| Author: | | Loyal Site Supporter Registered: September, 2009 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 7,594
3 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: July 5, 2015 | Recommended | Price: $990.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Everything Good on K-3, GPS, Pixel Shift High Resolution, Better low light focus, faster focus | | Cons: | No built in flash | | Ergonomics: 10
Build Quality: 10
User Interface: 10
Autofocus: 9
Features: 10
Value: 10
Image Quality: 10
Noise: 9
New or Used: New
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This is a minor but welcome update of the outstanding K-3 which has been the top of the line Pentax DSLR for almost two years. Although a few people had some trouble with GPS locking up and the camera not turning off, it seems that most of us have had trouble free cameras. For my use, which is mainly outdoors, hiking and exploring the canyons and mountains of he southwest, the addition of in camera GPS is a big improvement. I have used the OGPS-1 since it came out but have always found it somewhat inconvenient to use since I sometimes forget to bring it and when it is on the camera there is no flash possible without kludgy workarounds. Now we can have full time GPS (including track logging) and still attach a flash when necessary. Astrophotographers will also benefit from the built in astro tracker functions. I have never tried this but may try some star photos on my next overnight in the desert. I have only experimented briefly with the Pixel Shift feature but it works smoothly and quite quickly. I tried several hand held shots which were at best not as good as other handheld photos taken without pixel shift and most of the time suffered from severe blurring. But that is what the manual says so there is no surprise. I do not use a tripod often but I plan to try this feature out with a tripod more frequently soon. The photos I took with Pixel Shift and a tripod were sharp but I am not yet convinced that it is worth the extra hassle for my type of photos. Tracking does seem to have improved a bit for me. I have managed a higher percentage of successful BIFs with this camera than I have gotten form my K-3. That is subjective but I am convinced. I include a duck BIF for illustration (K-3ii DA*50-135). It is one of a half dozen keepers from about 9 shots taken in a burst. SOOC crop only. 
I have given the camera a high rating because, for me, it is as good as the original K-3 which I have been using since it was introduced and includes several nice improvements.
| | | | | | | New Member Registered: June, 2015 Location: Iasi Posts: 14
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: July 27, 2015 | Recommended | Price: $1,143.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | built quality, ergonomics, innovative features, battery life, price tag, | | Cons: | focusing system, clumsy menus, no built-in flash | | Ergonomics: 9
Build Quality: 10
User Interface: 7
Autofocus: 5
Features: 9
Value: 10
Image Quality: 10
Noise: 8
New or Used: New
| |
I have a history of film cameras, and after switching to digital, I went through Nikon D7000, Canon 5D mk II and Canon 7D mk II.
I miss the simplicity of film cameras. I moved to Pentax hoping to find that.
I also miss the amazing focusing speed and focus area coverage of the Canon 7D mk II. more of that below.
I have yet to discover the usefulness of the GPS as opposed to a built-in (fill) flash.
The menus are nothing short of boring, and that could have been saved with a custom My Menu feature where you could save your most used few sub-menus, instead of trying to guess their position on the Info screen, let alone browsing thru all menus for the same result.
Focus points are all cluttered in the middle of the frame and quite slow in real time action. I'm sort of used to that from the 5D2, where using the centre point became almost natural. Using one of the wheels to select a focus point would have been much more efficient, but I understand the reason of not putting that in.
I have used the camera with the Sigma 18-35/1.8 and the Pentax HD 70/2.4. I was expecting more from the Sigma and less from the Pentax lens. It was the other way around. I was not very impressed with the Sigma, but I was blown away by the Pentax, despite its noisy and lazy focus. Sigma is way below slow and lazy anyway. Perhaps a firmware update will fix that at some point...
High ISOs are not impressive, even in DNG post-processing, but that's not unusual for APSCs. Still, the K3-II does a much better job at that than its Canon brother, 7D2.
I've mentioned good ergonomics, but I'm only referring to the compact camera style multi function directional buttons down to the not-quite-under-the-thumb position. OK, the ISO, EV compensation, AF and AE buttons are also in good spots, but that's about it. And their grip versions are a different story.
I actually have no complaints with using both hands for viewing or deleting pictures, Nikon has the same thing and it's fine, even if Canon managed to put everything on the thumb side of the camera (7D2). Using the camera for everything with one hand only is exhausting, especially with grip on and a massive lens mounted. I don't check every picture I take, but when I do, I'm happy to give my right hand some rest.
