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Pentax K-x

 
Pentax K-x front
 
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400 (Boost to 12800)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 580g - 123 x 92 x 68mm
  • Launched December 2009
  • Read full specs
  • Alternatives
  • Lenses
  • Size Comparison
  • FAQ
Portability
69
Imaging
52
Features
47
Overall
50

Pentax K-x overview

Pentax K-x is Pentax's Entry-Level DSLR camera originally released on December of 2009. The camera houses a 12MP, CMOS APS-C sized sensor and has a peak resolution of 4288 x 2848.

The K-x is rated #53 out of 80 in Entry-Level DSLR cameras & all-around #436 out of 1465 for cameras in our collection. You can test our Advanced camera finder to see camera ratings based on your personal criteria.

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Here is a diagram of different criteria used in the scoring system.

Pentax K-x family

The Pentax K-x has a history of related cameras. Below, you can find all previous and brand new models alongside main features.

ModelVisualizeResolutionSensor SizeMax fpsReleased
Pentax-KF front thumbnailPentax KF
K-x vs KF
24MPAPS-C6.0 fps2022
Pentax-K-70 front thumbnailPentax K-70
K-x vs K-70
24MPAPS-C6.0 fps2016
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Pentax-K-S2 front thumbnailPentax K-S2
K-x vs K-S2
20MPAPS-C5.4 fps2015
Pentax-K-500 front thumbnailPentax K-500
K-x vs K-500
16MPAPS-C6.0 fps2013
Pentax-K-50 front thumbnailPentax K-50
K-x vs K-50
16MPAPS-C6.0 fps2013
Pentax-K-r front thumbnailPentax K-r
K-x vs K-r
12MPAPS-C6.0 fps2011
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Pentax-K-x front thumbnailPentax K-x12MPAPS-C5.0 fps2009

Pentax K-x Pros and Cons

Below is a checklist of benefits and drawbacks of the Pentax K-x based on criterias that are oftentimes seen as important in a camera.

above average min ISO (100)
better than average battery power (1,900 per charge)
built-in flash
exports RAW formats
good sensor size (APS-C)
great max shutter speed (1/6,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
has phase detect autofocus
provides face detect autofocus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
you can focus manually
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
fixed screen
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing HDMI socket
missing headphone socket
missing mic socket
missing Time Lapse function
painfully slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames per second)
screen has low resolution (230 thousand dots)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
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Pentax K-x Sensor details

The Pentax K-x houses the Prime chip. The sensor spec on the Pentax K-x is 23.6mm x 15.8mm (APS-C). The 373 mm² sensor has the capability to resolve 4288 x 2848 pixels and aspect ratios of 3:2. The camera comes with Image Stabilization (Sensor based). Optical stabilization is superior than digital stabilization since the latter can produce cropping.

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The CMOS sensor has 12MP and delivers a native ISO range of 100 to 6400. This ISO can be increased digitally to a high of 12800. RAW format is saved which means that the user has wider margin for error.

The image below illustrates the K-x's sensor dimensions compared to other common sizes. The K-x sensor has a crop factor of 1.5 and is showcased in green.

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To get an idea of different aspect ratios, you can refer to the visual below.

Camera sensor aspect ratios

Pentax K-x dimensions

Pentax K-x is 1.28 pounds (580g / 20.46 oz) & the measurement of the camera is 123mm x 92mm x 68mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.7"). The weight of general Entry-Level DSLR camera is 540g and the Pentax K-x is very similar when compared with other competitors.

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Listed below is a photo of the Pentax K-x alongside a softdrink so you're able to get a sense of its scale.

Pentax K-x dimensions scale

The top view below will show you the button design on the K-x.

Pentax K-x topview buttons dials

Pentax K-x Lens specs

The K-x fits the Pentax KAF2 mount and has 17 lenses to select from. Below is a small number of the lenses we have in our collection which will fit the K-x.

