| Author: | | Loyal Site Supporter Registered: October, 2018 Location: Quebec City, Quebec Posts: 5,515
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: April 13, 2023 | Recommended | Price: $2,100.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Great camera ! Every one of my lenses seem to be sharper ! | | Cons: | None | | Years Owned: 1
Ergonomics: 10
Build Quality: 10
User Interface: 10
Autofocus: 10
Features: 10
Value: 9
Image Quality: 10
Noise: 10
New or Used: New
| |
After COVID, a health scare and being alone, far from the World for a couple of years, I decided to buy myself a gift to forget about life's misery and the isolation. What a super camera body ... Great viewfinder, lightning-fast focusing, splendid colors, easy to use. All my lenses seem to perform better than ever on this camera. One of the best purchases of my life.
| | | | | | | Site Supporter Registered: May, 2010 Location: Monterrey, México Posts: 212
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: April 11, 2023 | Recommended | Price: $1,536.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Fast autofocus, superb FPS | | Cons: | Prone to fail | | New or Used: New
| |
Having almost a year with intensive usage (almost 20,000 shots fired in a year), I think it's time for my K-3 MIII review.
I'm not a professional shooter, but a hobbyist, and since the camera was out, I think almost everybody has talked about its pros, so I'm going to focus on the issues I have experimented with my camera.
Endurance
- I take a very good care of my gear, and I have had the K-x, K5, K5IIs, and the K-3 before the K-3 MIII, and none of those cameras suffered any damage on the painting during the time I used them, sadly I can´t say the same of this camera, it has already started to chip on the top (where it used to be a flash), and on the bottom (I use the battery grip, and still it is chipping).
- There's no skins or silicone case for it available anywhere (at least I haven't been lucky finding one), so you have to accept it as it is, bad painting work (or a cheap one, IDK)
Hardware
- LCD Sensor tends to fail out of nowhere without previous notice, I've read several cases here in the forum, and it happened to me trice, being the last one, a definitive fail, where If I leave the sensor in medium or high sensitivity, it turns my LCD to black. So, either I have to set it to Low or turn it off at all. (to me it was great to have it because I've always being annoyed by the light of the LCD during night photography).
- FPS Buffer is a joke, it should be able to go on an on, but the limit it has is really ridicule for a modern camera.
Software?
- After software update to 1.80v I've found that my camera sometimes "freezes" while it is showing the "instant review", where it keeps showing the photo, and it becomes nonresponsive, so I have to turn it off and on, to continue my shooting. This happened while shooting under rainy conditions (I was using a DA* WR lens), but also happened in dry conditions, it has happened about 4-5 times in the last month.
- They still have to fix small issues like the name of the custom modes, where when you first select it, it now shows the name you selected, but if you move the dial to another custom setting and then you go back, it will not show the name assigned again, it will only show the "U#" that corresponds to the custom mode number (as if it does not have a name assigned).
Now, are you wonder if the above make me want to change it back for a K-3 MII, or changing brands? the answer is not at all. even with the above, I'm really happy with my camera, the only thing that really worries me is that fail in the LCD Sensor that it may fail completely in the future not allowing me to use the LCD at all, and since my camera is already out of warranty, I hate the idea to pay to fix it when it should be a warranty issue.
Finally, last night I bought a 3M vinyl roll to make a custom skin to prevent more paint chippings, hope it does helps to it.
| | | | | Pentaxian Registered: July, 2011 Posts: 2,212
5 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: April 2, 2022 | Recommended | Price: None indicated
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Fast, responsive, precise, … | | Cons: | | | Ergonomics: 9
Build Quality: 10
User Interface: 9
Autofocus: 10
Features: 10
Value: 9
Image Quality: 10
Noise: 9
New or Used: New
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I am used to K1 ever since it came out - converted to MKii. Worked with K5 and K3 before. K3iii promises 6 years of advancement in basic features like user interface, handling, AF, ... I consider an APSC camera a nice TC for FF glass and more, much more after a couple days of work!
The K3iii is a typical high-end Pentax DSLR. Superb ergonomics, weather sealing, small APSC-like form factor…
- The viewfinder is extraordinary awesome for a small format camera!
- The user interface has been redesigned. The results are nice, but please keep this design for upcoming cameras that I want to use next to the K3iii. K1 user interface appears old-fashioned next to the new one.
