Top of camera controls

All the controls on the camera's top plate are gathered to the right of the prism. On the control dial you can choose from the PASM and an abundance of scene modes, or switch the camera into movie mode. The exposure compensation and customizable Green buttons are located right behind the integrated shutter release/power switch button.


Av

 Exposure compensation / Aperture value

Hold this button and turn the command dial to set exposure compensation (-3.0 to +3.0 EV in 0.3 or 0.5 EV steps) - not available in all modes. In manual exposure mode hold this button and turn the command dial to set aperture, turn the dial on its own to set shutter speed.
Green button

Something of a Pentax tradition, the green button re-sets the exposure back to the chosen program line. In manual exposure mode, for instance, it's a way of jumping straight to the metered exposure, allowing you to react more quickly if you need a sudden change in exposure.

On the K-x the green button can be customized to trigger the following functions:
- Custom image
- Optical preview
- Digital preview
- Digital filter
- RAW button
- Center AF point

Exposure Mode Dial

AUTO PICT

Auto Picture

The K-x's "auto" mode can be considered a 'point and shoot' mode but it does actually try to automatically decide which of five scene modes best suits the kind of shot you are taking (the chosen mode is shown on the viewfinder status bar), if it can't match the parameters of a particular scene it instead shoots in 'Standard' mode. The five modes available to the camera automatically are Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Moving Object (sports) and Night Scene.
P Program Auto Exposure

In this mode the camera automatically selects aperture and shutter speed based on the current metered exposure value, exposure compensation and selected ISO sensitivity.
Sv Sensitivity Priority Exposure

In this mode you select the ISO sensitivity (ISO) and the camera will calculate the correct aperture and shutter speed depending on metered exposure and exposure compensation. Turn the command dial to select sensitivity (0.3 or 0.5 EV steps). The camera automatically calculates the appropriate aperture and shutter speed for correct exposure.
Tv Shutter Priority Exposure

In this mode you select the shutter speed and the camera will calculate the correct aperture depending on metered exposure, exposure compensation and ISO sensitivity. Turn the command dial to select shutter speed (0.3 or 0.5 EV steps). The camera automatically calculates the appropriate aperture for correct exposure.
Av Aperture Priority Exposure

In this mode you select the aperture and the camera will calculate the correct shutter speed depending on metered exposure, exposure compensation and ISO sensitivity. Turn the rear command dial to select aperture (0.3 or 0.5 EV steps). The camera automatically calculates the appropriate shutter speed for correct exposure. (Exact range depends on lens used)
M

Manual Exposure

In this mode you select the aperture and the shutter speed from any combination of the above. Turn one command dial to select shutter speed, turn the other to select aperture.

Flash off

The built-in flash is deactivated. Other settings are the same as 'Standard' mode.
Night Scene Portrait

Lets you capture people against a night view or dusk. (Allows flash slow sync; slow exposures in combination with flash)
Moving Object

Lets you take sharp pictures of a quickly moving subject, such as a sporting event. (Prioritizes faster shutter speeds)
Macro

Lets you take vibrant pictures of flowers and other small subjects at short distances.
Landscape

Deepens the focus range, emphasizes contour and saturation of trees and the sky, and produces a bright image. (Smaller apertures for more depth of field)
Portrait

Produces healthy and bright skin tones (Larger apertures for reduced depth of field).
SCN Scene

Lets you select from 10 additional shooting scenes depending on the shooting conditions. (Night Scene, Surf & Snow, Food, Sunset, Stage Lighting, Kids, Pet, Candlelight, Museum, Night Snap).
Movie

Enables the recording of 720p HD video