My last SLR was a Pentax ME that I bought in 1979 so it is with some nostalgia that I just bought a KX single lens kit and 77 limited lens for just over $2K from Jason at SLR Revolution. The KX is very much like my old ME in that it is lightest in class and has great lenses. Unfortunately, I gave away my Pentax and all my lenses only about 10 years ago when I shifted house and found that they were all horribly mouldy. Really regret that especially my Takumar 50mm 1.7. Never thought the digital revolution would come this far and that the KX would be compatible with old Pentax lenses.
In between the two Pentax SLRs, I've had a host of point and shoots from Canon from 1MP to 12MP, with the last two being the Canon SD10 (great camera) and the Canon Ixus 120 (not so great). I haven't seen the Ixus 120 since I bought it because my daughter decided she liked it. Originally, I eyeing the Canon S90 due to its low light capability, but a buddy acquired the K7 and when I found out that the KX was the same price as the S90 and a Pentax, it was pretty much decided. The only pictures I would spend money on and really want super sharp are portraits of my family, so I decided to get the 77 limited portrait lens even though it cost an arm and a leg.
Still learning the KX, but what I am really impressed with is the ISO 1600 and ISO 3200 performance and in-body stabilisation. I even manage to hand hold a ISO 6400 shot of my dim solar powered lights at 1/10s and they came out clear with the kit lens at F4.0
The 77 Ltd lens is great, but on normal outdoor shots like the one below, any P&S can do it. BTW if you look carefully the girl is looking at me. Even at 120mm (35mm equivalent), I'm not far away enough to take discretely. This was outside Paragon.
There was a kids fashion show at Paragon and the following shots I think show the KX strong indoor capability at ISO 1600 and 3200 with a fast lens
The next shot shows the crowd reaction. The caucasian boy is overexposed (I was on spot, but missed I think). However, it brought out more clearly the reaction of the crowd to cute kids.
In between the two Pentax SLRs, I've had a host of point and shoots from Canon from 1MP to 12MP, with the last two being the Canon SD10 (great camera) and the Canon Ixus 120 (not so great). I haven't seen the Ixus 120 since I bought it because my daughter decided she liked it. Originally, I eyeing the Canon S90 due to its low light capability, but a buddy acquired the K7 and when I found out that the KX was the same price as the S90 and a Pentax, it was pretty much decided. The only pictures I would spend money on and really want super sharp are portraits of my family, so I decided to get the 77 limited portrait lens even though it cost an arm and a leg.
Still learning the KX, but what I am really impressed with is the ISO 1600 and ISO 3200 performance and in-body stabilisation. I even manage to hand hold a ISO 6400 shot of my dim solar powered lights at 1/10s and they came out clear with the kit lens at F4.0
The 77 Ltd lens is great, but on normal outdoor shots like the one below, any P&S can do it. BTW if you look carefully the girl is looking at me. Even at 120mm (35mm equivalent), I'm not far away enough to take discretely. This was outside Paragon.
There was a kids fashion show at Paragon and the following shots I think show the KX strong indoor capability at ISO 1600 and 3200 with a fast lens
The next shot shows the crowd reaction. The caucasian boy is overexposed (I was on spot, but missed I think). However, it brought out more clearly the reaction of the crowd to cute kids.
