Pentax K-m

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    Highlights

    • 10.0 MP APS-C CCD Sensor
    • 100 - 3,200 Native ISO
    • 5 Focus Points
    • Image Stabilization
    • 2.7" 230k dot Fixed Screen
    • Optical (pentamirror) Viewfinder
    • 3.5 fps Continuous Shooting
    • Built-in Flash
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    Disclosure: We earn money from the affiliate links to products associated with content in this article.

    Overview

    Pentax K-m was announced in 2008 and is an APS-C (23.5 x 15.7 mm) DSLR camera with 10.0 Megapixel CCD sensor. Its native ISO ranges from 100 to 3,200. The camera has a Fixed 2.7" screen with 230k dot resolution and built-in Optical (pentamirror) viewfinder. It has a built-in Sensor Shift in body image stabilization.

    Table of Contents
    1. Overview
    2. Pros and Cons
    3. Predecessor
    4. Successor
    5. Screen and Viewfinder
    6. Sensor
    7. Photography Features
    8. Connectivity, Battery and Storage
    9. Other Features
    10. Physical Parameters
    11. For Different Types of Photography
    12. Evaluation
    13. Specifications  

    Pros and Cons

    In this section we present pros and cons of Pentax K-m.

    PROS

    •   Image Stabilization
    •   Built-in Flash
    •   Long Battery Life - 1800 shots

    CONS

    •   No Video Capture
    •   Low Resolution Sensor - 10.0 Megapixel
    •   3,200 Highest Native ISO
    •   Timelapse Recording
    •   5 Focus Points
    •   No Face Detection
    •   Fixed Screen
    •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
    •   No Live View
    •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.5 fps
    •   No HDMI Output
    •   No Built-in Microphone
    •   No Microphone Input
    •   No Headphone Output
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
    •   No Built-In Bluetooth
    •   No Environmental Sealing

    And here are some specifications which fall into average criteria and are neither in PROs nor in CONs category:

    AVERAGE

    •   100 Lowest Native ISO
    •   Screen Size - 2.7"
    •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
    •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/180 sec
    •   DxO Overall Score - 64
    •   Weight - 590 g (1.30 lb / 20.81 oz)

    Predecessor

    Here we are comparing Pentax K-m to its predecessor K110D and displaying the major changes.

    UPGRADES Pentax K-m vs Pentax K110D
    Higher Sensor Resolution 10.0 Megapixel vs 6 Megapixel
    Lower Native ISO 100 vs 200
    Max Image Resolution 3872 x 2592 vs 3008 x 2008
    Image Stabilization Sensor Shift vs
    Larger Screen 2.7" vs 2.5"
    Higher Resolution Screen 230k dot vs 210k dot
    Higher Max Continuous Shooting 3.5 fps vs 2.8 fps
    Multi-Segment Metering vs
    Center Weighted Metering vs
    Spot Metering vs
    DOWNGRADES Pentax K-m vs Pentax K110D
    Less Focus Points 5 vs 11
    Built-in Microphone vs Stereo
    Heavier 590 g (1.30 lb / 20.81 oz) vs 585 g (1.29 lb / 20.64 oz)

    For more detailed comparison between the models please visit Pentax K-m vs K110D.

    Successor

    In 2009 Pentax K-m was replaced by Pentax K-x. Let us now have a look at some important differences between Pentax K-m and its successor.

    UPGRADES Pentax K-x vs Pentax K-m
    Video Capture vs
    Higher Sensor Resolution 12.6 Megapixel vs 10.0 Megapixel
    Higher Native ISO 6,400 vs 3,200
    Max Image Resolution 4288 x 2848 vs 3872 x 2592
    More Focus Points 11 vs 5
    Face Detection vs
    Live View Autofocus vs
    Contrast Detection for Autofocus vs
    Live View vs
    Higher Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) 1/6000 sec vs 1/4000 sec
    Higher Max Continuous Shooting 4.7 fps vs 3.5 fps
    Higher DxO Low Light ISO 811 vs 513
    Higher DxO Color Depth 22.8 vs 22.4
    Higher DxO Dynamic Range 12.5 vs 11.4
    Higher DxO Overall Score 72 vs 64
    Built-in Microphone Mono vs
    Lighter 580 g (1.28 lb / 20.46 oz) vs 590 g (1.30 lb / 20.81 oz)
    Longer Battery Life 1900 shots vs 1800 shots
    Orientation Sensor vs

    For more detailed comparison between the models please visit Pentax K-m vs K-x.

