For a micro SLR, is it so bad?

buttons · 10-02-2010, 07:23 PM

He is obviously a point and shoot person. the live view on the K-X is very limited as its a true D-SLR. Ive heard a lot of good things about the NEX-5 though and may get one for my wife. if im not mistaken you can use pentax lenses on the NEX5 with adaptor --

**Digitalis** · 10-02-2010, 10:29 PM

the sony NEX isn't an SLR. as soon as I saw that I skipped reading - this reviewer hasn't a clue what he is talking about.

Blue · 10-02-2010, 10:53 PM

Originally posted by wlachan

Tried the Nex5 & E-PL1 b4. I can see why most people would prefer these 2 over the K-x from consumer pov. The issue with this review is that it was judged against the latest breeds which are more attractive to the general public. The K-x is neither high performance nor trendy enough. In that sense, relic is not at all difficult to understand. B4 defending, perhaps trying to see what other manufacturers have done right. Pentax is shrinking not for no reason.

Earth to wlachan. Earth to wlachan. The sales for the K-x, especially when tallied for all the colors, has been a sales success for Pentax and is imminently being replaced with the K-r. Furthermore, no one is defending the K-x, but looking at how inconsistent the guys review was. He is calling a camera with no viewfinder at all, a dSLR. That's what he called the NEX.

deltoidjohn · 10-02-2010, 11:18 PM

Originally posted by glanglois

appeal to gadgeteers

So you think Pentax should appeal more to gadgeteers do you? That is a good point, I suppose.

Maybe what they should do is cram a fully featured DSLR, (with a mirror box and optical viewfinder) into a body not much larger than the current generation of EVF cameras, without having to redesign a whole new (and very scarcely populated) lens line. I'm talking about no-compromises here - a full size APS-C sensor, great high ISO performance, and a fast burst speed, but with the extra functionality of live view mode, and HD video in a format which will play back easily on those excited gadgeteers mini-netbooks (unlike AVCHD). And it should come in several funky colours. And it should be cheaper than any of those EVF cameras - but should definitely not feel cheaper - in fact it should be sturdy enough to take a few solid knocks.

Oh wait, they've already made the K-x!

Unfortunately, because of poor market presence, nobody knows where to find details about Pentax or the K-X when they need to publish a hastily written, poorly researched gadget review.

Last edited by deltoidjohn; 10-02-2010 at 11:25 PM.

**Rondec** · 10-03-2010, 04:22 AM

The funny thing is that in regards to size, none of these cameras is particularly small, unless you put really slow lenses on them or a prime.

kadajawi · 10-04-2010, 05:15 AM

Wait a second. MJPEG is better than AVCHD? MJPEG was what IMHO killed the Nikon D3s in The Great Camera Shootout 2010 where they compared several DSLRs to 35mm film. The Nikon was great... except for the 720p MJPEG, which looked horrible. Now if Pentax offers an option to select between AVCHD and MJPEG, ok. But only MJPEG?

And how good is the AF in live view mode? Btw. the NEX-5 is tiny. The lens isn't, but the body... also the NEX-5 has the advantage of not looking like a DSLR.

Blue · 10-04-2010, 07:21 AM

Originally posted by kadajawi

. . .
And how good is the AF in live view mode? Btw. the NEX-5 is tiny. The lens isn't, but the body... also the NEX-5 has the advantage of not looking like a DSLR.

It doesn't work like a dSLR either which means it is of limited use to me other than as a P&S. In that regards, the Fuji X100 will mop the floor with it. (or the Panny Lx3 or LX 5 for that matter)

space-pentax · 10-05-2010, 12:22 AM

From the pic of all the cameras, the Oly and Sony lenses are bigger than the body, kinda defeats the purpose of the whole small camera thing. The Kx looks pretty small compared to the rest and it looks more balanced with the kit lens compared to the rest. The Sony might be pretty cool with a pancake lens though.

**rparmar** · 10-05-2010, 06:05 AM

I agree that is the problem with these cameras: small body / large lens. The package ends up being too big for a pocket -- so where's the advantage over the K-x? You are sacrificing ergonomics, features, responsiveness, lens compatibility, image quality... just about everything really, just to get a camera that one still needs to carry separately.

Pointless, IMO.

Which is why attention still turns to point'n'shoot cameras. Sure the image sensor is even smaller but at least the thing is tiny.

For a small camera this form factor is simply wrong. Since the primary constraint is that the lens is a tube extending in one plane, orient the entire camera that way (like a video camera). Then it will fit into a much smaller bag/pocket, since you don't have the body perpendicular to the lens, demanding a greater volume. Pentax should make a camera like that, as a follow-on to the K-x. Keep the K-mount, APS-C and everything else that makes Pentax great.

Parallax · 10-05-2010, 01:42 PM

As to the article:

Myth: If you put a monkey in front of a keyboard, he will eventually type actual words.

CONFIRMED!

