Pentax K-x 12.4 MP Digital SLR with ...- User Rating: 
Summary for Pentax K-x 12.4 MP Digital SLR with ...- Good but with bugs
Notes on Pentax K-x 12.4 MP Digital SLR with ...- I did a lot of research before buying the Pentax k-m (bought 2/5/10, with 2 extra lens) and found that this camera was highly recommended across the internet. Now that I've bought the camera and a lot of accessories for the camera (i.e. ext. flash, remote and etc.), I am now wondering if it was the right decision or not, because now I find several web sites are reporting a "mirror slap" problem (i.e. blurred images) with some Pentax k-m's. Some people report that they have exchanged the camera for a new one only to find that the new one has the same problem and some report that the camera appears to be fine, but the problem only shows up here and there (i.e. not a consistent problem, so it appears that buying this camera is a crap shoot). My camera appears to be fine at the moment, but I am wondering when the problem will show up and will Pentax be able to fix the problem without a lot of hassle (BTW Pentax has not admitted that there is a problem). I usually wait a year or two before buying big ticket items, so that the bugs are all worked out, but today it seems like the new models are replacing the old model on everything so fast that there is no time to work the bugs, so everything is becoming a crap shoot. I vote for working old models rather than hit and miss new models with new features that I could live without (or probably will never use) as long as the item worked as it should!!!!!
Pentax K-x 12.4 MP Digital SLR with ...- User Rating: Summary for Pentax K-x 12.4 MP Digital SLR with ...- A picky review
Notes on Pentax K-x 12.4 MP Digital SLR with ...- The first one Amazon sent me had some coatings missing on the smaller lens. Both lenses in the second kit looked used (judging by the threading in the back of the lens), but at this point I did not care as long as the camera worked. Amazon returns are great!
Coming from a point and shoot with a virtually silent shutter, this shutter sounds awfully loud. Even in comparison to the Nikon F2, the shutter sound is much louder. Maybe it was because the F2 was used more heavily, it maybe that Pentax is louder in general.
The Auto Focus is very slow with Live View. It focuses out, then in, then finds the correct focus. I tried the Auto Focus with on the Sony Alpha a500 at Best Buy with Live View and the K-X is downright sluggish in comparison. With Live View off, it is just as fast as any other entry level dslr.
I bought this because I did not want to lug around a camera and video camera. As of February 2010, this is the only dslr that runs on batteries that can take HD (720p) video. The sound is monaural, but the videos are clear and smooth. When Live View is on, there is a hissing/clicking noise that the video picks up. However, this is not loud enough to disrupt video at your usual family gatherings. Also, Auto Focus is not available during video recording, you must use Manual Focus.
A note about the kit lens: the kit lenses do not have the Quick Shift Focus and the distance scale that are on the stand alone lenses.
With all that said, this camera takes clear pictures in the dark. The 30 second and bulb exposure can almost capture everything your eyes can see in the dark. This camera can see infrared, so with the infrared filter, you can take some neat and eerie pictures.
The menu and user interface is intuitive and easy to understand. This is a very ergonomical camera. I have been trying to get lens flares in my pictures, but have yet to succeed. The coating on the lens do a great job of inhibiting lens flares.
In the end, first and foremost this is a camera that takes beautiful pictures and good videos. This will not replace your video camera, but is handy to have both features in a small package.
Pentax K-x 12.4 MP Digital SLR with ...- User Rating: Summary for Pentax K-x 12.4 MP Digital SLR with ...- Mine was defective...could possibly be a design flaw
Notes on Pentax K-x 12.4 MP Digital SLR with ...- Between speeds of 1/60s to 1/120s (and others, though not as visible) my sample could not take sharp images. It would take mostly sharp images at 1/30s, and sharp images at 1/250s. I also noticed demosaicing artifacts in images as well, although I think that's just the way the camera is.
Whether the shake problem is wide-spread, a limited defect, or a design flaw, doesn't matter to me. I don't want to spend countless hours with Pentax on fixing the problem...if it can be fixed at all. I just want a camera that can take sharp pictures. But at this moment, my Canon compact takes sharper images than this K-x.
I also decided that optical IS is better than sensor based IS. With optical IS you get the benefit of the IS system through the viewfinder. That also means that the autofocus is more accurate, and spot metering in complex lighting is also more accurate. So I returned my broken K-x and will likely get a Nikon instead.
