Select two new cameras to compare

Pentax K-x vs Pentax K-m

Pentax K-x

Camera summary

The Pentax K-x, made by Pentax, is a powerful Compact SLR camera. Announced on Dec. 23, 2009. This camera has a Max Boosted ISO of 12800. Most modern cameras have higher values of ISO, this camera probably won't have the best performance in low light conditions.

See full specifications
Feature Score
Autofocus specs
3.6 out of 5 stars
Connectivity
1.7 out of 5 stars
Exposure mode
2.5 out of 5 stars
Photography features
5.0 out of 5 stars
Physical
1.7 out of 5 stars
Average Score
2.9 out of 5 stars

Predecessor

This camera builds on the success of its predecessor, the Pentax K-m, with advanced features and improved performance.

Compare this camera to the Pentax K-m

Sensor

This camera has a CMOS sensor with a 12 Megapixels resolution.

Focus points

This camera has 11 focus points. AF Face detection available, ideal for portraits and selfies.

Max video resolutions

1280 x 720

Expect recording in 1280 x 720 with support for the following formats: Motion JPEG.

Connectivity

Support for USB, transfer files and upgrade your camera's software directly from your computer.

Battery life

4 x AA

The battery of this camera can last up to 1900 shots per charge with the included 4 x AA battery. Consider that this value can fluctuate and depends on the mAh of the battery (sometimes generic batteries have more mAh) and also on the usage, the amount of time you use the screen, the flash, etc.

This camera offers a robust battery life that the medium value of all cameras. Feel free to take pictures freely, without having too worry too much about battery life.

Other features

This camera doesn't include a microphone port, which can be a major headache when recording video or interviews, consider it before buying it.

Pentax K-m

Camera summary

The Pentax K-m, made by Pentax, is a powerful Compact SLR camera. Announced on Sept. 22, 2008.

See full specifications
Feature Score
Autofocus specs
2.3 out of 5 stars
Connectivity
3.3 out of 5 stars
Exposure mode
2.5 out of 5 stars
Photography features
5.0 out of 5 stars
Physical
1.6 out of 5 stars
Average Score
2.9 out of 5 stars

Successor

This camera has now been superseeded by the Pentax K-x, which has more advanced features and characteristics, it would also be easier to get, especially new. Take that into account.

Aside from that, consider that you may probably need to update your camera soon and finding accesories could be more difficult compared to its successor. Of course you can expect a lower price for this camera as a compensation.

Compare this camera to its successor Pentax K-x

Sensor

This camera has a CCD sensor with a 10 Megapixels resolution.

Focus points

This camera has 5 focus points.

Connectivity

Support for USB, transfer files and upgrade your camera's software directly from your computer.

Battery life

4 x AA

The battery of this camera can last up to 1800 shots per charge with the included 4 x AA battery. Consider that this value can fluctuate and depends on the mAh of the battery (sometimes generic batteries have more mAh) and also on the usage, the amount of time you use the screen, the flash, etc.

This camera offers a robust battery life that the medium value of all cameras. Feel free to take pictures freely, without having too worry too much about battery life.

Other features

This camera doesn't include a microphone port, which can be a major headache when recording video or interviews, consider it before buying it.

Autofocus specs

Pentax K-x Pentax K-m
Af center
No
No
Af continuous
Yes
Yes
Af Contrast Detection
Yes
No
Af Face detection
Yes
No
Af live view
Yes
No
Af multi area
Yes
Yes
Af phase detection
Yes
Yes
Af selective
Yes
Yes
Af single
Yes
Yes
Af touch
No
No
Af tracking
No
No
Number of cross focus points - -
Number of focus points 11 5

Connectivity

Pentax K-x Pentax K-m
HDMI
No
No
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
Wireless connectivity - Yes (Hot-shoe, Wireless)
DXO color depth 22.8 22.4
DXO dynamic range 12.5 11.4
DXO low light ISO 811.0 513.0
DXO overall score 72.0 64.0

Exposure mode

Pentax K-x Pentax K-m
AF area
No
No
average
No
No
Center weighted
Yes
Yes
Multi segment
Yes
Yes
partial
No
No
spot
Yes
Yes

General

Pentax K-x Pentax K-m
AKA - -
announced Dec. 23, 2009 Sept. 22, 2008
Body type Compact SLR Compact SLR
brand Pentax Pentax
msrp $129.99 $0.00
model Pentax K-x Pentax K-m
Predecessor model Pentax K-m
Successor model Pentax K-x

Lense

Pentax K-x Pentax K-m
Focal length multiplier 1.5× 1.5×
Lens mount Pentax KAF2 Pentax KAF2
Manual focus
Yes
Yes
Macro focus range - -
Number of lenses 163 163

Other features

Pentax K-x Pentax K-m
GPS - -
Self-timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Storage slots 1 1
Storage type SD/SDHC card SD/SDHC card
Timelapse recording
No
No

Photography features

Pentax K-x Pentax K-m
AE bracketing
Yes
Yes
Aperture priority
Yes
Yes
Built-in flash
Yes
Yes
Custom white balance
Yes
Yes
Exposure compensation
Yes
Yes
External flash
Yes
Yes
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear curtain, Wireless Auto, Flash On, Red-Eye, Wireless Sync
Flash range 16.00 m 11.00 m (at ISO 100)
Image stabilization
Yes
Yes
Manual exposure mode
Yes
Yes
Max continuous shooting 5.0 fps 3.5 fps
Max mechanical shutter speed 1/6000s 1/4000s
Minimum shutter speed 30 30
Shutter priority
Yes
Yes
WB bracketing
Yes
Yes

Physical

Pentax K-x Pentax K-m
Battery life 1900 shots 1800 shots
Battery model 4 x AA 4 x AA
Battery type Battery Pack AA
Crush proof
No
No
Dust proof
No
No
Environmental sealing
No
No
Freeze proof
No
No
Physical dimensions 123 x 92 x 68mm 123 x 92 x 68mm
Shock proof
No
No
Water proof
No
No
Weight 580 grs 590 grs

Screen

Pentax K-x Pentax K-m
Live view
Yes
No
Screen resolution 230 230
Screen size - -
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Touch screen
No
No

Sensor

Pentax K-x Pentax K-m
Max boosted ISO 12800 -
Max image resolution 4288 x 2848 3872 x 2592
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Yes
Yes
Sensor area - -
Sensor dimensions 23.6 x 15.8 mm 23.5 x 15.7 mm
Sensor resolution 12 10
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor type CMOS CCD

Headphone port

Pentax K-x Pentax K-m
Headphone port
No
No
Max video resolution 1280 x 720 -
Microphone port
No
No
Video formats Motion JPEG -
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (24 fps), 640 x 416 (24 fps) -

Viewfinder

Pentax K-x Pentax K-m
viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentamirror)
viewfinder coverage - -
viewfinder magnification - -
viewfinder resolution no electronic viewfinder no electronic viewfinder