Canon owner contemplating Kx from the Dark Side

[bobt]

Hi Guys,

I am a Canon owner and shoot with a 40D which is fabulous BUT it is a tad large, heavy and obvious and I'm going overseas to places where I'd prefer something more discreet.

I think I'm rather keen on the Pentax Kx which is small, light but does HD movies and HDR and seems to be a great little camera for travelling.

I have a few questions ......

1) Does anyone have a Kx, and if so what's the image quality like with kit lenses? Is it capable of taking competition images or just ordinary snaps?

2) If this camera can take quality images, and I didn't go with the kit lenses, is there an affordable Pentax/Sigma walkabout lens that you'd recommend instead?

3) If anyone has a Kx do you have battery issues? The Kx is rumoured to eat them for breakfast.

I have a lot of money invested in Canon, but I'm prepared to lash out and buy a Kx if it can be a good, competent travel companion instead of a block of concrete around my neck!