Pentax K-x

The K-x design is based on the award winning PENTAX K-m, an entry-class digital SLR camera launched in October 2008 that gained popularity for its compact, lightweight body and simple, user-friendly operation. The K-x features a newly designed high performance CMOS image sensor and an upgraded filter function. It also features a whole host of advanced features and such as live view shooting and movie recording, approximately 12.4 megapixels and high-speed continuous shooting. The K-x is the perfect camera for first-time digital SLR camera users, as well as an ideal backup camera for more experienced photographers.

12.4 effective megapixels

The K-x incorporates a newly developed CMOS image sensor to assure high-speed image data readout and more flexibility with varying ISO sensitivity levels. With approximately 12.4 effective megapixels, this image sensor accurately reproduces true-to-life images with fine detail and rich color depth. The

K-x offers a wide sensitivity range between ISO 200 and ISO 6400 and allows users to expand the sensitivity range between ISO 100 and ISO 12800 via a custom function to offer greater creative freedom to photographers.

Compact, lightweight body

The PENTAX K-x is one of the most compact, lightweight digital SLR cameras in its class. The stainless-steel chassis and overall design offer a space-efficient layout.

Widescreen HD movie recording at 1280x720 pixels at a cinematic 24 frames per second (720p24)

The PENTAX K-x movie recording function* captures true-to-life movie clips in 16:9 high-definition TV proportions (1280 x 720 pixels) at a frame rate of 24 frames per second. Compatible with every PENTAX interchangeable lens ever made, the Video Capture mode opens a new world of creativity for PENTA K-x owners.

* When the PENTAX K-x's AV output terminal is used, movie clips are viewed at normal resolution. The data must be transferred to a PC for the playback of movie clips at high-definition TV proportions (1280 x 720 pixels).

PENTAX-original SR mechanism for sharp, blur-free images

The K-x features the PENTAX-developed Shake Reduction mechanism that effectively compensates for the adverse effects of camera shake by as much as four shutter steps. This innovative mechanism extends its benefits to all PENTAX interchangeable lenses — even those designed for film-format cameras.* With this SR mechanism, the K-x produces sharp, blur-free images even under demanding conditions such as telephoto lens photography, shooting in dark or low-light setting without a flash illumination, and sunset scenes.

*Lenses compatible with this mechanism: PENTAX K-, K A -, K AF -, K AF2 - and K AF3 -mount lenses; screw-mounted lenses (with an adapter); and 645- and 67-system lenses (with an adapter). Some functions may not be available with certain lenses.

High-speed continuous shooting at approximately 4.7 images per second

The K-x's high-speed continuous shooting mode records as many as 17 images (in JPEG recording format) at a maximum speed of approximately 4.7 images per second. This is the fastest of all entry-class models. The K-x also features a more reliable shutter unit, which passed a demanding action test of more than 100,000 shutter releases. The top shutter speed of 1/6000 second allows the photographer to preserve sharp, crisp images of fast-moving subjects.

High-performance, high-speed PRIME II imaging engine

The K-x features the newly developed PRIME (PENTAX Real I M age Engine) II, that is an upgrade of the original PRIME imaging engine. This new imaging engine offers greater data processing speed and enhanced capability to produce higher-quality images with richer, more accurate color rendition, as well as faster transmission speed of movie data.

Live View function with Face detection of up to 16 faces

In addition to the camera's viewfinder, the K-x features a Live View function that allows users to view subjects on the LCD monitor during shooting. The K-x also offers a choice of three different focusing modes in Live View:

• Contrast Auto Focus optimizes the focus based on the subject's contrast.
• Face Detection Auto Focus automatically detects up to 16 faces, then selects the main subject's face from multiple faces, and captures it in sharp focus.
• Phase Difference Auto Focus accesses the AF sensor positioned in the camera body to optimize focus on the subject.

Digital Filter function

The K-x's digital filter function allows users to process recorded images in a variety of creative ways within the camera and produce highly creative visual expressions. With a choice of 16 different filters including Color Extract, Retro, Soft, Starburst, Toy Camera, and more (including a custom filter for building multiple effects), photographers may apply multiple filters to a single image for customized effects.

Cross Process mode

The K-x features a new Cross Process mode that automatically and randomly adds finishing touches to exposures to create eye-catching images with unique, intriguing colors (just like images treated with Cross Process* in film photography). This mode adds a whimsical element to digital photography since photographers don't know the results until the captured image is actually displayed on the camera's LCD monitor.