- AF precision is much improved over previous cameras. It is much easier to get correct focus even on oblique surfaces. Previously the focus points felt larger than indicated and slightly off. Now the camera nails focus where the points indicates - at least extremely often.
- AF tracking and speed. Much faster than before. AF joystick and performance are fun. Before I tried to avoid relying on Pentax AF-C and tracking, now it is plain fun!
- Silent AF lenses with focus clutch are preferred, FA ltds fly, but make sure your fingers are far away from the focusing ring.
- SD card. Made my tests. UHS I cards accomplished more burst images while UHS II cleared the buffer faster. SanDisk Extreme Pro 256GB UHS I costs less than 32GB UHS II version and allows for many, many burst sequences. 11.6 fps for 30 image bursts with raw dng are easily possible.
- 12fps is 20% faster than D500, 26MP are 25% more pixels than D500. Buffer is good for 2.5s at full speed. Specs are superb, now AF speed needs to be evaluated and some really fast focusing tele glass would help. For a Pentax camera and for every SLR such values are just great.
- price - expensive for a Pentax, well priced for the feature set.
- light weight camera with small footprint requires battery pack for larger/heavier glass.
Key improvements
- AF joystick
- Speed
Key features
- large viewfinder
- speed
- apsc from factor
Drawbacks
- not available in FF yet
- fast tele glass matching this camera is missing
- Pentax accessories and third party support. Wireless remote control units, tele converters, quick battery charging options, … often not perfect or missing.
Conclusion
Awesome new type of Pentax camera. Pentax is renewing DA* zooms right now to match it. More glass and accessories are needed to match performance and positioning of this camera.
| | | | | Pentaxian Registered: December, 2007 Location: In the most populated state... state of denial Posts: 1,662
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: March 28, 2022 | Recommended | Price: $2,000.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | construction, electronic VF | | Cons: | | | Years Owned: Since 2021
Ergonomics: 10
Build Quality: 10
User Interface: 9
Autofocus: 10
Features: 10
Value: 10
Image Quality: 10
Noise: 10
New or Used: New
| |
What an incredible camera, I upgraded from a K5IIs and is miles ahead
Quite, sturdy, and with an incredibly informative viewfinder.
The viewfinder is bright, and easy to see even in bright light, the electronic layouts are great
The compatibility with K and M lenses has improved ans that is a big plus
Image quality is a big step forward from what I had, all in all a camera that makes me smile every time I take out
| | | | | | | Site Supporter Registered: October, 2017 Location: Sale, Cheshire Posts: 201
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: March 5, 2022 | Recommended | Price: None indicated
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Everything | | Cons: | Nothing of significance | | Years Owned: 0.6
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 bought this camera as an upgrade to my K-3, which was an excellent and reliable camera.
Pentax have certainly put tremendous effort into this camera. I believe Pentax cameras are designed by photographers for photographers, with new models being a step change in performance and not a marketing tweak just to sell units (highlighted by the few distinct models Pentax sell).
The positives are:
Ergonomics and build quality are second to none (handling is very intuitive).
The image quality with the modern high quality Pentax lenses is superb. RAW images are so good, very little post processing is required.
The dynamic range is as least as good as anything comparable on the market (see the link 'https://www.pentaxforums.com/camerareviews/reviews.php?product=300' for camera comparisons).
The AF performance is excellent, for static and fast moving objects. Oncoming cars at motorway speeds are tracked with ease. The eye tacking is impressive. Eye tracking for static birds nails the focus every time and has a high percentage success rate for birds in flight.
Excellent high ISO performance - I have successful images at 80,000 ISO, using ACR and NIK Define 2 wisely for noise reduction.
Excellent image stabilisation at 5.5 stops. Hand held sharp photographs at 1/10s (1/6s with a monopod).
The superb OVF, which makes the camera a joy to use.
Very effective Pixel Shift.
Totally configurable controls.
An innovative astrotracking feature.
The list goes on!
I am not a serious video taker, but for the casual user the settings are semi-automatic on Av, etc., easy to use and produces very competent results.
As a stills camera it is an exceptional and very intuitive tool, and is a great pleasure to use.
