| Author: | | New Member Registered: February, 2015 Posts: 19
3 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: February 12, 2015 | Recommended | Price: $200.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Good at high ISO, Superb colour, Easy to navigate menus, AA Batteries | | Cons: | Pictures tend to be a little soft | | Years Owned: 9 months
Ergonomics: 9
Build Quality: 8
User Interface: 10
Autofocus: 8
Features: 9
Value: 10
Image Quality: 9
Noise: 9
New or Used: Used
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In March last year, my Dad let me use his Olympus E-3. I was impressed by the quality of the pictures it produced and got the SLR bug again. I decided there and then to look for a DSLR of my own. At the time I was using a Samsung P&S, and, hadn't taken the Spotmatic out for years.
While searching ebay, I decided to have a look at what Pentax cameras were on sale. The Spotmatic had always felt like a well constructed camera and had given trouble free service since my Dad had bought it in the late '70s.
I found a K-x that suited my budget and came with a lens (FAJ 28-80). It had been well looked after (must be a Pentax thing?) and was in superb condition.
Using the K-x made taking pictures fun and relatively easy for someone who was new to digital SLR photography.
The ergonomic design made it comfortable to hold, while the menus made changing settings quite simple.
I have recently bought a K-3 and the K-x has been passed on to my brother to use. Would I recommend the K-x? Definitely! If you're looking for a beginners DSLR that will get you started with DSLR photography, and, at the same time takes great pictures, you'll be pressed to find a camera as good as the K-x.
I've uploaded a few pictures because they say much more than I could ever say about what a great camera the K-x is.
Lens - SMC Pentax-DA 55-300mm F4-5.8 ED @ 300mm
ISO - 200; f - 5.8; T - 1/180s
A less than ideal shot with a squirrel sitting on a fence in the shade, with a field (full of bokeh buttercups) in full sunlight in the background.
Lens - SMC Pentax-DA 55-300mm F4-5.8 ED @ 300mm; ISO - 200; f - 9.5; T - 1/350s
This isn't even a good photo, the bird is not very well focused, mainly my fault because I was in a hurry. I've processed it as a before (RAW, bottom right) and after (Edited, top left) picture. When I first opened this up on the PC, I was blown away by the colour. I didn't even have a polarising filter at the time.
Lens - SMC Pentax-DA 55-300mm F4-5.8 ED @ 300mm; ISO - 1600; f - 5.8; T - 1/250s
This one I took while letting the camera make ISO decisions, I wanted to see what choices it was going to make. It went with ISO 1600 here and I was amazed at how little noise there was. Although it performed quite well, I decided to keep it on a short leash with ISO.
Lens - SMC Pentax-DA 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 AL @ 35mm; ISO - 200; f - 16; T - 1/500s
A shot of the beach from our holiday last year using a wider angle lens. I'm still loving the colours from the camera.
My post processing skills are not brilliant so I try to keep processing to a minimum, levels, clarity and sharpening. Of the four pictures above, only the last two have had any colour enhancement, and even then it was only minor.
| | | | | | | New Member Registered: November, 2013 Posts: 14
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: February 8, 2014 | Recommended | Price: $400.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | very sharp,good colors high contrast up to 1600 ISO | | Cons: | few noise visible on big posters by 3.200 iso upstairs | | Years Owned: 1.5 years
Ergonomics: 10
Build Quality: 10
User Interface: 10
Autofocus: 9
Features: 10
Value: 10
Image Quality: 10
Noise: 9
New or Used: New
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for high ISO and converter shootings my first choice.
Love AA-cells.
++ Excellent elimination of CA's with set lens 18-55 II and WR I prefer f8
++ with DA 2,4/35 f3.5 still very sharp pictures and with DA 1,8/50 between f5.6 and f ,6.7
++ For star's shootings (astro) highest ISO 12,800 really usefull, if changing filter menue to highest contrast (much more better night photos than k-s1 and k-s2). stars are with k-x shooted totally sharp.
++ Quick precise AF. Good interpolation for posters possible with PSh.
For low ISO shootings I prefer K200,too. With 100 ISO K200 is still sharper and a few more intensive in colors and sharpness (details). But with higher ISO K-x is much more better. It's a working horse like K200D.
ps.a precious tip:try in menue item filters to modify the third item "higher contrast" to put it on first level:astonishing sharpness. must be activated after switching on, once more, unfortunately.
| | | | | New Member Registered: January, 2010 Posts: 12 | | Review Date: October 20, 2013 | Recommended | Price: $600.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Image quality, Fast, user friendly, economical, light weight,.. | | Cons: | No AF point in view finder, | | Years Owned: 4
Ergonomics: 10
Build Quality: 10
User Interface: 10
Autofocus: 8
Features: 9
Value: 10
Image Quality: 10
Noise: 10
New or Used: New
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I like this camera mainly because of its Image quality at very low price. It uses the sensor which is used in Nikon D90 & Nikon D5000. But produces slightly better quality compared to both. Its JPEG processing has a great balance between Noise and detail.
