Pentax K-3 Mark III Hands-on Review

[@jack002tuber]

I love my K-5, love the Pentax brand. I'm in the dslr camp and not moving.

[@Gynra]

I happily shoot both DSLR and mirrorless. As said in the video, both have their advantages. I find a DSLR easier to use in contrasty conditions where my eyes can see into the shadows, but an electronic viewfinder can't. This means I will know what the shot will look like after bringing up the shadows from the RAW sensor output. And Pentaxes are so rugged, with great ergonomics, customisability and image quality. I love all my cameras, but the Pentaxes are the most fun to use. I would have liked to have seen the K-3 III given a more thorough review, as six minutes hardly scratches the surface of this very capable camera.

[@minolta4life831]

I might buy a Pentax in the future. I'm all mirrorless but I do sometimes want a DSLR I miss the mirror.

[@ROCKERIMI]

Do not do it.All Pentax cameras has bad autofocus.I have two pentax cameras ...K5o and K1....But I want to change brand.I am portrait photographer and Pentax is not god for portraits..7 years experiens.For landscape is great but not for portraits and fashion.I would like buy Sony 7Rvi.Best regards.

[@swimgc]

@@ROCKERIMI I agree with you. I am also a pentax shooter and they have bad autofocus. I might eventually change to canon mirrorless in the near future. I love the pentax brand and have been shooting with it for almost a decade. Very disappointed that they did not see the future and still living in lala land.I wish them well.

[@yoba4745]

​@@swimgc ​Now that they've fully upgraded their AF, you decide to change and waste so much money, Really strange... BTW, I'm also working with it for long and AF is not so bad for general use. I'll wait a bit for a K1II upgrade, I'm currently really happy with it. I tried a few canon bodies, and I think you underestimate what makes you like Pentax brand. Try before buy :)

[@yoba4745]

​@M Tech What glass are you talking about? have you tried some? I Own 7 myself and they all deliver excellent IQ and ergonomics for the Job. Compare marketting specs if you want, but if you really focus on your job, balance is everything: Will you shoot street photo with a 1kg lens or will you choose a pancake? Won't you prioritize bokeh and color rendition for a portrait shot? Won't you trade an aperture stop for a bit more sharpness closed down and a good weathersealing on a macro lens? In this respect, I always found that Pentax lenses are relevant and "usage oriented", and they do not disappoint if you know why you buy it (seems most people have problems with this). Leave comparisons to reviewers, and please try first before sending useless assertions.

[@yoba4745]

​@M Tech Sorry but I only see excellent lenses in the ones you did mention. Not any reason for a NO GO on Pentax because of this. Compromises are made on every lenses, no exception. For instance, the 70-200* you don't like has full internal zooming and advanced weathersealing. optical formula is also impacted by this. The sharpness is maybe not best in class, but still excellent from what I can read and see: look at real photos and tell. To me that's a good compromise. www.pentaxforums.com/reviews/hd-pentax-d-fa-star-70-200mm-f28/introduction.html I shot sports and events under heavy rain with * zooms like that (50-135* in my case, which is incredible), can you pretend the same? The 20-40 is a unique zoom by its small size and weatersealing. Many compromises, but the perfect walkaround lens with good rendering and nice bokeh. praised by many users. No doubt I'll buy one if I ever go back to APSC. The kind of glass that stays in your pocket everywhere you go, not a heavy zoom that stays on the shelve (but so praised by reviewers). With My K1, I often use a 43mm 1.9 FA lens which is by its size, aperture and rendering a unique lens as far as I know: a glass from 1997 btw. Look at that: www.flickr.com/groups/986347@N22/ and think about the size: camerasize.com/compact/#826.395,773.82,ha,t People tend to buy it used and mount it on mirrorless bodies with adapters. I wonder why if Pentax has such a bad reputation at doing lenses? Now I'm convinced you don't shoot to print "bus stop" size photos, so why considering pixel to pixel sharpness as your main criteria? most photographers shouldn't. and you shouldn't make assertions about brand quality when obviously this is only based on your own really personnal perspective.