Battery life is impressive. I ran well over 2000 DNGs on two batteries (one in the body, one in the grip, with the grip one first on cue).
I never use the original strap, I always use a slingshot, and the K3-II with grip has a weird balance compared to the Canons, which always hang straight, with the lens in the desired direction. The K3-II tend to turn with the lens inward, a bearable thing with the 70/2.4 attached, not so cool with the huge Sigma on, which will always hit the hip while walking. No running.
I'll come back with some links to original DNGs from a recent trip to Danube Delta to see for yourself.
| | | | | Forum Member Registered: July, 2015 Posts: 53 | | Review Date: September 29, 2015 | Recommended | Price: $1,100.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Much improved AF over K5II and earlier | | Cons: | high ISO perfomance worse than K5II | | Years Owned: 3 months
Ergonomics: 10
Build Quality: 10
User Interface: 10
Autofocus: 9
Features: 10
Value: 9
Image Quality: 9
Noise: 8
New or Used: New
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The good:
AF is considerably improved over K5II and earlier cameras (can't compare to K3). None of my lenses need any micro adjustment, they all focus spot on. It also seems to track face in viewfinder when using continuous AF, subject tracking is also way better than K5II.
Someone said AF in Canon 7D MkII was better - for 650 USD more I'd expect it to be much better.
Metering seems better as well, I don't need to adjust exposure in Lightroom as much as I had to with K5II.
Improved ergonomics, especially placement of back AF button, right where you need it under the thumb.
Menus - I find them easy to use and navigate. Tried friend's Canon 5D III and couldn't figure it out so easily.
USB3.0 makes transferring files much faster than before.
Less good:
ISO over 1600 worse than K5II at 100% magnification, but at print size still very good.
Overall it's a step forward from K5II.
Mine was within affected serial numbers when it comes to power off issue but got resolved in 7 days by Ricoh UK service centre.
I'm very happy with it.
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: October, 2012 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,437 | | Review Date: October 1, 2015 | Recommended | Price: None indicated
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | GPS, no flash, pixel shift, image quality, image stabilization, handling, | | Cons: | No flash, menus are too croweded | |
I'm pretty pleased with this camera. It's only con is that it lacks a flash. That is also, truly, a pro.
If you've used any of the recent K-series prosumer bodies, you're already familiar with how this camera works, handles, and interfaces with the user. What this body has that others lack is the on-board GPS and the pixel shift function.
Pixel shift is an interesting function. It's for only some circumstances: motionless camera, motionless subject, and steady lighting. I thought that would make pixel shift ideal for architecture. It has worked well for interiors but poorly for exteriors. Building movement and heat-related air density changes are enough to cause a zipper-like pixel shift alignment error effect.
Here are some sample images:
Pixel-shift sample
 | | | | | | | Forum Member Registered: February, 2014 Location: Zagreb Posts: 73
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: July 21, 2016 | Recommended | Price: $1,200.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Build quality, WR, Tons of features, customizabile | | Cons: | Video quality, heavy | | Years Owned: 2
Ergonomics: 10
Build Quality: 10
User Interface: 10
Autofocus: 10
Features: 10
Value: 10
Image Quality: 10
Noise: 10
New or Used: New
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The the best Pentax APS-C DSLR on the market (at the time of writing). Pentax crammed all the features you could want from a prosumer DSLR and them some, making it the best bang for buck out there for an enthusiast/pro photographer. I'm gonna skip on specs as you can find that anywhere, and just describe my experience with it:
The AF works in complete darkness, it's fast and accurate. Tracking moving subjects works well, but for pro sports/wildlife photography you may want to looks elsewhere. The lack of built in flash is important only for amateur flash photographers, as the rest use an external flash anyway. The camera is built like a tank, and can take a beating, and the Weather resistance is excellent, as expected.
I had a Pentax K-500 before and I dreamed of a D810. Since getting the K-3 II, learning to use it effectively and getting some good glass for it, I no longer want or need a Full frame DSLR's. The results I can achieve with this are 99.999% the same as any Full Frame DSLR, for a fraction of the cost and weight/size. Enough said.
People looking for high quality video from their DSLR should look elsewhere, though. Despite it's pro features such as a mic/headphone jack, this is not a video camera by any stretch. Low bitrate, aliasing and no IBIS during video pretty much destroy any video capability it could have had. Also, the body is surprisingly heavy for such a small camera, but if using Pentax limited primes it's still a quite light setup overall.
