Pentax dSLR takes video to a new low price

Pentax K-x photos

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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:

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:

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.