Pentax K-x Specs: Cheap 24MP DSLR with 720p Video

pentax k-x whitePentax launches the cheapest DSLR, the K-x it can shoot 24mp stills and 720p movies at 25 fps. ISO sensitivity ranges from 200 and 6,400 but extendable to 100 and 12,800, we just need to see some samples to see how such high ISO range performs.

The K-x boasts plenty of features but still manage to keep the price at $650 with included kit lens (18-55mm f3.5-5.6 lens), add $100 for the 50-200mm f4-5.6 telephoto lens as kit lens or add $200 for the new 55-300mm f4-5.8 lens, thats $750 and $850 respectively.

Available this month (september 2009) in White, Red and Navy Blue

There’s no sample photos at the moment but will show you as soon as we have some. In the meantime check out the K-x’s features and specs just to have a ball park idea of it’s capabilities.


Pentak K-x Features

  • 12.4 megapixel CMOS sensor – High resolution 12.4 megapixel CMOS image sensor features sensor-shift Shake Reduction for image stabilization, shoots video up to 4 stops max.
  • 2.7 inch LCD with Live View and Face Detection – Huge 2.7 inch LCD includes features like Live View with contrast, phase difference, and Face Detection autofocus (up to 16 faces) wow that’s plenty.
  • 720p HD Video – Able to shoot widescreen HD video in 720p resolution (1280×720) at 24 frames per second cinematic frame rate, with the use of any PENTAX 35mm lens.
  • Compact Body – Small and portable DSLR design allows for 1 handed control and while giving comfort when travelling.
  • Auto Picture and Scene Modes – Robust automatic modes in the Pentax K-x, such as PENTAX’ Auto Picture and scene modes, which guarantee perfect shot in whatever condition, while helping new photographers learn DSLR photography.
  • Creative Processing and Filter Modes - Able to produce high quality polished images, giving users the ability to explore artistic freedom using unique special effects.
  • HDR Image Capture – True HDR image capture blends 3 bracketed images into a single picture with outstanding shadow, highlight, and midrange detail no need to get home and used third party application.
  • 4.7 Frames per Second – Swift 4.7 FPS and 1/6000 second maximum shutter speeds with the use of PENTAX PRIME II image processing engine.
  • 11 Point Wide Angle Focus – Reactive 11 point wide angle SAFOX VIII autofocus system focuses quickly and accurately, and can easily track moving subjects.
  • AA Batteries – Pentax K-x can capture up to 1900 shots with universally available, easy-to-find AA lithium batteries (also compatible with AA NiMH rechargeable and alkaline batteries). This is a double sided sword, it may or may not satisfy users, most AA batteries dries up fast.

