Yup... a personal test was done because I do not trust the results from tests done by others! Need to see with my own eyes. Very basic test i.e. same scene, same composition, same illumination, same lens and similar camera settings. I discount the minor variations which are but natural in such testing. As far as I can tell... these three cameras are nearly the same for everyday generic shooting... which is a great thing for Pentaxians on a budget. Almost similar IQ for everyday shooting with generic settings. Cameras primarily differentiated by feature-set... not by quality of IQ for newbies considering which camera to buy!
The K5 does show a definite edge in my PP work-flow however. Which is why I am attracted to it. Along with its other useful features such as 100% viewfinder, considerably quieter shutter, weather resistant body, etc.
The K-x and K-r are almost the same in output. Very difficult to tell them apart unless I pixel peep and resort to extreme testing in PP. The fact that the K-x fared slightly better is just a technical point. For practical reasons and everyday generic photography they are the same.
The point I wished to make is that Pentax has not allowed the K-x to become obsolete when it comes to IQ. I now think of the K-r as an upgraded K-x... sort of like a new Deluxe version because it has the same output with a few more features for those who may feel the need for it. But put them together in a 'race' based on pure IQ and it would be nearly a 'draw'!
