Jumping to Pentax (K-x)?

Is there anybody considering changing over to the Pentax K-x after the latest review?
Possible arguments:

• Superior low light performance (only FF performs better according to DPR)
• The quality and price point of both camera and Pentax lenses
• Size and battery performance

Anybody?

• Bert

Looks like a very nice small dSLR, but the two deal breakers for me would be the 4 AA batteries and no visible AF points in viewfinder.

I have never had a liking to AA batteries because by the time you load 8 extra batteries and battery charger for a trip, the size and weight of the camera bag increases. Without visible AF points in the viewfinder, I would feel blind.
--
Olga

Imho, according to the samples, Canon is better. All Pentax's samples are from the same lens so I took into account only Canon’s samples from the kit lenses but still. Amongst other things I see pixelation in K-x's samples in curtain areas.

The strongest point of K-x is probably the price but if you have already paid for a Canon (and posibly for lenses, flashes, remotes, etc) why pay again for a Pentax?

--
DO NOT PANIC!
http://www.andmarios.com
My 5 cents: turn off Highlight Tone Priority!

I'm seriously considering it. Apart from all the good things that were said in the review I really like the feeling of k-x - it fits my grip much better than 500D. The only thing that stops me from jumping to it right away is that UWA lenses with Pentax mount are much more difficult to get than those for Canon/Nikon...

That does not seem the case for the geography where I live.

Checking digitalstreet.nl:
Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM costs € 728 (yes USM, I know), versus:
Pentax SMCP-DA 10-17mm f/3.5-4.5 (IF) Fisheye for €456.
Or the Canon EF 14mm f/2.8L USM for € 2009, versus:
Pentax SMCP-DA 14mm f/2.8 ED IF Digital for € 553.

--

• Bert

Olga Johnson said:

Looks like a very nice small dSLR, but the two deal breakers for me would be the 4 AA batteries and no visible AF points in viewfinder.

Click to expand...

Generally agreed, although the Pentax shooters tell me the AF points isn't a big deal, so I'll take their word. The AA batteries sound great, but I've used cameras with AA batteries for years and what a PITA (pain in...).

I would add to that list the wide array of glass and accessories as another reason I won't contemplate moving brands. If Nikon had a world beater product then maybe, as they have a good aftermarket like Canon, but the other 'also ran' vendors just don't have the breadth of product to really interest me.

Bert v B said:

That does not seem the case for the geography where I live.

Click to expand...

And that is the salient point. I can get Canon stuff anywhere in the world. If I'm in Tahiti and something goes wrong with my (insert product here), I can probably get a replacement. Not so for Oly, Pany, Pentax and even Sony. That is worth something IMHO.

Em? Your willing to pay money just to change system?

Clearly your not a pro. And your not the richest man around (entry level camera). You don't have a pro equipment, so you don't need best of the best - you don't need to pixel peep.

You really think you would see the difference between your camera and pentax or for that matter even a few times more expensive camera in real life pictures?

Just buy a better lens and learn to use a speedlight. If you don't have money for canon L lenses, buy lenses from Tamron or Sigma.
And learn to use photoshop.

Go out and take pictures.

Heve fun.

klik2 said:

Em? Your willing to pay money just to change system?

Click to expand...

That's the question, yes.
Take it serious please.

klik2 said:

Clearly your not a pro. And your not the richest man around (entry level camera). You don't have a pro equipment, so you don't need best of the best - you don't need to pixel peep.

Click to expand...

Perhaps you are, however, you should refrain from this kind of sarcasm in this forum which is clearly not for pro's. I believe other Canon subforums are.
It is not appreciated, not by me.

klik2 said:

You really think you would see the difference between your camera and pentax or for that matter even a few times more expensive camera in real life pictures?

Click to expand...

Same remark.

klik2 said:

Just buy a better lens and learn to use a speedlight. If you don't have money for canon L lenses, buy lenses from Tamron or Sigma.

Click to expand...

Idem.

klik2 said:

And learn to use photoshop.

Click to expand...

This is hardly the subject right? I do know how to use PS and LR.
Who do you think you are?

klik2 said:

Go out and take pictures.

Click to expand...

I do.

klik2 said:

Heve fun.

Click to expand...

Not now, no.

Does it at least tell you what it's focusing on? I'd hate taking what I though were decent pictures then finding out it was focusing on the background.

The main reason wouldn't switch is because I have too much invested in the Canon system to backtrack now. For practicality's sake, I wouldn't consider to switching to anything but another Canon camera, and then only if the features were things I had to have. I made the jump from DReb classic to XT because instant-on and bigger buffer were important to me. I stayed with XT until T1i because nothing was so interesting I had to get another camera. T1i offered extended ISO which I absolutely needed because I suddenly found myself shooting a lot of indoor sporting events. Buying a camera to reach even one f-stop below is a lot cheaper than buying glass to do the same!