Here are a few shots I've taken with the K-3 II:
For more examples, check out my Flickr Page | | | | | Pentaxian Registered: May, 2016 Posts: 3,723 | | Review Date: October 10, 2016 | Recommended | Price: $730.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | solid and reliable, good performance | | Cons: | | | Years Owned: 6 months
Ergonomics: 10
Build Quality: 10
User Interface: 9
Autofocus: 9
Features: 10
Value: 10
Image Quality: 10
Noise: 8
New or Used: New
| |
I use this camera most often with the 15, 40 and 70 limited lenses, but I have other as well. I've used this camera for street shots, landscapes, concerts, news, indoor sports, regular holiday photos, macro, a few astrophoto attempts... works well for a lot of things! Paired with a light lens, it's comfortable to hold and literally run around with  The interface is well thought and the body has enough physical cues to let you learn where all buttons are without looking. It performs predictably and reliably (accurate af and exposure, good dynamic range, large raw buffer, etc). It has lots of useful features and they've been covered extensively by others, so I'll just say that they work well.
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: March, 2012 Location: Joensuu (Finland) Posts: 1,761 | | Review Date: October 15, 2017 | Recommended | Price: $700.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Ergonomics, AF, speed deamon | | Cons: | WiFi, | | Years Owned: 1
Ergonomics: 10
Build Quality: 10
User Interface: 10
Autofocus: 10
Features: 8
Value: 9
Image Quality: 10
Noise: 10
New or Used: Used
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Having owned a K-5 and all its succesors, the K-3II was a joy to use. In every aspect. All the good stuff from its predecessors plus all the upgrades of a newer model.
My only gripe would be the poor wifi implementation. The connection would often drop, caused overheating and so battery drain.
| | | | | Seeker of Knowledge Registered: August, 2016 Location: Topeka, Kansas Posts: 24,581 | | Review Date: December 17, 2017 | Recommended | Price: $836.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | seems well made, sharp, great value with battery grip | | Cons: | | | Years Owned: new 12/17
Ergonomics: 10
Build Quality: 10
User Interface: 10
Autofocus: 10
Features: 10
Value: 10
Image Quality: 10
Noise: 10
New or Used: New
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I had passed on the K 3 II earlier and went for the K 3 + battery grip and the accessory GPS unit
then I found the deal that B & H is currently offering ( just checked, it is still available ) where you pay $7.00 over the price of the k 3 II for the K 3 II + the battery grip.
I decided to sell the K 5 II and go for it.
very satisfied  | | | | | Pentaxian Registered: May, 2008 Location: London, UK Posts: 1,697 | | Review Date: December 17, 2017 | Recommended | Price: $700.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | Fast AF | | Cons: | poor tracking! | | Years Owned: 1
Ergonomics: 8
Build Quality: 9
User Interface: 8
Autofocus: 6
Features: 9
Value: 8
Image Quality: 8
Noise: 6
New or Used: Used
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Bought used, but with v.low shutter count earlier this year.