What more can one ask for.
| | | | | Pentaxian Registered: October, 2010 Posts: 6,189
3 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: November 16, 2021 | Recommended | Price: $2,000.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Responsie AF(very good), OVF with 1.05 X, Pentax | | Cons: | Some quirks, not big deal | | New or Used: New
| |
I just wanted to chime in and make a review.
I honestly did think that if Pentax don't really go up with expectations this time, it will be it for me with Pentax.
let me explain,
I have been mostly 'advanced enhustiac' but in last couple of years I'v actually been offered gigs for actual money, not just for fun/beers. And I want to deliver. Most of my 'best' shots were out of focus with previous gen pentax and that forced me to shoot in sertain way in order to get what I needed in oder to get job done.
AF worries - end of that agony.
This new K-3III does actually give me those shots I wanted to get. if I want to have more shots, it is mostly because of need to get that perfect expression/timing, do not to have to worry about AF any more.
So now it is up to me. That said, I moght end up shooting as many frames as before, or even more, but I'm sure that AF will be right there.
This alone for me is worth more than many other things build in this camera.
OVF
First of all, I do have K-1 and one thing over K-3(original) in buying decision was that bigger OVF. And it was great, untill this camera did end up in my hands. With K-1 I did take that as granted, bigger sensor -> bigger OVF. When I did shoot with these cameras, ths K-3III reminded me more of old film cameras. Thin body but amazing big VF. It is still great feeling to put this camera up and look through it. Greatest part is that clarity.
PERFORMANCE
FPS is really good, and the fact that it does actually focus during these bursts very well too does make it actually quite handy. I have never been person for long bursts. I'm using it for short bursts if needed. In my style of photography it is rarely that I'll meet the end of the buffer. Basically 3-10 frames timed in spot I see coming. So for me this is enough. I do shoot events, and portraits as well as landscapes, not so much sports. Althou my timing has been honed up too.
IMAGE QUALITY
I have put files next to K-1 which I still do think is the king.
That said.
I have also put it next to Panasonic S5, and it is not the king.
Yes, resolution is some what similar to S5. DR is just a tad below S5, couple notch below K-1. K-1 Is resolution and DR king of all of these 3.
WB, and noise performance is the crown K-3III has out of all these. Yes, you read it right. If I do import files from any of these cameras and just do simple post process, K-3III is best and most accurate. Performance with accelerator MK2 is no joke. Also details are there. This all with normal import from camera and then adjust up to your taste, K-3III, winner. This is a big deal for me as I did buy this camera for photography and I do not really enjoy post processing that much. I do enjoy process of looking and posting my pictures.
VIDEO
It is a big step up. Not quite big enough. This is why I have Panasonic S5. That said, I do think that S5 was designed with video in mind and K-3III was designed with photography in mind. When I have really taken this thing in consideration that it is 'just' expanded photo mode(in JPEG), then it is okay actually. So, let's say you are shooting mushrooms at the forest and you want to capture the surroundings, light, ect. on top of that. it does look good, especially if you use tripod. Or you want to have mood from portrait shoot, or good memory from lake or city or where ever. It is good enough. Also for normal interview with you behind the camera. If you want more, then it is better to have camera for video all in all.
discaimer with video: I do think that there is more performance in reserve, let us see if there is more to come and I'll(really) update my review. I'v looked up material shot with S5 and K-3III. This is big comparison, and the 'end result' is what is important. I'v seen thigs that do rival S5, really. but DR (10 bit) was not needed. and with tripod, you can have nice 4K quality when lithing is correctly made.
ERGONOMIC
If you like pentax. this is really well made camera. I have small hands(173 cm tall) and quite average hand size. With K-3I my pinky fell under the cam. With this, it did not. some buttons did take time to adjust to. But all in all, it is very well thought over I like everything in it. It did take 3 seconds to get new amazing joystic in my workflow.
LV
Yes, this is stll the part where Pentax is 'behind' the competition. In comparision my Panasonic S5 is as good/bad in LV as it is in EVF, althou LV you don't suffer that lag and many other weird things. LV with Pentax K-3III is practical. I do not use it. And I do not need to use it because of that amazing OVF. Really, that OVF is alone one reason to buy this thing. I do not know why it has not been brought up more?
edit: Yes, it does not have flippy, or selfie rotating screen. The point of not really needing that with beautiful OVF is still applying, I do not like flippy, too small to make a difference, external display or even your phone/pad is the way to go.
