The Kx series of Pentax does not know the law serious problems the successor series (Kr / K5), such as pearl necklace, Tungsten problems, etc. In direct comparison to Kr it is in terms of image quality even slightly forward (unfortunately I find the test to which this statement refers not. Really serious the differences are not, however).
Processing / feel is outstanding for its price range. Despite the plastic body (used the in the price range still is absolutely normal) she feels at very high quality and can be operated very smoothly.
Discouraged, the color variations when a refined styling is important. Through the shiny paintwork of this cheaper than the "standard" (Black-) version, which looks similar to a magnesium body hochpreisigerer camera bodies.
Even with heavy / long lenses (eg DA * 50-135 f2.8) I never had the feeling that the Kx is to keep unpleasant.
In terms of image quality, it can absorb the Pentax Kx even with higher priced Bobys. In direct comparison with a Pentax K5 can eg detect only a small increase in quality opti scissors. Visually, they are even at similar levels.
Compared to the current models of the competition the Kx is still very lavish and has a first-class noise performance! Even when you print in A4 can detect a noise only when you look closely at ISO 3200.
In particular, the built-in image stabilizer should be highlighted.
Before buying a DSLR camera, however it should be noted that good lenses are much more important than a good body. As mentioned above, one should of a body upgrade (for example, on a Pentax K5) expect too much image quality improvement, the advantages are here somewhere else.
Therefore, I recommend to anyone who ever but to start over in such a nice hobby, like photography wants to break with a low body, for good lenses! For example, are equipped with a Kx and a DA 40 Ltd. significantly (!) better images possible as a K5IIs and 18-55 WR Kit.
The only drawback I see in the Kx not too high-resolution display. Really, this is not serious, because an assessment of the sharpness is still quite possible. Therefore, there is also no penalty for this.
General for Pentax System:
The Pentax system has several advantages over its competitors, such as the built-in image stabilizer, above average good noise performance, excellent handling, compactness, excellent functionality (which is trimmed in any way!), All lenses were produced since around 1980 are without Adapter (stabilized!) to get usable and for little money, but also some disadvantages that you should keep in mind before buying.
- Often the lens range from Pentax is criticized. It emphasizes, however, the competition all unstabilized lens and takes all usable lenses incl. The foreign manufacturer (Sigma / Tamron and Co.) with the comparison purely the difference is negligible. A tilt-shift lens is missing, everything else is available for corresponding money in the range of 8 to> 500mm.
In the remaining lenses not available one is however in the budget range, which is more than 1000!
The biggest advantage to the competition form the Pentax Limiteds, so not available at the competition: very small, lightweight, hand-made of metal, with an optical quality that can compete with Zeiss. Because of the built-in image stabilizer plus stabilized.
- The video recording can be something to be desired ("only" 24-25 fps, no AF while shooting, and less settings, than the competition). For really good video recordings but should be carried out without AF eh!
- Working with an external flash is occasionally somewhat more complicated, but still quite feasible.
- Pentax currently does not offer full-frame DSLR. But to upgrade to FF you also need the competition new lenses, which is why a change of system in most cases, no more expensive than a company internal change to FF is likely to be, if this is really needed.
- The Internal lens AF motors (only in the high-end lenses) in the competition a little faster. Pentax has used in many lenses a pinion drive, which is driven by the body. This is the focus quite noisy. Nevertheless, I see this issue as an advantage because it is faster than the built-in AF motors favorable competitive, very accurately and with a more developed body faster. For this he makes the extremely small size of many lenses and is not prone to error.