Edited March 2018: Used mainly at airshows, and the AF lock-on improvement over the K-3 is very noticeable - but so then is the ability NOT to maintain lock when the plane moves!  | | | | | Pentaxian Registered: January, 2011 Location: Skĺne, Sweden Posts: 482
6 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: January 14, 2018 | Recommended | Price: $1,100.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Build quality, features, menu, size, allround package | | Cons: | Some inherent to DSLRs, AF-tracking | | Years Owned: 2
Ergonomics: 9
Build Quality: 10
User Interface: 9
Autofocus: 8
Features: 9
Value: 10
Image Quality: 9
Noise: 9
New or Used: New
| |
To give a brief background and to put my review in a perspective: I focus on model/portrait work since around 5 years. I have worked with K-x, K-5 K-3, K-01 and other systems as well - E-M5 mk1 and Fuji X-T1. I enjoy outdoor sessions best, but shoot indoors in a home studio during the winter. Having used the K-3 mk1 before parts of this review is borrowed from that review. Ergonomics & Build Quality
Somewhere I read that you could "hammer a nail" with the K-3. I wouldn't advise that, but it surely has a great build quality. Pretty compact yet weighing in at around 800 g as well as a sturdy build makes it feel like a premium product. It goes very well together with the build quality of the Limited lenses and old manual lenses. I you have used the K-3 this will be very familiar, and quite similar to the K-5 too. One thing I liked better on the K-5 was the metering option switch, that was located around the mode dial on the K-5, that was much easier to operate in the dark, e.g. at fashion shows or performances. As I never use the movie mode, I would have made due without the movie/stills switch, record buttons and such. To me the K-3 is a stills camera. Build quality is very good and the Limited series are a good match.  User Interface
This is one of the reasons I like Pentax. The menus are straightforward, they don't change (much) over time and models, and they are well thought out. Being a semi-pro camera the K-3 II has of course lots of external controls for most common functions (ISO button, exposure compensation, metering mode, and of course dual control wheels, so you don't have to resort to the menus at all for most common functions. It is hard to go back do a entry level camera for work when you get used to this. For portrait shooting I would like to move around focusing points with the directional buttons while looking through the viewfinder at all times, and focus with the rear AF button. This setup works very well with the K-3 II so I haven't felt that a dedicated AF-point selector is missing, but I am sure that would have been even better. I have gotten so spoiled by the Pentax menu layout, but when you use other brands you really do appreciate it. Comparing the menu to Olympus (E-M5) or Fuji (X-T1) I do prefer Pentax, especially over the Olympus. To me an interface should be all business, well thought out (then they don't need to change it each time) and self-explaining (you shouldn't need to resort to the manual as an advanced user). Pentax truly deserved 10 out of 10 in this area. Autofocus & Features
One of the main reasons for upgrading from the K-5 to the K-3 was the improved auto focus, and the K-3 II is the same. However, it was a bit of a gamble, since I hadn't found a satisfying answer to my main concern. For portraits I shoot at large apertures and at close range, typically a couple of meters with the FA77 for a head-shot or half body. This gives very shallow DoF, stressing the AF-system accuracy. I don't care about tracking subjects, or AF-speed in those cases, just pure accuracy. Accuracy will depend on the situation, where color temperature, backlight etc will affect the system. Generally the K-5 would generate a keeper rate of about 60-70% where focus where perfect or close to perfect. Maybe the best pose or expression of the model was in the other 30-40%, not so fun. 100% is never achievable, but I wanted more. The K-3 II is a step up in this area, where the keeper rate would be upwards 80-90%. The 3 "super points" in the center are notably more accurate, but for compositional purposes I still want to use the other points (mostly corner points). Still, useful to have them available for those difficult situations. Also using the Fujifilm X-T1 quite a bit for portraiture I have experienced pros and cons for both OVF and EVF. The OVF is maybe not a feature but inherent to the DSLR design, but still I like it in the studio with flash work, where the EVF can't decide on the "boost level", where the OVF is constant. Even the best EVF will show some lag and decoupled feeling. Advantages of the EVF would of be greater magnification possibility regardless of sensor, focus peaking for manual focus, and the most apparent - to accurately preview the exposure. A nice to have feature of the K-3 II is the built-in GPS that I wish every camera had, perfect when travelling. For the more specialized features of the K-3 II - the AstroTracer and Pixel-shift they don't apply to my area of work so I have never used them extensively but would of course be very important to an astro photographer or still life. Looking at the competition the automatic AF calibration in the D500 would have been a nice addition! Weather resistant design makes you confident! Shot with DA*55. 
