PENTAX K-3 Mark III ■Impressions■ Kerrick James

#PENTAX #pentaxk3mkiii
PENTAX K-3 Mark III Photographer's Perspective
See the impression from other photographers about PENTAX K-3 Mark III, APS-C DSLR camera
ricoh-imaging.c...
• PENTAX K-3 Mark III Ph...
PENTAX K-3 Mark III product information
ricoh-imaging.c...
Your local contact
www.ricoh-imagi...

[@carlgarrard9710]

Its is by far the most advanced APS-C DSLR made by any company. I've tested it next to the best from Canon and Nikon (systems I also own as well) and it beats them both in nearly every metric in terms of speed and image quality (the only stand out area is buffer depth, where the D500 had the edge). But as an all round tool, neither can compete to the K-3 Mark III. It's got so many more useable features that photographers appreciate, better IQ, better weather sealing, and better build quality (yes even more so than a 7D Mark II). It's a pity that the commercial review sites can't just be honest about how good it really is. I guess Sony, Canon, and Nikon do a good job of putting them in nice hotels, fancy restaurants, and paying for photo events they attend for free. If Ricoh/Pentax had even a small marketing budget for the US/EU, they would sell many more cameras by far.

[@Needacreate]

Many commendations of the K-3 III may invite comments like, "Yeah, all very nice, but what's your frame of reference?" Kerrick needn't fear that question, given that he's been shooting just about anything Pentax since high school and over the course of a long pro career. So, Pentax ambassador or not, his word should carry some weight and open some doors for the new APS-C flagship. Do I have to mention that Kerrick has done an amazing body of inspiring travel photography over the years?

[@stuartcarden1371]

I've always been a Pentax fan and, until recently, I shot with the amazing K70. I've only recently switched to Panasonic and an M3/4 sensor because of the even lighter/smaller bodies and lenses (I use a wheelchair so lightness is the biggest priority). It's a wonderful and full featured camera system but I still miss the K70 a lot sometimes. The files from that camera were incredible. I can only imagine what the K3 III can do

[@MotoRich900]

I love my K1ii, hearing your impressions on the new APS-C flagship has me really wanting to see comparison images.

[@cannondale1100]

Where can I find a comprehensive video guide to using this camera ? I have never shot with Pentax before but the build quality is really drawing me to this system. Thank you.

[@user-cx6rg6mr7d]

Great to meet another Pentaxian!!! Amazing video!!

[@TheOdek1974]

Yes, your right.. kerrick.. pentaxians forever..

[@nikipetrov7594]

Hi. If the most important thing for me is the image quality, what to choose - K1 (used) or K3-III ??

[@rogerbradbury9713]

The high ISO performance sounds great. I was working at ISO 9000 just a week ago on my K3, wondering how the K3iii would handle it. The answer seems to be, very well! I still got some excellent shots, though.

[@JohnVander70]

Great photos.

[@toddm6999]

I love it..I want one..and keeping with the tried and true...and making that the best.. is always a recipe for success!

[@MadderMel]

Have you since bought one Todd ? And what do you think about it ?

[@akhyarrayhka4048]

ITS HERE LETS FRICKIN GOOOOOO

[@TheOdek1974]

Pentax is the best. Period.

[@publiusbrutus894]

Thank you for the review, but there is one thing that concerns me and I can't find an answer: off-camera flash. My K-5 had a pop-up that I used as a control to fire my 540FGZ remotely. Can the K-3 use a shoe mounted flash for the same purpose and do I need another 540 or can I use the cheeper 201FG as the control? If you have any ideas or suggestions I would be greatful.

[@stevericketts7414]

thank-you! this is exactly the type of review i was searching for. time to upgrade from my K-3 (original)

[@alkrevit4755]

Kerrick, very helpful video. I am glad you discovered technically servicable images with high iso. What about AF in low light? My K3 struggles in that arena. Thanks

[@RobRobBob]

This was great, thanks for this video! I'm really excited for the camera. I shoot a lot of different cameras, my K3 has been my main digital body for the last 6 years, I think this will be a great replacement for it.