Its very easy to use, has direct access to ISO and WB settings.
The only problem I faced is absence of AF lock points in view finder. We need check carefully to see where the camera has focused when we are using 11 point AF. But its not a big issue.
JPEG produced from camera is superb and has lots of details.\
Its high ISO performance is GREAT. I shoot till 2500 in low light without a great issue.
AF struggles in low light. I guess this problem exists in all the economical camera with an economical lens.
But overall its a great camera for the price I paid.
I paid $600 for Pentax KX, 18-55mm & 55-300mm combo pack.
| | | | | Forum Member Registered: March, 2011 Location: Panama Posts: 83 | | Review Date: October 16, 2013 | Recommended | Price: $460.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Has excellent features for the price. Works with the full Pentax lens line. | | Cons: | Manual focus is a bit difficult using the viewer. | | Years Owned: 2.5
Ergonomics: 8
Build Quality: 10
User Interface: 10
Autofocus: 10
Features: 10
Value: 10
Image Quality: 10
Noise: 8
New or Used: New
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Bought it on a whim, as I had always wanted to own a DSLR.
It's a great beginners camera, and the fact that it uses K-mount lenses as allowed me to build a set of working lenses that will work perfectly with future Pentax models.
I've used it for portrait, street photography, travel and macro photography.
The only complain I have, is that using the viewer for manual focusing is difficult, and that it has no focus point indicators in the viewer.
| | | | | | | New Member Registered: August, 2013 Posts: 7 | | Review Date: October 15, 2013 | Recommended | Price: $300.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Easy to learn | | Cons: | less MP | | Years Owned: 1
Ergonomics: 10
Build Quality: 10
User Interface: 10
Autofocus: 7
Features: 7
Value: 10
Image Quality: 8
Noise: 9
New or Used: Used
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This is my first DSLR and I'm in love with Pentax already. Most of the time I face a question, why Pentax? I just smile and say: I like it. Dreaming of buying a New Pentax K-5ii when my study is over.
| | | | | New Member Registered: July, 2012 Location: SeaTac, WA Posts: 15 | | Review Date: October 15, 2013 | Recommended | Price: $400.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Lightweight, Relatively small size, Ease of use, Unique color (white) | | Cons: | None | | Years Owned: 2012-Presemt
Ergonomics: 9
Build Quality: 10
User Interface: 9
Autofocus: 9
Features: 9
Value: 10
Image Quality: 10
Noise: 9
New or Used: Used
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This is my first DSLR, and it has been fantastic. I love having a white camera to stand out!
| | | | | Senior Member Registered: July, 2010 Location: Crossville, TN Posts: 272
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: October 14, 2013 | Recommended | Price: $400.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Light, easy to navigate menus, excellent image quality | | Cons: | None really | |
This was my first DSLR. I had purchased a Pentax ME a year or so before this purchase, and was familiar with the lenses and the superb quality of the Pentax brand. I bought the K-x after looking at several cameras, including Canon and Nikon, even after handling a few of them.
The K-x has more than enough features for a DSLR beginner to absorb. I have been working with mine for three years now and I'm finally feeling ready to move up to a more advanced body. I would definitely recommend the K-x for anyone considering tackling a digital SLR camera!
Here are a few samples:
Old Iron by Jamfke, on Flickr
A hand-held macro shot:
IMGP6701a by Jamfke, on Flickr
Nyah Nyah by Jamfke, on Flickr
IMGP8585a by Jamfke, on Flickr
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: January, 2010 Location: Poland, Świdnik Posts: 464 | | Review Date: October 14, 2013 | Recommended | Price: $800.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Great high ISO quality, price, weight, small, easy to use, dirability | | Cons: | small viewer | | Years Owned: 3
Ergonomics: 10
Build Quality: 10
User Interface: 10
Autofocus: 8
Features: 10
Value: 10
Image Quality: 10
Noise: 10
New or Used: New
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I bought it not long after it was announced, and in comparison to the Canon/Nikon of the same price the Pentax k-x was far ahead of them. I bought it with kit lens which was enough for me for first year of use of camera, after that i bought Pentax 55-300 and 1.7/50mm. K-x was more than enough for me to use it, and if You don't have much money i would recommend it to everyone even today, used at price around 200$ is great thing to get and learn
k-x have enough power to make good photos that can be without any doubt printed on A2 or bigger format and hanged on a wall.
