A couple of weeks ago I wrapped up a review of the Pentax K-x DSLR. In the review I pointed to a couple of facets that seemed poorly implemented. Turns out I was wrong. Well, to some degree. With some great input from Pentax the flaws were corrected.
1 -- Write speed
Originally the write speed on the K-x press sample that was lent to me was very, very slow. In fact so slow that when the review was published, Pentax (and others) reached out saying something was amiss. And they were absolutely right. I had turned on two settings (lens correction and highlight/shadow correction) that require in-camera processing, thus inadvertently slowing down the write time. I got the press sample back, reset the settings (just to make sure), and then conducted some more testing.
↓ More testing
Shooting the K-x against the Nikon D700 the two cameras are pretty much on par in terms of write speed. Yes, the D700 is a hair faster, but in real world shooting conditions that difference is negligible.
2 -- Battery life
When testing the K-x I was excited to see how its standard AA battery approach would hold up. Well, it didn't. Not with my cheap batteries any way.
So be sure not to get to cheap route and get your run-of-the-mill alkaline batteries (even though they are *fancy* Duracell). Instead do yourself and your camera a favor and get either Energizer Lithium batteries or rechargeable NiMH batteries. I know they are more expensive than the regular alkaline. The most economic investment would probably be to buy 8 rechargeable (equal to 2 sets, as the camera takes four AA) the day you pick up the camera. Then look at them as your power source, as if they were the batteries that came with the camera. Only difference is, if you ever get in a pinch and run out of juice, you can always stop by the nearest grocery store and pick up 4 AAs, unlike your buddy with his Canon T2i. Hehe.
By the way, here is what Pentax recommends: The camera is designed to use AA batteries but we do suggest using either Energizer Lithium AA batteries, these are the most energy dense power source currently available, with a life with flash half the time of 1,100 shots and 1,900 shots without flash or to use rechargeable NiMH AA batteries, with 1900 mAH batteries and flash half the time about 420 shots, 640 without flash, we do not recommend Alkaline batteries except in emergencies.
It should be noted that I have not test the camera with either the Lithium or NiMH batteries (I went the cheap Duracell way, sigh!). On top of that in my testing I did not quantify the number of shots possible, but rather looked at how long the batteries would last under average to intense usage. But I think we can take their word for it."
3 -- Shake reduction noise
The third point Pentax had input to was the slight noise experienced while shooting video. According to them this was probably caused by the Shake Reduction (SR) kicking in. Not such a bad thing, after all it does help alleviate shaken video recordings. If you are bothered buy the slight *clicking* noise, it can be eliminated by either turning off the SR when shooting video, or using an external microphone.
All in all, shooting with the Pentax you get the sense that the manufacturer wants to offer its own solutions to how photography can be done, and not necessarily follow what its competitors are doing. Quite refreshing. But if you come from another DLSR system, you will in some cases have to be a bit patient in getting used to the K-x's approach. But overall the camera delivers outstanding image quality, some of the best seen in entry-level DSLRs, and on top of that enough creative venues to keep you busy for a long time.
I run my DSLR on AA rechargeables all the time. Just remember regular NiMh work best when recharged the night before. "Low-discharge" NiMh, like Eneloops, will lose 1% of charge each month. Try them out.
There is also a new NiZn battery. I haven't tested these new batteries, but with a charge as high as 1.8volts, you run the risk of frying your electronics.
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