Pentax’s conventional-looking 12-megapixel K-x digital SLR camera comes after the company’s 10-megapixel K-m, which it shares many features with.

These include a prominent Auto Picture mode for point-and-shoot operation in which the camera does the thinking. Like its predecessor it’s powered by four AA batteries inserted into the handgrip, it has a robust chassis and a 2.7in rear screen.

In addition to the higher resolution the K-x has Live View - with a dedicated button - so its screen can be used for composing and reviewing photos. The same view is used when shooting high-definition video at the 720p resolution, a feature that has become more commonplace on SLRs.

The continuous shooting speed for still photos has been bumped up to 4.7 frames per second (from 3.5 on the K-m). However, we were surprised to find that Pentax has left out the HDMI port for hooking the camera up to a flat-panel TV. To watch shot video in all its glory you will have to run it through a computer first.

The camera switches on in an instant, and shooting modes can be selected from the option dial on the top plate. Though battery life was a disappointing 210 shots from the standard alkaline AA batteries we used, swapping these for a set of rechargeable Lithium-ion AA batteries will increase that figure significantly.

As with all cameras on which the lens can be changed, the user can choose which lens will best suit the job. The 18-55mm zoom supplied as part of the kit we are looking at is a good value, jack-of-all-trades option.

Since Pentax has built its image-stabilisation technology into the camera rather than the lens it’s not necessary to use special lenses to get good re sults when shooting handheld. For an extra £150 Pentax will throw in a longer 55-300mm lens.

Quality was good, with even exposures all around and colours cool but realistically so, with the camera left on its default settings. The images benefited from a little sharpening on the computer and we did notice some purple fringing when zooming in on sections of some images.

In the main, though, the combination of K-x camera and kit lens performed very well, and, for the price it’s a very good value product.