ModelVisualizeFocal LengthApertureStabilizedWeight
Samsung-D-Xenon-16-45mm-F4 lensSamsung D-Xenon 16-45mm F416-45mmf/4.0 365g
Pentax-smc-DA-50-135mm-F2.8-ED-IF-SDM lensPentax smc DA 50-135mm F2.8 ED IF SDM50-135mmf/2.8 685g
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Samsung-D-Xenon-35mm-F2-AL lensSamsung D-Xenon 35mm F2 AL35mmf/2.0 195g
Samsung-D-Xenon-10-17mm-F3.5-4.5-Fisheye lensSamsung D-Xenon 10-17mm F3.5-4.5 Fisheye10-17mmf/3.5-4.5 320g
Samsung-D-Xenon-100mm-F2.8-macro lensSamsung D-Xenon 100mm F2.8 macro100mmf/2.8 345g
Samsung-D-Xenon-50-200-F4-5.6-ED-Pentax-KAF lensSamsung D-Xenon 50-200 F4-5.6 ED50-200mmf/4.0-5.6 255g
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Venus-Laowa-25mm-F2.8-2.5-5X-Ultra-Macro-Pentax-KAF2 lensVenus Laowa 25mm F2.8 2.5-5X Ultra Macro25mmf/2.8400g
OM System OM-1 Set to Enhance Autofocus

Pentax K-x Connectivity

The K-x has the following connectivity:

  • USB Yes

Cameras that incorporate NFC and Bluetooth support can be controlled wirelessly by smartphones. You can easily transfer photos and oftentimes adjust settings without the hassle of connecting physically to the camera.

A few applications even enable a Liveview and press the shutter when you aren't near the camera. If the camera comes with a HDMI port, it can be attached to an external screen. The majority of cameras will allow you to recharge the battery using the USB socket.

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Pentax K-x Video specs

The highest video quality on the Pentax K-x is 1280 x 720 and you can shoot in Motion JPEG format. 720p is terrible for today's requirements. You really should try to get at least FUll HD quality for good video. The camera doesn't include a microphone and headphone port which means you have got little control over the sound. It is perhaps a better idea to look at another camera in case you want good sound for your video clips.

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Pentax K-x Weather Sealing

There is no weather sealing for the Pentax K-x so you need to be cautious in rainy and dusty conditions.

Pentax K-x Display and Viewfinder

The Pentax K-x is equipped with a 2.7 inch fixed display supporting a resolution of 230 thousand dots.

Please be aware that the display screen has no touch support.

Pentax K-x screen and viewfinder TikTok Developing Photo App to Challenge Instagram's Dominance

The ViewFinder details for Pentax K-x are the following:

  • ViewFinder Optical (pentamirror)
  • Coverage 96%
  • Magnification 0.57x

Viewfinders are pretty useful during bright outdoor conditions which can make the camera display washed out and hard to see.

Pentax K-x Shutter specs

Pentax K-x continuous shooting speed is 5.0 frames per second. The maximum shutter speed is 1/6000 sec.

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Pentax K-x Flash and Hot shoe specs

Pentax K-x comes with both built in flash along with external flash ability. The highest flash sync speed is 1/180 sec.

Pentax K-x Autofocus specs

Pentax K-x comes with both Phase Detect Autofocus as well as Contrast Based Autofocus. Phase Detection focusing is a lot more quicker & exact when compared to Contrast Based focusing. The camera supports Face detect making it handy for portraits.

It supports 11 focus points to choose from. Pentax K-x comes with manual focusing when required during low light occasions or you want to have more exact focusing control.

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Pentax K-x Battery life

The battery power (4 x AA) for the Pentax K-x is built to last for 1900 photographs based on the CIPA measurements which is above average ın comparison with its category. The typical Entry-Level DSLR camera battery life is 589. Pentax K-x features the highest (1900) battery life within this range of cameras.

Below is a listing of Entry-Level DSLR cameras with the strongest battery life:

ModelVisualizeBattery LifeRAWNFCBluetooth
Pentax-K-x front thumbnailPentax K-x1900 yesnono
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Canon-EOS-Rebel-SL3 front thumbnailCanon SL3
K-x vs SL3
1070 yesnoyes

Pentax K-x for different categories of photography

The following diagram indicates a analysis of the Pentax K-x for different categories of photography. To learn more, have a look at the specific section below.

