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Adam · 04-22-2015, 03:00 PM - **2 Likes**

The Pentax K-3 II is now official and we've posted all of its specs and highlights on our homepage:

Pentax K-3 II Officially Announced - Pentax Announcements | PentaxForums.com

In addition, we've prepared an in-depth article that explains how super resolution works:

How Pentax Pixel Shifting Works - Articles and Tips | PentaxForums.com

Pre-order your Pentax K-3 II at: B&H Photo | Adorama | WEX Photographic | SRS Microsystems

Adam
PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide | Site Help | My Photography)

PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

gmans · 04-22-2015, 03:05 PM

It is the goods, great improvement.

Chris Mak · 04-22-2015, 03:08 PM

A modest upgrade by the looks of it, unless you like the pixel shift feature. If it is the same sensor as the one in the K3, then I will pass on this K3II, and wait for the real successor (and probably also if it is a slightly better new version of the same sensor). Which is fine, as the K3 is a great body. I would like a more advanced AF system though.

Chris

Borrelli · 04-22-2015, 03:12 PM

Popcorn time over. Everyone can have a rest now until we get some test feedback on how it works out in practice. The price seems quite competitive, but I still like what I paid for my K-3 a few weeks ago.

All in all, I think there are some solid improvements to an already very good camera. A good way for Ricoh to breathe some more life into this chassis without entirely re-engineering what is already a very good piece of equipment.

Last edited by Borrelli; 04-22-2015 at 03:25 PM.

goodnight · 04-22-2015, 03:22 PM - **1 Like**

It's time to go ask dpreview where the K-3II review is... everywhere.

bwDraco · 04-22-2015, 03:23 PM

The price is only the icing on the cake. US$1099 is very aggressive, even lower than what the original K-3 launched at ($1299).

—DragonLord

HawaiianOnline · 04-22-2015, 03:32 PM

The photos show the new DA 16-85mm mounted. I wonder if it will be offered with it in a kit?

**RobA_Oz** · 04-22-2015, 03:33 PM

Originally posted by DragonLord

The price is only the icing on the cake. US$1099 is very aggressive, even lower than what the original K-3 launched at ($1299).

—DragonLord

...and US$100 cheaper than the Nikon D7200, according to the B&H site.

Winder · 04-22-2015, 03:36 PM - **1 Like**

Great camera for the money. Good way to freshen up the K-3 and keep it relevant. I was hoping for more of a glimpse of what tech then new FF might hold, but I guess they are keeping all of that under wraps.

HawaiianOnline · 04-22-2015, 03:40 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by goodnight

It's time to go ask dpreview where the K-3II review is... everywhere.

They have a "hands on review". Not comprehensive, but it's something...

**jpzk** · 04-22-2015, 03:42 PM

Originally posted by Adam

The Pentax K-3 II is now official and we've posted all of its specs and highlights on our homepage:

Pentax K-3 II Officially Announced - Pentax Announcements | PentaxForums.com

In addition, we've prepared an in-depth article that explains how super resolution works:

How Pentax Pixel Shifting Works - Articles and Tips | PentaxForums.com

Pre-order your Pentax K-3 II at: B&H Photo | Adorama | WEX Photographic | SRS Microsystems

Finally !!
Something tangible !
Thanks for the thread, Adam

---------- Post added 04-22-15 at 06:44 PM ----------

And this is great news, I would assume, for those who did not buy the K3 and waited a little while longer before upgrading.

rawr · 04-22-2015, 03:53 PM

My impression so far is that, aside from the removal of the flash and the addition of the GPS chip, most of the changes are software based, not hardware (the pixel shifting, the re-tuned SR, the re-tuned AF-C etc). The sensor seems the same, the AF hardware seems identical too.

asahi-man had suggested some sensor and AF hardware upgrades would be there in the v II, so I am somewhat disappointed not to see any mention of either.

osv · 04-22-2015, 04:00 PM

that pixel shift technology is very interesting, thx for the info.

there is a rumor that sony is going to announce something maybe similar for the a7ii, via a firmware update, but who knows... it's a $2k camera, and with this 5/2015 release date, it looks like pentax is gonna scoop 'em on the pixel shift resolution, for $900 less.

Doundounba · 04-22-2015, 04:02 PM

No word on sensor, but processor engine and AF module hardware are identical. The SR improvements look like possibly a minor hardware upgrade (the PF article claims new gyro). The switching of flash for GPS entails very little new software - as the GPS hardware is no doubt identical to the O-GPS1. This is basically a "K-3.1", with some interesting firmware updates, IMHO... I suppose we can't complain too much, as no doubt the vast majority of camera development resources are going into FF development, but I'd have liked a 645z-style tilting LCD. And no, the K-S2's swiveling unit doesn't work for me - I want the screen to remain directly in the axis of the lens...

kenspo · 04-22-2015, 04:10 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by rawr

asahi-man had suggested some sensor and AF hardware upgrades would be there in the v II, so I am somewhat disappointed not to see any mention of either.

We both have been told the same thing. Will call them first thing in the morning to get the facts straight.

K-3 Mark II: Effective pixels: 24.35 MP

First K-3: Effective pixels: 23.35 MP

So something is changed here. Will have answers later.

