Nikon Rangefinder In The Works? Pentax K-x Hands On Preview

Pentax K-x Raises Entry Level Bar Still Higher

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Posted by Patrick on Sep 17, 2009 in Cameras, Featured Content

Pentax K-x Raises Entry Level Bar Still Higher

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Pentax has announced the K-x, which now replaces the K2000. With a substantial feature set, the K-x raises the entry level bar even higher, offering a very compelling list of specifications at the very affordable price of $649. First, the K-x boosts the resolution of the K2000, from 10 megapixels to now offering a 23.6 x 15.8 mm CMOS sensor with 12.4 megapixels on board. ISO range checks in at 200-6400, with expanded coverage offering ISO 100 to ISO 12,800. The autofocus system covers 11 points with the SAFOX VIII AF system, an upgrade again from the K2000, but with the very notable caveat of lacking an AF overlay in the viewfinder. On the backside the LCD remains strictly entry-level, a 2.7 inch LCD with 230K of resolution, but to be fair, other manufacturers are using this same spec at this price point. Image stabilization is built into the camera, good for 2 and half to 4 stops of stabilization according to Pentax. Separating itself from other entry-level offerings however, the Pentax K-x offers quite a few goodies including live view, 720p HD video recording at 24 FPS (mono only), a frame rate of 4.7 fps, built in HDR similar to the K-7, a multitude of in-camera filters that can also be stacked for further effects, and finally perhaps the most visually notable change, the Pentax K-7 will be offered in 4 color schemes with matching kit lens combinations: black, white, navy, and red. Pentax says that the black and white version of the K-x will be available in October, with pricing and availability of the navy and red versions coming at a future date.

For more information on the K-x, we attended the press event in New York City at the International Center of Photography last night and have posted our hands on experience with the K-x here.

Highlights

12.4 megapixel 23.6 x 15.8 mm CMOS sensor
720p HD video at 24 fps
Expanded ISO range of 100-12,800
11 point SAFOX VIII AF system with 9 cross type points
Live view
4.7 fps