[@Tkarma77]

I have it.. image quality and ergonomics outstanding.. pure joy to shoot with

[@Tkarma77]

@TCaad10 I like a tilt screen but it's not a showstopper for me.. you can connect to phone and control / take pics from there.. it's a fantastic camera.. expensive but as someone with a lot of Pentax gear it's worth it.. if you want flipping screen for vlogging etc then there are better options.. for pure photography it's fantastic

[@Tkarma77]

@TCaad10 no problem 😁.. check it ticks all your boxes.. for me there is something a bout Pentax cameras I love.. others may not have same feeling..

[@checksix_TC]

I just loaned a Pentax KS2 to shoot for a day. I loved the viewfinder and the clunk of the mirror going up and down. It's a very tactile shooting experience so different from a mirrorless camera. I am getting a K3 III as soon as it's available.

[@OuttaHere7]

So did you buy the K3 III?

[@theharper1]

Pentax didn't invent the pentaprism but they made it into a working system. There's a reason why there's "Penta" in Pentax. ;) Thanks for the review. I think it was a balanced and reasonable overview, although you didn't mention subject and eye recognition - perhaps those are all so standard that they are simply expected features?

[@FanofAslan]

Big Pentax fan here; and I'm sticking with my K-50 DSLR. I want to upgrade to the model in the video, but it is beyond my current budget. But a man can dream!

[@0y0chang0]

Its good to see that Pentax scheduled a snow storm to show off their weathersealing.

[@tonytfuntek3262]

Tried it and I see no advantage going to mirrorless. The EVF still has an "Unreal" look. Sticking with my DSLR for now. That said, if you are shooting video then yes mirrorless is the way to go.

[@TheUrbanmeister]

Absolutely.

[@stuartcarden1371]

I love Pentax and I miss how rugged their cameras are. I shoot Fuji now; the cameras are great but you don't have the confidence you could fight a bear with them.

[@duanebrankley8984]

I started with Fuji back in the film days. Fujicia St 605n, But Fuji did not have a upward path, that Lead me to Pentax.

[@takuan650]

I shot a bear with mine. I survived and the bear.

[@zvonimirtosic6171]

Although mirrorless do things with apparent ease, it does not mean they are better. As Ansell Adams said, “The sheer ease with which we can produce a superficial image often leads to creative disaster.” Photography NEVER happens in the camera - it always happens 12 inches BEHIND the camera.

[@PiDsPagePrototypes]

12 inches,... so, in he spot where they're scratching he back of their heads...

[@stricklandsports]

A. Adams used huge view cameras. So 12” would be about right.

[@Emma-zk6it]

I have this camera on my wishlist.. I don't care about video and it looks like a nice upgrade from the KP

[@guyjordan8201]

Astro tracer is the one feature that makes me regret not going Pentax. Their mix of brilliance and stubbornness is epic but that fixed screen was a stopper for me.

[@wadihogeil8867]

I had a flippy screen out on a camera shooting outdoors and tripped.....a dent on the lens and the flippy screen was busted. So it comes down to compromises, When I am outside or travelling the more solid, safe non flippy screen suits me better.....

[@Photo-ms1mo]

Do not get tripped hahaha ;-) you can brake more than a camera !

[@shred3005]

I’ve got a Pentax K-1 and and Fuji X-E4 and I can tell you that using an EVF like on the Fuji is way less of an nice experience than the optical view of a DSLR like the K-1. EVF doesn’t give you much extra info (histogram overlay might be the most important but not much). The framing, clarity, understanding the light in the scene and real depth of field understanding from a DSLR really makes for a better experience and as such results in my experience

[@duanebrankley8984]

I have bee with Pentax since the film days, Yes I now gone digital & re-founded my Love of Photography, now I have a K10d and upgraded to the K3-II just as they were discontinued. If I am to upgrade I will be going to the Pentax K1 line, as I have two APS-C bodies. I don't plan on leaving Pentax, It is a well made camera. Just wish they would do more advertising here in the US!

[@yashveersingh1795]

Beautiful landscapes 💚💕💗🌟

[@rosswaugh1254]

Hi Dave, thanks for a nice fair review of the Pentax K-3 III and its capabilities. I think you are right - if you are invested in the Pentax system, and still enjoy using DSLR's then it is a very nice upgrade. Across the camera industry we are spoilt for choice these days which is really good news.