Pentax K-x Portrait photography highlights

The Pentax K-x has a points total of 63 which is nice, meaning that it is a good fit for portraits. Shooting portrait photos leans heavily to sensor resolution, RAW support in addition to the flexibility to utilize off-camera flash.

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manual focus
sensor size is good (APS-C)
provides face detection focusing
exports RAW files
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)

Pentax K-x Street photography information

With a above average points tally of 67, the Pentax K-x is a fine option for street photography. A decent street photography camera offers a perfect balance of picture quality plus portability.

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has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
fixed screen

Pentax K-x Sports photography information

A nice sports photography score of 61 suggests the Pentax K-x is a respectable option for photographing sports. A camera should have excellent focusing and fast continuous shooting for sports photography.

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maximum shutter speed is high (1/6,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
good battery life (1,900 CIPA)
supports phase detect auto focus
max frames per second low (5.0 frames/s)
MP count low (12MP)

Pentax K-x Travel photography information

Size is extremely important when picking a camera for travel. All things considered, the Pentax K-x gets a modest 54 as a travelling camera which is somewhat suitable to take on your trips.

OM System OM-1 Set to Enhance Autofocus
good battery (1,900 CIPA)
has built in flash
does not have Timelapse recording
low MP (12MP)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display

Pentax K-x as a Landscape photography camera

For anyone looking to buy a digital camera for landscape photos, the biggest factor is going to be image quality. The Pentax K-x with it's very good rating of 61 as a landscape camera is a fine pick compared to its competitors.

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you can focus manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
great battery life (1,900 per charge)
tiny screen (2.7")
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
lack of Time Lapse recording

Vlogging with Pentax K-x

A vlogging camera should really posses a articulating display, microphone input and preferably image stabilization. Considering everything, the Pentax K-x is just not acceptable as a vlog camera as it delivers a bad score of 27.

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image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detection focus
display is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing external mic support

Pentax K-x Alternatives

If you are looking for replacements to the K-x, below is a number of the highest ranked cameras that fall within the class of Entry-Level DSLR.

The line chart below gives you a bird's eye view of the K-x vs it's top rated competitors suggested previously.

Following are additional cameras you may take a look at as alternate options. To read through a comprehensive comparison, click the "compare" link.

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Specifications

General Information
Make
Pentax
Model type
Pentax K-x
Class
Entry-Level DSLR
Launched
2009-12-23
Physical type
Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Sensor type
CMOS
Processor
Prime
Sensor size
APS-C
Sensor dimensions
23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor area
372.9mm²
Sensor resolution
12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio
3:2
Highest resolution
4288 x 2848
RAW photos
Highest native ISO
6400
Highest boosted ISO
12800
Lowest native ISO
100
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points
11
Lens
Lens mount type
Pentax KAF2
Available lenses
151
Focal length multiplier
1.5
Screen
Display type
Fixed Type
Display size
2.7 inch
Display resolution
230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology
TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder
Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage
96%
Viewfinder magnification
0.57x
DXO scores
DXO All around rating
72
DXO Color Depth rating
22.8
DXO Dynamic range rating
12.5
DXO Low light rating
811
Features
Lowest shutter speed
30 secs
Highest shutter speed
1/6000 secs
Continuous shooting rate
5.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation
Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance
16.00 m
Flash options
Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear curtain, Wireless
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize
1/180 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions
1280 x 720 (24 fps), 640 x 416 (24 fps)
Highest video resolution
1280x720
Video format
Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless
None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB
USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS
None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight
580g (1.28 lbs)
Physical dimensions
123 x 92 x 68mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.7")
Other
Battery life
1900 pictures
Battery type
Battery Pack
Battery ID
4 x AA
Self timer
Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage
SD/SDHC card
Card slots
Single
Retail cost
$600