Olga Johnson said:

Looks like a very nice small dSLR, but the two deal breakers for me would be the 4 AA batteries and no visible AF points in viewfinder.

I have never had a liking to AA batteries because by the time you load 8 extra batteries and battery charger for a trip, the size and weight of the camera bag increases. Without visible AF points in the viewfinder, I would feel blind.
--
Olga

Click to expand...

--
http://www.pbase.com/billko

Bert:

One other thing to consider. Lets say you get good/really serious about your photography. Where do you go in the Pentax system. Their highend offerings are extremely weak comparatively, so when you out grow the base model, what then? Switch systems again, throw away all your glass and flashes?

Buying an SLR isn't about a camera. It's about the system (anyone who tells you otherwise is giving you horrible advice).

All that said, without knowing your specific requirements for photography, it's going to be really hard for anyone to give your situation objective advice. Maybe you can share your needs and shooting preferences with us. I think the Pentax is a fine little camera, but I don't think it's fine enough to warrant switching systems.

Steve

Bert v B said:

Is there anybody considering changing over to the Pentax K-x after the latest review?
Possible arguments:

• Superior low light performance (only FF performs better according to DPR)
• The quality and price point of both camera and Pentax lenses
• Size and battery performance

Anybody?

• Bert

Click to expand...

Bert.. DPReview...K-x is an entry level camera that was compared also with entry level cams. If you look at the scores of all the camera's mentioned, they're off by 0.00 percent difference with the K-x on top. Price was the only selling point avantage Pentax has. Pentax variety of lens will be its achille's heel. I shoot with the 50D at 3200ISO and sell the prints at 13x19.

As a long time Pentax enthusiast and owner, I'll throw in my two cents. The K-X is indeed a great little camera, but if you already have a set of Canon gear, I wouldn't recommend switching systems. The difference isn't big enough to justify the hundreds or thousands of dollars it will take to switch. Overall, the Canon system has far more accessories, and they have a great series of lenses. I wouldn't switch if I were you.

With that said, the Pentax system has these advantages:

1. use of AA's. Personally, I've had good a experience with them, especially when using the new generation of NiMH batteries that are less prone to self discharge. AAs are far less expensive than a comparable battery for a Canon or Nikon DSLR. For example, you can get a 4-pack of Sanyo Eneloop batteries for around $10 US. You can also buy AA batteries anywhere.

2. While Pentax's lineup of telephoto lenses is thin, they have a great lineup of APS-C prime lenses that the other manufacturers do not match. If you're a prime lens enthusiast, this may be a big reason to change.

3. Ergonomics. This may be subjective, but I've always preferred the ergonomics of Pentax DSLRs over Canon. When I'm shooting in intense situations, ergonomics become very, very important for me. It makes the difference between getting and missing a shot. Again, if you're already familiarized with Canon, then it's a moot point, but I found earlier Canon rebel cameras to be a bit "fiddly". The newer generation is better, though.

Pentax has a few disadvantages:

1. The flash system is weak compared to Nikon. I don't know how it compares to Canon, though.

2. As previous posters have mentioned, Pentax has a much smaller sales presence. Finding a store with Pentax may be difficult, but for me, it's a moot point. I'm close to two national retailers that carry Pentax, and you can always buy online.

3. AF system - In good light, Pentax AF performance is competitive with Nikon and Canon. In low light, older Pentax DSLRs were significantly slower. These AF issues have been addressed in the newest generation (K-x and K-7), but they're still a smidgen slower than Canon or Nikon in low light.

Thanks for the view from the other side of the fence. My advice always was, "do careful research on the system as well as the camera itself, because once you buy a camera, you're locked in."

tycfung said:

As a long time Pentax enthusiast and owner, I'll throw in my two cents. The K-X is indeed a great little camera, but if you already have a set of Canon gear, I wouldn't recommend switching systems. The difference isn't big enough to justify the hundreds or thousands of dollars it will take to switch. Overall, the Canon system has far more accessories, and they have a great series of lenses. I wouldn't switch if I were you.

With that said, the Pentax system has these advantages:

1. use of AA's. Personally, I've had good a experience with them, especially when using the new generation of NiMH batteries that are less prone to self discharge. AAs are far less expensive than a comparable battery for a Canon or Nikon DSLR. For example, you can get a 4-pack of Sanyo Eneloop batteries for around $10 US. You can also buy AA batteries anywhere.

2. While Pentax's lineup of telephoto lenses is thin, they have a great lineup of APS-C prime lenses that the other manufacturers do not match. If you're a prime lens enthusiast, this may be a big reason to change.