[@hamburguesaSINcorazon]

It's a good camera, The only feature I want on the k1 it's that joystick

[@october001]

I'd sure like to see a demonstration of the AF and burst speed!

Nice review, do you have to calibrate your lenses on the Pentax K3-III? I'm currently shooting mirrorless but I wanna try out an optical viewfinder for lag free shooting, but I don't wanna deal with calibrating. Have a great day, Thanks.

[@francolanza]

great video , but about Pentax principles that they show in their web site , the only one that I see in this camera is about the optic viewfinder, technically this Pentax is like a mirrorless without electronic viewfinder. full of functions and settings, that the people want but how many really use it? one day I would like to see a Pentax digital camera simple like the LX...

[@Tkarma77]

Ordered mine to but nervous due to reviewers all seem to cover same and no live autofocus videos

[@MadderMel]

I want to get it !!

[@johncantrell614]

Have the original k-3, and now the k-3lll. Still just learning it out. But have one small problem with it. Using Snapseed on my tablet to edit the original k-3 images, I can reduce the size and edit the images that look pretty good on Facebook and Instagram. But in using the same procedure on the k-3ll images, while they look great on the edited images, when they are uploaded to Facebook or Instagram, I cannot get the posted images to look tack sharp on those platforms, as opposed to the original k-3 one posted. I am sure the problem is on my end, but I am still not sure what it is. Any suggestions?

[@pattespattes]

Nice vidéo !

[@ikonographics]

Very little information about the camera itself. It would have been nice to actually see more images.

[@rmgwheelsspokeslab.7767]

I don´t understand why they didn´t use a XQD card slot. Or 2x UHS-II. I´m so excited f this launch. Wish they have fixed unreal magenta-reds. Need to know more about the new AF system.

[@zvonimirtosic6171]

People must understand the set price limit; what is reasonable to expect for the current asking price? Extra turbo charged perks you demand, they cost a lot, and would increase the camera price. Pentax must balance things out, or you would scream they are asking $3000 for "a mere APS-C". But that extra cost you ask for is same, whether the camera is APS-C or FF or whatever. This K3III is a very reasonable offer.

[@mikedimimd]

Can anyone tell me how/if astrotracer is an option and how it compares to the k1

[@scphoto5244]

Just too bad they removed the GPS feature... no more geotags in exif or integrated Astrotracer :-(

[@scottwarner6785]

Agreed. Seems like it’s an obvious feature to have. Is there a flash instead?

[@Rosh72851]

How's the video specs?

[@wizofoz0605]

Who cares?

[@teeramate]

Plz make some nice compact WR prime lens.Maybe something like fuji wr prime F2 line up ( 16mm , 23mm ,27mm ,35mm ,50mm ) all of them are WR & faster lens also cheaper price than any HD pentax right now.

[@OurLadyofHopeCatholicChurch]

What kind of results can I expect using my Pentax FA primes on the K3iii

[@zvonimirtosic6171]

Some amazing results. I was happy with the results of the K7 (which were published, printed etc.) with Pentax primes, and this K3III, is, like .. a quantum leap.

[@OurLadyofHopeCatholicChurch]

@@zvonimirtosic6171 from what I have seen so far...the AF tracking and speed on this K3.3 may be better than the K1...your thoughts

[@zvonimirtosic6171]

@@OurLadyofHopeCatholicChurch The AF of the K3III is more sophisticated and better done than the AF in Nikon D5. I think Pentax users will be very pleased; the K3III is a top notch DSLR.

[@jasonswift7098]

k33? its K-3 mark iii

[@Gynra]

Ordered mine today!

[@ellicottraven2037]

I wish I could afford it.. sigh

[@molecula2215]

it`s all about marketologist`s WHITE NOISE. ISO 12800, umm? NR in RAW, eh ? And can not be disabled.... mua-ha-ha

[@takuan650]

Thanks for talking about Yourself.

