Considering where they prices this camera, and the fact that it is touted as the mid-level Pentax, it is quite probable that they will keep the K-x as entry, K-r as mid and K-5 as advanced (Mike Lows editor of WhatDigitalCamera said something similar in its hands-on preview: http://www.infoborder.com/Digital_Cameras/Video/PentaxK-r.php ) . That will leave the K-7 as a discontinued model.

I owned it briefly and returned it. The battery issue was very bothering. Pentax should have done a better job before releasing. I returned it before the new firmware was release so I am not sure it fixes the problem. Two things I don't like through my limited use. 1)ver slow focus in low light in Live view 2)load shutter click ( it is presented on the third video: http://www.infoborder.com/Digital_Cameras/Video/PentaxK-x.php ). I understand some don't care. But one of the advantages of using a DSLR is its low light capability...for indoor activities. In many such instances the loud click sound is annoying. I got a Canon T1i instead. It costs a bit more, not much. But I got it during the Thanksgiving for about the same price. The Canon fitted with a Tamron 18-270mm weight, about the same of the Pentax fitted with a Tamron 18-250mm lens.

How long is 26x zoom? You can find answer to this!
Finding this X90 animation surfing the net. You can take pictures and see zooming from 26 to 676mm.
Here it is: http://pentax-x90.blogspot.com/

Here is the new video about the prototype of Pentax 645D:
http://www.infoborder.com/Digital_Cameras/Video/Pentax645D.php

It looks nice and robust!

Same pixel count and same image sensor size as the newly announced Mamiya MF digital. But Mamiya has 16 bit color and penatx only has 14 bit (here are the Pentax 645D specification: http://www.infoborder.com/Digital_Cameras/Pentax/645d.php ). How did pentax lose 2 bits of color if the image sensor is the same which is seems likely it is? Maybe this is how pentax is able to sell the camera for so cheap compared to Mamiya.

The Pentax Optio X90 news is terrible, but X90 seems quite well, mainly its 26x zoom. I've tried it on the simulator (Pentax X90 zoom test) and it looks quit interesting!

Well, the K-x is based on the same body design as the K-m, which isn't weather-resistant either. To add weather sealing to this body would require a lot of re-engineering and probably didn't fit in with their time/cost plan for the K-x release.

To many this would appear to be an apparent step back from their nature/outdoors strategy given how much they pushed the weather and cold-resistant abilities of the K-7, as well as the weather-sealed kit lenses that were introduced along with it. But considering the financial environment we have seen in this past year, as well as the uncertainties that Hoya management had regarding where to take Pentax, I don't think we could expect them to introduce a new line of weather-sealed bodies in this time. So given this, I think the fact that the K-x is not weather-sealed is understandable (check on the official Pentax K-x video ), though obviously it's not desireable nor ideal.

That said, the K-x is a very pleasant surprise to me, and I suspect it's taken more than a few others by surprise too. Could this be the "make it or break it" for Pentax? Anyways, its success will bode well for Pentax (and us) for the next few years, and hopefully we'll see a more complete line of weather-sealed bodies and lenses in the near future.

I upgraded from the K100D to the K200D and I have to say it's worth it. Not because of the 10MP sensor but it's even more feature-rich than the K100D. I especially like the self-cleaning sensor ( see at Pentax K200D reviews ) since I live in AZ where it's very dusty and keeping my sensor clean on the K100D was a huge chore. I plan on trip down the Rogue River in OR this summer so the weatherproofing should be very handy. But most of all I do seem to take a cleaner picture with this camera noticed that I do less PP'ing with these pictures.

Excellent value for the money. Great camera for the beginner. Lots of excellent good quality lenses available for reasonable prices on Ebay.
The only complaint I have is the viewfinder. Even with the 1.2x adapter I have a hard time manual focusing with my older lenses.

The K-M is about the same size as a DS, so nothing new in that department, though granted it is much lighter. But just as important as size and weight are the grip ergonomics (I felt quite comfortable walking around with the DS without a strap, something I can't say about the K100D). Unfortunately the preview implies that the grip on the KM is not a strong point.

The weight saving in the kit lens bothers me slightly too. One would hope that optically and mechanically it's as good as the non-L version.

I can't help feeling that the KM is really milking the K10D/K200D line dry, times are moving on at this level and it'll be competing head to head with a very appealing Pana G1 in the entry level market. Two very different products with different ancestry. Interesting times!


Here is the interview with Pentax director at Photokina 2008: Pentax K2000 video

The K-m marks the 1st good looking Pentax DSLR for me. I never care for the mono-top LCD much. In the film days, it is the only way to see your information and is required. But today with massive 2.5 - 3" LCD, I can get more visual information without straining my eyes.

I believe Konica Minolta 5D was the 1st DSLR ditching the top LCD, followed by Rebel XTi, then Nikon finally got into the act with their D40/D40x/D60 lines. I'm glad Pentax is finally on board. If you want to sell well in this entry-level market, ditching the old look is required.

Serious Professional camera will probably always retained their top mono-lcd:
the Canon 5DII, Canon 50D, Nikon D700/D300/D90, Pentax K20 etc...

But entry-level should shred this bulk for smaller design, like the:

Canon XSi/XS, Nikon D40/D40x/D60, Olympus 420/520, Sony A200, and now Pentax K-m.

I hope the USD price is reasonable, I buy one to see how the pentax world feel like.

Here is a nice place for exploring Pentax K-m: Pentax K2000 / K-m info page