Best Entry-Level
Budget DSLR Pentax K-x
12.4 megapixels Video 720P
Great Image Quality Fast 4.7 fps
Burst Mode $499
Package Deal
Pentax K-x
with
300mm
Lens
$819.95
DSLR Cameras - Entry Level - Budget
These cameras have interchangeable lenses and a large range of functions and capabilities. They have larger sensors than the Advanced Point and Shoot cameras so that produces higher quality pictures. The specs aren't quite as good as more expensive DSLR's but some of the cameras in this class provide a lot of camera for a pretty reasonable price.
Best Entry-Level Budget Camera - Pentax K-x Our pick for the best Entry-Level Budget Camera is the Pentax K-x.
Compared to Canon and Nikon, Pentax is an also-ran when it comes to DSLR market share.
They have to try harder in order to compete. This camera is a good example where the
features and the price make it very worth considering compared to the other cameras
in this group.
The Sony is a strong option as well however; we believe that most entry-level DSLR buyers
will be looking for a complete solution rather than strictly a still-camera. In our opinion,
this makes the Canon, Nikon and Sony options less appealing for the majority of buyers in
this class. For only $50 more than the Sony, the Pentax provides video and better still
picture quality than any of the others. It has exceptional low-light capability for a
camera at this level and it has the best-in-class burst mode at 4.7 fps.
More about the Pentax K-x
JQuery Tablify - Demo
Canon
Rebel XS
Nikon
D3000
Sony
A390
Panasonic
DMC-G2K
Olympus
E-PL1
Pentax
K-x
Price
$479
$540
$449
$570
$428
$499
Megapixels
10.1 mp
10.2 mp
14.2 mp
12.1 mp
12.2 mp
12.4 mp
ISO Max
(with boost)
1,600
3,200
3,200
6,400
6,400
12,800
Sensor
22.2 x 14.8
23.6 x 15.8
23.5 x 15.7
Four Thirds
18 x 13.5
Four Thirds
18.0x13.5mm
23.6 x 15.8
Video Mode
(highest)
None
None
None
1280x720
30 fps
No 24 fps
1280x720
30 fps
No 24 fps
1280x720
24 fps
Type
SLR
SLR
SLR
Mirrorless
Mirrorless
SLR
Standard
Lens
EF-S
18-55mm
f3.5-5.6
Auto-Focus
Nikkor VR
18-55mm
Stabilized
18-55mm
14-42mm
f 3.5 - 5.6
Stabilized
14-42mm
f/4.5-5.6
focus motor
18-55mm
f3.5-5.6
Lenses
Available
162
(Canon EF)
169
92
19
19
90
Sample lens
cost
EF 75-300mm
f4-5.6
Stabilized
$374
55-300mm
f4.5-5.6
Stabilized
$332
75-300mm
f4.5-5.6
$249
100--300mm
(Panasonic)
f4 - 5.6
$539
100--300mm
(Panasonic)
f4 - 5.6
$539
55-300mm
f4-5.8
$350
Viewfinder
Pentamirror
.50x
Pentamirror
.52x
Pentamirror
.48x
Digital
1440K dots
None
Pentamirror
.56x
LCD
2.5"
230K dots
3"
230K dots
2.7"
230K dots
3"
460K dots
variable position.
2.7"
230K dots
Fixed
Touch Screen
2.7"
230K dots
Battery Life
50% Flash
CIPA Test
550 shots
(optical)
190
(live view)
550 shots
(optical)
500 shots
(optical)
230
(live view)
350 shots
(optical)
330
(live view)
290 shots
(live view)
420 shots
(optical)
External (stereo)
Mic Jack
N/A
N/A
N/A
Yes
(non-standard
2.5mm)
No
No
Auto Focus
7 point
23 point
11 points
11 point
Image
Stabilization
In-lens
In-lens
In-camera
In-Lens
In-Camera
In-Camera
Image Quality
(DXO Mark)
62
62
66
53
54
72
Low-Light
(DXO Mark)
719 ISO
563 ISO
607 ISO
493 ISO
487 ISO
811 ISO
Color Depth
22 bits
22.3 bits
22.5 bits
21.1 bits
21.2
22.8 bits
Dynamic Range
10.9 Evs
11.1 Evs
11.5 Evs
10.3 Evs
10.3 EV
12.5 Evs
Shutter speed
(max)
1/4000
1/4000
1/4000
1/4000
1/2000
1/6000
Burst Mode
3 fps
514 shots (JPEG)
3 fps
2.5 fps
2.6 fps
3 fps
4.7 fps
Weight
502 g
536 g
549 g
428 g
334 g
580 g
Released
Mid 2008
Mid 2009
Mid 2010
Mar 2010
Mar 2010
Late 2009
Customer
Ratings
(from Amazon [A])
4.6
image qual 5
4.5
4.7
4.5
4.3
4.6
(Best Feature
Image Qual 5)
Warranty
1 year
1 year
1 year
1 year
(except for CCD, battery and memory card)
1 year
(International
Warrany)
1 year International warranty.
1 additional year in Canada.
Comment
Older technology. No video mode. Better than average low-light capability.
Older technology. No video mode.
Good image quality. Good price.
No video mode.
Features are pretty good but image quality and low-light perf. Are weak and price is high.
Lowest price.Small and light and has video mode. Specs are below the competition.
A winner. Has some of the best specs, includes video mode and the price is reasonable.
