[PentaxForums-User]

First you were looking at <$300 and now this?

Are you unhappy with the K20D? If you need a backup, I'd go for the similar K10D.

K-x battery life with new firmware is great for me even with video, but I'd rather have batteries and stuff that I can share. This is why I went with K-x to begin with, to share AA's, but you have K20D.

The <$300 or 6MP cameras didn't have an orientation sensor (I quickly grew tired of having to rotate every portrait photo I took), and missing a few other features...

The comparison thread of the <$300 cameras actually REALLY HELPED me decide NOT to get one... unless I found a K100D SUPER for CHEAP for like $100-$200. I just could not do without an orientation sensor. It saves HOURS of time. And if I got a K10d... why not spend more and get another K20d or a new K-x since I really want video and HDR?

So I started looking at the K-x specs... so I decided... why not spend an extra $100 to $200 for the K-x MAYBE?

So currently I'm just torn between the K-x and K-7.

Just so many people say my K20d I have NOW is better than the K-7 in many ways... so that's why I'm reluctant to spend $1000 for the K-7... if I can get some features in a K-x...

[Pentaxor]

The <$300 or 6MP cameras didn't have an orientation sensor (I quickly grew tired of having to rotate every portrait photo I took), and missing a few other features...

The comparison thread of the <$300 cameras actually REALLY HELPED me decide NOT to get one... unless I found a K100D SUPER for CHEAP for like $100-$200. I just could not do without an orientation sensor. It saves HOURS of time. And if I got a K10d... why not spend more and get another K20d or a new K-x since I really want video and HDR?

So I started looking at the K-x specs... so I decided... why not spend an extra $100 to $200 for the K-x MAYBE?

So currently I'm just torn between the K-x and K-7.

Just so many people say my K20d I have NOW is better than the K-7 in many ways... so that's why I'm reluctant to spend $1000 for the K-7... if I can get some features in a K-x...

thing is, both the k-x and K-7 have some features that you may want. but those features are not identical. fps speed, shutterspeed, HD video, metering, AWB in both cameras vary. the K-7 is better with respect to those, aside from the other extra features that the K-7 have like a more silent shutter noise, better build, more additional/complex camera/image adjustment settings or functions, 100% frame coverage "pentaprism" OFV, and 2MP resolution advantage (useful for cropping). the k-x's advantage however is it's cheap price + HIGH ISO performance. I also found the colors very punchy as well for those who want their cameras to have a certain bling (lol). it really depends if those features are worth the extra bucks. for me, I found those features and advantages very useful as compared to what I would get from the k-x which is High ISO which I seldom use with the K-7, although I had produced some very nice shots with the K-7 at ISO 3200.

anyway, the specs are there, now it all depends on your feel, budget and willingness to spend the bucks. the easiest way to decide for someone who is torn between two cameras is to go to a camera store and try both cameras and see what works or feels great for him/her.

hope that helps.

[zxaar]

only at ISO 6400 and above is the K-x "better". K7 wins for anything below that

Really.
Here are two links that compare their raw noises:
kx noise graph

Pentax K-x Review: 15. Photographic tests (Noise): Digital Photography Review

k7 raw noise graph
Pentax K-7 Review: 16. Photographic tests (Noise): Digital Photography Review

And here are actual values from that raw noise graph for comparison purposes:

chroma
kx k7
100 1.5 1.8
640 3.2 4.8
1000 4.2 6.5
1600 5.5 9.2
3200 6.7 12.3


black
kx k7
100 1.5 1.8
640 2.4 4.1
1000 3 6
1600 4 8.1
3200 4.3 11

grey
kx k7
100 1 1.2
640 2.3 3.2
1000 3 4.5
1600 3.8 6
3200 4.1 8.2


It seems like k7 is much worse in noise department than you might have expected, even below iso6400. In fact kx beats it with huge margin.


and since you said everything, here is DR comparison:

kx DR
Pentax K-x Review: 17. Photographic tests (DR): Digital Photography Review

k7 DR
Pentax K-7 Review: 18. Photographic tests (DR): Digital Photography Review

here are actual values

kx k7
ISO 100 8.6 EV 8.6 EV
ISO 200 8.9 EV 8.4 EV
ISO 400 9.0 EV 8.4 EV
ISO 800 8.7 EV 7.2 EV
ISO 1600 7.7 EV 6.2 EV
ISO 3200 6.9 EV 4.8 EV
ISO 6400 6.5 EV 3.7 EV
ISO 12800 5.7 EV


It seems like kx wins everything as far as image quality is concerned.