    Screen and Viewfinder

    Fixed screen

    Pentax K-m has a 2.7" Fixed screen with 230k dot resolution which is quite low by today's standards.


    Optical (pentamirror) Viewfinder

    Camera has a built-in Optical (pentamirror) viewfinder. It has a 96% coverage and 0.85x (0.57x 35mm equivalent) magnification.

    Sensor

    Pentax K-m features a 10.0 megapixel APS-C CCD sensor with dimensions of 23.5 x 15.7 mm and a total area of 369 mm2. Its native ISO range is 100 - 3,200.


    Here is a sensor size comparison chart where you can see how Pentax K-m's APS-C sensor compares with other types of sensors:

    Sensor size chart
    Sensor Dimensions Area Aspect Ratio Crop Factor
    Image cannot be displayedMedium Format44 x 33 mm1452 mm24:30.79x
    Image cannot be displayedFull Frame36 x 24 mm864 mm23:21x
    Image cannot be displayedAPS-H27 x 18 mm486 mm23:21.3x
    Image cannot be displayedAPS-C23.5 x 15.7 mm369 mm23:21.5x
    Image cannot be displayedAPS-C (Canon)22.3 x 14.9 mm332.3 mm23:21.6x
    Image cannot be displayedMicro Four Thirds17.4 x 13 mm226.2 mm24:32x
    Image cannot be displayed1-inch13.2 x 8.8 mm116.2 mm23:22.7x
    Image cannot be displayed1/1.7-inch7.44 x 5.58 mm41.5 mm24:34.7x
    Image cannot be displayed1/2.3-inch6.17 x 4.55 mm28.1 mm24:35.6x

    Photography Features

    Camera can take pictures up to 3872 x 2592 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolutions like 3008 x 2000, 1824 x 1216 with 3:2 aspect ratios.


    Lens Mount

    Pentax K-m has Pentax KAF2 lens mount. Due to APS-C sensor its crop factor (also called lens multiplier) is 1.5x. This means that a 35mm equivalent focal length of the mounted lens will be equal to its actual focal length times 1.5.


    In-Body Image Stabilization

    The camera has a built-in Sensor Shift in-body image stabilization (IBIS). This means that you are still getting vibration reduction when camera is paired with non-image stabilizied lenses. It also works with lenses with optical image stabilization and in combination can achieve even better compensation.

    Check out the cameras which are frequently compared to Pentax K-m.

    Pentax K-x
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    APS-C

    12.6 MP

    Pentax K110D
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    APS-C

    6 MP

    Pentax K-01
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    16 MP

    Sony FX30
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    26 MP

    Pentax K-3 III Monochrome
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    25.73 MP

    Nikon Z8
    Image cannot be found

    Full Frame

    45.7 MP

    Canon 70D
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    20.2 MP

    Canon 5DS
    Image cannot be found

    Full Frame

    50.6 MP

    Sony a6100
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    24.2 MP

    Sony a6300
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    24.2 MP

    Canon 7D II
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    20.2 MP

    Nikon D5600
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    24.2 MP

    Connectivity, Battery and Storage

    USB Input

    Pentax K-m has a USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) input for data transfer.


    Battery

    Pentax K-m comes with 4 x AA battery pack with battery life of 1800 shots.


    External Storage Slots

    The camera has a single SD/SDHC card slot.

    Other Features

    Shutter

    Pentax K-m's shutter speed can go up to 1/4000 sec. Camera can shoot continuously up to 3.5 fps.


    Flash

    Pentax K-m has a built-in flash with maximum range of 11.00 m at ISO 100 and also accepts external flash. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/180 sec.

    Physical Parameters

    Pentax K-m has dimensions of 123 x 92 x 68 mm (4.84 x 3.62 x 2.68"). It weighs 590 g (1.30 lb / 20.81 oz) which is neither heavy nor lightweight.

