Author: | | New Member Registered: February, 2020 Posts: 1 | Review Date: November 28, 2023 | Recommended | Price: $1,260.00
| Rating: 10 |
Pros: | Ergonomisch and IQ | Cons: | S.fn setup is cumbersome | Years Owned: 1
Ergonomics: 10
Build Quality: 10
User Interface: 9
Autofocus: 9
Features: 10
Value: 10
Image Quality: 10
Noise: 10
New or Used: Used
| | Summer 2022 I was looking for a two new camera’s. I ended up buying one.
At the moment I had two camera’s, a Pentax K-1 and K-3II, which I both bought in 2017.
My mind was set on a fullframe and M43 DSLM because of the better autofocus which I needed at the moment.
The Nikon Z6II, the Lumix S5 and the OM System OM-1 were the main competitors. All because they are weatherproof. I tried both fullframe in the local camera shop, and ended up hiring the Nikon Z6II. But after a week I realised that I just couldn’t get used to the EVF (electric viewfinder) and in case of the Nikon Z6II the fact that the white balance is off at moments.
So I went back to the camera store and hired the K-3III which I used for a week with my DA 16-85, DA 55-300 PLM and DA* 16-50.
Autofocus is fast and accurate. And as I worked on the PEF files I was surprised by the dynamic range, display of details an overall IQ.
This made me buy a (barely) used K3-III black for a very fine prize.
Until now I haven’t regretted it for one moment.
I would buy it again and can only recommend it for everybody who wants to shoot with a APS-C DSLR.
| | | | | Loyal Site Supporter Registered: October, 2018 Location: Quebec City, Quebec Posts: 6,582 3 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.
| | | | Pentaxian Registered: July, 2011 Posts: 2,385 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
| | 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: 1,852 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: 8
Autofocus: 9
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
PS. I bought a GPS unit for astrophotography and have been very impressed.
| | | | | Site Supporter Registered: October, 2017 Location: Sale, Cheshire Posts: 247 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
| | 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: 6,242 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€
| | | | 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: 2,056 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: 40 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: 28 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. | | | | Veteran Member Registered: December, 2008 Location: RSM, CA Posts: 505 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
| | 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!
| | | | Junior Member Registered: January, 2018 Posts: 47 | Review Date: December 7, 2023 | Recommended | Price: $1,700.00
| Rating: 9 |
Pros: | image quality, fast frame rate, AF | Cons: | tolerance of cold, lack of tilting display | Years Owned: 1-2
Ergonomics: 8
Build Quality: 9
User Interface: 8
Autofocus: 9
Features: 9
Value: 9
Image Quality: 10
Noise: 9
New or Used: New
| | I am a long-time Pentax user: I have been using most of their DSLRs since K-x and now have two of K-1s, K-3 iii, GR3 and a KP for special high-risk projects (such as whitewater kayaking), and a K-50 which I am borrowing to family members. My more serious photography goes to commercial purposes and goes through rigorous quality control for such things as aberrations, focus sharpness and other imperferctions. I am not a full time pro photographer however. I have a good line-up of recent Pentax lenses for both full frame and APS-C, including such gems as DFA*1.4/50 and DFA 21 Ltd.
I got my K-3 iii when Pentax Europe was having a discount price about one and half years ago, so I have now had the camera for over a year. I decided to write a review in the hope that Pentax might be reading this, as my special use case (cold climate) has not been covered in the reviews yet. More about that in the final chapter(s) of my review.
First, everything is true about the positive sides of the camera which is said below. Simply put, it is an amazingly good camera for most uses that you can think of. With it, I have re-discovered the benefits of APS-C system: I was able to put together a lightweight travel kit using very inexpensive Ltd lenses: I currently have the DA15, FA43 and DA70. (I sometimes add my DA 2.4/35 or FA 2.0/35 or even the FA 100 but that makes the kit less of a travel kit).
I thought I would not miss the tilting display but I was wrong. Not having that is a serious problem when occasionally needing to shoot from higher or lower angle. However, the other initial issue, lack of GPS, was solved when I realized that there is indeed a way to use the smartphone app (Pentax Image Sync) to reliably geotag the images. This solution actually works without hassle, once you get it set up, which you can very rarely say about similar solutions. Only drawback here is the additional power consumption of the smartphone.
I am rating build quality and 9 for the main reasons that the silver coating on my K-3 iii is basically paint which chips away very easily. Ergonomics is only 8 because the camera really cannot be used with thick gloves on. In this respect, it is clearly worse than K-1 was. Why was the review button placed in the very tight spot between viewfinder and rear roll? Why change the button placement from model to model anyway, when many people use different bodies side by side? Could there be a way to disable the joystick when you know that you will never be using it anyway, especially on those gigs that you will be doing with thick gloves on. In those circumstances, the only function for the joystick is to do harm.
