K-3 II First Look

MMVIII · 04-22-2015, 07:47 AM

Originally posted by tariq

The new panning control of the SR feature almost certainly makes use of the built in compass to know which direction the camera is panning. The original K3 does not have a compass.

From the Adorama article:

"Additionally, the new panning detection feature on the K-3 II detects the moving direction of the camera and controls the SR unit."

Probably true. Including a small IMU (inertial measurement unit) like in mobile phones will probably be a prerequisite for panning detection. The implementation of the GPS... might add just this, thus probably no easy firmware tweak for K-3. Wondering if this is able to support continuous AF, thus also no possible K-3 upgrade...

BertH · 04-22-2015, 07:51 AM

Originally posted by Dlanor Sekao

Im waiting for Real World Release price too.....In the USA !

That's a Contradictio in terminis

Dlanor Sekao · 04-22-2015, 08:45 AM

Originally posted by BertH

That's a Contradictio in terminis

Well.....I do live here....lol
I just need a price before I dive in headfirst into an empty Pool ?
Pretty sure Im getting my feet wet on this one that has "Best Landscape Camera" written all over it......anybody want a K3 ?

danny09 · 04-22-2015, 09:07 AM

Olympus leads in IBIS currently. Pentax SR is stuck in 2008 performance levels still. I guess they had to improve the SR to support the giant FF lenses and also the Pixel Shifting.
This purported leak sounds like a paid marketing advertisement by Ricoh.
But everyone does it these days. Why not them?

CRPhoto · 04-22-2015, 09:17 AM

Originally posted by tariq

The new panning control of the SR feature almost certainly makes use of the built in compass to know which direction the camera is panning. The original K3 does not have a compass.

From the Adorama article:

"Additionally, the new panning detection feature on the K-3 II detects the moving direction of the camera and controls the SR unit."

No previous Penax DSLR had one. This is what the Pentax O-GPS1 was for. The exif with pics using the GPS had the direction I was shooting. It's a cool feature, and handy for landscape photos. On Lightroom this info shows up.

**LaurenOE** · 04-22-2015, 09:28 AM

Pixel shifting is cool, as is the features of the GPS that we had with the K5.
I missed having the ability to store locations in the K3, and now I will always have a GPS unit with me. I never seemed to have an O-GPS-1 with me when I needed it (I have two).

Missing the flash? Sure, I get that Pentax had to put the GPS gear in that space, and I'm sure that the digital interface that the O-GPS-1 used as for the flash contacts, has been hard wired under the hood.

So it should be fine. On the fence if I will pick one up.

tariq · 04-22-2015, 09:28 AM

Originally posted by CRPhoto

No previous Penax DSLR had one. This is what the Pentax O-GPS1 was for. The exif with pics using the GPS had the direction I was shooting. It's a cool feature, and handy for landscape photos. On Lightroom this info shows up.

I agree. Having the direction shot in addition to the GPS coordinates is going to be very useful.

CRPhoto · 04-22-2015, 09:59 AM

Originally posted by tariq

I agree. Having the direction shot in addition to the GPS coordinates is going to be very useful.

But this is old, if you bought a O-GPS1 then every shot has orientation. I've been using it since it came out. Great little add on. Even better now to have it inside the camera!

thibs · 04-22-2015, 10:22 AM

Originally posted by CRPhoto

But this is old, if you bought a O-GPS1 then every shot has orientation. I've been using it since it came out. Great little add on. Even better now to have it inside the camera!

Yep but the point is: GPS itself does NOT mean you get direction. Some simple GPS (not so old ones) will not include compas and will only be able to deduct orientation from your movements. Once you stop, your direction information is bogus. Most of the time now, compas is included of course.

Gimbal · 04-22-2015, 10:49 AM

Originally posted by MMVIII

Probably true. Including a small IMU (inertial measurement unit) like in mobile phones will probably be a prerequisite for panning detection. The implementation of the GPS... might add just this, thus probably no easy firmware tweak for K-3. Wondering if this is able to support continuous AF, thus also no possible K-3 upgrade...

