• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 12.4 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 6400
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 12.3 megapixels
  •  
  • Detailed specifications
  • Pentax K-x
  • Olympus PEN E-PL3
Links
Prices:    
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor: Pentax K2000
K2000 vs K-x
 
Successor: Pentax K-r
K-x vs K-r
 
General
Model Number: K-x E-PL3
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: SLR Compact System Camera
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $649.95 $699.99
Street Price: $701.76  
Date Available: 2009-10-15 2011-09-15
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 27.9 oz (791 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
15.1 oz (428 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
Size: 4.8 x 3.6 x 2.7 in.
(122 x 92 x 69 mm)
4.3 x 2.5 x 1.5 in.
(110 x 64 x 37 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS Live MOS
Sensor Manufacturer:   Panasonic
Effective Megapixels: 12.4 12.3
Sensor Format: APS-C 4/3
Sensor size: 369.72mm2 (23.7mm x 15.6mm) 224.9mm2 (17.30mm x 13.00mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 5.53 microns 4.29 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 1.5x 2.0x
Aspect Ratio: 3:2 4:3
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter: Fixed Fixed
Self-Cleaning: Yes Yes
Sensor shift image stabilization: Yes Yes
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score: 72 52
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 22.8 20.9
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 12.5 10.3
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 811 499
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 4288 x 2848 (12.2 MP, Other),
3936 x 2624 (10.3 MP, 3:2),
3072 x 2048 (6.3 MP, 3:2),
1728 x 1152 (2.0 MP, 3:2)
4032 x 3024 (12.2 MP, 4:3),
3200 x 2400 (7.7 MP, 4:3),
2560 x 1920 (4.9 MP, 4:3),
1920 x 1440 (2.8 MP, 4:3),
1600 x 1200 (1.9 MP, 4:3),
1280 x 960 (1.2 MP, 4:3),
1024 x 768 (0.8 MP, 4:3),
640 x 480 (0.3 MP, 4:3)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.21), 12-bit RAW (.PEF, .DNG) JPEG (EXIF 2.2), MPO (3D), 12-bit RAW (.ORF)
Continuous-mode frames/second: 4.3 5.3
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes Yes
Movie Resolution: 1280x720 (24)
640x416 (24)
1920x1080 (60i (20Mbps/​17Mbps))
1280x720 (60p (17Mbps/​13Mbps))
1280x720 (30p)
640x480 (30p)
Movie File Format:   AVCHD, Motion JPEG
Composite Video Out: Yes Yes
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: Yes Yes
Video Usable as Viewfinder: No
HD Video Out: No Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: Pentax K (KA/KAF/KAF2/3) Micro Four Thirds
Lens: smc Pentax DA L 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL Olympus 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 II R MSC M.Zuiko Digital Zoom Lens
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 27 - 84mm 28 - 84mm
Focal Length (actual): 18 - 55mm 14 - 42mm
Zoom Ratio: 3.00x 3.00x
Aperture Range: f/3.5 - 22 (W), f/5.6 - 38 (T) f/3.5 (wide) / f/5.6 (tele) - f/22
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range:   25 cm to Infinity
9.8 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range:    
Filter Thread: 52.0mm 37.0mm
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: No No
Digital Zoom: No Yes
Digital Zoom Values: n/a 2x
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: SAFOX VIII TTL phase-detect 11 point (9 cross) AF: 11 pt auto, 5 pt auto, AF pt select, center/spot Contrast Detect: High-speed, 35-point with Face Detection and Tracking. Auto from all 35 area, Single area from 35 area, Group Target area (9 area) from 35 area, Up to 8 Faces Detected
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: Optical / LCD LCD
Viewfinder Type: SLR type; fixed eye-level pentamirror, 96% coverage, 0.85x mag., -2.5 to +1.5 diopter Optional EVF mounted in flash hotshoe
Focus Peaking: No No
EVF Resolution: n/a n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): 0.57x  
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 0.85x  
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes No
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 2.7 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 230,000 dots 460,000 dots (153,000 px)
Touchscreen: No No
Articulating Screen: No Yes
Tilt Swivel Screen: No
Selfie Screen: No
Max Playback Zoom: 16.0x 14.0x
Top Deck Display: No No
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 6400  
Minimum ISO (native): 200  
ISO Settings: Auto (200-6400), 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400; expandable to 12800 Auto (customizable range), 200 - 12800 (1/3, 1 EV steps)
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent (D, N, W, L), Flash, Custom Auto, Lamp, Fluorescent, Daylight, Flash, Cloudy, Shade, Underwater, Custom WB, One-touch WB
Shutter Speed Range: 1/6000 - 30 sec 1/4000 - 60 sec
Bulb Mode: Yes Yes
Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 3.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: 16-segment Multi, Center-weighted, Spot 324-zone Digital ESP, Center Weighted Average, Spot (~1%, with Highlight/Shadow modes)