[@DJhSnn]

I like what he says, but it will sound more honest if he wasn’t reading a script.

[@user-dd3mn2iz9p]

음.글쎄요. 꼭 펜탁스가아니라더라도 그정도는 사실 일반적인 사항으로 타기종 카메라서도 충분히 되는기능이져.펜탁스의 특징인 견고함이 생명이긴 한데.. 그외적인 기능으로만 보자면. 기능과가격적인 메리트는. 글쎄요. 그정도 가격이면. 선택할수 있는 카메라도 많코 먼가 매력적인 부분이 .딱히..들어오지가 않습니다. 기존k-3유저 입장에선. 좀더 .현실적인 가격이 되어도 ..dslr 쓰는 유저는 정해져 있는데. 그 유저들에게도 어필할려면. 먼가 매력적인 것이 있어야 되지 않을까요? 더 현실적인 가격이 되지 않는다면.. ..

[@potrzebiehuck]

Too little too late. It will be on sale in a few months, because no one but hard core fanboys will buy it. Not putting a K-1 style tilt screen on it must be the stupidest decision ever. And they probably haven't disabled the idiotic noise reduction of raw files either. Pentax is digging their own grave by not listening to what their customers want. Their ageing loyal customer base is shrinking, and there's no reason to buy into a brand that releases obsolete models every 5 years. Truly sad.

[@leitwolf70]

a perfect camera for everyone will never exist. A tilt screen is a gadget, less photographers need often. Pentax made the right decisions in a shrinking camera market.

[@patrickmckeag3215]

Right you are. No tilt screen? So when you want a shot close to the ground you lay on your belly in the mud to look through the viewfinder? Get serious!

[@leitwolf70]

@@patrickmckeag3215 If you want to do this, connect to your phone in live view. It is no miracle.

[@richardhale9664]

@@patrickmckeag3215 Yes I do lay on the ground when needed. I will also use an angle finder when needed. I have been shooting with a K3 for 6 years and a KP for 2. I probably only use the tilt screen of the KP 2 or 3 times a year, and only once did I really need it on either camera (camera on tripod low to the ground pointing upwards - that was really a p.i.a.).TBH I would prefer a flipping screen like the K70 more than a tilting one - and there is the first problem for the manufacturers. No one seems to agree which is better, tilting or flipping, so they get moaned at whatever they install. By having a fixed screen though the camera is more robust and the screen is bigger. For me, the style of screen (fixed, tilting or flipping) is not a major consideration when choosing a camera.

[@richardhale9664]

You may be right about the shrinking customer base, but this a problem all manufacturers are facing. If the claimed improved AF and ISO performance turn out to be true, coupled with a nicer viewfinder, this camera is not obsolete at launch. Tilting or flipping screens are not something everyone agrees on. Some like one, some the other. A fixed screen at least has the virtues of being both larger and more robust than either form of movable screen. I cannot say that I fussed at all about what type of screen has been provided. What is problematic is the launch price. As a Pentax user, I have been accustomed to a high build quality design with good ergonomics and some unique features, but with somewhat basic AF, offered at a very competitive price. We now have a camera which appears to sort out the AF issues and kept the long standing Pentax build ethos, but the price has risen considerably so that it no longer offers a price advantage over its peers. I find that rather off putting. I may well sell my KP and get the new model, but I am hesitant and somewhat nervous about doing so. I would like to see the camera in the flesh before making a final decision and heaven knows when that might happen. It is a big ask for stores to stock a minor brand in a difficult economic environment and a shrinking camera market. At least the new model has put to bed one thing. I had been considering on and off for a few years now - whether or not to get K1. I would rather have the K3iii than a K1 now as long as the claimed DR and ISO performance is true.

[@openeye126]

NO POP UP FLASH ??? ... what else is there to say !!!