K-x review in Computer Shopper (Feb 2010)

Normally when a Pentax is reviewed in any of the PC mags I read, it reinforces my view that while their staff may know about computers (also arguable, at times), they certainly do not know about cameras.

Be that as it may, their K-x review is very positive when it comes to image and video quality, noise, fps, handling, and the kit lens (which was "sharper than other budget kit lenses, and competed with the premium lenses we used with the Canon 500D and Nikon D90").

Downsides they commented on were the mic picking up the "rattles" from the SR doing its thing in video mode, and, interestingly, the expensive Pentax lenses, citing the £250 FA 50, in comparison with all the others' F1.8 50mms, at around £100. Just as well they don't know what it's gone up to, eh?

Anyway, they gave it four stars; only the Canon 1000D (best buy) and Nikon D90 (ultimate) came out with more.

Others scored as follows, FWIW:

Nikon D3000 (3 stars)
Sony Alpha A330L (3 stars), Alpha 380L (2 stars)
Olympus E-620 (3 stars)
Canon 500D (3 stars)

Interesting, there is a similar review in Decembers Digital SLR photography magazine called Budget DSLR buyers guide.
Cameras reviewed:
Pentax Km (has nobody told them its discontimued?)
Sony Alpha 230
Olympus E-520
Nikon D3000
Canon EOS100D
Pentax Kx
Nikon D5000
Sony Alpha 380
Canon EOS 450D
Canon EOS 500D

The Kx came out very well mentioning good IQ, and colour reproduction. The AF works well and the and the metering system is good too. Noise is very well controlled with images at 1000iso showing very little noise.
The only downside being the battery life on the AA's.
The Kx got the 'Highly Rated' award and 5 Stars

The others
The Kx got 4 stars stating the AF is pretty basic and limits creativity (?)

Sony Alph 230 got 4 stars
Olympus E-520 4 stars
Nikon D3000 got 5 stars and the 'Best buy' award
Canon EOS 1000D got 4 stars
Nikon D5000 - 5 stars and a 'Best buy award'
Sony Alpha 380 - 4 stars
Canon EOS450D 5 stars and a 'best buy award'
Canon EOS500D - 4 stars

not sure why the Kx was the only 5 star camera not to ge a best buy award

I think we all know why. It's the word "PENTAX" on the front..!!

Yeah it's easy thing to give them a minus point for that, something like handling would be harder to measure

Just for the note, the Nikon D5000 use the same sensor as the KX so it's easy to see if the review is framed if they gave them more points on that

I'm having great fun with my K-x

The difference between the pictures I got on my old P&S is incredible - I'm stunned and really propose to work at things now .

I'll be posting some pics soon after my return to the UK - and they will be as they came from the camera - no tweaks . I'm not intending them for C&C but they will hopefully be able to give you an idea of what is coming from it in Automatic Mode - I'm really not ready for anything else.

My apologies that was a hastily typed error and should have been Km, the Kx got the 5 stars.