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deadwolfbones · 11-19-2009, 08:27 AM

Hi guys,

I don't own either of these cameras, so I really don't know much about this subject. I'm asking for a friend who wants to know if he should upgrade his K-m to the K-x for better JPEG quality.

As you know, the K-m was somewhat universally derided for its poor JPEG processing. I know, I know... shoot RAW! shoot RAW! Well, he doesn't want to shoot RAW that often because he wants to be able to share his photos with friends/family straight out of the camera.

Anyone have experience with both and can give me a rundown on how the in-camera processing differs? Maybe some side-by-side examples if there's anyone out there with both?

Thanks!

dexmus · 11-19-2009, 09:07 AM

This guy posted a detailed image comparison for straight out of camera jpegs.

Pentax Measurebation - a set on Flickr

TLiivo · 11-19-2009, 09:54 AM

Thanks to you both, that helped a lot. Eneloops are on their way already. Now I just need to find someone to buy my K-M body.

simico · 11-20-2009, 02:30 AM

Originally posted by deadwolfbones

As you know, the K-m was somewhat universally derided for its poor JPEG processing.

Only by uninformed people. Nothing's wrong with its JPEG processing. No need to upgrade due to JPEG picture quality.

On the other hand AWB and high ISO is better on K-x since it is a newer camera. Those and other enhancements can be a reason to upgrade, only your friend knows if the enhancements are big and important enough for him to consider a body upgrade. (although I would buy K-x as a new camera if I didn't have any already, the enhancements are not big and important enough to me to upgrade to K-x - but that's just me)

TLiivo · 11-20-2009, 03:26 AM

Originally posted by simico

Only by uninformed people. Nothing's wrong with its JPEG processing. No need to upgrade due to JPEG picture quality.

On the other hand AWB and high ISO is better on K-x since it is a newer camera. Those and other enhancements can be a reason to upgrade, only your friend knows if the enhancements are big and important enough for him to consider a body upgrade. (although I would buy K-x as a new camera if I didn't have any already, the enhancements are not big and important enough to me to upgrade to K-x - but that's just me)

Actually the JPG quality was the only thing i didn't know about. I was already quite sure i was going to exchange my body anyway. But man it's hard to sell the K-m, just thanks to those "uninformed people" you mentioned there.

Dangermouse · 11-21-2009, 07:26 AM

None of the reviews I read before buying my Km mentioned poor JPEG results, and I can't say I've noticed any problems. I don't shoot RAW as I don't do much if any post-production.

Exposure seems to be pretty much on the money with old manual lenses too, I've never felt the need to fiddle with compensation.

Marc Sabatella · 11-21-2009, 11:11 AM

Originally posted by TLiivo

But man it's hard to sell the K-m, just thanks to those "uninformed people" you mentioned there.

I rather doubt it's concern over JPEG quality that is dissuading people form buying. It's just tough to sell a used previous-generated low end camera unless you price it *way* below the new current generation cameras, and the fact that Pentax has a relatively small market share to begin with doesn't help.

rustynail925 · 11-21-2009, 11:28 AM

I like the Jpeg of Km

WerTicus · 11-21-2009, 08:47 PM

the problem with the KM is the DEFAULT jpg settings, so just tweak the jpg settings!

the k20d has crap jpg settings too imo.

11-19-2009, 08:27 AM	#1
deadwolfbones Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Santa Fe, NM Posts: 7,451	K-x vs K-m JPEG quality Hi guys, I don't own either of these cameras, so I really don't know much about this subject. I'm asking for a friend who wants to know if he should upgrade his K-m to the K-x for better JPEG quality. As you know, the K-m was somewhat universally derided for its poor JPEG processing. I know, I know... shoot RAW! shoot RAW! Well, he doesn't want to shoot RAW that often because he wants to be able to share his photos with friends/family straight out of the camera. Anyone have experience with both and can give me a rundown on how the in-camera processing differs? Maybe some side-by-side examples if there's anyone out there with both? Thanks!

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11-19-2009, 09:07 AM	#2
dexmus Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: United States Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 392	This guy posted a detailed image comparison for straight out of camera jpegs. Pentax Measurebation - a set on Flickr

11-19-2009, 09:54 AM	#3
TLiivo Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 158	Thanks to you both, that helped a lot. Eneloops are on their way already. Now I just need to find someone to buy my K-M body.

11-20-2009, 02:30 AM	#4
simico Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Budapest Posts: 821	Originally posted by deadwolfbones As you know, the K-m was somewhat universally derided for its poor JPEG processing. Only by uninformed people. Nothing's wrong with its JPEG processing. No need to upgrade due to JPEG picture quality. On the other hand AWB and high ISO is better on K-x since it is a newer camera. Those and other enhancements can be a reason to upgrade, only your friend knows if the enhancements are big and important enough for him to consider a body upgrade. (although I would buy K-x as a new camera if I didn't have any already, the enhancements are not big and important enough to me to upgrade to K-x - but that's just me)

11-20-2009, 03:26 AM	#5
TLiivo Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 158	Originally posted by simico Only by uninformed people. Nothing's wrong with its JPEG processing. No need to upgrade due to JPEG picture quality. On the other hand AWB and high ISO is better on K-x since it is a newer camera. Those and other enhancements can be a reason to upgrade, only your friend knows if the enhancements are big and important enough for him to consider a body upgrade. (although I would buy K-x as a new camera if I didn't have any already, the enhancements are not big and important enough to me to upgrade to K-x - but that's just me) Actually the JPG quality was the only thing i didn't know about. I was already quite sure i was going to exchange my body anyway. But man it's hard to sell the K-m, just thanks to those "uninformed people" you mentioned there.

11-21-2009, 07:26 AM	#6
Dangermouse Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 283	None of the reviews I read before buying my Km mentioned poor JPEG results, and I can't say I've noticed any problems. I don't shoot RAW as I don't do much if any post-production. Exposure seems to be pretty much on the money with old manual lenses too, I've never felt the need to fiddle with compensation.

11-21-2009, 11:11 AM	#7
Marc Sabatella Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Denver, CO Photos: Gallery Posts: 10,685	Originally posted by TLiivo But man it's hard to sell the K-m, just thanks to those "uninformed people" you mentioned there. I rather doubt it's concern over JPEG quality that is dissuading people form buying. It's just tough to sell a used previous-generated low end camera unless you price it way below the new current generation cameras, and the fact that Pentax has a relatively small market share to begin with doesn't help.

11-21-2009, 11:28 AM	#8
rustynail925 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Philippines Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,551	I like the Jpeg of Km

11-21-2009, 08:47 PM	#9
WerTicus Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Perth Australia Photos: Albums Posts: 1,514	the problem with the KM is the DEFAULT jpg settings, so just tweak the jpg settings! the k20d has crap jpg settings too imo.

K-x vs K-m JPEG quality

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