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10-02-2010, 07:23 PM	#16
buttons Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Grand Rapids Photos: Albums Posts: 193	He is obviously a point and shoot person. the live view on the K-X is very limited as its a true D-SLR. Ive heard a lot of good things about the NEX-5 though and may get one for my wife. if im not mistaken you can use pentax lenses on the NEX5 with adaptor --

10-02-2010, 10:29 PM	#17
Digitalis Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Melbourne, Victoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,694	the sony NEX isn't an SLR. as soon as I saw that I skipped reading - this reviewer hasn't a clue what he is talking about.

10-02-2010, 10:53 PM	#18
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	Originally posted by wlachan Tried the Nex5 & E-PL1 b4. I can see why most people would prefer these 2 over the K-x from consumer pov. The issue with this review is that it was judged against the latest breeds which are more attractive to the general public. The K-x is neither high performance nor trendy enough. In that sense, relic is not at all difficult to understand. B4 defending, perhaps trying to see what other manufacturers have done right. Pentax is shrinking not for no reason. Earth to wlachan. Earth to wlachan. The sales for the K-x, especially when tallied for all the colors, has been a sales success for Pentax and is imminently being replaced with the K-r. Furthermore, no one is defending the K-x, but looking at how inconsistent the guys review was. He is calling a camera with no viewfinder at all, a dSLR. That's what he called the NEX.

10-02-2010, 11:18 PM	#19
deltoidjohn Forum Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Gold Coast, QLD Posts: 88	Originally posted by glanglois appeal to gadgeteers So you think Pentax should appeal more to gadgeteers do you? That is a good point, I suppose. Maybe what they should do is cram a fully featured DSLR, (with a mirror box and optical viewfinder) into a body not much larger than the current generation of EVF cameras, without having to redesign a whole new (and very scarcely populated) lens line. I'm talking about no-compromises here - a full size APS-C sensor, great high ISO performance, and a fast burst speed, but with the extra functionality of live view mode, and HD video in a format which will play back easily on those excited gadgeteers mini-netbooks (unlike AVCHD). And it should come in several funky colours. And it should be cheaper than any of those EVF cameras - but should definitely not feel cheaper - in fact it should be sturdy enough to take a few solid knocks. Oh wait, they've already made the K-x! Unfortunately, because of poor market presence, nobody knows where to find details about Pentax or the K-X when they need to publish a hastily written, poorly researched gadget review. Last edited by deltoidjohn; 10-02-2010 at 11:25 PM.

10-03-2010, 04:22 AM	#20
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,663	The funny thing is that in regards to size, none of these cameras is particularly small, unless you put really slow lenses on them or a prime.

10-04-2010, 05:15 AM	#21
kadajawi Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 2,799	Wait a second. MJPEG is better than AVCHD? MJPEG was what IMHO killed the Nikon D3s in The Great Camera Shootout 2010 where they compared several DSLRs to 35mm film. The Nikon was great... except for the 720p MJPEG, which looked horrible. Now if Pentax offers an option to select between AVCHD and MJPEG, ok. But only MJPEG? And how good is the AF in live view mode? Btw. the NEX-5 is tiny. The lens isn't, but the body... also the NEX-5 has the advantage of not looking like a DSLR.

10-04-2010, 07:21 AM	#22
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	Originally posted by kadajawi . . . And how good is the AF in live view mode? Btw. the NEX-5 is tiny. The lens isn't, but the body... also the NEX-5 has the advantage of not looking like a DSLR. It doesn't work like a dSLR either which means it is of limited use to me other than as a P&S. In that regards, the Fuji X100 will mop the floor with it. (or the Panny Lx3 or LX 5 for that matter)

10-05-2010, 12:22 AM	#23
space-pentax New Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Michigan Posts: 2	From the pic of all the cameras, the Oly and Sony lenses are bigger than the body, kinda defeats the purpose of the whole small camera thing. The Kx looks pretty small compared to the rest and it looks more balanced with the kit lens compared to the rest. The Sony might be pretty cool with a pancake lens though.

10-05-2010, 06:05 AM	#24
rparmar Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2008 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,823	I agree that is the problem with these cameras: small body / large lens. The package ends up being too big for a pocket -- so where's the advantage over the K-x? You are sacrificing ergonomics, features, responsiveness, lens compatibility, image quality... just about everything really, just to get a camera that one still needs to carry separately. Pointless, IMO. Which is why attention still turns to point'n'shoot cameras. Sure the image sensor is even smaller but at least the thing is tiny. For a small camera this form factor is simply wrong. Since the primary constraint is that the lens is a tube extending in one plane, orient the entire camera that way (like a video camera). Then it will fit into a much smaller bag/pocket, since you don't have the body perpendicular to the lens, demanding a greater volume. Pentax should make a camera like that, as a follow-on to the K-x. Keep the K-mount, APS-C and everything else that makes Pentax great.

10-05-2010, 01:42 PM	#25
Parallax Senior Moderator Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: South Dakota Photos: Gallery Posts: 19,332	As to the article: Myth: If you put a monkey in front of a keyboard, he will eventually type actual words. CONFIRMED!