UPDATE 12/28/10
A member of the DPReview forum had sent his K-x back to Pentax for this problem. They replaced the mirror box and did a few other things. However, he still has the problem. This is exactly the situation that I didn't want to have to deal with. The question is now being raised of this possibly being a design flaw. Another member is now awaiting the return of his K-x.
A poll at PentaxForums indicates 16 out of 53 K-x owners have noticed blurred/double images with their K-x...just over 30%.
I now have a Nikon D90 that takes equally sharp images at 1/80 as it does at 1/250. I also noticed that the D90 images aren't quite as sharp as the high-shutter speed K-x images. I was actually expecting this. The K-x appears to have either a very weak low-pass filter, or maybe it performs this function in software. The result is sharper images, but greater chance of false color. The effect is quite blatant in the Imaging Resource samples for the K-x. The Samuel Smith label in the still-life sample exhibits false color artifacts in the words "Pure Brewed" and "Lager Beer" due to the minimal low-pass filtering. Also, the Nikon D90 actually has a lossy RAW format. So both these factors combine to create a small, but very real difference in sharpness between the cameras.
Pentax K-x 12.4 MP Digital SLR with ...- User Rating: Summary for Pentax K-x 12.4 MP Digital SLR with ...- Thrilled
Notes on Pentax K-x 12.4 MP Digital SLR with ...- I am absolutely thrilled with this package. At current pricing, I am convinced it is the best deal out there for an entry-level DSLR - and it has more features than most people could possibly use in a lifetime. The addition of the 55-300mm lens over a base package adds a whole dimension of flexibility and is well worth the premium.
Beginning with Consumer Reports and their "Best Buy" rating, I read every review and bit of information I could find on the K-x. The praise is universal.
Coming from a Canon PowerShot A530, the difference is utterly night and day. Images are stunning, and the responsiveness of the camera makes it possible to get shots that are simply unattainable with a point and shoot. Most of my shooting involves action (dog agility and sledding, sports, etc.). In the time it took the Canon to power up and shoot 1 picture, the K-x can power up, meter, focus, and shoot 15 or 20.
Hand held pictures taken in a dimly lit banquet hall without using the flash (ISO 6400) were a big surprise - gorgeous!
I think the ability to use any type of AA battery is a huge plus. After more than 1200 shots, I am still milking the supplied set of lithium AAs, but knowing I can get a few hundred shots from standard alkalines in a pinch is reassuring.
It's a stretch to find something to complain about, but I'll try. The marketing presentation on the Pentax web site clearly states that this camera has a "time-lapse" shooting mode. In fact, it does not. I don't really lament this omission, but the feature might well be added in a future firmware update. Video capability was not a factor in my choice, and given its rather severe limitations, I will reserve it for occasional use. The practical melding of DSLR and HD video cameras is still several product generations in the future for all manufacturers.
Go for it!
p.s. - Purchased from Amazon, and it is certainly not a "gray market" item as suggested by another reviewer.
Pentax K-x 12.4 MP Digital SLR with ...- User Rating: Summary for Pentax K-x 12.4 MP Digital SLR with ...- Why I decided on the Pentax Kx
Notes on Pentax K-x 12.4 MP Digital SLR with ...- I am an avid reader of reviews and many times use this information to help in my buying decision. Since I suppose I am like most others who shop, compare, read, read some more and still can't decide I hope this might help in your quest for the right camera. Of the cameras I tried, all were very nice and I would be happy with any of them.
I have been looking for a camera that will give me the biggest bang for my buck! I hope to spend more time using my camera as a hobby. Until now have used my point and shoot Canon S3IS digital for kids, family, show choir and sporting events. The Canon S3IS is a great camera; I just want to step up a bit.
I started looking at used Nikon camera bodies as I had an old Nikon 2020 35mm film camera with the 35-70mm & 70-210mm AF lens. I stopped by my local camera shop and found my old lenses would work on the Nikon D50, D70, D80 and D90 bodies. I didn't find anything used locally or on eBay (too expensive) that I wanted so I looked at the new Nikon D90. Since Canon is the other big player in this field I decided to consider their cameras as well.
Both manufacturers offered what I wanted in a camera; the ability to capture video, able to shoot in low light and had quick and accurate autofocus capabilities. I tried both brands back and forth for several weeks and preferred the Canon T1i. I proceeded to sell my older Nikon equipment to help pay for the Canon T1i and move that direction
While saving for my new purchase and reading about digital SLR cameras I became aware of some of other SLR brands. I found several online reviewers that had good comments about these less popular cameras. Sony, Olympus, etc had nice features but for one reason or another I took them out of contention. Sony, I thought the lenses were too expensive. The Olympus just didn't click with me.(pun intended) Pentax had very good remarks and had similar capabilities as the Canon T1i. Best of all, the Pentax is considerably cheaper than the Canon.