* A film development technique that takes advantage of unconventional film developers to create a distinctive finishing touch with intriguing colors.

High-precision 11-point AF sensor

The high-precision, wide-frame SAFOX VIII autofocus system of the K-x features 11 sensor points (with nine cross-type sensors positioned in the middle) to automatically capture even off-centered subjects in sharp, crisp focus. Photographers also may select one of the sensors as a focusing point to accommodate specialized applications.

Additional features

• · Custom Image modes offer high quality processing for images
• · 2.7 inch, high-resolution color LCD monitor with approximately 230,000 dots of resolution
• · Auto Picture mode for effortless, automatic selection of the most appropriate shooting mode, even during Live View shooting
• · Status screen for easy, at-a-glance confirmation of various settings on the LCD monitor
• · Ten scene modes, including Night Scene, Surf & Snow, Sunset, Kids, Museum, and more, available via simple icon selection
• · PENTAX Digital Camera Utility 4 software package, with RAW-data processing and image browser functions

Type
Camera Type	TTL autofocus, auto-exposure digital SLR digital-still camera with built-in retractable P-TTL auto pop-up flash
LIVE VIEW
Type	TTL by Image sensor
Display	Enlargement (2X, 4X, 6X in case of AF mode, 2X, 4X,  6X, 8X, 10X in case of MF mode), Grid pattern, white/black out warning display, Histogram display
Autofocus Mode	Contrast detection + Face detection / Contrast detection /  Phase difference detection
Sensor
Effective Pixels	approx. 12.4 megapixels
Total Pixels	approx. 12.9 megapixels
Type	23.6mm x 15.8mm CMOS with a primary colour filter
Sensitivity	Auto, Manual: 200-6400 (1EV steps or 1/2EV steps or 1/3EV steps).  Bulb mode: up to ISO1600, Could be expanded to ISO 100-12800
Colour Depth	12 bit x 3 colours
SENSOR
Cleaning	Image sensor moving mechanism and SP Coating Dust alert function
Image Size
Still	RAW: [12M] 4288x2428 pixels. JPEG: [12M] 4288x2428 pixels, [10M] 3936x2624 pixels, [6M] 3072x2048 pixels, [2M] 1728x1152 pixels.
Movie	[0.9M] 1280x720(16:9),  [0.3M] 640x416(3:2)
File Format
Still	RAW (Original/DNG), JPEG (Conforms to Exif 2.21), Conforms to DCF (Design rule of Camera File system) 2.0
Movie	Motion JPEG (AVI) 24FPS
Sound	Yes. Built in microphone
Quality Level	Still:*(Good), **(Better), ***(Best), ****(Excellent)
Storage Media
External	SD memory card , SDHC memory card compattible
Lens
Mount	PENTAX KAF2 bayonet mount
Usable lenses	PENTAX KAF3-, KAF2-, KAF-, and KA-mount lenses.  * Power zoom function is not available. K-mount lenses usable with restrictions.  S-mount lenses, 67/645 lenses usable with adapter and with restrictions.
Focusing System
Type	TTL phase difference detection
Focusing system
Area	11-point wide autofocus system (SAFOX VIII)
Mode	AF.A(auto), AF.S(single, with focus lock), AF-C(continuous)*, Manual focus.  * Auto Picture and Picture mode: only when the Action mode is selected. * Scene mode: only when the Kids, Pet, Stage lighting and Night snap mode are selected.  * P/Sv/Tv/Av/M/B: AF.A, AF.S or AF.C selectable
AF assist	avaiable (by Built-in Flash)
Exposure system
Metering	TTL open-aperture 16-segment metering (coupled with lens and AF information)
Metering Area	Multi-segment metering Centre-weighted metering Spot metering
Exposure System
Metering Range	EV1-21.5 (Standard Output Sensitivity 200 with 50mm F1.4 lens)
Exposure system
Exposure Modes	Auto Picture mode Picture mode Scene mode Program AE Sensitivity-Priority AE Shutter-Priority AE Aperture-Priority AE Metered Manual Bulb Picture modes: Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Action, Night scene portrait, Standard Flash-Off Scene Modes: Night Scene, Surf & Snow, Food, Sunset, Kids, Pet, Candlelight, Museum.