04-22-2015, 03:00 PM - 2 Likes	#1
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,609	Pentax K-3 II Officially Announced The Pentax K-3 II is now official and we've posted all of its specs and highlights on our homepage: Pentax K-3 II Officially Announced - Pentax Announcements \| PentaxForums.com In addition, we've prepared an in-depth article that explains how super resolution works: How Pentax Pixel Shifting Works - Articles and Tips \| PentaxForums.com Pre-order your Pentax K-3 II at: B&H Photo \| Adorama \| WEX Photographic \| SRS Microsystems Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

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04-22-2015, 03:05 PM	#2
gmans Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Hunter Valley,NSW, Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,466	It is the goods, great improvement.

04-22-2015, 03:08 PM	#3
Chris Mak Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2013 Photos: Albums Posts: 639	A modest upgrade by the looks of it, unless you like the pixel shift feature. If it is the same sensor as the one in the K3, then I will pass on this K3II, and wait for the real successor (and probably also if it is a slightly better new version of the same sensor). Which is fine, as the K3 is a great body. I would like a more advanced AF system though. Chris

04-22-2015, 03:12 PM	#4
Borrelli Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Utrecht Posts: 124	Popcorn time over. Everyone can have a rest now until we get some test feedback on how it works out in practice. The price seems quite competitive, but I still like what I paid for my K-3 a few weeks ago. All in all, I think there are some solid improvements to an already very good camera. A good way for Ricoh to breathe some more life into this chassis without entirely re-engineering what is already a very good piece of equipment. Last edited by Borrelli; 04-22-2015 at 03:25 PM.

04-22-2015, 03:22 PM - 1 Like	#5
goodnight Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 128	It's time to go ask dpreview where the K-3II review is... everywhere.

04-22-2015, 03:23 PM	#6
bwDraco Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: New York Photos: Albums Posts: 1,071	The price is only the icing on the cake. US$1099 is very aggressive, even lower than what the original K-3 launched at ($1299). —DragonLord

04-22-2015, 03:32 PM	#7
HawaiianOnline Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Hawaii Posts: 613	The photos show the new DA 16-85mm mounted. I wonder if it will be offered with it in a kit?

04-22-2015, 03:33 PM	#8
RobA_Oz Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Tasmania, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,209	Originally posted by DragonLord The price is only the icing on the cake. US$1099 is very aggressive, even lower than what the original K-3 launched at ($1299). —DragonLord ...and US$100 cheaper than the Nikon D7200, according to the B&H site.

04-22-2015, 03:36 PM - 1 Like	#9
Winder Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Tennessee Posts: 6,617	Great camera for the money. Good way to freshen up the K-3 and keep it relevant. I was hoping for more of a glimpse of what tech then new FF might hold, but I guess they are keeping all of that under wraps.

04-22-2015, 03:40 PM - 1 Like	#10
HawaiianOnline Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Hawaii Posts: 613	Originally posted by goodnight It's time to go ask dpreview where the K-3II review is... everywhere. They have a "hands on review". Not comprehensive, but it's something...

04-22-2015, 03:42 PM	#11
jpzk Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Québec Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,251	Originally posted by Adam The Pentax K-3 II is now official and we've posted all of its specs and highlights on our homepage: Pentax K-3 II Officially Announced - Pentax Announcements \| PentaxForums.com In addition, we've prepared an in-depth article that explains how super resolution works: How Pentax Pixel Shifting Works - Articles and Tips \| PentaxForums.com Pre-order your Pentax K-3 II at: B&H Photo \| Adorama \| WEX Photographic \| SRS Microsystems Finally !! Something tangible ! Thanks for the thread, Adam ---------- Post added 04-22-15 at 06:44 PM ---------- And this is great news, I would assume, for those who did not buy the K3 and waited a little while longer before upgrading.

04-22-2015, 03:53 PM	#12
rawr Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 11,913	My impression so far is that, aside from the removal of the flash and the addition of the GPS chip, most of the changes are software based, not hardware (the pixel shifting, the re-tuned SR, the re-tuned AF-C etc). The sensor seems the same, the AF hardware seems identical too. asahi-man had suggested some sensor and AF hardware upgrades would be there in the v II, so I am somewhat disappointed not to see any mention of either.

04-22-2015, 04:00 PM	#13
osv Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: So Cal Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,080	that pixel shift technology is very interesting, thx for the info. there is a rumor that sony is going to announce something maybe similar for the a7ii, via a firmware update, but who knows... it's a $2k camera, and with this 5/2015 release date, it looks like pentax is gonna scoop 'em on the pixel shift resolution, for $900 less.

04-22-2015, 04:02 PM	#14
Doundounba Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Montréal QC Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,351	No word on sensor, but processor engine and AF module hardware are identical. The SR improvements look like possibly a minor hardware upgrade (the PF article claims new gyro). The switching of flash for GPS entails very little new software - as the GPS hardware is no doubt identical to the O-GPS1. This is basically a "K-3.1", with some interesting firmware updates, IMHO... I suppose we can't complain too much, as no doubt the vast majority of camera development resources are going into FF development, but I'd have liked a 645z-style tilting LCD. And no, the K-S2's swiveling unit doesn't work for me - I want the screen to remain directly in the axis of the lens...

04-22-2015, 04:10 PM - 1 Like	#15
kenspo Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Oslo Posts: 2,207	Originally posted by rawr asahi-man had suggested some sensor and AF hardware upgrades would be there in the v II, so I am somewhat disappointed not to see any mention of either. We both have been told the same thing. Will call them first thing in the morning to get the facts straight. K-3 Mark II: Effective pixels: 24.35 MP First K-3: Effective pixels: 23.35 MP So something is changed here. Will have answers later.