[@DaveTCSTV]

Thanks for watching and for the feedback.

[@kennygo8300]

I have a couple of DSLRs left in my "collection". This looks a lot like a new release D7200 type camera. That's not bad at all! I still shoot with them every week. Pentax isn't a brand that I've used (Nikon /Panasonic shooter). I kept my DSLRs when i "upgraded" to mirrorless. Both types have their drawbacks and advantages. It looks like a great camera, but as you said, I don't have any Pentax gear, so I'll admire it from afar. I do hope it sells well and Pentax stays in the game.

[@laurentldoldi840]

I sold my Fuji X-T2 3 year ago to buy a KP because it has the Astrotracer mode for star photography. Now I have sold it and purchased a K-3 III, which also has the Astrotracer mode.

[@jshanni2066]

Nice review. The fixed screen is the one doubt I have on the K3iii . The ovf is fine - you know what you're getting with an SLR, that's the whole point - but it doesn't mean an adjustable screen isn't useful at times.

[@theharper1]

Pentax wanted the camera to be rugged, but the design was all about the improved OVF. I think that they didn't want to distract from the OVF by accommodating a flippy screen. It was stated in one of the interviews that by avoiding a flippy screen they could make the LCD more flush to the body to make the OVF more comfortable to use.

[@jbp6759]

Enjoyed the video. I think the camera has plenty to offer anyone, not just existing Pentax users, so long as they don't plan to shoot a lot of video. It's a stills camera and a great one at that. More and more people have only shot with an EVF and I think many would prefer an OVF if they gave it a try. You give up "what you see is what you get" in favor of a more intimate photography experience, where you are actually looking at the scene through your lens, instead of looking at yet another screen (many of us office workers prefer that!). That plus ergonomics, great button layout and fast control of the exposure, customizability, and unique features like the built-in astrotracer (with a firmware update no gps module is required anymore), are all reasons to own this camera. Not for everyone, of course. Video is a must for some, others prefer EVF.

[@alistairbell6728]

I've been using Pentax since 1982 Me-super. The K3iii is very special. I use the Battery Grip & normally the 50-300mm plm. Excellent. 󠁧󠁢

[@quirkworks4076]

Pro Pentaxian since the 80s. The K-3iii is on the list.

[@rwilifeandtravel]

Seems like a decent DSLR with some very unique features but what reason could there be for not having some form of articulating screen?

[@davidpereira9238]

Their excuse was compactness. Still haven't found anybody praising its size, but lots (myself included) not liking the fixed screen.

[@rwilifeandtravel]

@@davidpereira9238 I like the specs of the camera. This is the first Pentax DSLR I’ve found interesting but the lack of an articulating screen is a no no. For me it’s a standard requirement of any modern camera.

[@davidpereira9238]

@@rwilifeandtravel , I understand that. For me it's not a deal breaker, as it'd be an upgrade from a KP, but indeed it's essential for some.

[@polacofederos]

just a minor observation, K3III does not require OGPS-1 to do astrotracer. It takes some shots to determine the stars rotation and uses that to comensate. Not very sure if was originally a functionallity that was there at the release, but at least has been added later by firmware. The only problem is that if you dont have the ogps-1 then it will not have gps tags. A shame they did not included the gps. I would expect that K-1III if it ever is done, maybe in my dreams, still includes it.

[@rayjennings3637]

Four months ago I traded in my 2 K-3 IIs and a bunch of Pentax lenses and moved over to MFT with the OM System OM-1 and three PRO lenses. The camera was a delight to handle and outdoors it was extremely good. However, most of my photography is indoors and preferably without flash and that's where it all went wrong. I was dreadfully disappointed with the low light performance of the OM-1 and coming from the ordered menu structure of Pentax, I was wrong-footed with quick changes, etc.. As a result, two days ago, I traded in the OM stuff and bought the K-3 III and a couple of wide angle lenses. I was out and about yesterday and popped into a couple of local churches to test it out and Realised I'd made such a mistake by ever going away from Pentax. The K-3 III shone. It was a joy to use and the low-light performance was outstanding. I'll not stray again!