Auto Bracketing	3 frames within range of ±0.5EV,  ±1.0EV, ±1.5EV (0.5EV steps) or ±0.3EV, ±0.7EV, ±1.0EV (0.3EV steps)
Exposure System
Compensation	±3EV (0.5EV steps or 0.3EV steps)
Exposure system
Auto Exposure Lock	This function can be allocated to AF button in Menu.
Shutter
Type	Electronically controlled vertical-run focal plane shutter
Speed	Auto: 1/6000 - 30 sec. and bulb,  Manual: 1/6000 - 30 sec., and bulb
Viewfinder
Type	Fixed molded penta-mirror type
Focusing screen	Natural-Bright-Matte II focusing screen
Field of View	approx. 96%
Magnification	approx. 0.85X (with 50mm F1.4 lens, infinity, -1m-1)
Diopter adjustment	approx. -2.5 - +1.5m-1
Movie
Recording	[0.9M] 1280x720, 16:9,  [0.3M] 640x416, 3:2
Flash
Type	Built-in retractable P-TTL pop-up flash
Guide Number	approx. 16 (Standard Output Sensitivity 200/m) 12 (Standard Output Sensitivity 100/m)
Angle of View Coverage	28mm wide-angle (equivalent to 35mm)
Exposure Compensation	-2 EV - +1EV (1/2EV steps)
Synchronization	Hot shoe, sync-speed: 1/180 sec., P-TTL, high-speed-sync, wireless-sync with PENTAX dedicated flash
Drive Mode
Modes	Single-frame , Continuous (Hi, Lo), Self-timer (12s, 2s), Remote control (0s, 3s), Auto bracket
DRIVE MODE
Continuous shooting	approx. 4.7 fps, sequence: 17 frame (JPEG and Continuous (Hi)) 5 frame (RAW) approx. 2 fps , sequence: until the memory card becomes full (JPEG and Continuous (Lo)) 11 frame (RAW)
White Balance
Modes	Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten Light, Fluorescent Light (W, D, N, L (Light Bulb) ), Flash, CTE, Manual setting, with WB fine adjustment
Screen
LCD	2.7" TFT colour LCD monitor Brightness adjustable Wide angle view approx. 230,000 dots
Playback
View	Single frame, 4-image display, 9-image display, 16-image display, 36-image display, Zoom display (up to 16 times, scrolling possible), Image comparison, Rotating, Folder, Calendar, Slideshow, Histogram, Bright/Dark area, Resize, Trimming, Index
Digital Filter	Rec. mode: Toy camera, High contrast, Soft, Star burst, Retro, Extract color, Fish eye, Custom Playback: Toy camera, High contrast, Soft, Star burst, Retro, Extract color, Illustration(Pastel, Water color), Fish Eye, HDR, B&W, Sepia, Color, Slim, Miniature, Brightness, Base Tweaking, Custom
World Time
Time	75 cities (28 time zones)
Interface
PC	USB/Video; USB 2.0 (HI-SPEED)
AV	Compatible with NTSC and PAL formats
Power
Source	Four AA (lithium, alkaline, and rechargeable Ni-MH) batteries Optional AC adapter also available.
Performance	Number of recordable images (Lithium): approx. 1900 (Normal Recording)*2 , 1100 (50% use Flash)*1 Playback time: approx. 680 minutes*2 Number of recordable images (Ni-MH 1900mAh): approx. 640 (Normal Recording)*2 , 420 (50% use Flash)*1 Playback time: approx. 390 minutes*2 Number of recordable images (Alkaline): approx. 210 (Normal Recording)*2 , 130 (50% use Flash)*1 Playback time: approx. 350 minutes*2 *1 Recording capacity shows approximate number of shots recorded during CIPA-compliant testing. Actual performance may vary depending on operating conditions. *2 According to the result of PENTAX in-house testing.
Dimensions
Height	91.5mm
Width	122.5mm
Depth	67.5mm
Weight	approx. 515g without battery and SD memory card approx. 580g loaded and ready with lithium battery and SD memory card approx. 615g loaded and ready with alkaline battery and SD memory card

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S2100 videos

Nikon Coolpix P100 videos

Olympus Stylus TOUGH-8010 videos

Pentax 645D videos

Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5 videos

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX5 videos

Canon PowerShot SD1400 IS videos

More ...