K-x video quality vs cheap ($200) camcorders?

mojoe_24 · 11-12-2010, 12:41 PM

I've been thinking about buying a DSLR and I'm down to a K-x as my most likely choice. However, I think id use the video recording feature quite a bit and now I'm trying to decide whether it would be worth it to push the purchase of it back several months and just pick up a $150-200 camcorder (saw a few at Best Buy). Sound isn't necesarily most important but I'd be recording a lot at night. Is the k-xs video capabilities adequate? And how is the sound on videos recorded?

Thanks for any help and hopefully at some point I'll be a member of the pentax owning community.

**Ash** · 11-12-2010, 01:13 PM

The clear advantage of the K-x is the ability to use large aperture lenses that permit more creative videos (with depth of field) that camcorders just cannot do. You're also getting the quality from a decent sensor with the K-x. Down sides are that it's mono sound recording only with no option for external inputs and doesn't include HD, which the K-r and K-5 now have.

But I'm no expert on video - have a closer look at their features on the camera review database.

kxr4trids · 11-12-2010, 01:19 PM

The sound is tinny to the point of being painful to listen and manual focus is a pain in the ass. The image quality is nice if you don't mind 720, but a dedicated video cam would probably have better gain for night shots. If you're thinking of "making films" it might be a good choice because of DOF. If you don't want to spend minutes setting up each shot (and more time editing afterwards) and just wanting to document an environment, I'd get the dedicated videocam.

**Ash** · 11-12-2010, 01:39 PM

That's right, the inability for the camera to auto focus whilst recording is quite inconveniencing.
And the auto focusing before recording is quite slow too.
If you're happy manually focusing, then it ain't a bad choice...

paperbag846 · 11-12-2010, 02:30 PM

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-dslr-discussion/122358-k-x-video-q...amcorders.html
Infinite loop

Adam · 11-12-2010, 02:45 PM

Yup, duplicate: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-dslr-discussion/122359-k-x-video-q...amcorders.html

Closed.

11-12-2010, 12:41 PM	#1
mojoe_24 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 241	K-x video quality vs cheap ($200) camcorders? I've been thinking about buying a DSLR and I'm down to a K-x as my most likely choice. However, I think id use the video recording feature quite a bit and now I'm trying to decide whether it would be worth it to push the purchase of it back several months and just pick up a $150-200 camcorder (saw a few at Best Buy). Sound isn't necesarily most important but I'd be recording a lot at night. Is the k-xs video capabilities adequate? And how is the sound on videos recorded? Thanks for any help and hopefully at some point I'll be a member of the pentax owning community.

11-12-2010, 02:45 PM	#6
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,595	Yup, duplicate: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-dslr-discussion/122359-k-x-video-q...amcorders.html Closed. Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

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11-12-2010, 01:13 PM	#2
Ash Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toowoomba, Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,920	The clear advantage of the K-x is the ability to use large aperture lenses that permit more creative videos (with depth of field) that camcorders just cannot do. You're also getting the quality from a decent sensor with the K-x. Down sides are that it's mono sound recording only with no option for external inputs and doesn't include HD, which the K-r and K-5 now have. But I'm no expert on video - have a closer look at their features on the camera review database.

11-12-2010, 01:19 PM	#3
kxr4trids Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: VA Photos: Albums Posts: 227	The sound is tinny to the point of being painful to listen and manual focus is a pain in the ass. The image quality is nice if you don't mind 720, but a dedicated video cam would probably have better gain for night shots. If you're thinking of "making films" it might be a good choice because of DOF. If you don't want to spend minutes setting up each shot (and more time editing afterwards) and just wanting to document an environment, I'd get the dedicated videocam.

11-12-2010, 01:39 PM	#4
Ash Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toowoomba, Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,920	That's right, the inability for the camera to auto focus whilst recording is quite inconveniencing. And the auto focusing before recording is quite slow too. If you're happy manually focusing, then it ain't a bad choice...

11-12-2010, 02:30 PM	#5
paperbag846 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,395	https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-dslr-discussion/122358-k-x-video-q...amcorders.html Infinite loop