[@af4396]

I like my DSLRs, for the same reason I like my tube amps, manual combustion engine cars, and real women.

[@MrVitalino123]

Very good video about GREAT Camera!

[@karlraffelsieper1232]

Been shooting DLSR for decades, and will continue to do so. Mirrorless is still in my bag but it's mostly for quick "snaps" or vacation shots. Personally I just can't stand the lag associated with them. Maybe one day when they have totally nailed it I'll use them rather than DSLR. I have seen great reviews of the K-3 iii and am so close to pulling the trigger. I just have to convince myself there is little advantage now to go with full frame. All but one of my lens are full frame so I'm not tethered one way or the other. Thanks for a balanced review.

[@deanroslynmengel5575]

Love Pentax - tough cameras!

[@DRTMaverick]

I've got a Pentax *ist D and a Pentax K20D. I haven't upgraded in over a decade. The cost is offputting, but is it worth upgrading to the K-3 MIII?

[@glaekenFP]

can I shoot 4k video without zoom/lens noise using DA 18-135 ,DA 35 F 2.4 and SMC A f 1.4?

[@jeffdrew625]

K3ii with PK lens collection and really pondering the upgrade in features with K3mk3. However, no articulated screen and old eyes have pushed me toward checking out mirrorless tech too. OTOH, your clip is a winner, given outside Calgary, on the River, AND snowing! Nice colors! Subscribed! 👋

[@josefmolina3510]

Ja, for nostalgic reasons I am also using from time to time still my Nikon D850. But if things become important, the Z9 is the way to go. DSLR is maybe not dead but also not the tool of choice today any longer. The EVF is absolutely not an issue, I don't get it what the complaint is here. Check out the EVF of the Z9 or A1 or even R5 and you will not complain.

[@RJW998]

If you pick up and try a K3 iii, you will buy one, fantastic effort Pentax for making a DSLR relevant for photos (video not so much). EVF's aren't great apart from hybrid X100v etc. I have a Lumix S5, great stills and video, but still bought a K3iii jet black edition and a 31mm and I have no heritage Pentax lenses.

[@mindyourownbusiness5589]

I have had several Pentax DSLR's the last one being a KP but I have now gone back to Olympus and a OMD EM1ii and it's the best camera I have owned. Sorry Pentax but I will not be going back to a DSLR

[@laurentldoldi840]

Except if you make star images then Pentax Astrotracer mode is a must.

[@donkey3081]

I Love my classic Pentax K3, the quality is just awesome 📷❤️

[@josegeraldoresendeboaventu2274]

very good... pentax k3 is great. thanks.

[@gdjaybee742]

My biggest grip with this camera, in as much as this IS their top of the line pro level camera, there is NO REASON for this camera to ONLY have 3 second buffer! Especially for the asking price of over $2k. Nikon D500 STILL beats this, and that camera is 5 years old, and to make things worst, the Autofocus IS behinds the top tier cameras such as the D500 and the 7D markII. THEN THERE IS NO ARTICULATING SCREEN! Seriously Pentax, asking for so much for a sub par product.

[@highestsprings]

Nice review and seems to cover all bases in an honest way. Personally I always wanted optical view finder as I find it more engaging. I will be staying with dslr, personally I recommend people to try one if they are new to purchasing cameras. Don't be put off by the hype of mirrorless ,Pentax make some intuitive, usable cameras with great colour science. A nod to nostalgia, the mk111 is a great, rugged piece of gear.

[@michaelmoran2022]

I have a nikon d7500, but this looks like a great camera with fantastic images may buy one in the future😁

[@endowpictures22]

😁😁😁😂😂😂

[@grahamhobbs3501]

Before we get too carried away by explanations of what DSLRs are - Canon and Nikon flagships are still currently DSLRs

[@wadihogeil8867]

What is the price difference? In Australia it is a big difference. This isn't the flagship camera. (pity)

[@BigJohnnyMoe]

I freaking love the end... hahaha

[@timwoodcock5635]

Does this camera have built-in ability to link to a phone to provide an external screen?