Many features, and easy to use menu, not too much button, that are enough to do everything and not to be in Your way while making great photos.
I would recommend it to everyone.
| | | | | New Member Registered: October, 2012 Posts: 24 | | Review Date: November 3, 2012 | Recommended | Price: $550.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | great camera, well built | | Cons: | | | Years Owned: since 2009
Ergonomics: 9
Build Quality: 9
User Interface: 10
Autofocus: 8
Features: 9
Value: 10
Image Quality: 9
Noise: 9
New or Used: New
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I was shocked to see they discontinued this camera....this is my go to camera... take it everywhere....
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: November, 2009 Location: Iowa Posts: 2,275 | | Review Date: October 19, 2012 | Recommended | Price: $300.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Incredible image quality, excellent low-light performance, ergonomics | | Cons: | No focus point indicator in viewfinder | | Years Owned: 2
Ergonomics: 10
Build Quality: 8
User Interface: 9
Autofocus: 8
Features: 9
Value: 10
Image Quality: 10
Noise: 10
New or Used: Used
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I use two K-x bodies as my main cameras (I also have an *ist DS) and the image quality is so good, I've never felt the urge to upgrade to a K-5. Low-light performance is excellent thanks to very low noise at high ISOs. It's useable all the way up to 6400, though I personally never go above 3200. This camera has great ergonomics as well, and one nice touch I like is that when you're in shooting mode, a tap of the info button bumps you a screen of all of the most accessed functions of the camera. It's very intuitive and fast to use. The rear screen is clear and bright, and I don't miss the lack of a top LCD display. All of the camera's settings are quick & easy to get to. AF is relatively fast and quite accurate.
The only "con" is a lack of viewfinder AF point indicators. I don't find it much of a big deal since I use center point AF anyway, but it might be a concern to someone else.
In short, I think it's a near-perfect camera. For the price you can get one on the used market, it's a steal.
| | | | | Pentaxian Registered: November, 2011 Posts: 4,310 | | Review Date: July 22, 2012 | Recommended | Price: $530.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Small, cheap, great IQ, simple controls | | Cons: | Mirror flipping in live view | | Years Owned: 2
Ergonomics: 9
Build Quality: 9
User Interface: 10
Autofocus: 7
Features: 8
Value: 10
Image Quality: 9
Noise: 8
New or Used: New
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The K-x is a modern Pentax classic: A basic yet capable
entry-level camera for serious photography, in the long and
honored tradition of the K-1000 film camera. It offers a unique
combination of features: a width of no more than 123mm, a CMOS
sensor that can handle high ISO settings, and phase-detect
focusing. For the price and size of a bridge camera, you get
the speed and flexibility of a DSLR. When the Leica X1 and Fuji
X100 appeared, I was tempted for a while, but found a cheaper
solution using a K24/2.8 on the K-x. With any moderately sized
lens, the K-x fits in a bridge camera waist pack. It's not the
kind of clunky DSLR that you tend to leave at home. I ended up
buying two of them, for backup and for quick lens changing, and
still paid little more than $1000 for the pair.
The K-x does have its issues, and your assessment of the camera
will depend on how you deal with them.
1. Since minor noise in the shadows troubles me less than
burnt-out highlights, I usually set an exposure compensation of
-2/3 EV, "shooting to the left," and then bring out the shadows
in post.
2. Since I prefer to have a defined focus point in the center
of the viewfinder, holding focus and recomposing if necessary,
the lack of focus point display in the viewfinder was not a bug
for me, but rather a feature --- an uncluttered display.
3. Since I predominantly use manual focus lenses or light (DA
Limited) primes, I don't put great demands on the batteries.
Four Eneloops last a long time, and I like the fact that I only
need to take one charger with me on the road.
4. I only do still photography, so the increasingly archaic
video capabilities of the K-x don't concern me.
5. I like the simple K-x interface. For instance, I prefer its
basic AF/MF switch to the fiddly little rotary control on the
K-5.
6. One thing that bothers me on the K-x is the live view
implementation, with the mirror flipping up and down
during exposure, even for contrast-detect or manual focus.
7. The K-x shutter is certainly noisier than the one on the K5.
8. There is no official front/back-focus compensation on the
K-x, so with lenses like the Tamron 17-50/2.8 A16P that might
need compensation, I use contrast-detect focus in live view for
critical applications.