Being the flagship model for Pentax in the APS-C range nothing has deliberately been crippled on the K-3 II. You get all the goods, like high frame rate, large buffer size, most advanced AF-system available, lens AF-correction (per lens), exchangeable focusing screens. You also get interval modes, electronic level, selectable AA-filter (I just turned it of, never experienced any moire issued yet, and if you do the "simulator" won't get rid of them completely. I always shoot RAW and edit the files, and in Lightroom it is very easy to get rid of moire with a brush. In-body shake reduction is another great feature, especially when you shoot a bit of old manual glass as well. Two very useful features I got to have in any future body is the customization of Auto-ISO settings, where you can choose from slow, normal or fast, and also selectable high and low range. Simple software implementations that should be present in all enthusiast cameras IMHO. Another very useful feature to judge exposure is the combination of histogram + bright/dark area in playback mode. Shooting paid assignments dual SD cards have become something I really appreciate in a camera, even if I never have had any card failures. There are of course many more features, like catch-in focus when using manual glass, the many drive modes, best in-class OVF (I use it with the O-ME53) etc. Value
This is a bit subjective since I am already invested in and familiar with the Pentax system, but I find the K-3 to give the best "bang-for-the-buck" in its class. The Semi-Pro APS-C DSLR-segment sees little competition, where Nikon and Canon has taken another route with the 7D mk2 and D500 - going for Pro-level AF at a premium price point, where the predecessors where more in direct competition with the K-3, the K-3 II now has no apparent competition in it's price range, with other APS-C DSLRs being crippled at this price point. The competition is strong from mirrorless systems and I also used a Fujifilm X-T1. Fuji also aims at the semi-pro / enthusiast segment both with cameras like the X-T1 but also with lens lineup. I like and use both systems, having different strengths and weaknesses. Image Quality & Noise
This was not the main reason for upgrading from the K-5 to the K-3, and not to the K-3 II either. Most of my work end up on the web or in small print, so I was already happy with the 16 Mpixel cameras in resolution. I do miss the dynamic range of the K-5 more actually, allowing to recover more details in post, most notably under difficult lighting situations. Shooting Pentax for a long time you get used to having everything stabilized, something I found missing on my Fuji system, having to watch the ISO much more carefully under low light situations. Great image quality is possible with the K-3 II, here with FA77 in the studio.  Other thoughts
Great battery life where in practice I can shoot all day long on a single battery, and with the grip it just gets silly. I didn't notice any real difference from the K-5 or K-3, both truly excellent performers. The shutter is quite and camera very responsive. AF noise with the Limited lenses a bit high, but a bit charming and mechanical feel too it. Just be a bit careful when in the church shooting weddings Overall
The best value APS-C DSLR on the market, and at a reasonable price for any serious photographer. Excelling in build quality, user interface and features and lacking in none really - perhaps only for AF-tracking. Unique lens selection in the Limited lenses, but competition from mirrorless segment is strong. To me the most complete and allround performer at its price point. | | | | | Veteran Member Registered: May, 2008 Location: Bluffton, SC Posts: 674
4 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: March 5, 2018 | Recommended | Price: $575.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | build quality, ergonomics, image quality, lack of AA filter | | Cons: | AF is only "good" | | Ergonomics: 9
Build Quality: 10
User Interface: 9
Autofocus: 7
Features: 9
Value: 10
Image Quality: 8
Noise: 8
New or Used: New
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I have shot with Canon, Sony and now Pentax systems. I use Sony FF mirrorless for my general photography, but wanted to have a weather sealed camera and lens for wildlife photography. I have been shooting for about 8 years now with my various systems.
Ergonomics & Build Quality
The build quality is very high end. It feels completely solid and has the best weather sealing of any camera that I've personally owned. I've never owned a Canon or Nikon pro body, but I've shot with a 1D Mark IV before and I feel that the K3II is probably in that league. The camera is very compact for what it is and has a great grip feel despite being somewhat small. I like the feel overall and it would probably would be perfect with a longer lens if I added the grip. I have no complaints and it might be my favorite DSLR ergonomically.
Build quality is very good and the DA 300 that I have is a perfect match. They feel made for each other.
User Interface
I'm still adjusting since I'm new to Pentax, but I enjoy the user interface. The menu system is much easier than Sony's (which is terrible) and I was able to figure out most things without using a manual. I like all of the buttons on the camera to adjust settings and I feel like I rarely need to take my eye off of the viewfinder, which is my goal. One thing I don't like is the AF point selection method. I would prefer a joystick similar to what Canon has on their cameras. Hopefully the next model can fix this issue.
Autofocus & Features
I was hesitant to try Pentax because of all the autofocus comments you see online. I find the K3II to be decently fast and accurate for AF-S shooting and have no complaints for single focusing, even in low light. I find the AF-C tracking to be only "ok" however. It can track large, slow moving birds in the open sky, but if I lose focus I rarely can get it locked back on in time. Part of this comes down to learning the system, but I feel this really is a weak area. More focus points would be nice, especially further out in the frame, but it's something I can work with. For most of what people shoot however, I feel it works perfectly fine. The options are pretty decent for flexibility in different conditions. Overall the autofocus issue is probably exaggerated somewhat and wouldn't be a dealbreaker for most.