WRAP IT UP
what more should I say. Honestly in image quality, I'm waiting for the K-1III to surface. Still, even after that I do think that this will actually be my camera for 60% all in all. Now with K-1(original) and Panasonic S5 , K-3III is my photocamera NRO.1 for 95 % of usage for that. Honestly. I'm going to buy K-1III, when it will come, bu even with K-1, I some times felt like lower MP should be good, because 36 MP is too much. At some point I did think that 24 MP would satisfy me if it was FF. Having Panasonic S5, I do not think like that any more. I do not see any clear advantage in size, let alone image quality. 26 MP is more than original K-3, but that alone does not make the cake. Accelerator mk.2 does.
That and the fact that I'm obviously not that good with EVF. I had olympus 5EM2, Now I have panasonic S5. I first thugh that it was that olympus that was what ever. Now with this it is the same. irritation and even pain. One night I had frame flickering in my eyeswhen I was trying to get asleep. This is no joke. Perhaps you can get used to it, but I do not want to. And with Pentax I do not need either.
I have used this K-3III in professional gigs, where I have been paid for, and they have not complained the end result, at all. I'm safe to think that it will remain to be so. I can enjoy big and beautiful OVF. I can have all the things I need and enjoy photography. All in all I'm happy that I did pull the trigger and buy this as preorder.
edit: it says 2000 dollars, in up there, but it was 2000€
| | | | | Pentaxian Registered: November, 2013 Location: Barcelona Posts: 639
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: October 26, 2021 | Recommended | Price: $2,000.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | Fast AF, Crop-in mode in camera, menus, quick easy to use | | Cons: | Buffer (very slow for motorsport) | | Ergonomics: 10
Build Quality: 10
User Interface: 10
Autofocus: 10
Features: 9
Value: 6
Image Quality: 9
Noise: 9
New or Used: New
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So first of all I do NOT own this beast.
Second of all: I have been using it for a couple of Motorsport Events this year. I got it borrowed by Pentax Spain.
Pros: It's Fast AF (finally !!!)
The Menus are quick and fantastic
Built in Crop-in 1.3x it is wonderful.
Ergonomics.
It gets software updates often.
Live View works fantastic.
Cons:
Buffer utterly insufficient for Motorsports and Action (allows only 30-40 pics per shooting doing Raw+ and Jpg+). Compared to a Nikon D500 that keeps and keeps and keeps shooting, this is very few. Plus if you get a bunch of cars now, and then you have some more later you'll miss the latest ones due to the slow buffer acting.
Price: Compared to any other camera in this range it is expensive at 2000€. Considering both Cons I'd probably pick up a D500 instead (cheaper and better buffer)
Fewer lens options. Specially for newer lenses from brands like Sigma or Tamron. You can not get a Sigma 150-600mm for the Pentax system. And the old big zooms are rare and heavily looked after so prices are expensive (i know myself).
You can check the tests I did with it here:
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/210-pentax-k-3-iii/427629-borrowed-k3-ii...e-10-days.html
It is the Ultimate APS-C Pentax camera indeed. It is a beast indeed. Is it what I need now? Maybe it appeared a bit too late.
| | | | | New Member Registered: July, 2021 Location: Sydney Posts: 17
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: July 22, 2021 | Recommended | Price: $2,432.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Feel in hand, bright large OVF, low noise high ISO, configurability | | Cons: | No tilting screen, only 1 UHSii sd slot, only ~35 shot raw buffer | | Years Owned: .25
Ergonomics: 10
Build Quality: 10
User Interface: 9
Autofocus: 10
Features: 10
Value: 10
Image Quality: 10
Noise: 10
New or Used: New
| |
Easily the best camera I have ever used. I own 9 Pentax bodies and every newer one amazingly feels both familiar and yet a quantum leap forward when compared to its predecessor.
Incredible high ISO/low noise performance and superb new sensor that you can (in Lightroom) recover highlight and shadow detail you would swear was never captured.
With 12fps, action shooting is a dream but the buffer does fill up after about 3 seconds. A UHSii card does help empty it quite quickly, however, some ppl may prefer CF based cameras if they only shoot sports.
Full frame shooters may still opt for a K1 or 645Z but the K3's sensor matches or betters their pixel density. And if you only looked through its viewfinder, you would swear it was full frame !