Full Specifications

  • Sensor Information
    • Type: CMOS with primary color filter and integrated Shake/Dust Reduction sensor-movement system Size: 23.6 x 15.8mm
    • Color depth: 8 bits/channel JPG, 12 bits/channel RAW
    • Effective pixels: 12.4 MP Total pixels: 12.9 MP
    • Recorded resolutions Still: 12M (4288×2428), 10M (3936×2624), 6M (3072×2048), 2M (1728×1152)
    • Movie (resolution/FPS): 1280x720p24 (16:9), 640x416p24 (3:2)
    • Quality levels: ??? Best, ?? Better, ? Good
    • Dust Removal: Image sensor movement combined with SP coating (Dust Alert available)
  • Lens Mount
    • Type/construction: PENTAX KAF2 bayonet stainless steel mount
    • Usable lenses: PENTAX KAF3, KAF2, KAF, KA (K mount, 35mm screwmount, 645/67 med format lenses useable w adapter and/or restrictions)
    • SDM function: Yes
    • Power zoom function: n/a
  • Focus System
    • Type: TTL phase-matching 11 point (9 cross) wide autofocus system (SAFOX VIII)
    • Focus modes: AF Auto, AF Single (w focus lock), AF Continuous (available in Action mode including Auto Picture Action, Kids, Pet, Stage Lighting, Night Snap, P/A/S/M/B/Sv),
    • Manual Focus point adjustment: 11 point auto, 5 point auto, AF point select, center/spot
    • AF assist: Yes, via built-in flash
  • Viewfinder
    • Type: Pentamirror
    • Coverage (field of view): Approx 96%
    • Magnification: Approx 0.85X (w 50mm F1.4 at infinity)
    • Standard focusing screen: Natural-Bright-Matte II
    • Diopter adjustment: -2.5 to 1.5
    • Depth of field preview: Optical & Digital (available via programmable Green button)
  • LCD Monitor
    • Resolution: 230,000 dots
    • Wide angle viewable: Yes
  • Built-in Flash
    • Type: Retractable P-TTL auto/manual popup flash
    • Guide number: 12 (100/m), 16 (200/m)
    • Coverage: 25mm wide angle (equivalent to 35mm)
    • Flash modes: On, off, redeye, slow sync, slow sync w redeye, slow sync w trailing curtain, wireless
    • Flash exposure compensation: -2 to 1 EV (1/2 steps)
  • External Flash
    • Type: Hot shoe (P-TTL, high speed sync), wireless w PENTAX dedicated flash
    • Synchronization speed: 1/180s
  • Storage Media
    • Internal memory: n/a
    • Removable memory: SD, SDHC
  • Interfaces
    • Ports: USB 2.0 hi-speed,
    • AV out Video out: NTSC, PAL
    • Printer interfaces: n/a
  • Power Supply
    • Battery : 4 AA (lithium, NiMH rechargeable, alkaline)
    • Recordable images: Approx 1900 (1100 w 50% flash, CIPA)
    • Playback time: Approx 680 min
    • Movie recording time: Approx TBD AC adapter available: Yes (optional)
  • Physical Specifications
    • Body dimensions (W x H x D): 4.8 x 3.6 x 2.7”
    • Body weight Without battery or removable memory: 18.2 oz
    • Loaded and ready: 20.5 oz (lithium)
    • Construction material(s): Fiber reinforced plastic polymer covers around a rugged stainless steel chassis
    • Weather resistant: n/a
    • Operating temperature: 32-104°F
  • Language
    • Supports: English, French, German, Spanish, Swedish, Dutch, Italian, Russian, Portuguese, Danish, Finnish, Polish, Czech, Hungarian, Turkish, Greek, Japanese, Korean, Traditional/Simplified Chinese
  • Image Stabilization
    • Type: Sensor-shift Shake Reduction (4 stops max)
  • Metering System
    • Type: TTL open aperture, 16 segment metering
    • Sensitivity range: EV 1-21.5 (ISO 200, 50mm F1.4)
    • Multi-segment: Yes
    • Center weighted: Yes
    • Spot: Yes
    • Exposure compensation: +/- 3 EV (1/2 or 1/3 steps)
    • Exposure lock: Yes (available via programmable AF/AE-L button)
    • Exposure bracketing: Yes, 3 frames, up to +/- 1.5 (1/2 steps) or +/- 1.0 (1/3 steps)
  • ISO Sensitivity
    • Auto: 200-6400 (1, 1/2, 1/3 EV steps), up to 1600 in Bulb, expand to 100-12800
    • Manual: 200-6400 (1, 1/2, 1/3 EV steps), up to 1600 in Bulb, expand to 100-12800
    • White Balance*: Auto preset modes: Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Fluorescent (D, N, W, L), Tungsten, Flash, CTE Manual mode(s): Yes * WB fine adjustment available in all modes
  • Shutter
    • Type: Electronically controlled, vertical run, focal plane shutter
    • Shutter speed: 1/6000 to 30 sec, bulb available
  • Capture Modes
    • Mode Selection: Auto Picture (Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Action, Night Scene Portrait, Standard Flash Off), Picture (Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Action, Night Scene Portrait, Standard Flash Off), Scene (Night Scene, Surf & Snow, Food, Sunset, Kids, Pet, Candlelight, Museum, Stage Lighting [JPG], Night Snap [JPG]), Program, Sensitivity Priority, Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority, Metered Manual, Bulb (available in Metered Manual),
    • Movie Custom Image Modes: Bright, Natural, Portrait, Landscape, Vibrant, Muted, Monochrome. Color modes include gamut radar and fine adjustment for saturation, hue, key, contrast, sharpness (regular and fine adj). Monochrome mode includes adjustment for film filter effects (green, yellow, orange, red, magenta, blue, cyan, infrared), toning (sepia warm/cool), key, contrast, sharpness (regular and fine adj). Cross Processing mode available for creative random effect generation. Green simplified mode available: n/a P/A/S/M/B: P, A, S, M, B (in Metered Manual), Sv (Sensitivity Priority)
    • Date stamp: n/a
    • Digital filters (capture): Toy Camera, High Contrast, Soft, Starburst, Retro, Color Extract (6), Fisheye, Custom (8)
    • Data record: Folder name (standard/date)
  • Drive Modes
    • Mode selection: Single, Continuous (Hi, Lo), Self Timer (12s, 2s), Remote (0s, 3s), Auto Bracket, HDR Capture (+3, 0, -3 w 2 blend settings), Multi-Exposure
    • Continuous FPS: Approx 4.7 FPS (Continuous Hi: 17 JPG, 5 RAW), 2 FPS (Continuous Lo: unlimited JPG, 11 RAW)
    • Self-timer: Yes (12s, 2s) Remote control: Yes (infrared, 0s, 3s)
  • Playback Modes
    • Mode Selection: One Shot (no data, basic data, full data, color channel histogram), Multi Image Display (4, 9, 16, or 36 thumbnails), Calendar Filmstrip, Folder, Magnification (quick zoom available), Select & Delete, Movie Playback (no data, basic data, full data), Bright/Dark Indication
    • Mode pallet: Image Rotation, Digital Filter, Resize, Cropping, Slideshow, Image Comparison, RAW Development, Index Print, Protect, DPOF Magnification: Up to 16X, scrollable Digital filters (playback): Toy Camera, Retro, High Contrast, Extract Color (6), Watercolor, Pastel, Miniature, Base Parameter Adj, Monochrome (filter effects, toning), Color (6), Soft, Starburst, Fisheye, Slim, HDR, Custom Filter
    • File Formats: SRAW (PEF, DNG), JPG (EXIF 2.21), DCF 2.0 (design rule for camera file system), DPOF, Print Image Matching III Movie (compression) AVI (motion JPG)
    • Custom Functions: 22 available custom functions
    • Computer Requirements: Works with Windows XP/Vista/7, and MacOS-X 10.3-10.5 through USB 2.0 port

Official Press Release at the Photographyblog

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Categories: Digital Cameras 0 like

One Response so far.

  1. Teresa says:
    September 23, 2009 at 12:37 pm

    That’s a lovely set of Lens and photographs.

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