Pentax dSLR takes video to a new low price
Here it is folks, the first red dSLR
(Credit: Pentax USA)
Continuing its tradition of aggressively priced dSLRs, Pentax's K-x model breaks the low ground by offering video capture support in a kit that costs less than $650: the body alone for Nikon's D5000 runs about $700, Canon's EOS Rebel T1i a bit more and Sony and Olympus don't even offer video yet. And for good or ill, Pentax will also be offering navy and red versions a month after launch, as well as its Stormtrooper white and traditional black models. According to Pentax, women traditionally constitute 20 percent of its dSLR sales, but that increased to 50 percent for the white K2000/K-m model. As such, I wanted to thank Pentax for not offering a pink version, as well as for using a single naming convention for the US and the rest of the world.
Now that the K200D has been disoncontinued, the K-x sidles up next to the dirt-cheap K2000 in Pentax's product line; unlike many crowded competing dSLR lineups, the K-x it differs enough from its line mates that Pentax shouldn't bewilder its own customers.
Like the cheaper models, the K-x runs off 4 AA batteries--some people think that's a plus, others not so much--has the same superior-for-its class viewfinder as on the K2000, and looks like it uses a similarly austere design, color choices notwithstanding. It introduces a 3-shot High Dynamic Range capture feature which debuted in the K-7 and sounds like the one in Sony's recently announced (and more expensive than the K-x) Alpha DSLR-A500 and A550 and creative filter modes à la the K-7 and Olympus.
Here's where it fits in Pentax's current lineup:
| K2000 | K200D | K-x | K-7 | |
| Sensor (effective resolution) | 10.2-megapixel CCD | 10.2-megapixel CCD | 12.4-megapixel CMOS | 14.6-megapixel CMOS |
| 23.5 mm x 15.7mm | 23.5 mm x 15.7mm | 23.6mm x 15.8mm | 23.4mm x 15.6mm | |
| Sensitivity range | ISO 100 - ISO 3200 | ISO 100 - ISO 1600 | ISO 100 (expanded)/200 - ISO 6400/12,800 (expanded) | ISO 100 - ISO 3200/ISO 6400 (expanded) |
| Continuous shooting | 3.5 fps 4 raw/5 JPEG |
2.8 fps 4 raw/4 JPEG |
4.7 fps 5 raw/17 JPEG |
5.2fps 15 raw/40 JPEG |
| Viewfinder magnification/effective magnification |
96% coverage 0.85x/0.57x |
96% coverage 0.85x/0.57x |
96% coverage 0.85x/0.57x |
100% coverage 0.92x/0.61x |
| Autofocus | 5-pt AF all cross-type |
11-pt AF 9 cross-type |
11-pt AF 9 cross-type |
11-pt AF 9 cross-type |
| Shutter speed | 1/4000 to 30 sec; bulb | 1/4000 to 30 sec; bulb | 1/6000 to 30 sec; bulb | 1/8000 to 30 sec; bulb |
| Metering | 16 segment EV 0-21 |
16 segment EV 0-21 |
16 segment EV 1-21.5 |
77 segment EV 0-21 |
| Flash sync | 1/180 sec | 1/180 sec | 1/180 sec | 1/180 sec |
| Live View | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Video | No | No | 720p at 24fps Motion JPEG AVI | 720p at 24fps Motion JPEG AVI |
| LCD size | 2.7 inches fixed 230,000 dots |
2.7 inches fixed 230,000 dots |
2.7 inches fixed 230,000 dots |
3.0 inches 921,000 dots |
| Battery life (CIPA rating) | n/a | n/a | 1100 shots (lithium batteries) | 740 shots |
| Dimensions (inches, WHD) | 4.8 x 3.6 x 2.7 | 5.2 x 3.7 x 2.9 | 4.8 x 3.6 x 2.7 | 5.1 x 3.8 x 2.9 |
| Body operating weight (ounces) | 20.7 | 24.7 | 20.5 | 26.5 |
| Mfr. Price | $449.95 (body only) | $599.95 (body only) | n/a | $1,295.95 (body only) |
| $449.95 (with 18-55mm lens) | $699.95 (with 18-55mm lens) | $649.95 (with 18-55mm lens) | n/a | |