Adverts bandied round clichés like "an extension of the artist's hand" and the like but this unit is so seriously ergonomic and button and dial configurable, that I rarely need to take my eye away from the OVF to get to any of my favourite settings and options. The Smart Fn button and Smart eDial are incredible on their own but when coupled with 10 user memories, there is no other camera out there that can truly adapt to different styles of shooting in an instant. So much immediate flexibility to be had with just your thumb and index finger.
With Covid lockdowns, I haven't been out too much with this unit yet but the few times I have felt like for the first time, the camera is no longer in charge of the situation - I am.
It's a hell of a lot smarter than me too. You have to try out "Highlight Metering" - wow. And with such a fast AF solution, I can for the first time now rely only upon back button AF and leave the shutter to do what it does best (and fast).
Shake reduction has also come a long way since the K3ii and matches the best mirrorless bodies out there today. While the SR noise is a bit disconcerting sometimes in quiet places, hearing it give itself a good workout is somewhat re-assuring.
I purchased the premium kit with the DBG8 grip and nice embossed leather strap, and just recently bought an O-GPS1, a DA* 300mmf4 and a HD 1.4 telecon but Covid has delayed me trying those out.
I have only used the K3-iii so far with the 70-200 f2.8, Sigma 18-35 f1.8 Art and an old Sigma 600mm mirror (moon shot). Very happy with the results but of course the mirror lens will never be a sharp shooter...
Looking forward to trying out so many more of its features once this lockdown ends. Will post another review once I get a good bunch of samples too.
If you have invested heavily in K mount lenses, this is the best, most versatile camera out there. For what I shoot, it beats the K1 hands down - and that's saying something because the K1 is a phenomenal body.
| | | | | Site Supporter Registered: June, 2017 Location: 3City agglomeration Posts: 1,731
4 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: July 15, 2021 | Recommended | Price: $2,300.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | autofocus, image quality, build quality, OVF | | Cons: | short battery live, weight | | Years Owned: 1
Ergonomics: 10
Build Quality: 10
User Interface: 10
Autofocus: 10
Features: 10
Value: 10
Image Quality: 10
Noise: 10
New or Used: New
| |
I got it to replace K-50 and it was competing with K-1 Mk II. Autofocus perspecitves won so I got this. Never regretted it, even for a second.
Camera body: it is very sturdy, feel in hand is comparable to my old Zenith XP so you feel as if you could hammer nails with it. All buttons feel sturdy, there is pleasant resistance that is felt when operating, giving just the feel that buttons are very solid but not impeding operation. Screen looks ok, I have no additional protection but the glass is handling outdoor activities ok, no scratches as of now. Overall 10 points out of 10. Even 11 
Screen: it is bright enough. Resolution is ok for photo peaking or in camera editing. Not tiltable, but with wifi connectivity and mini HDMI it can be supplemented either with phone or dedicated screen so no issue for me.
OVF: big and bright, there are all informations displayed that are need to operate camera with eve glued to OVF. Only issue I have with it is black overlay for AF points and level indicators. It makes makes operating in low light or when photographing something dark rather hard.
Menu: usable. Layout is changed when compared to older cameras but it is still quite similar to old ones that navigation is not an issue
Features: still experimenting, but I never experienced situation this camera could not handle.
Image quality: superb. In all ways - both from detail and resolution to high ISO handling to color rendering it is really superb. I often find that when I load RAW to ACDSee I do not need to do anything to it. And we are talking about naked RAW, not in camera processed JPEG.
Noise: there is one on higher ISO, but for my needs/level of sensitivity to noise I set up 25600 as acceptable for auto ISO top level.
Any negatives? Well, from what I found:
- battery live is very short for DSLR. Expected it with all the calculations that are need to be done but still it is noticeable so do not go out without spare battery
- bluetooth connection sometimes goes wrong. No issue with wifi though so if you are using phone app to connect, do it via wifi
- autoexposure tends to underexpose when there is lot of reflected light in foreground, for example when shooting plane with clouds in background. Even setting meter to point is not helping. Bit weird, but if you know what to expect it is easy to compensate by proper settings
All in all I am very happy with this camera.