3. Ergonomics. This may be subjective, but I've always preferred the ergonomics of Pentax DSLRs over Canon. When I'm shooting in intense situations, ergonomics become very, very important for me. It makes the difference between getting and missing a shot. Again, if you're already familiarized with Canon, then it's a moot point, but I found earlier Canon rebel cameras to be a bit "fiddly". The newer generation is better, though.

Pentax has a few disadvantages:

1. The flash system is weak compared to Nikon. I don't know how it compares to Canon, though.

2. As previous posters have mentioned, Pentax has a much smaller sales presence. Finding a store with Pentax may be difficult, but for me, it's a moot point. I'm close to two national retailers that carry Pentax, and you can always buy online.

3. AF system - In good light, Pentax AF performance is competitive with Nikon and Canon. In low light, older Pentax DSLRs were significantly slower. These AF issues have been addressed in the newest generation (K-x and K-7), but they're still a smidgen slower than Canon or Nikon in low light.

Click to expand...

--
http://www.pbase.com/billko

I think you failed to mention the much better Auto Iso. From what I heard it beats both Nikon and Canon. What's your experience with it?

Tycfung:

Thank you for a great well balanced post. I (and I'm sure many others appreciate the honesty). If we could all do this when people are asking advice DPReview would be a much much more useful site.

Steve

PS: If I could star your post I would

tycfung said:

As a long time Pentax enthusiast and owner, I'll throw in my two cents. The K-X is indeed a great little camera, but if you already have a set of Canon gear, I wouldn't recommend switching systems. The difference isn't big enough to justify the hundreds or thousands of dollars it will take to switch. Overall, the Canon system has far more accessories, and they have a great series of lenses. I wouldn't switch if I were you.

With that said, the Pentax system has these advantages:

1. use of AA's. Personally, I've had good a experience with them, especially when using the new generation of NiMH batteries that are less prone to self discharge. AAs are far less expensive than a comparable battery for a Canon or Nikon DSLR. For example, you can get a 4-pack of Sanyo Eneloop batteries for around $10 US. You can also buy AA batteries anywhere.

2. While Pentax's lineup of telephoto lenses is thin, they have a great lineup of APS-C prime lenses that the other manufacturers do not match. If you're a prime lens enthusiast, this may be a big reason to change.

3. Ergonomics. This may be subjective, but I've always preferred the ergonomics of Pentax DSLRs over Canon. When I'm shooting in intense situations, ergonomics become very, very important for me. It makes the difference between getting and missing a shot. Again, if you're already familiarized with Canon, then it's a moot point, but I found earlier Canon rebel cameras to be a bit "fiddly". The newer generation is better, though.

Pentax has a few disadvantages:

1. The flash system is weak compared to Nikon. I don't know how it compares to Canon, though.

2. As previous posters have mentioned, Pentax has a much smaller sales presence. Finding a store with Pentax may be difficult, but for me, it's a moot point. I'm close to two national retailers that carry Pentax, and you can always buy online.

3. AF system - In good light, Pentax AF performance is competitive with Nikon and Canon. In low light, older Pentax DSLRs were significantly slower. These AF issues have been addressed in the newest generation (K-x and K-7), but they're still a smidgen slower than Canon or Nikon in low light.

Click to expand...

I constantly waffle back and forth with the idea of switching, being the techno-geek that I am. However, there are strong reasons to go with Canon whether or not you feel you are heavily invested. Price is one, Canon's L lenses tend to be less expensive relative to their quality than their competitors. In fact, Pentax just recently raised prices on a lot of their DA* lenses. Nikon's pro glass is usually more expensive than Canon's pro glass, so are Olympus's pro lenses. Until the release of the 7D, I felt Nikon had the edge in bodies and APS-C lenses and I was all but decided on switching. The reasons I've changed my mind (yet again) are: 1) L lenses are really good quality, both in build and optics, and they tend to be cheaper than the competetion (compare the 24-70 f/2.8s of either brand, or 17-55 f/2.8s, although the Nikon is better built in that class, but the Canon has IS); 2) Canon now has a full range of APS-C bodies, from entry level (such as my Rebel XS), to mid-level (50D), to semi-pro/prosumer (7D); 3) Canon's DPP software is good, and better than what some other manufacturer's offer for free.

What I don't like about Canon can be summed up in one: no EF-S UWA or standard zooms with L build and quality, the 17-55 IS has the optics, but not the build, and for the price that is unacceptable to me. Canon now has 2 rugged and weather-resistant APS-C bodies, but only L lenses match them in build, and they are all full-frame. Still, I think I can work around those short comings so that I can have the advantages of Canon's system, and that's what it's all really about when choosing a system, accepting the short comings because the advantages fit your needs and style more than any other system.
--

Best Buy Associate: 'The Nikon D300 is a great camera. What kind of pictures do you want to take?'
Me: 'I need to take pictures from 30,000 feet up.'
Best Buy Associate: (dumbfounded look on his face)

tycfung said:

2. While Pentax's lineup of telephoto lenses is thin, they have a great lineup of APS-C prime lenses that the other manufacturers do not match. If you're a prime lens enthusiast, this may be a big reason to change.

