Canon T1i vs Pentax K-x

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Canon T1i vs Pentax K-x

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APS-C 332.3mm²
15.1 megapixels
ISO 100 - 6400

Go in depth with our full Canon T1i Review.
See real-world photos taken with the T1i.

APS-C 369.7mm²
12.4 megapixels
ISO 200 - 6400

Go in depth with our full Pentax K-x Review.
See real-world photos taken with the K-x.

Succeeded by the Canon T2i
Compare T1i vs T2i

Succeeded by the Pentax K-r
Compare K-x vs K-r

Compare CANON T2I vs PENTAX K-R

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Differences

Canon T1i advantages over Pentax K-x

Fast startup
~0.30 vs 0.6 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
HDMI out
HDMI out vs None
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
More dots on screen
920k vs 230k dots
Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
Shoots 1080p video
Yes vs No
You'll want this if you shoot video
More pixels
15.1 vs 12.4 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Bigger JPEG buffer
Unlimited vs 25 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Pentax K-x advantages over Canon T1i

Larger sensor
APS-C vs APS-C
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Less expensive
$650 vs $900 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Bigger pixels
~ 5.53 vs 4.69 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
K-x test data on DxO Mark T1i test data on DxO Mark

811 vs 663 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Shoots 24p video
Yes vs No
Gives your movies a big-screen feel
Faster JPEG shooting
4.3 fps vs 3.4 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/6000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

Focus peaking
Neither provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Touchscreen
Neither provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Tiltable Screen
Neither provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Built-in Wi-Fi
Neither provide
Share your photos wirelessly
NFC
Neither provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
On-sensor phase detect
Neither provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Top deck display
Neither provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
External Mic Jack
Neither provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Pentaprism viewfinder
Neither provide
Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

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Review Excerpt

Read our Canon T1i Full Review

Read our Pentax K-x Full Review

The Competition

Compared to Canon XSi

Canon T1i

Canon XSi

$900
APS-C

Fast startup
HDMI out

$649
APS-C

Longer stills battery life

Compare Canon T1i vs Canon XSi

Pentax K-x

Canon XSi

$702
APS-C

Larger sensor
Less expensive

$649
APS-C

Fast startup
Bigger JPEG buffer

Compare Pentax K-x vs Canon XSi

Compared to Sony DSLR-A350

Canon T1i

Sony DSLR-A350

$900
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

$900
APS-C

Larger sensor
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon T1i vs Sony DSLR-A350

Pentax K-x

Sony DSLR-A350

$702
APS-C

Lens selection
Less expensive

$900
APS-C

Tiltable Screen
Longer stills battery life

Compare Pentax K-x vs Sony DSLR-A350

Compared to Pentax K2000

Canon T1i

Pentax K2000

$900
APS-C

HDMI out
More dots on screen

$556
APS-C

Larger sensor
Less expensive

Compare Canon T1i vs Pentax K2000

Pentax K-x

Pentax K2000

$702
APS-C

More cross-type AF points
Shoots 24p video

$556
APS-C

Compare Pentax K-x vs Pentax K2000

Compared to Pentax K-7

Canon T1i

Pentax K-7

$900
APS-C

Less expensive
Fast startup

$1300
APS-C

Larger sensor
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon T1i vs Pentax K-7

Pentax K-x

Pentax K-7

$702
APS-C

Less expensive
Higher effective ISO

$1300
APS-C

Longer stills battery life
Top deck display

Compare Pentax K-x vs Pentax K-7

Compared to Pentax K-r

Canon T1i

Pentax K-r

$900
APS-C

HDMI out
Shoots 1080p video

$850
APS-C

Larger sensor
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon T1i vs Pentax K-r

Pentax K-x

Pentax K-r

$702
APS-C

Less expensive
Shoots 24p video

$850
APS-C

Fast startup
External Mic Jack

Compare Pentax K-x vs Pentax K-r

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