This is SOOC image, JPEG with retro/film setting:
_IMG2003 by Jerzy Jabłoński, on Flickr
| | | | | Forum Member Registered: July, 2010 Location: Cardiff, UK Posts: 65
6 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: June 7, 2021 | Recommended | Price: None indicated
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Probably...the best DSLR ever made | | Cons: | | | Ergonomics: 10
Build Quality: 10
User Interface: 10
Autofocus: 10
Features: 10
Value: 10
Image Quality: 10
Noise: 10
New or Used: New
| |
I have owned Pentax film cameras (KM, MX [both still working fine] and ME Super) and digital cameras (100D, 200D, 20D, K5, K3). This camera can be seen as the finest elaboration of the design aesthetic which all these models have in common.It must be counted as being in a league of its own for design, build quality and for the range of possibilities it offers anyone who cares to pick it up. Image quality is outstanding. Autofocus excellent. The new pentaprism finder is wonderous. Most people have probably experimented with mirrorless cameras - and there are some fine ones (Fuji X Pro maybe the best of them). The K3 III may swim against the mirrorless current, but who knows if the tide will turn? After all, EVF cameras are power-hungry and so more environmentally damaging than DSLRs. On top of that, an EVF can never offer the kind of connectedness with the photographed environment that an OVF does (as said, with one exception: the X Pros manage it, but in a very different way that is not really comparable). Some will lament the lack of a flipping screen. I do not. This camera has brilliant ergonomics. A camera so good that it vanishes from the awareness of the user when it is being used, which is what every good piece of equipment ought to do.
| | | | | Junior Member Registered: May, 2020 Posts: 32
7 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: May 22, 2021 | Recommended | Price: $2,340.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | This is the Pentax camera I was waiting for... | | Cons: | Nothing. Not yet, anyway... Maybe GPS should be there? | | Years Owned: Less than week
Ergonomics: 10
Build Quality: 10
User Interface: 10
Autofocus: 10
Features: 10
Value: 9
Image Quality: 10
Noise: 10
New or Used: New
| |
I am Pentax cameras user since K-10D was released. I always considered them as one of the best in ergonomic aspect, and image quality to price ratio. But on some fields competitors offered better products, as in terms of AF system features and reliability, for example.
But now there is the K-3 III. The same, very good ergonomics was improved, always great image quality is now even better, plenty of advanced technology can be used as it is built-in, but nothing will disturb simple, pure joy of the act of photography if you desire so. K-3 III can be a complicated, advanced imaging machine, or just a DSLR, a bridge between the exposure triangle in my head, the composition in my eye, and the world on the front of my lens. And when I decide that I need the AF - it is there, fast, reliable, advanced. In my previous cameras I always used the central AF point and then re-composed my frame. After two days with K-3 I realized that I can trust the technology again, operate AF joystick when thinking of my composition and be sure that focus point will be exactly where I want it to be, or I can leave all the job to be complete by the camera - and it will do the job.
And there is the OVF... I know, is old and old-fashioned. But hey, I am using second camera system, for filming. With EVF, a very advanced one. So, I compare both systems on daily basics and... yes, I still believe that OVF is good. Pretty damn good, and better than the electronic one.
PS. I bought the camera with battery grip for 2340 euro from Ricoh-Imaging Europe. I was just too late for black Premium Kit...
| | | | | Site Supporter Registered: April, 2021 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 26
9 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: May 22, 2021 | Recommended | Price: $1,996.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Speed, configurability, build quality, ergonomics, layout, well thought out design by photographers for photographers. If the design goal was to build the very best APS-C Flagship grade camera, Pentax came as close to that goal as humanly possible! | | Cons: | Removal of the built-in GPS is inexcusable for a camera oriented to outdoor activities! | | Years Owned: 0.0833
Ergonomics: 10
Build Quality: 10
User Interface: 10
Autofocus: 10
Features: 10
Value: 10
Image Quality: 10
Noise: 10
New or Used: New
| |
No one knows which path the market may follow, but if the trend toward full frame and mirrorless cameras plays out as some predict, this may very well be the last APS-C Flagship grade DSLR ever designed and brought to market. Should that be the case, then rest assured that Pentax can honestly make the claim of having saved the best for last! The design team brought everything that Pentax (and their parent Ricoh) ever learned about making SLRs during the past 70 years to the drawing board, and made it all fit into this camera! The meticulous attention paid to each minute detail in the design, function and build of this camera is obvious the instant you pick it up. It is as much an object of art as it is a tool for artists; lovingly designed and masterfully crafted—much as a sculptor's work is primarily a labor of love.