Click to expand...

Thanks for an informative post! This thread caught my eye because my brother is both a Pentax and Canon user.

In film days he used Pentax 6x7, and he chose Pentax digital (now the K-20) because of the superb prime lenses:

FA 31mm/1.8
FA 43mm/1.9
FA 77mm/1.8

and one DA lens: 21mm/3.2

In his professional work he shoots landscapes, and portraits in natural light.

So, this "system" provides everything that he needs. He's never used the Pentax cameras for informal, hand held situations, rather, preferring a Canon digicam which he carries all the time - currently he has the G11.

So, no matter whether entry level or higher, one needs to evaluate what type of system(s) satisfies one's requirements!

regards,

-rich

--
Careful photographers run their own tests.

nyer82 said:

I think you failed to mention the much better Auto Iso. From what I heard it beats both Nikon and Canon. What's your experience with it?

Click to expand...

To be honest, I'm unfamiliar with the Nikon and Canon Auto ISO functionality and had assumed it was the same as Pentax! I only had a little bit of experience using entry-level Canons and Nikons. I'll give a quick explanation on how it works on Pentax, and perhaps you can inform me on how it works on Canon:

On my Pentax K10D, the user can either select a specific ISO setting (e.g. 100, 200, 400, etc), or set it on Auto ISO. You can also limit the range of Auto ISO by manually controlling the upper and lower limits of the sensor sensitivity. For example, you can limit the range from 100-400 or 200-1600 or whatever. It's pretty handy, especially if you want to stop the camera from going beyond ISO 1600 (my K10D didn't do very well at ISO 1600. Canons are great at ISO 1600.).

In general, the concept of sensor sensitivity is thought through differently (well, on the K10D, K20D and K-7 at least). ISO isn't a fixed variable any more like in the film days where you were stuck with the roll of film you had in the camera. Pentax thinks of sensitivity as a "first-class" exposure variable that can be manipulated just like aperture and shutter speed. With this in mind, it has two additional exposure modes besides Av, Tv and M: TAv (Aperture & Shutter priority) and Sv (sensitivity priority). In Sv mode, you can manipulate the sensitivity, and the camera will automatically control shutter speed and aperture. TAv mode allows you to manipulate shutter & aperture, and the ISO is automatically set by the camera. (I'm assuming TAv mode is similar to "M" mode on Canon and Nikon, with some form of Auto ISO enabled - please correct me if I'm wrong).

Additionally, since ISO is considered a "first class" exposure variable, you can configure your control dials to manipulate ISO directly. In Av mode, I have my front dial configured to change ISO, while the rear dial controls aperture. This allows very quick control of ISO without having to take my eye off the viewfinder. ISO can be controlled with just a finger, instead of going through a menu (like on a Nikon D3000), or a "two-button press" on a Canon Rebel XS or a "press button and spin dial" on a Nikon D90 or Canon 40D.

(Note that dual dial control is only available on the K10D/K20D/K-7. The K-x does not have a 2nd dial, and thus ISO is controlled similarly to the Canon Rebel XS.)

So in general, Pentax tends to handle ISO a bit differently. Direct ISO control doesn't seem to be a bit deal, but if you're alternating between bright and dark conditions, I thought it was very nice ergonomic touch. For my style of shooting, ergonomics vastly trumped AF speed and ISO 1600 performance. This is why I've stuck with Pentax. I'm weird like that.

I am also a pentax user who like to browse other brand forum as well and I saw this thread. I want to share my opinion also from pentax user stand point. I don't think it is a good idea to change your Canon system to pentax just because of pentax kx. I choose pentax before because the pentax camera body price is cheaper than the canon body.

The one thing I don't like about pentax system is that the lens selection are limited and also from the third party lens maker. Pentax makes some limited edition prime lens but I don't really like to use prime lens nowadays because the zoom lens are as good unless you like to pixel peep. It is also very hard to find good used Auto focus lens for pentax and even if you find one the price usually higher because they are rare. I envy Canon user because of the 15-85mm lens and also the superb 70-200mm f/4 IS which pentax does not have.

Pentax KX is really a nice camera because of the low ISO capabilities but I don't think canon T1i is far behind. If you not a professional and want to carry only 2 lenses, and if you really like pentax kx then you should look at the pentax kx body and 2 lens combination 18-55mm and 55-300mm for only $750 at amazon which is the price for the Canon T1i body and 18-55mm lens. With those 2 lens, it will satisfy 90% of your shooting situation, unless you need extreme wide angle, or extreme telephoto or macro. I hope my explanation helps you.