Pentax is looking to grab itself a slice of the lucrative low-end dSLR market with the launch of its new budget-priced K-x camera.
Based on the K2000 body, the K-x notches up a respectable feature count, with its 12.4 megapixel CMOS image sensor packing sensor-shift Shake Reduction for stabilised image and video capture and a 11 point wide angle SAFOX VIII autofocus system for snappy focusing and tracking of moving subjects.
In line with its mission to lure in mere mortals and not just spoddy snappers, the K-x comes in a choice of colours: black, white, and limited editions of navy and a mugger-attracting inducing pillar-box red.
There’s a decent sized 2.7 inch LCD with Live View on the back, and the Pentax can grab widescreen HD video in full 720p resolution (1280×720) at 24 FPS frame rate, using any PENTAX 35mm lens.
Battery life is rated at up to 1900 shots with AA lithium batteries, and the camera also takes AA NiMH rechargeable and alkaline batteries.
Thanks to its PENTAX PRIME II image processing engine, the K-x can hurtle off shots at up to 4.7 frames per second, with a top 1/6000s shutter speed perfect for fast sports action.
An expanded ISO range covers sensitivities from 100 ISO up to a rather incredible 12800 ISO for capturing t’ings that shuffle about in the near-dark.
Naturally, there’s a slew of automatic modes to help nervous newbies grab perfect pics, there’s also Face Detection autofocus (up to 16 faces) and True High Dynamic Range (HDR) image capture, which blends 3 bracketed images into a single picture for improved shadow, highlight, and midrange detail.
The K-x will be out next month, priced at a competitive $649.95 with the 18-55mm DA-L kit lens, with the K-x twin lens kit adding the smc PENTAX DA L 50-200mm zoom lens for $749.95.
There’s been no mumblings about a UK release or pricing yet, but with Pentax hungry to make a bigger splash in the budget dSLR market, we should be seeing it soon.
Full spec: DPReview
Ouch, that red colour is nauseating.
If I was a mugger I would definitely avoid stealing a bright red camera. I think that is a deterrent rather than a temptation to thieves.