What helped me to lean towards the Pentax Kx was that I was able to watch some video shots taken with the Nikon, Canon and Pentax on Google. I preferred the Pentax video, it didn't seem jerky in motion. Still pictures side by side were also very similar in clarity. I also read several reviews comparing the Canon and Pentax side by side with very similar remarks about the performance of both cameras. The biggest positive comment about the Pentax was the exceptional low light pictures it could take. The biggest complaint with the Pentax Kx was a battery issue mentioned by a number of reviewers. I called Pentax and spoke with a technical rep about the battery issue and any other issues Pentax might be having. I was told the battery issue has been taken care of with a firmware update. I must say I was impressed with the tech rep. He was very helpful, took time to discuss his products and said that if I ever had a problem with my Pentax to give them a call as they were here to help me out.
I can use any Pentax lens, new or old on this camera. The lenses I will likely use most is the 55-300mm or the 18-55mm. Both these are included in the kit I purchased. Since vibration reduction is built into the body of the camera instead of the lens, any lens I use will automatically be a vibration reduction lens.
I purchased the Pentax Kx with the 18-55mm and 55-300mm lens package for $653.00 on Amazon. It stated the Pentax camera kit would ship in 1-4 months but I ordered it on Friday and it arrived the following Wednesday, less than a week's time, not bad!
My thoughts about the camera.
Positives:
-It's a fairly compact body but not too small. My wife likes the size and it's not heavy hanging around the neck.
-The menu is fairly straight forward (I haven't had to pull the book out yet and can still get around easy enough!)
-Takes very good pictures in several of the modes I tried. Very pleased.
-The auto focus is relatively fast and hits dead on at what I am pointing at.
-Some nice filter features are included in the menu options, great to play with but doubt I'll use them much.
-The low light pictures I've taken so far are impressive. When I downloaded pictures they were very clean, without any or very little noise even set at the high ISO setting!
-Used the batteries that are included and absolutely no problems.
-Lenses seem a bit light but balance well on the camera and focus smoothly.
Negatives:
-The shutter action could be quieter. This is my biggest complaint. It's not like everyone will turn around everytime you take a picture but I'd rather not hear it!
-The dust reduction feature rattles inside when you turn the camera to its side but I read that was normal as was mentioned by a reviewer. Otherwise I would have thought something was loose inside.
-I liked the view finder of the Canon. I think the information inside is a bit larger.
-The Pentax does not have auto focus points that light up when looking through the view finder but to me that doesn't make any difference. As I said when I pointed at what I intended to point at, it focused right on it, so this to me is a mute point.
- It seems a bit slow when first reviewing my picture after each shot but I think that is due to the cheap memory card I'm using. I'll get another one tonight and expect it to correct the slow process. If it doesn't, I'll update this review and mention it! Otherwise, assume it was taken care of with a faster card.
Overall Impressions:
Would I say it feels quite as solid as the Canon? No, but I really like the Canon! However, I am still very impressed with the Pentax Kx. The Pentax isn't quite as thick or wide and I think the size might be most of the difference. You know you're shooting a SLR and my wife likes it! For the price, I figure I saved close to $400 over the Canon with similar lenses. If you want a Nikon or a Canon I'm sure you will be perfectly happy. If you decide to purchase the Pentax you won't be disappointed in this camera either. It's not the big name of Nikon or Canon but I bet you'll start to see more of Pentax with what all they offer and at the price point it is offered for! My budget was limited to $1600.00 but of course I was hoping to spend less. That's a lot of money to spend on a camera and I could have bought up to a higher level camera which I considered but I am comfortable this camera will give me what I'm looking for and saved me quite a bit in the process. I added a few pictures on flickr that were taken with this camera to give you an idea of the photo quality. Remember, I'm not a pro, I just enjoy taking pictures. Go to flickr and search for scubaguy4409
Tips to consider:
I suggest when buying online you check the retailer thoroughly. I searched several sellers on both Google and Bing and found prices from $400.00 to $900+for a Pentax Kx camera kit. The two low priced sellers I checked on had horrid reviews about shipping and more importantly when I called to ask about their camera packages they were very short with me on the phone. I don't like to spend anymore than the next guy but i figured if I had a problem with my purchase I would be %$#% out of luck with this guy!