    123 mm (4.84")

    92 mm (3.62")

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    92 mm (3.62")

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    68 mm (2.68")

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    Pentax K-m dimensions

    Pentax K-m for Different Types of Photography

    We give scores to the camera for different type of photography based on its features and specifications. Let us see how Pentax K-m is suitable for six different types of photography.


    Landscape Photography

    AVERAGE
    64

    Pentax K-m gets a score of 64 and is AVERAGE choice for Landscape photography.

    •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
    •   No Live View
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   No Environmental Sealing

    Sports Photography

    AVERAGE
    61

    Pentax K-m gets a score of 61 and is AVERAGE choice for Sports photography.

    •   3,200 Highest Native ISO
    •   5 Focus Points
    •   No Face Detection
    •   Image Stabilization
    •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
    •   No Live View
    •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.5 fps
    •   Long Battery Life - 1800 shots

    Wildlife Photography

    AVERAGE
    60

    Pentax K-m gets a score of 60 and is AVERAGE choice for Wildlife photography.

    •   3,200 Highest Native ISO
    •   5 Focus Points
    •   Image Stabilization
    •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
    •   No Live View
    •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.5 fps
    •   No Environmental Sealing
    •   Long Battery Life - 1800 shots

    Portrait Photography

    GOOD
    72

    Pentax K-m gets a score of 72 and is GOOD choice for Portrait photography.

    •   5 Focus Points
    •   No Face Detection
    •   Image Stabilization
    •   Screen Size - 2.7"
    •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
    •   No Live View
    •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/180 sec

    Street Photography

    GOOD
    80

    Pentax K-m gets a score of 80 and is GOOD choice for Street photography.

    •   5 Focus Points
    •   Image Stabilization
    •   Fixed Screen
    •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
    •   No Live View
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   No Environmental Sealing
    •   Weight - 590 g (1.30 lb / 20.81 oz)

    Travel Photography

    GOOD
    81

    Pentax K-m gets a score of 81 and is GOOD choice for Travel photography.

    •   Image Stabilization
    •   Fixed Screen
    •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   No Environmental Sealing
    •   Weight - 590 g (1.30 lb / 20.81 oz)
    •   Long Battery Life - 1800 shots

    Pentax K-m Evaluation

    We evaluate Pentax K-m and give score of 58 out of 100. We also give separate scores for 7 different categories according to the available features and specifications some of which are listed below. These evaluations are relative and may change each time a new camera is added to the database.


    OVERALL
    58

    Sensor

    GOOD
    70

    We give Pentax K-m a score of 70 for Sensor parameters.

    •   Low Resolution Sensor - 10.0 Megapixel
    •   100 Lowest Native ISO
    •   3,200 Highest Native ISO
    •   DxO Overall Score - 64

    Photo

    AVERAGE
    69

    We give Pentax K-m a score of 69 for Photo parameters.

    •   Timelapse Recording
    •   Image Stabilization
    •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
    •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.5 fps
    •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/180 sec

    Video

    BAD
    0

    We give Pentax K-m a score of 0 for Video parameters.

    •   Image Stabilization

    Focusing

    AVERAGE
    69

    We give Pentax K-m a score of 69 for Focusing parameters.

    •   5 Focus Points
    •   No Face Detection

    Screen and Viewfinder

    AVERAGE
    65

    We give Pentax K-m a score of 65 for Screen and Viewfinder parameters.

    •   Fixed Screen
    •   Screen Size - 2.7"
    •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot

    Connectivity

    POOR
    40

    We give Pentax K-m a score of 40 for Connectivity parameters.

    •   No HDMI Output
    •   No Built-in Microphone
    •   No Microphone Input
    •   No Headphone Output
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
    •   No Built-In Bluetooth

    Battery, Storage and Physical

    AVERAGE
    55

    We give Pentax K-m a score of 55 for Battery, Storage and Physical parameters.

    •   No Environmental Sealing
    •   Weight - 590 g (1.30 lb / 20.81 oz)
    •   Long Battery Life - 1800 shots


    For a full specification list please go to the specifications page:

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