| $599.95 (with 18-55mm and 55-200mm lenses) | n/a | $749.95 (with 18-55mm and 50-200mm lens) | n/a | |
| n/a | n/a | $849.95 (with 18-55mm and 55-300mm lens) | n/a |
At its price point, it significantly undercuts Canon and Nikon, leaving it up against two less formidable direct competitors. Here's how it stacks up:
| Olympus E-620 | Pentax K-x | Sony Alpha DSLR-A330 | |
| Sensor (effective resolution) | 12.3-megapixel Live MOS | 12.4-megapixel CMOS | 10.2-megapixel CCD |
| 17.3 mm x 13.0mm | 23.6mm x 15.8mm | 23.5mm x 15.7mm | |
| Magnification factor | 2.0x | 1.5x | 1.5x |
| Sensitivity range | ISO 100 (expanded)/ISO 200 - ISO 3200 | ISO 100 (expanded)/200 - ISO 6400/12,800 (expanded) | ISO 100 - ISO 3200 |
| Continuous shooting | 4.0 fps 5 raw/unlimited JPEG |
4.7 fps 5 raw/17 JPEG |
2.5fps n/a |
| Viewfinder magnification/effective magnification |
95% coverage 0.96x/0.48x |
96% coverage 0.85x/0.57x |
95% coverage 0.74x/0.49x |
| Autofocus | 7-pt AF 5 cross-type |
11-pt AF 9 cross-type |
9-pt AF n/a |
| Shutter speed | 1/4000 to 60 sec; bulb | 1/6000 to 30 sec; bulb | 1/4000 to 30 sec; bulb |
| Metering | 16 segment EV 0-21 |
16 segment EV 1-21.5 |
40 segment EV 2-20 |
| Flash sync | 1/180 sec | 1/180 sec | 1/160 sec |
| Wireless flash controller | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Image stabilization | Sensor shift | Sensor shift | Sensor shift |
| Live View | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Video | No | 720p at 24fps Motion JPEG AVI | No |
| LCD size | 2.7 inches articulated 230,000 dots |
2.7 inches fixed 230,000 dots |
2.7 inches tiltable 230,400 dots |
| Battery life (CIPA rating) | 500 shots | 1100 shots (lithium batteries) | 500 shots |
| Dimensions (inches, WHD) | 5.1 x 3.7 x 2.4 | 4.8 x 3.6 x 2.7 | 5.0 x 3.8 x 2.8 |
| Body operating weight (ounces) | 18.9 | 20.5 | 19.2 |
| Mfr. Price | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| $699.99 (with 14-42mm lens) | $649.95 (with 18-55mm lens) | $649 (with 18-55mm lens) | |
| n/a | $749.95 (with 18-55mm and 50-200mm lens) | $849 (with 18-55mm and 55-200mm lenses) | |
| n/a | $849.95 (with 18-55mm and 55-300mm lens) | n/a |
Things aren't quite so lopsided as you'd think, though. The Pentax likely has a better viewfinder and probably better performance, but I'm guessing there are quite a few shooters who'd prefer a movable LCD over the dubious attractions of a 24fps movie mode. And I take that claim of ISO 12,800 with a ginormous grain of salt; I've yet to see generally usable ISO 3200 shots in this price class, much less higher sensitivities. I also have my doubts about the new 55-300mm f4-5.8 kit lens. While it's a convenient range to carry, it's pretty broad territory to cover without having some signficant weaknesses somewhere, especially since it must be pretty low cost.
Pentax generally produces exceptionally fast dSLRs for budget shooters, and there's no reason to think this won't keep up with its predecessors. I've had quibbles about Pentax's default image settings for this class of user, but the cameras are usually capable of pretty good images with some tweaking; I certainly hope the company has at least incoporated some neutral options. Given the notable differentiators in it feature set, overall the K-x look like a model to keep an eye on for entry-level shooters. It's slated to ship in October.