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes Yes
Shutter Priority: Yes Yes
Full Manual Exposure: Yes Yes
Creative Exposure Modes: Auto Picture (Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Action, Night Scene Portrait, Picture (Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Action, Night Scene Portrait, Standard Flash Off), Scene (Night Scene, Surf & Snow, Food, Sunset, Kids, Pet, Candlelight, Museum, Stage Lighting [JPG], Night Snap [JPG]), Sensitivity Priority Portrait, e-Portrait, Landscape, Landscape + Portrait, Macro, Sport, Night Scene, Night + Portrait, Children, High Key, Low Key, DIS mode, Nature Macro, Candle, Sunset, Document, Panorama, Fireworks, Beach & Snow, Fisheye Conv, Wide Conv, Macro Conv, 3D, Underwater wide, Underwater macro; Art Filters (Pop Art, Soft Focus, Grainy Film, Pin Hole, Diorama, Dramatic Tone)
Self Timer: 2 or 12 seconds 2 or 12 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):    
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: Yes No
Flash Modes: On, off, redeye, slow sync, slow sync w redeye, slow sync w trailing curtain, wireless Auto, Red-eye reduction, Red-eye reduction slow sync., Slow sync at 1st curtain, Slow sync at 2nd curtain, Fill-in, Manual (Full, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/16, 1/32, 1/64), Off. Wireless flash control supported.
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): 11.3 m / 37.1 ft. 7.0 m / 23.0 ft.
Flash Range Description: Depends on lens Bundled external flash has GN of 7m (ISO 100) or 10m (ISO 200)
Max Flash Sync: 1/180 1/160
Flash Exposure Compensation: -2 to +1 EV in 0.5EV steps +/- 3.0 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection: Hot Shoe Hot shoe
Built-In Wireless Flash Control: Full TTL exposure  
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: SD / SDHC SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support:    
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: No No
RAW Capture Support: Yes Yes
Uncompressed Format: 12-bit RAW (.PEF, .DNG) 12-bit RAW (.ORF)
Movie File Format:   AVCHD, Motion JPEG
Included Memory: No memory included No memory included
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No No
NFC: No No
Bluetooth: No No
Built-In GPS: No No
Microphone Jack: No No
Headphone Jack: No No
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed USB 2.0 High Speed
PictBridge Compliant: No Yes
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: Yes Yes
Remote Control Type: Optional IR Optional RM-UC1 wired remote
Connections (extended): AC adapter available Accessory Port 2, Multi Connector (USB/AV/Remote), Mini HDMI (Type C)
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 0.39 0.57
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): 0.43 0.56
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): 10 8
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):    
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 4.3 5.3
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 25 9
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps):    
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames):    
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps):    
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames):    
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.10 seconds 0.24 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, tele):    
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter Lag (manual focus): 0.082 seconds 0.113 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): 0.23 seconds 0.43 seconds
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.082 seconds 0.073 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes): Live View: Phase-detect Full AF: 0.448s Contrast-detect Full AF: 2.567s Prefocused: 0.427s  
Startup Time: 0.6 seconds 2.1 seconds
Play -> Record Time: 0.2 seconds 0.6 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power: 3.3 seconds 4.9 seconds
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View):   300 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): 420 shots (NiMH AA)  
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: 4 x AA Proprietary BLS-1 or BLS-5
Usable Battery Types: Lithium, Alkaline disposables; NiMH rechargeables Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 4 x AA Alkaline disposables Proprietary BLS-1 Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): No Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included:
Internal Charging Supported:
Software
Included Software: CD-ROM OLYMPUS Viewer 2/[ib] CD-ROM
OS Compatibility: Windows XP/Vista/7, MacOS-X 10.3+  
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: Sensor-shift shake reduction, 720p HD video capture, Live View with face detection. Available in black or white. Limited edition colors of red and navy will become available at select locations to be announced. Sensor-shift Image Stabilization, 3-inch 460k-dot Tilting LCD, TruePic VI Image Processor, "FAST" AF System, Burst mode up to 5.5fps, Full HD movies, 6 Art Filters. External FL-LM1 flash bundled. Available in Black, White, Silver and Red.