Resources

Pentax Imaging

Availability

The Pentax K-x is available for pre-order now at Amazon

Media

Specifications

Camera	Pentax K-x
Body material	Plastic on stainless steel chassis
Sensor	23.6 x 15.8 mm CMOS sensor, Primary color filter, 12.4 million total pixels, 12.9 million effective pixels
Shake Reduction	Sensor-Shift type
Dust reduction	Image sensor moving mechanism and SP coating
Image sizes	4288 x 2428 pixels @ 12 mb, 3936 x 2624 pixels @ 10 mb, 3072 x 2048 @ 6mb pixels, 1728 x 1152 2 mb
Image formats	JPEG (Conforms to Exif 2.21), (Best, Better, Good), Compressed RAW ( PEF ), Non-compressed RAW ( DNG )
Color space	sRGB , Adobe RGB
Lenses	PENTAX K, KA, KAF, KAF2 and KAF3 mount lenses
FOV crop	1.5x
Focusing	11-point wide autofocus system (SAFOX VIII)
Focus modes	AF-Auto, AF-Single, AF-Continuous, Manual focus
AF assist	Built-in flash
Shooting modes	Auto Picture mode, Picture mode, Scene mode, Program AE, Sensitivity-Priority AE, Shutter-Priority AE, Aperture-Priority AE, Metered Manual, Bulb
Picture modes	Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Action, Night scene portrait, Standard Flash-Off
Scene modes	Night Scene, Surf & Snow, Food, Sunset, Kids, Pet, Candlelight, Museum, Stage Lighting, Night Snap
Metering modes	Multi-segment metering, Center-weighted metering, Spot metering
Metering	TTL open-aperture 16-segment metering, Exposure range: EV 1-21.5, Standard Output Sensitivity 200 50mm F1.4
AE Lock	Can be allocated to AF button by Menu.
AE Bracketing	±0.5EV to ±1.5EV (1/2 EV steps), ±0.3EV to ±1.0EV (1/3 EV steps), ±0.7EV to ± 1.0EV (1/3 EV steps)
Exposure compen.	±3 EV (1/2 EV or 1/3 EV steps)
Exposure steps	1/2 EV, 1/3 EV
Sensitivity	Auto (selectable range),Manual : 200-6400, Bulb Mode: up to ISO 1600, Expandable ISO 100 - 12800, 1EV, 1/2EV or 1/3EV steps
Shutter	Electronically controlled vertical-run focal plane shutter
Shutter Speed	30 to 1/6000 sec, Bulb
White balance	Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten Light, Fluorescent Light (W, D, N, L (Light Bulb*)), Flash, CTE, Manual setting with WB fine adjustment
Image parameters	Saturation (-4 to +4) , Hue (-4 to +4), Sharpness (-4 to +4) (two types), Contrast (-4 to +4)
Viewfinder	Fixed molded penta-mirror type, Natural-Bright-Matte II focusing screen, Field of viewapprox. 96%, Magnificationapprox. 0.85X (with 50mm F1.4 lens, infinity, -1m), Diopter adjustmentapprox. -2.5 - +1.5m
LCD monitor	TFT color LCD monitor, Brightness adjustable, Wide angle view, 2.7 inch, Approx. 230,000 pixels
Live View	TTL by Image sensor, Enlargement (2X, 4X, 6X in case of AF mode, 2x, 4x, 6x, 8x, 10x in case of MF mode), Grid pattern, white/black out warning display, Histogram display, AF: Contrast detection + Face detection / Contrast detection / Phase difference detection
Flash	Built-in retractable P-TTL pop-up flash, Guide number:approx. 16* (Standard Output Sensitivity 200/m), Angle of view coverage:28mm wide-angle (35mm equivalent), Flash Exposure Compensation:-2 EV - +1EV (1/2EV steps), P-TTL, 1/180 sec flash-sync
External Flash	Hot shoe, sync-speed: 1/180 sec., Wireless-sync with PENTAX dedicated flash
Flash compensation	-2.0 to +1.0 EV
Drive modes	Single-frame, Continuous (Hi, Lo), Self-timer (12s, 2s), Remote control (0s, 3s), Auto bracket
Self-timer	12 sec, 2 sec
Continuous shooting	4.7 fps - 17 JPEG, 5 RAW, 2 fps - until card is full or 11 RAW
Remote release	InfraRed remote (optional), Instant or with 3 sec delay
Custom functions	22 custom-programmable functions available
Preview	Optical / Digital preview
Playback mode	One Image, Index (4 or 9 or 16 or 36 thumbnails), Enlargement (up to 16X, scroll available) , Image Rotation, Folder view, Slideshow, Histogram, Bright/Dark area, Calender, Resize, Trimming, Index
Digital filter (Rec Mode)	Toy Camera, High Contrast, Soft, Star Burs, Retro, Extract Colo, Custom, Fish Eye
Digital filter (Playback)	B&W, Sepia, Color (18 type), Soft (three-level amount adjustable), Illustration (Pastel/Watercolor), HDR (3 type), Slim (+/- 8 level amount adjustable), Brightness (+/- 8 level amount adjustable), Toy Camera, High Contrast, Soft, Star Burst, Retro, Miniature, Fish Eye, Extract Colour, Base Tweaking, Custom
Menu languages	English, French, Germany, Spanish, Swedish, Dutch, Italian, Russian, Portuguese, Danish, Finnish, Polish, Czech, Hungarian, Turkey, Japanese, Korean, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, Greek
Connectivity	USB/Video, USB 2.0 (HI-SPEED), Compatible with NTSC and PAL formats
Storage	SD or SDHC card
Power	Four AA (lithium, alkaline, and rechargeable Ni-MH) batteries, Optional AC adapter
Dimensions	122.5mm x 91.5mm x 67.5mm (4.8 x 3.6 x 2.7 in)
Weight (no batt/lens)	515g (18.2 oz.)
Weight (no lens)	With lithium batteries and SD card: 580g (20.5 oz.)

