We’re wrapping up our review of the 12.4 megapixel Pentax K-x this week, but I wanted to share and put an emphasis on, once again, its very impressive ISO capabilities, as well as its wonderful image quality. When I first got my hands on the K-x at its introduction, I knew it was a camera that had some potential, but I had no idea that it’d be this good, and this fun.

Great Pictures

The K-x takes great pictures, certainly from an entry-level point of view, but compare it to any APS-C DSLR camera, and the K-x IQ continues to impress. ISO? Yeah it does that too. There’s more of a grain than noise, but under ISO 800, things look very clean, certainly ISO 100 and 200 are some of the best looking files you’ll see from any DSLR that isn’t full frame. Beyond ISO 800, wow…surprisingly good. Usable, well really it’s all usable, till ISO 12,800, which is again, impressive.

Fun Factor

The fun factor, yeah the K-x has that. Small and comfortable, the K-x feels handles great. Yes, it shoots nice RAW (DNG actually) files, but go into the filters, and have fun with them. On the K-x the creative filters are actually pretty cool, I prefer them to the “Art Filters” found on Olympus’ offerings. I like the “Cross Processing” and “Toy Camera” filters, and used together they can provide even cooler results. Let’s not forget the K-x handles HD video at 720p… video quality is pretty good, but does tend to acquire grain quite quickly. I like that the filters can be used while shooting video too, which like the stills, can make for some very neat effects.

Caveats

A couple of points to mention. It’s a pain to not see AF points in the viewfinder, I really wish they were there, but they aren’t. Another issue, battery life. You’ll want to get good batteries, the Energizer Ultimate Lithiums work great and have been lasting a good while. Put regular AA’s in and they’ll be drained immediately.

Tremendous Value

Finally my favorite part about the K-x, it’s dirt cheap. The K-x is $550 at B&H Photo with the kit lens and that’s shipped for free. Out of the box it takes great pictures, sharp too (see the ISO 100 samples with zero editing on my part). From there you have the perfect gateway to all the great little prime lenses that Pentax offers, with tons of creative potential. You can support Neutralday.com by shopping for the K-x at B&H Photo through the following links:

• Pentax K-x Digital SLR with 18-55mm Zoom Lens (Black)
• Pentax K-x Digital SLR with 18-55mm and 55-300mm Zoom Lenses (Black)
• Pentax Pentax K-x Digital SLR with 18-55mm Zoom Lens (Red)
• Pentax Pentax K-x Digital SLR with 18-55mm Zoom Lens (White)
• Pentax Pentax K-x Digital SLR with 18-55mm Zoom Lens (Navy)

ISO Samples

Use the sample below to orient yourself to the position of the crops that follow. Click each thumbnail for a 100% view of each crop. The full size set of ISO samples can be viewed here.

Crop

ISO 100	ISO 200
ISO 400	ISO 800
ISO 1600	ISO 3200
ISO 6400	ISO 12,800

Crop 2

ISO 100	ISO 200
ISO 400	ISO 800
ISO 1600	ISO 3200
ISO 6400	ISO 12,800

Image Samples

I’ve provided a number of image samples below for your analysis. A good number were taken using the filters found on the K-x and they make for very interesting captures. It should be rather obvious which ones were filtered, but taken as a whole one should be able to get the idea that the K-x is at the very least, a very versatile camera.

Camera: Pentax K-x Exposure: 1 Aperture: f/16.0 Focal Length: 40 mm ISO Speed: 200 Exposure Bias: +0.7 EV original size	Camera: Pentax K-x Exposure: 0.125 sec (1/8) Aperture: f/5.6 Focal Length: 55 mm ISO Speed: 200 Exposure Bias: +0.7 EV original size
Camera: Pentax K-x Exposure: 0.077 sec (1/13) Aperture: f/5.6 Focal Length: 55 mm ISO Speed: 200 Exposure Bias: +1 EV original size	Camera: Pentax K-x Exposure: 0.008 sec (1/125) Aperture: f/5.6 Focal Length: 55 mm ISO Speed: 200 Exposure Bias: 0 EV original size
Camera: Pentax K-x Exposure: 0.008 sec (1/125) Aperture: f/5.6 Focal Length: 47.5 mm ISO Speed: 200 Exposure Bias: 0 EV original size	Camera: Pentax K-x Exposure: 0.1 sec (1/10) Aperture: f/5.6 Focal Length: 55 mm ISO Speed: 200 Exposure Bias: 0 EV original size
Camera: Pentax K-x Exposure: 0.067 sec (1/15) Aperture: f/5.6 Focal Length: 55 mm ISO Speed: 200 Exposure Bias: 0 EV original size	Camera: Pentax K-x Exposure: 0.1 sec (1/10) Aperture: f/5.6 Focal Length: 55 mm ISO Speed: 200 Exposure Bias: 0 EV original size
Camera: Pentax K-x Exposure: 0.04 sec (1/25) Aperture: f/5.6 Focal Length: 55 mm ISO Speed: 400 Exposure Bias: +0.7 EV original size	Camera: Pentax K-x Exposure: 0.167 sec (1/6) Aperture: f/5.6 Focal Length: 30.6 mm ISO Speed: 400 Exposure Bias: +0.7 EV original size
Camera: Pentax K-x Exposure: 0.05 sec (1/20) Aperture: f/5.6 Focal Length: 55 mm ISO Speed: 400 Exposure Bias: +0.7 EV original size	Camera: Pentax K-x Exposure: 0.125 sec (1/8) Aperture: f/5.6 Focal Length: 55 mm ISO Speed: 400 Exposure Bias: +0.7 EV original size
Camera: Pentax K-x Exposure: 0.077 sec (1/13) Aperture: f/5.6 Focal Length: 55 mm ISO Speed: 400 Exposure Bias: +0.7 EV original size	Camera: Pentax K-x Exposure: 0.4 Aperture: f/5.6 Focal Length: 50 mm ISO Speed: 400 Exposure Bias: +2 EV original size
Camera: Pentax K-x Exposure: 0.2 sec (1/5) Aperture: f/5.6 Focal Length: 55 mm ISO Speed: 400 Exposure Bias: +2 EV original size	Camera: Pentax K-x Exposure: 0.067 sec (1/15) Aperture: f/5.6 Focal Length: 55 mm ISO Speed: 800 Exposure Bias: 0 EV original size

Continue the Discussion

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1. 

   Ronny says:

   July 4, 2010 at 4:18 pm

   how can i put iso 100 in my pentax k-x . thank you!

   reply
2. 

   Peter says:

   July 21, 2010 at 5:52 pm

   I’ve got exactly the same problem. It won’t go below 200….

   reply
   • 

     Patrick says:

     July 21, 2010 at 11:33 pm

     In the menu, there’s a setting for expanded sensitivity or something like that. Should give you 100-12800 as I remember. Also highlight tone priority might have to be unchecked as well. It’s been awhile, so I can’t remember exactly.

     reply