I think the features are excellent and for the price I paid the camera is a steal in this department. I haven't used astro tracer or Pixel shift for my purposes, but these are really nice features for a camera at this price point. The shutter is very well dampened on the camera, making it quiet and minimizing mirror slap. I'm still getting to know the features, but Pentax obviously packs a lot into their cameras and aren't "holding back" any features in this model. I would say that this is easily the best value on the used market in it's class. Unless you need the better autofocus systems of some of the competitors, I think the K3II punches really high above it's class. I also like the sensor stabilization. It's nice to have this for every lens, even though I feel like the Sony approach is the best where you have stabilization in the longer lenses and the camera. The K3II can't quite match that, but does a good job, even with a long lens like the DA 300.
Image Quality
Image Quality is great for APS-C. It doesn't quite rival the current generation of FF cameras, but it still provides great images. I especially appreciate the dynamic range of the sensor. I shot Canon in the past and the files were much more limited than with this camera. This is actually very useful for wildlife photography where you sometimes have bright highlights and shadows. Noise performance is competitive in its class, so no issues there. I'm also a huge fan of the no Anti-Aliasing approach. Images are extremely sharp out of the camera when paired with a great lens. I actually think that this camera produces the sharpest files of any I've used, even beating my Sony a7 FF camera.
Conclusion:
The K3II is a lot of camera for not very much money. It provides pro level features for a budget camera and you really can't go wrong for the price. I'm hoping for a K3 III that can bring the image quality improvements of the KP and continue to improve the AF system. There is something about the camera that feels like a custom made photographic tool with features designed by real photographers. I love my a7 for it's image quality and my Sony lenses, but it really does feel more like an electronic appliance in comparison.
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: July, 2007 Location: North West UK Posts: 390
6 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: May 24, 2018 | Recommended | Price: $700.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Great IQ, good low light IQ, near silent Shutter, Features, Very good AF, Build | | Cons: | Lack of Wireless support for Flash, buffer could be even better on burst | | Years Owned: 1
Ergonomics: 10
Build Quality: 10
User Interface: 10
Autofocus: 9
Features: 10
Value: 10
Image Quality: 9
Noise: 9
New or Used: New
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Lets cut to the chase, this is a very very good camera. Beautifully made, great ergonomics, more than respectable AF system (with the right lens) and possibly THE quietest shutter of any DSLR out there.
Add to the cost new these days, you could say it is the bargain DSLR.
Put a modern lens on the front and you get very snappy AF, almost instant. Which has in the past been a little frustrating. Try the DFA28-105 on the front and you will understand, even the 15-30 and 24-70 will leave you very impressed.
From a sports point of view, with its weight and AF, it is my preferred option over my K-1.
If there were niggles they are few, but here we are:-
Low light noise. Very impressive, and probably better than the old "king", the K-5, but my K-70 and I hear the KP are even better. Don't let put you off, I have shot at ISO12800 with very useable shots.
You are not going to get that delightful smoothness as the K-1, but don't forget this is APS-C and for that it is brilliant.
Lack of any sort of Wireless Flash support, either from Ricoh or Third party. This is my major bugbear with both the K-3II and K-1. We REALLY need Pentax dedicated wireless triggers for Flashguns. It is very frustrating.
Overall though, it is a bit of a beast, albeit a compact one, and possibly even now, one of the finest APS-C DSLR's out there, especially considering how long it has been out for.
The fact that it still uses the same battery as the K-1 and 645 series is also worth mentioning.
Sum up
Despite how long it has been out, it is still the go to APS-C camera overall (the K-70 and KP do have their own specific plus points though).
If you already have the K-1, then the K-3II is the perfect backup/second camera to give you flexibility, from not only performance, but also different angles of view and speed.
Well worth recommending.