My main complaint for the camera, however, is its (worse than K-1) tolerance for cold. With K-1, you can go to any temperature (I have been to -40C and below, for full days, and several days in a row at -20C and colder). With K-3 iii, it is a different story. It has yet to fail me completely, but that might be because I have not trusted it enough to take it to most extreme temperatures. I am starting to see weird things at relatively warm temperatures (approaching -20C) when the display first stops working and then there is no way to know if the images are being stored or not. Luckily there is the top display so you know your settings and can keep on shooting. You can sometimes recover from this by removing the battery for a moment, but this is not something you want to do when it is cold and you should be shooting pictures. A couple of times, I have also seen a situation where the images are not recorded to the memory card any longer, and you will have to do the battery removal procedure. I do not know if it is the display itself or the approximity sensor, but, either way, this is a very disappointing feature for a camera that would otherwise be my go-to camera for many shorter hikes and trips even in winter time. Even if it is the approximity sensor, it is to be understood that in cold environment, there is always ice and snow, condensing from your breathing if not otherwise, on all surfaces.
So, it is an extremely good camera but due to some design flaw, cannot be used properly in the Nordic winter and cannot be recommended as a winter hike camera for colder climates. Pentax, if you are reading this, please fix this in K-1 mark III, and make these approximity sensor / touchs screen type of features optional.
| | | | Senior Member Registered: June, 2012 Location: Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany Posts: 113 1 user found this helpful | Review Date: October 26, 2023 | Recommended | Price: $2,000.00
| Rating: 9 |
Pros: | almost everything | Cons: | lacking internal gps, lacking tilt screen | Years Owned: 3
Ergonomics: 10
Build Quality: 10
User Interface: 8
Autofocus: 8
Features: 9
Value: 8
Image Quality: 10
Noise: 10
New or Used: New
| | An overall excellent camera. Everything has been said before.
However, after owning the K-1, I will NEVER NEVER NEVER forgive Ricoh Pentax for not having included, for what is supposed to be a outdoor camera, the f..... GPS. I openly HATE putting the fragile, ugly O-GPS in the hot shoe. Same applies to a somewhat minor degree to the AMAZING tilt screen of the K-1. Ok, it would have added some minor bulk, but WHO CARES? The K-3 III is neither small nor light.
So, please Pentax Ricoh - since I love your products so much - please don't do this again!
| | | | Loyal Site Supporter Registered: February, 2014 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 2,710 2 users found this helpful | Review Date: October 25, 2023 | Recommended | Price: $1,200.00
| Rating: 9 |
Pros: | Ergonomics, Viewfinder, AF accuracy, Sensor | Cons: | Battery life, No tilt LCD | Years Owned: 2 months
Ergonomics: 9
Build Quality: 9
User Interface: 9
Autofocus: 8
Features: 10
Value: 9
Image Quality: 10
Noise: 10
New or Used: New
| | My Pentax digital SLR journey started back in 2004 when I was a regional weekly newspaper photojournalist. My paper moved to a new location with no provision for a darkroom, so I made the decision to retire my fleet (3) of semi-reliable Pz-1p 35mm bodies (Thank goodness for the 4 year extended warranty Pentax used to sell!) and buy a new *ist D 6.1mp DSLR. I've moved through many Pentax DSLRS since.
I'm no longer a photojournalist and I shoot wildlife, trains, automobiles, landscapes and macro. My main cameras were a pair of KP's with battery grips. The grips are a true necessity on the KP for battery life and comfort for my largish hands. I have zero complaints about the image quality delivered by the KP, especially shadow detail and low noise at high ISO. Still, the tracking abilities of the KP AF, even with a PLM or DC focus lenses is not good. So, I wanted to upgrade to a K-3iii.
The K-3iii is definitely a more than minor upgrade in autofocus performance and also accuracy. Using the 55-300 PLM or DF-A 150-450, tracking across the frame and going away is good. Not great, but good which is a first for Pentax.Straight on subjects moving towards the lens can still flummox the AF, but hits are more than misses.
I am 56 now and slightly nearsighted, and finally had to get eyeglasses. On my KP:I use the ME O53, and have to remove my glasses to use the viewfinder. The larger, higher magnification viewfinder of the K-3iii doesn't need the ME-O53 magnifier. Plus, with glasses on, I can see the entire frame. The rear LCD is better than previous Pentax DSLRs and the touch feature is nice, when I remember it! I do miss the tilt screen so I am glad I kept one of my KPs for low and high angle work.
Ergonomics are excellent for a camera with so many options and custom functions. With the battery grip, the K-3iii is perfect for vertical shooting and hand held shooting with big telephotos like the DFA 150-450. Battery life is only fair, so using the battery grip is an advantage when taking many photos or using live view.
I have noticed one "glitch" with my K-3iii. If I use the KAF-4 mount 55-300 PLM and then switch to another lens with a standard KAF-2 mount the first frame taken with that lens will be exposed without the aperture stopping down. It happens with every KAF-2 lens after using the KAF-4 lens with no mechanical aperture connection. Other than that, no issues.
Image quality is outstanding. The ability to use HDR handheld is an excellent feature.
Image Noise is basically non existent up to iso 6000 and still minor at 8000. Foliage detail is rendered better than any previous APSC Pentax, including the KP. Flash exposures using my Pentax and Metz flashes is good, with just a slight tendency to overexpose which is easily corrected with exposure compensation. Exposure consistency between differing lenses is excellent too. Definitely the best performance of the Pentax APSC line up.
I definitely highly recommend the K-3iii.
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