Here is a sample action photo taken with the K-x at ISO 6400.
 | | | | | New Member Registered: August, 2011 Posts: 1 | | Review Date: August 30, 2011 | Recommended | Price: $600.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | super | | Cons: | no af point indicator | | Years Owned: 1
Ergonomics: 10
Build Quality: 10
User Interface: 10
Autofocus: 9
Features: 9
Value: 10
Image Quality: 10
Noise: 10
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Small, perfect in shadows, good price to value ratio. Wish it has no indicator of active AF point.
| | | | | Senior Member Registered: January, 2011 Location: Arizona Posts: 125 | | Review Date: August 20, 2011 | Recommended | Price: $315.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Everything! (see review for details) | | Cons: | Absolutely none! | | Years Owned: less than 1
Ergonomics: 10
Build Quality: 10
User Interface: 10
Autofocus: 10
Value: 10
Image Quality: 10
Noise: 10
New or Used: Used
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I bought my red K-x from a forum member for around $315 without lens. I got an incredible deal! I have been extremely happy with "Rosie".
I'm new to photography and wanted an excellent camera without "breaking the bank". It would have to shoot beautifully in low light and be easy to use. I decided on a Pentax K-x and have NOT been disappointed. This camera met and exceeded all my hopes and expectations.
I have a rather small hand. The K-x fits my hand perfectly and balances well. Amazingly, the K-x also fits my husband's rather large hand equally well! I wasn't sure about the non-traditional, crazy colors, but once I got my red K-x, I find that I really enjoy shooting with it. Just taking the camera out of the bag makes me smile.
It's hard to narrow down favorite features. This camera just offers so much! If I had to list a few, they would be:
1) size and fit
2) performance, especially in low light
3) being able to use all my husbands old Pentax lenses
4) ease of use, in particular for beginners
5) image quality and stabilization
I'm simply amazed at the image quality using the stabilization. So far, using the camera hand-held, I have been able to shoot an acceptable image with a shutter speed of 1/4 second! The picture turned out much sharper than I imagined it would be.
Low light images are simply stunning! Using a zoom lens with camera mounted to tripod, I was able to capture a few images of a tarantula at night! You can even count leg hairs.
The only thing on the "wish list" that I wish the K-x had would be a connection for a wired remote. There have been times when I'm not in a good position for the wireless remote to work.
With all the K-x has to offer, it is going to be a long, long time, if ever, before I "outgrow" this camera. I would highly recommend the Pentax K-x to anyone looking for quality at a reasonable price.
| | | | | Forum Member Registered: January, 2011 Location: Czech Republic Posts: 80
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: June 11, 2011 | Recommended | Price: $650.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | low noise, fps, body construction, IQ, value | | Cons: | no af point indicator | | Years Owned: 1
Ergonomics: 9
Build Quality: 9
User Interface: 10
Autofocus: 7
Features: 8
Value: 10
Image Quality: 10
Noise: 10
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This is an amazing camera, especially looking at it's price. The sensor is simply outstanding and can beat much more expensive cameras. The body is rugged and althought it's not weather sealed it can stand some bad weather conditions, I photographed in the Sahara desert without any problems at all (no sandstorm though  ). The low amount of noise with higher sensitivities is great. Also the dynamic range is huge, sometimes I can't even believe what I can pull back of the shadows. The speed of continuous shooting is also a big plus, althought it runs out of buffer quickly when shooting RAW (5 shots). I also love the backward lens compatibility and in-body stabilisation. It doesn't have a lot of hardware controls, but the menu system is good, I can change things quickly and as I like to. Lack of AF light is a pity, because the camera can really hunt in bad light conditions, so you need to pop-up the flash to correctly focus and then put it back. Also the lack of visible AF points indicator is a shame, but nothing I couldn't live without, I actually use just the center focus point and recompose. Anyway, for the money - very recommended!!!
| | | | | New Member Registered: January, 2010 Location: Gahanna, Ohio Posts: 21 | | Review Date: June 11, 2011 | Recommended | Price: $650.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Size, construction, value, low light response | | Cons: | | | Years Owned: 1.5
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This is my first DSLR, coming from a Minolta Z1. I bought this based in part because of this forum.
I didn't like the feel of the Canon T1i or the Nikon whatever, and everybody raved about the Pentax prime lenses.
I read lots of complaints about the lack of focus indicators, but since my Z1 didn't have them, I didn't miss them here. I only use center focus, since I prefer manual focus anyway.
When I eventually upgrade, I may have this little guy converted to an IR camera just to play.
Pentax really is the Linux of cameras, and this camera is a lot of bang for the buck!
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