The K5 and the K3 already have 3d accelerometers (remember the automatic horizon leveling function?) so panning detection is most probably only a software hack. AF could also be software, and the improved SR = software.

But then again, it could also be a combination with some new hardware as well. New better accelerometers and gyros wouldn't hurt, and maybe stronger SR actuators.

CRPhoto · 04-22-2015, 10:49 AM

Originally posted by thibs

Yep but the point is: GPS itself does NOT mean you get direction. Some simple GPS (not so old ones) will not include compas and will only be able to deduct orientation from your movements. Once you stop, your direction information is bogus. Most of the time now, compas is included of course.

Oh, ok yeah, true.

Stavri · 04-22-2015, 10:55 AM

I hope they take pity on K3 owners and give us some freebies such as pixel-shift or improved AF-C via software update

**boriscleto** · 04-22-2015, 11:13 AM

Originally posted by Stavri

I hope they take pity on K3 owners and give us some freebies such as pixel-shift or improved AF-C via software update

Supposedly the AF.C is already improved with the v1.20 firmware. Maybe it can get even better?

Stavri · 04-22-2015, 11:16 AM

Originally posted by boriscleto

Supposedly the AF.C is already improved with the v1.20 firmware. Maybe it can get even better?

I hope so, although I'm afraid the "pixel-shift" might need beefier hardware (ala K3ii) to work, I'm not holding my breath for that one.

**boriscleto** · 04-22-2015, 11:18 AM

Originally posted by Stavri

I hope so, although I'm afraid the "pixel-shift" might need beefier hardware (ala K3ii) to work, I'm not holding my breath for that one.

What 'beefier' hardware? Same AF module in the II. Same Prime III processor. Unless it ties into the SR...

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04-22-2015, 07:47 AM	#31
MMVIII Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: EU Posts: 1,121	Originally posted by tariq The new panning control of the SR feature almost certainly makes use of the built in compass to know which direction the camera is panning. The original K3 does not have a compass. From the Adorama article: "Additionally, the new panning detection feature on the K-3 II detects the moving direction of the camera and controls the SR unit." Probably true. Including a small IMU (inertial measurement unit) like in mobile phones will probably be a prerequisite for panning detection. The implementation of the GPS... might add just this, thus probably no easy firmware tweak for K-3. Wondering if this is able to support continuous AF, thus also no possible K-3 upgrade...

04-22-2015, 07:51 AM	#32
BertH Closed Account Join Date: May 2012 Location: Biddinghuizen, the Netherlands Posts: 54	Originally posted by Dlanor Sekao Im waiting for Real World Release price too.....In the USA ! That's a Contradictio in terminis

04-22-2015, 08:45 AM	#33
Dlanor Sekao Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Posts: 1,457	Originally posted by BertH That's a Contradictio in terminis Well.....I do live here....lol I just need a price before I dive in headfirst into an empty Pool ? Pretty sure Im getting my feet wet on this one that has "Best Landscape Camera" written all over it......anybody want a K3 ?

04-22-2015, 09:07 AM	#34
danny09 Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 417	Olympus leads in IBIS currently. Pentax SR is stuck in 2008 performance levels still. I guess they had to improve the SR to support the giant FF lenses and also the Pixel Shifting. This purported leak sounds like a paid marketing advertisement by Ricoh. But everyone does it these days. Why not them?

04-22-2015, 09:17 AM	#35
CRPhoto Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: San Jose, Costa Rica Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 260	Originally posted by tariq The new panning control of the SR feature almost certainly makes use of the built in compass to know which direction the camera is panning. The original K3 does not have a compass. From the Adorama article: "Additionally, the new panning detection feature on the K-3 II detects the moving direction of the camera and controls the SR unit." No previous Penax DSLR had one. This is what the Pentax O-GPS1 was for. The exif with pics using the GPS had the direction I was shooting. It's a cool feature, and handy for landscape photos. On Lightroom this info shows up.

