D SLR Test: Pentax K-x vs Sony A550

Pentax K-x Prices unavailable Recommended alternatives Editor's Choice Sony Alpha 77 Entry-Level SLR Nikon D3100 All-Rounder Pentax K-5

Today our photo tests include two digital SLRs.  The K-x is Pentax's new entry-level option, and is now the only SLR in this price bracket to shoot video.  It can stand up to much more impressive cameras when it comes to sensitivity but is as fast as less fully-featured models.  The Sony Alpha 550 is in more marketable territory, making up for a lack of video with a very effective Live View mode and a rotating screen.

The Pentax K-x is a small, light entry-level SLR.  Despite being the successor to the very popular K-m, it still gets a new 12 Megapixel sensor, which paves the way for Live View and video, a symbolic advantage that other manufacturers only offer further up their ranges.  It also breaks with Pentax's habits for noise handling and can easily rival the competition from Canon and NIkon.

The Sony Alpha 550 is up against two heavyweights, because this section of the market is dominated by the Nikon D5000 and the Canon EOS 500D.  With no video mode, it has two other features: unrivalled responsiveness in Live View--thanks once again to Sony's trick of including a second sensor--and a high quality adjustable screen.  A burst mode at 7 fps also counts in its favour, while a new sensor promises improved handling of higher sensitivities. 

> Test: Pentax K-x

> Test: Sony Alpha 550

> Product Survey: Digital SLRs and Cameras with Interchangeable Lenses


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