[@audunturi1418]

Yes, it does! I have the camera so I can comfirm. You just download an app called ImageSync and then you are using your phone to see the images and controll the camera. Very nice and easy:-)!

[@class_a]

Just mentioning "100%" coverage does not do the OVF design justice. The apparent viewfinder size is almost as big as that of an FF camera. Some engineers worked very hard to obtain such a large and bright image. The fact that the K-3 III supports eye-AF when using the viewfinder could also have been mentioned, given how rare that feature is on DSLRs. I don't like the tacit assumption that "mirrorless is the way to go" at all -- why do most reviewers insert their own preferences and/or somehow assume that market trends apply to all photographers? -- but mostly the review was fair and informative.

[@DaveTCSTV]

Thanks for the comment, Yes the viewfinder is fantastic on this camera and perhaps I should have said more about it. I am glad the review came across as fair. Something I strive for in each episode.

[@class_a]

@@DaveTCSTV Thanks for the reply, Dave!

[@PiDsPagePrototypes]

1:15 - you do know there's an Exposure Preview function built in?, right,.. Page 65 of the manual. (it's in the power switch,...Pretty sure it's been there as far back as the IstD ) Looking for at least one reviewer to eventually plug a Shogun, Ninja or Video Assist in to the K-3iii and tell us if it's got clean feed output. Yeah, non-flippy screen - that's because the Anti-Video side of the Pentaxian Stills Shooters campaign against anything that will "impact our Stiiiiiills cameras",....

[@StrikeFromTheSkies]

Have you ever used the exposure preview function you're talking about? Because I did and all it does outside of LV is it takes a picture so you can check the exposure out on the back screen.

[@zvonimirtosic6171]

What do you think you get with the mirrorless? The ‘exposure’ visible in the EVF or histogram is not what the sensor really sees in 12-bit or 14-bit RAW. It’s the screen JPEG analysis.

[@StrikeFromTheSkies]

@@zvonimirtosic6171 And? What does that have to do with the exposure preview in Pentax DSLRs?

[@PiDsPagePrototypes]

@@StrikeFromTheSkies Are you sure you're not slightly pressing the shutter button at the same time? Should just be making the Iris stop down to the current setting, rather then the wide-open for focus preview.

[@PiDsPagePrototypes]

@@zvonimirtosic6171 Depending on settings, on the Pentax K-01 Mirrorless, or in the Live View mode on the Pentax DSLR's, the view on the screen by default matches the 'focus preview' view through the OVF. It can be changed to be a true Live View, but it's not the default behaviour.

[@TTbagger]

I'm not a pro, bought the k3 III after owning k70, k3, k3ii and kp. I had also a very good mirrorless but sold it. I never felt it "real", so to speak, although loved the photo quality. The only complaint about the k3 III is the high ISO noise, and I don't mean at 200.000 but already at 3200. Or even lower. Or it might be me doing something wrong😀. Great review, by the way!

[@sammyjaketucker]

I wish someone can help me out. I have very limited access to mirrorless cameras but I've looked through two, the last being a Sony A7r3. I thought they were HORRIBLE. It was like looking at a very bad video game. I admit I'm getting old and definitely old school but I don't get the mirror less thing. If I need to see my exposure I can use live view. I use the viewfinder and in my view (pun intended) mirror less sucks.

[@RodolphosTechchannel]

This would be a huge success….if it was released 4 years ago

[@takuan650]

I would have stayed with Pentax if their woeful AF performance (slow and unreliable) would not have ruined some of my outdoor sessions real bad. The cameras and lenses are otherwise quite good and were affordable back then. Many years later they come up with another K3III and want $2000 for it??!! Me back to Pentax? Nope!

[@arcanum70]

To me it's not a matter of being in one "camp" or another. Both have advantages and disadvantages, and I see no reason not to shoot both if you can.

[@Photo-ms1mo]

Ergonomics are great apart from lack of fully articulating screen or even a tilt screens of k-70 , kp, or K-1 is a no buy for me unfortunately. Also no built in gps like in older models is a another step backwards. Those were 2 most important features for me I was hoping to see in this camera. But the nail to the coffin is its image quality issues .They made the same mistake when upgrading excellent Pentax K-1 to K-1 m@rk 2 They do not listen to their customers.