04-22-2015, 09:28 AM	#36
LaurenOE Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Back in Florida, but worldwide gigs! Photos: Albums Posts: 3,690	Pixel shifting is cool, as is the features of the GPS that we had with the K5. I missed having the ability to store locations in the K3, and now I will always have a GPS unit with me. I never seemed to have an O-GPS-1 with me when I needed it (I have two). Missing the flash? Sure, I get that Pentax had to put the GPS gear in that space, and I'm sure that the digital interface that the O-GPS-1 used as for the flash contacts, has been hard wired under the hood. So it should be fine. On the fence if I will pick one up.

04-22-2015, 09:28 AM	#37
tariq New Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 19	Originally posted by CRPhoto No previous Penax DSLR had one. This is what the Pentax O-GPS1 was for. The exif with pics using the GPS had the direction I was shooting. It's a cool feature, and handy for landscape photos. On Lightroom this info shows up. I agree. Having the direction shot in addition to the GPS coordinates is going to be very useful.

04-22-2015, 09:59 AM	#38
CRPhoto Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: San Jose, Costa Rica Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 260	Originally posted by tariq I agree. Having the direction shot in addition to the GPS coordinates is going to be very useful. But this is old, if you bought a O-GPS1 then every shot has orientation. I've been using it since it came out. Great little add on. Even better now to have it inside the camera!

04-22-2015, 10:22 AM	#39
thibs Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Belgium Photos: Albums Posts: 7,001	Originally posted by CRPhoto But this is old, if you bought a O-GPS1 then every shot has orientation. I've been using it since it came out. Great little add on. Even better now to have it inside the camera! Yep but the point is: GPS itself does NOT mean you get direction. Some simple GPS (not so old ones) will not include compas and will only be able to deduct orientation from your movements. Once you stop, your direction information is bogus. Most of the time now, compas is included of course.

04-22-2015, 10:49 AM	#40
Gimbal Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Sweden Posts: 2,106	Originally posted by MMVIII Probably true. Including a small IMU (inertial measurement unit) like in mobile phones will probably be a prerequisite for panning detection. The implementation of the GPS... might add just this, thus probably no easy firmware tweak for K-3. Wondering if this is able to support continuous AF, thus also no possible K-3 upgrade... The K5 and the K3 already have 3d accelerometers (remember the automatic horizon leveling function?) so panning detection is most probably only a software hack. AF could also be software, and the improved SR = software. But then again, it could also be a combination with some new hardware as well. New better accelerometers and gyros wouldn't hurt, and maybe stronger SR actuators.

04-22-2015, 10:49 AM	#41
CRPhoto Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: San Jose, Costa Rica Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 260	Originally posted by thibs Yep but the point is: GPS itself does NOT mean you get direction. Some simple GPS (not so old ones) will not include compas and will only be able to deduct orientation from your movements. Once you stop, your direction information is bogus. Most of the time now, compas is included of course. Oh, ok yeah, true.

04-22-2015, 10:55 AM	#42
Stavri Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: at a Bean & Leaf Photos: Albums Posts: 1,832	I hope they take pity on K3 owners and give us some freebies such as pixel-shift or improved AF-C via software update

04-22-2015, 11:13 AM	#43
boriscleto Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: North Syracuse, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,475	Originally posted by Stavri I hope they take pity on K3 owners and give us some freebies such as pixel-shift or improved AF-C via software update Supposedly the AF.C is already improved with the v1.20 firmware. Maybe it can get even better?

04-22-2015, 11:16 AM	#44
Stavri Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: at a Bean & Leaf Photos: Albums Posts: 1,832	Originally posted by boriscleto Supposedly the AF.C is already improved with the v1.20 firmware. Maybe it can get even better? I hope so, although I'm afraid the "pixel-shift" might need beefier hardware (ala K3ii) to work, I'm not holding my breath for that one.

04-22-2015, 11:18 AM	#45
boriscleto Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: North Syracuse, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,475	Originally posted by Stavri I hope so, although I'm afraid the "pixel-shift" might need beefier hardware (ala K3ii) to work, I'm not holding my breath for that one. What 'beefier' hardware? Same AF module in the II. Same Prime III processor. Unless it ties into the SR...