[Marc Sabatella]

Yes, but how much of that difference is just because the K-x does more NR in-camera, even for RAW? That is to say, you should be able to improve on the K-7 results by doing the NR yourself, even if just a batch preset.

[Jasvox]

One does some things really well, the other does some things really well. They both do a lot of the same things really well. Both are nice camera bodies in their own right. Do some thinking about what you like to shoot and want to shoot, and do some reading. You can decide and make it work for you.

Jason

[Pentaxor]

I forgot to mention to the OP the necessity for a battery grip, unless he doesn't mind changing batteries when he's in the middle of shooting something. this is very necessary especially when shooting HD videos which could drain alot of battery life, especially AA. the k-x doesn't have a battery grip, just so you know.

[zxaar]

Yes, but how much of that difference is just because the K-x does more NR in-camera, even for RAW? That is to say, you should be able to improve on the K-7 results by doing the NR yourself, even if just a batch preset.

There are two things.

1.Do kx files have significantly less details than k7?? (not because of 14 to 12 mp thing but because of noise reduction).

2. If answer to 1 is no , then if you can reduce noise by post processing on k7 files, you could also apply same to kx files too.
What you said is valid only if you can not process kx files but can process k7 files by NR program.

To answer this, someone should take samples from raws and try to process them by some noise reduction program and see whose results are better.

My guess it will be kx who will come out on top because of better files to start with.

I have been reading that all NR in raw argument but I think k7 also applies NR to raw. (correct me if i am wrong on this one).

PS: I must admit though, i would rarely shoot anything above iso400. And high iso thing played zero role in my buying kx. (I was only bothered about mp and liveview, both were issue on k100d).

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Last edited by zxaar; 12-29-2009 at 01:05 AM.

[falconeye]

This is my buying chart for you:

1. If you can afford $100 diners then also buy the K-7, a much more professional tool.
2. If you cannot afford $100 diners then buy the K-x, overwhelming value for the money.
3. Except: If you need very good quality 720p video or if you do studio work (controlled lighting) or if you shoot outdoor action , go K-7.
4. Except: if you shoot regularly above ISO 1600, then buy the K-x.
5. Except: if you shoot outdoor in bad/wet weather, then buy the K-7.

[68deluxe]

The <$300 or 6MP cameras didn't have an orientation sensor (I quickly grew tired of having to rotate every portrait photo I took), and missing a few other features...

K-x does not have orientation sensor... problem solved.

[falconeye]

K-x does not have orientation sensor

The above statement is false.

[PentaxForums-User]

I forgot to mention to the OP the necessity for a battery grip, unless he doesn't mind changing batteries when he's in the middle of shooting something. this is very necessary especially when shooting HD videos which could drain alot of battery life, especially AA. the k-x doesn't have a battery grip, just so you know.

This is why I ask... for deal-breakers like this... (and to learn actual pros/cons that first-hand users can reveal... I have no camera store near me)

I will be shooting a lot of video.

Does anyone know how long the AA's in the K-x last when recording only video (or using live view)?

Is there a time limit on the video files... or does the K-x and K-7 just record until the memory card is full?

[pakuchn]

Why does anyone focus so much on the body and less on the lense?

[falconeye]

1. Does anyone know how long the AA's in the K-x last when recording only video (or using live view)?

2. Is there a time limit on the video files... or does the K-x and K-7 just record until the memory card is full?

1. A user tested it with his K-x: 81 min (maybe consider going to the video section of this forum if you have video-related questions.)

2. The limit is excatly the time stated in the manual for 4GB cards. Whatever be your actual card size. But you can restart video recording with a shutter press until card full (with a short delay of a few seconds depending on the speed of your card, like 3s).

[68deluxe]

The above statement is false.

omg is it!?

sorry all! I have never even noticed it on my K-x... sorry sorry sorry!!!



will have to RTFM...

[deadwolfbones]

The K-x has an orientation sensor but doesn't auto-rotate photos in playback mode to match the way you're holding the camera (accelerometer?), which the K-7 does.