| | | | | Senior Member Registered: July, 2008 Location: Arizona Posts: 230 | | Review Date: July 16, 2018 | Not Recommended | Price: $850.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | Build quality | | Cons: | Heavy-focusing problems | | Years Owned: 2 Months
Ergonomics: 9
Build Quality: 10
User Interface: 9
Autofocus: 6
Features: 7
Value: 6
Image Quality: 7
Noise: 8
New or Used: New
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Been using Pentax since 1980-list of digital cameras-Ist DS (still have 2), K10d, K20d, K5iis (2) and now the K3II. Own about (15) Pentax lenses-all work perfectly on the K5iis. Wish I could say the same thing about the K3II. All of them have to be micro adjusted for sharpness-and they range from -8 to + 8. For some unknown reason my Ltds are the worst- I own the DA 15, DA 21, DA 40 and the DA 70. I don't think it should come from Ricoh in this condition-but I refuse to send it to Precision Camera-heard nothing but bad things about them. I have to have full confidence in my camera so I will probably go back to the K5iis
| | | | | Forum Member Registered: June, 2016 Location: Gislev Posts: 87
4 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: August 22, 2018 | Recommended | Price: None indicated
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | IQ, Build Quality, Ergonomics, Weight and Size | | Cons: | None | |
This is a confession: I love this camera - and it is as close to perfection, as you can reasonably come, IMHO.
Actually I bought it, because I liked it after a short test at the local dealer. My thoughts were, that this little camera would be my 'leisure camera', as my Nikon pro-gear was bulky, heavy, and a pain to drag along for anything else but assignments.
Anyway: I fell in love with everything about the K-3 II and the Pentax system. Not to mention the fact, that it the venerable smc Pentax-K lenses work beautifully on the camera.
In fact I now use the Pentax K-3 II as my prime camera, my go-to camera for all my work. The Nikon D810 sits unused in its bag with all its lenses, and I haven't really used it for a couple of years: The K-3 II is that good.
So, Pentax, don't ever change the K-3 II - unless you'd make a K-3 IIBW: a dedicated black and white K-3 II, a DSLR without color filters on the sensor, and an optimized B&W image processor along the lines of the Leica M Monochrome! That would be a riot!!!
| | | | | New Member Registered: November, 2018 Posts: 14
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: February 2, 2019 | Recommended | Price: $936.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Solid body, Excellent picture quality , GPS, Pixel shift, In body stabilization, outstanding colors and resolution, APS-C censor allows for a huge number of excellent lens from Pentax and 3rd party, No moving lcd, second lcd for night mode shooting, Astro | | Cons: | Build in Microphone pics up noise from the camera. It is way better with external mic for video. | | Years Owned: less than 1 year
Ergonomics: 10
Build Quality: 9
User Interface: 10
Autofocus: 9
Features: 10
Value: 9
Image Quality: 10
Noise: 10
New or Used: New
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I am a Pentax owner since 2010. I use to have Pentax K-X that after using for 8 years I sold to London Drugs for around 200 CAD. Since Pentax K-X never let me down for almost a decade I was not interested in any other brand. I also had spend 900 $ on 16-50 F2.8 Pentax lens. Well initially I was going to buy the K1II but after I realized that my favorite lens was not going to work as intended I decided to go for with the K3II. Well and this was a really good decision on my side. The quality of the image is superb. The camera is fast. Auto focus is good. Colors are natural. The camera is weather sealed. One thing that I will recommend for anyone that like to take videos is to buy an external microphone.The build in mic works but camera noise also gets recorded. Also this a photo camera. It will take video up to 1080p the quality is good but it doesn't take 4k . If you need above 1080P and or some specific video recording features look elsewhere.
Pixel shift was a new thing for me but I was pleasantly surprised. Ideally in order to use it you need a stationary object and tripod. The camera and most of the zoom lenses are heavy for this reason I will recommend a heavy duty tripod. Also the Astro-tracing work well. The camera dose not have a build in flash. I don't like to use flash so for me this was a bonus . At the moment I have used the camera with 3 lenses Pentax 16-50 DA*, Pentax 18-135 DA-WR and Sigma 30 mm DC art. I personally like 16-50 DA* best. It works really well with the camera you can take some nice photos at any lighting conditions (fixed F2.8) and weather sealed lens. The 18-135DA-WR was a kit lens with the camera i like the lens because it is much lighter and has a nice long zoom range. It is weather sealed this makes it an excellent combo with the weather sealed body. The camera works really well with Sigma 30 mm DC art lens. Autofocus it is the same as with Pentax made lens but lens it is not weather sealed so you need to be careful with rain.
The grip on the camera is really good at least for my size hands. I wear gloves size medium.
There are some nice polycarbon screen protectors for the main LCD. Also the secondary screen helps with night shots when you can disable the main screen.
Buying an extended battery is a waist of money for this camera since the main battery quit good. But I will buy a second battery since charging of the battery takes quit some time.
Well this is all I can think of .
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