September 17th, 2009
New Pentax K-x dSLR dishes up HD video for under $650
Taking a page from its successful predecessor, the K200D, the newly announced Pentax K-x delivers impressive specs in an aggressively priced package. Currently the lowest-priced dSLR to provide HD video, the K-x is priced at least $200 less than the next cheapest dSLRs with HD video, the Nikon D5000 and the Canon Rebel T1i. Like the K200D, it takes easy-to-find AA batteries (four AA lithium batteries are included) rather than proprietary Lithium Ion batteries like most dSLRs, and its compact size will appeal to shooters making the jump up from point-and-shoot models. The new K-x will be available in four colors when it starts shipping in October (black, white, red, and navy blue) though the red and blue versions will be limited editions.
For a quick specs comparison with similarly priced competitors:
| Pentax K-x | Sony Alpha DSLR-A330 |
Olympus E-620 |
|
| Price | $649.95 (with 18-55mm lens), ships in October | $649.99 (with 18-55mm lens) | $699.99 (with 14-42mm lens) |
| Sensor | 12.4 megapixels, 23.6×15.8mm CMOS | 10.2 megapixels, 23.5 x 15.7mm CCD | 12.3 megapixel Live MOS |
| Continuous Shooting Speed | 4.7 fps | 2.5 fps | 4.0 fps |
| LCD | 2.7-inch, 230,000 pixels (fixed) | 2.7-inch, 230,400 pixels (tiltable) | 2.7-inch, 230,000 pixels (articulated) |
| Autofocus | 11-point (9 cross-type) | 9-point | 7-point (5 cross-type) |
| Sensitivity | ISO 100-12800 | ISO 100-3200 | ISO 100-3200 |
| Live View | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Storage Media | SD, SDHC | Memory Stick PRO Duo, Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo, SD memory card, SDHC memory card | Compact Flash Type I/II (UDMA), Microdrive, xD-Picture Card |
| Movie Mode
|
1280×720 (24 fps)/640×416 (24 fps) | None | None |
| Dimensions | 4.8×3.6×2.7 inches | 5.0×3.8×2.8 inches | 5.11×3.7×2.36 inches |
| Weight (body)
|
18.2 oz | 17.3 oz | 16.6 oz |
Janice Chen has been covering technology for almost two decades. She got her hands on a Nikon Coolpix 900 back in 1998 and has been a digital camera enthusiast ever since. See her full profile and disclosure of her industry affiliations.
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