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Pentax K-3 Summary
24 Megapixels
Single Lens Reflex
High ISO: ISO 6400 or more is available at full-resolution.
Stabilization: Compensates for tiny involuntary movements of the camera.
Automatic Level: Corrects for some degree of tilt to keep the horizon level.
Continuous Drive
Full 1080p HD Video: 1920 x 1080 resolution or more but less than 4K.
Manual Controls: Both fully-manual (M) and semi-automatic modes (T and V).
Custom White-Balance: Specifies exactly what should be white to the camera.
Action Photography: Shutter speeds of 1/1500 or more.
Night Photography: Reaches shutter-speeds longer than 4 seconds.
Hotshoe: Allows external flash units to be attached.
Spot Metering
Depth-Of-Field Preview: Improve perception of DOF before shooting.
Weatherproof - Seals protect from dust, humidity and light splashing.
Accepts Secure Digital Extended Capacity (SDXC), SDHC and SD memory.
Neocamera detailed review
Discontinued: No longer produced by the manufacturer. May still be in stock or found used.Pentax K-3 Assessment
The Pentax K-3 leaps forwards as the first Ricoh DSLR, bring a unique Anti-Alias Filter Simulator and Time-Lapse video up to Ultra HD (4K). This, together with a new 24 megapixels APS-C CMOS sensor and 27-point SAFOX XI autofocus engine with 25 cross-type points.
While almost keeping the ultimate ergonomics and usability of Pentax DSLRs, the K-3 packs the deepest feature-set of any digital camera with a high number of genuinely useful photographic functions.
The K-3 outputs excellent image-quality with very low image-noise and superb retention of fine-details, second only to the K-5 IIs among APS-C cameras. A slightly lower dynamic-range and more noise at high ISOs let it a little down while still delivering one of the best performance on the market.
The new autofocus system keeps the class-leading sensitivity of its predecessor and performs very similarly but with added sophistication. This makes it a fast AF system but leaves it behind other high-end cameras which can fair better for action photography.
The Ricoh Pentax K-3 clearly delivers as the most feature-rich DSLR around. Its high-resolution images makes it a superb landscape photography camera and its weather-sealed freezeproof body lets it travel in the toughest conditions to get the shot.
Neocamera detailed review Read the full Pentax K-3 review here.
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Excellent control over image-noise | Below average shot-to-shot speeds |
| Superb retention of details | Highly variable autofocus speed |
| Good dynamic-range | Tracking AF lags |
| Excellent metering | Pitch not shown in OVF |
| Natural image colors | Weak Live-View |
| Highly responsive | LCD too left |
| Class-leading focus sensitivity | Status screen does not turn off automatically |
| Good focusing accuracy | Short battery-life |
| Effective stabilization for all lenses | Usability setbacks compared to K-5 family |
| Unique Anti-Alias Simulator | Camera strap gets in way of mode-dial |
| Automatic Horizon Correction | |
| Digital Preview | |
| Post-shot RAW recovery | |
| Best-in-class weather resistance | |
 Excellent Excellent |
|
Recent Similar Cameras
Pentax K-3 Related Information
| Sister Models |
|---|
Pentax K-5 IIs Pentax K-5 IIs - 16 MP, 11-Point AF |
Pentax K-5 II Pentax K-5 II - 16 MP, Anti-Alias Filter, 11-Point AF |
| Reviews | |
|---|---|
| Neocamera | Photography Blog |
| ePhotozine | |
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|
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Pentax K-3 Highlights
SLR digital cameraSensor-Size: 24 x 16mm
Actual size when viewed at 100 DPI
| 24 Megapixels DSLR | ISO 100-51200 |
| Pentax K Mount 1.5X FLM | Shutter 1/8000-30s |
| 3-Axis Built-in Stabilization, 3.5-Stop Improvement | Full manual controls, including Manual Focus |
| 100% Coverage Large Viewfinder | Custom white-balance with 2 axis fine-tuning |
| Auto Horizon Correction 2 Axis Digital Level | Spot-Metering |
| Weatherproof down to -10C | Hot-Shoe & Sync-Port |
| Built-in Dust Reduction | Stereo audio input |
| 8.3 FPS Drive, 60 Images | Lithium-Ion Battery |
| 1920x1080 @ 30 FPS Video Recording | Secure Digital Extended Capacity x 2 |
| 3.2" LCD 1 Megapixels |
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