There is a certain je ne sais quoi in this camera that transcends its superb technical numbers and specifications. Those who scoff at the importance of feelings in the art of photography will even agree—The K-3 Mark III is not just another camera.There's just something about it that just strikes you from the moment you pick it up, to the instant you see your image come together in the viewfinder, to the precise and quiet snap of the shutter and the soft, well-damped movements of the mirror, controlled by precision electronics to minimize shake and slap and all the other ills that befall lesser cameras.
This is not to say that the K-3iii is anything less than stupendous in creating visually exciting and technically magnificent images. It does all that with aplomb and a dignified, calm, quiet assuredness that everything is working exactly as it should with no sloppy tolerances or misaligned components. Using it makes you feel like a photographer, and inspires you to put forth the extra effort to create an image with the power to move the viewer. And that extra effort will be rewarded by the K3iii's solid pedigree and native abilities to capture the image you see in your mind's eye, and translate that into the millions of ones and zeros that make up today's digital imagery.
This camera packs in a lot of technology, and there is a lot to learn. But that learning is easy, because the foundation of this camera is based upon the solid bedrock of classical photographic technique. The extra image processing controls and adjustments logically fall into their respective niches, aligning and building upon that solid core of basic photography best practices, all the while refining and improving every component of the photographic process to the current level of mid-21st century capabilities.
To summarize, if the Pentax K-3 Mark III were a musical composition, it would be a symphony, not just another song.
    | | | | | Pentaxian Registered: December, 2008 Location: RSM, CA Posts: 504
22 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: May 1, 2021 | Recommended | Price: $1,996.99
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | What's not to love? | | Cons: | None for my needs | | Years Owned: Less than a week
Ergonomics: 10
Build Quality: 10
User Interface: 10
Autofocus: 10
Features: 10
Value: 10
Image Quality: 10
Noise: 9
New or Used: New
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Someone had to be first I guess.
Although less than a week into owning it, I'm highly impressed. I've owned nearly every Pentax DSLR made, and I can say without hesitation that this is the camera a vast amount of Pentaxians have been waiting for. Much like the K1, many of us have wanted Pentax to make a camera that could really compete at the highest level of the APS-C format, one that could be a reliable workhorse for fast actions subjects- the wait is over, this is the one we've been waiting for.
From the ground up, this is a completely new camera albeit with the exception of perhaps the battery and card slots. Adorned with familiar Pentax traits (insanely good build, weather sealing, class leading viewfinder, awesome ergonomics, deep intuitive menus), It's a gargantuan effort and Ricoh are to be commended. Great things come to those who wait, and yeah, we've been waiting.
AF speed and tracking, with the PLM 55-300mm is comparable to my Nikon D500 rig- which really surprised me. AF is tenacious, and ultra sensitive in low light, LOVING IT. I only wish there were more ultra fast focusing lenses available in the Pentax mount (Sigma, step up!). While the K mount is in a better position now than in 2015 with faster telephoto choices, I still would like to see more options.
Price is not an issue. Remember, the D500 was $1,999.99 in 2016 upon its release, five full years ago! The K3 Mk III is better built, better sealed, has a better optical finder, much better menu system, better ergonomics, and rivals the D500 in speed and performance. So yeah I can stomach $1,996.99 just fine. Perspective is 20/20.
I wanted to add my two cents here on the K3 Mk III. My heart is with Ricoh/Pentax and all of the great photographers who use the brand here. Ignore the marketing factory big website reviews and all of the nitpick hair splitting coming about this camera. They are all about pushing mirrorless and can't see the forest through the trees. DSLR's aren't dead. Bravo to Ricoh for creating a masterpiece, I'm absolutely loving it. And yeah for those who know me, I'm posting some thoughts on my blog too.
*Edit, I changed my rating of the auto focus from 9 to 10. It's closer to a 10 than and there are no half ratings. Also I changed the value to 9-10. Considering the more I use it the more I realize how capable it is, then comparing to the D500 that 5 years ago was the same price, again, it's value is closer to 10 than 9. Amazing value. Sticker shock fades very quickly once you start using it!
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