Press Release

Pentax Announces Affordable, New Pentax K-x With High-End Features Including HD Video And Live View

GOLDEN, CO (September 16, 2009)… PENTAX Imaging Company redefines the entry-level digital SLR category with the introduction of the K-x digital SLR. This latest PENTAX camera offers high-end features including Live View and HD video. And, since there’s no rule that SLR cameras must come in black only, the K-x will be available in a choice of white or black, as well as special, limited edition red and navy.

Priced at $649.95 USD (for body with DA L 18-55mm lens), the extremely compact and lightweight PENTAX K-x forges ahead on the trail initiated by the popular PENTAX K2000. With a one-handed shooting design and simple, easy-to-use operation, the K-x is perfect for users stepping up from a point and shoot digital camera to their first digital SLR.

The PENTAX K-x offers photographic performance that challenges higher class DSLR models and offers several features that set this camera apart in the entry-level category:

High resolution 12.4 megapixel CMOS image sensor features sensor-shift Shake Reduction for stabilized image and video capture up to 4 stops max.
*

Large 2.7 inch LCD features Live View with contrast, phase difference, and Face Detection autofocus (up to 16 faces).
*

Widescreen HD video capture in full 720p resolution (1280×720) at 24 FPS cinematic framerate, using any PENTAX 35mm lens.
*

Creative processing and filter modes produce high quality finished images, while offering the ability to explore artistic freedom through unique special effects.
*

True High Dynamic Range (HDR) image capture blends 3 bracketed images into a single picture with outstanding shadow, highlight, and midrange detail.
*

Fast 4.7 FPS capture speed and 1/6000 second maximum shutter speeds are possible with the PENTAX PRIME II image processing engine.
*

Powerful automatic modes, including PENTAX Auto Picture and scene modes, ensure the perfect shot in any situation, while helping new photographers learn DSLR photography.
*

Responsive 11 point wide angle SAFOX VIII autofocus system focuses quickly and accurately, and can easily track moving subjects.
*

Captures up to 1900 shots with universally available, easy-to-find AA lithium batteries (also compatible with AA NiMH rechargeable and alkaline batteries).

All combined, the PENTAX K-x is the perfect camera for new digital SLR camera users as well as an ideal backup camera for more experienced photographers.

Along with the K-x, PENTAX announced the smc PENTAX DA L 55-300mm F4-5.8 ED super-telephoto zoom lens. This lens will be exclusive to a K-x Twin Lens Kit package consisting of a K-x body, this new lens and the smc PENTAX DA L 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 lens. The lightweight design of this zoom lens offers the exceptional optical performance found in all PENTAX lenses for super-telephoto photography with the K-x and other PENTAX digital SLR camera bodies.

The PENTAX K-x is now available for pre-order in black or white on www.pentaxwebstore.com. Limited edition colors of red and navy will become available at select locations to be announced.

The PENTAX K-x (in black and white) will ship in October 2009 in three configurations: options:

K-x single lens kit with body and an smc PENTAX DA L 18-55mm lens for USD $649.95.
*

K-x twin lens kit for $749.95 including a K-x body, the smc PENTAX DA L 18-55mm lens and the smc PENTAX DA L 50-200mm zoom lens.
*

K-x twin lens kit for $849.95 including a K-x body, the smc PENTAX DA L 18-55mm lens and the smc PENTAX DA L 55-300mm zoom lens.

Complete information is available here: http://www.pentaximaging.com/about-us.aspx?p=press
Product images are available here: www.pentaximaging.com/press/pressfiles.html
An informational video is available here: www.youtube.com/Pentaxian1

PENTAX Imaging Company is an innovative leader in the production of a variety of digital cameras including weather resistant digital SLRs and compact, waterproof cameras, as well as lenses, flash units, binoculars, scopes, and eyepieces. For 90 years, PENTAX has developed durable, reliable products that meet the needs of consumers and businesses. With headquarters in Golden, Colorado, PENTAX Imaging Company is a division of PENTAX of America, Inc.

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