[@swimgc]

I am also a pentax shooter and they have bad autofocus. I might eventually change to canon mirrorless in the near future. I love the pentax brand and have been shooting with it for almost a decade. Very disappointed that they did not see the future and still living in lala land.I wish them well.

[@Romeo-lu7wt]

I'm a Pentax owner, Pentax K1 mark 2, it's a great camera, sorry won't be buying the K3, even though I like some of the new features , unless I get rich. 😁🇦🇺

[@andrear9500]

It’s so pleasing to hear you that I am sorry it lasted 6 minutes.

[@robertspeicher5047]

Seeing through the lens....The sensor.....will see the same thing....?.......Mirrorless......you see what the sensor sees Will the sensor show the color YOU see with your eyes?

[@punkrachmaninoff]

Pentax needs to release a M-I-R-R-O-R-L-E-S-S K1000 that only takes stills and a chassis that is manufactured the exact same way as the original K1000. They price it at $1000 and they will be happy campers.

[@PiDsPagePrototypes]

That's the ONLY way a "Stills Only" body will ever succeed - Canon and Nikon both found out the hard way that Stills Only bodies Do Not Sell Well. But, as Mirrorless is really just a Video Camera that takes stills, it'd also be easy to do one with Stills Firmware, and one with Video Firmware, and put HDMI, Mic in, Headphone out etc in a battery grip.

[@thegreatvanziniphotos5976]

I do still love my Nikon df stills cam. Even at 16 mp's the results are stunning.

[@PiDsPagePrototypes]

@@thegreatvanziniphotos5976 - Not surprising, it was a good sensor at the time, just a giant sales flop.

[@xmeda]

$1600-1800 maybe, €2000? Eh..

[@lilguilty]

Pentax is great. But video on any k is for emergency’s only haha

[@dsa4931]

NON ARTICULATING SCREEN IS THE NEGATIVE POINT...🤔🤔🤔

[@MichaelGerrard]

There is one word to describe this in 2021: curious

[@ИльяЩукин-о4ы]

У вас у всех вечно всё супер-кул. Всё, кроме Сути.

[@karlman1397]

Some of the audio sounded like it was recorded in a cave.

[@maximme]

AUTOFOCUS speed is Class shaming

[@perilthecat]

USD$2000 for an APS-C DSLR with no third party lens support in 2021 🤦‍♂️ Let’s see if they can squeeze blood from a stone…

[@minoa7596]

Pentax has an excellent full APS-C lens lineup (unlike Nikon, Canon, Sony). Third party options are nice to have, but you're not exactly crippled by lack of 3rd party support.

[@jessecole614]

Also every k mount lens, Pentax or otherwise made in the last handful of decades will work and be fully stabilized. My favorite lens (Pentax SMC 100mm f4 macro) is ancient, full metal, renders beautiful color, sharp as a sharp thing, mounts straight on the body, and cost me 20 bucks Canadian. There are literally thousands of bulletproof vintage lenses for this system. No BS adapters required.

[@TylerWardhaha]

Pentax has the BEST gen to gen lens support of ANY brand.

[@christianmayrhofer4178]

Yes the lens lineup is bad. Where is a 35mm 1.4 or 35mm 1.8? Or a good quality 50mm 1.8? I only see overpriced plastic lenses like the horrible 35mm 2.4 (heavy CA) or the 50mm 1.8. The kit zooms are also very bad and not sharp. I am also bothered by the many rebadged Tamron zooms that then cost massively more under the Pentax name. Olympus and Lumix can do much better. I have seen this since i sold my Pentax equipment and switched over.

[@Wh33lsofFortune]

First! Lol

[@trantienlan]

Omg, old technology at best.., so sad. Imagine trying to sell this thing on Kijiji? No one will care…

[@eagleeatsmonkey3621]

can't believe a company in 2021 can make this kind of mistake ... dslr is dead 10 years ago

[@edduffy9366]

Wow, a tad bit late to the game on this review.