This is the Pentax K-3 Mark III

SimplyCreativePhotography · 03-30-2021, 04:43 PM - **14 Likes**

So it's going to cost me $2,500 Canadian to replace my 10-year-old K-5. Sure I would have liked it for less money but the reality is that current DSLR volume (especially for Pentax) means higher prices.

Everyone compares the price to camera "X" or "Y" as if that really matters. Am I going to jump ship to another brand? No. Do I value and enjoy many of the things that make Pentax a really great camera? Yes. So here I am.

And while my K-5 has been a great workhorse, I'm really excited to see how much things have advanced. For me, this will not be an incremental improvement. Trying to save a couple of hundred dollars waiting for a price drop sometime in the future won't really matter in a year or five years, so I'm really going to enjoy this camera as soon as I can get my hands on one.

For reference, I bought a new 386DX computer in 1992 for $2,200 and it was pretty much obsolete 18 months later. I suspect this camera will be a much better purchase.

**Serkevan** · 03-30-2021, 04:50 PM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by SimplyCreativePhotography

So it's going to cost me $2,500 Canadian to replace my 10-year-old K-5. Sure I would have liked it for less money but the reality is that current DSLR volume (especially for Pentax) means higher prices.

Everyone compares the price to camera "X" or "Y" as if that really matters. Am I going to jump ship to another brand? No. Do I value and enjoy many of the things that make Pentax a really great camera? Yes. So here I am.

And while my K-5 has been a great workhorse, I'm really excited to see how much things have advanced. For me, this will not be an incremental improvement. Trying to save a couple of hundred dollars waiting for a price drop sometime in the future won't really matter in a year or five years, so I'm really going to enjoy this camera as soon as I can get my hands on one.

For reference, I bought a new 386DX computer in 1992 for $2,200 and it was pretty much obsolete 18 months later. I suspect this camera will be a much better purchase.

I would expect you'll be able to get another ten years out of this!

mee · 03-30-2021, 04:51 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by SimplyCreativePhotography

For reference, I bought a new 386DX computer in 1992 for $2,200 and it was pretty much obsolete 18 months later. I suspect this camera will be a much better purchase.

I'm not sure this is a similar scenario. PCs back then were leapfrogging performance every 6 months to a year, while DSLRs are not getting huge updates lately. Outside of Pentax catching up to speed.

But I'm sure it will be a fine purchase. Especially going from a gen1 K-5! If you get 10 years out of it, its 250 dollars per year. Not terrible for something keeping you out of trouble. hehe

8BitTim · 03-30-2021, 04:51 PM

Originally posted by Fries

Just preordered the black premium kit.

How? What site?

**Serkevan** · 03-30-2021, 04:52 PM - **4 Likes**

Originally posted by Paul the Sunman

Only for the committed Pentaxian, according to DPR. It does seem difficult to compete with the Fujifilm X-T4 and Nikon D500 on specs alone.

Well, I'm interested. Waiting for the detailed reviews.

To be fair to them, they go back to when they mentioned the D850 might have been the last great DSLR... and say that it might not be so, yet.

IMO they looked fairly positive about the Pentax.

kh1234567890 · 03-30-2021, 04:54 PM - **1 Like**

Who's going to be the first with the obligatory 'person on a bicycle about to run over the photographer' shots ?

**Serkevan** · 03-30-2021, 04:54 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Mousehill

I was fortunate enough to test one of the K-3 mark III's myself as well and made a first personal video impression of my time with the camera:
https://youtu.be/hH3tm8enm7c

Written review with sample images:
Pentax K-3 mark III Review ⋆ Mike Muizebelt Fotografie

Not to spill everything....but I was impressed!

Best regards,
Mike

The camera looks fantastic, absolutely.
The OVF tracking seems impressive, wow...

Unregistered User 8 · 03-30-2021, 04:56 PM - **1 Like**

Hi folks. We have had to remove several political posts from thread. Please stop. Thanks.

mee · 03-30-2021, 05:00 PM

Originally posted by kh1234567890

Who's going to be the first with the obligatory 'person on a bicycle about to run over the photographer' shots ?

I'm really interested in those. I suspect it will do a much better job.

**bobbotron** · 03-30-2021, 05:02 PM

Originally posted by Mousehill

I was fortunate enough to test one of the K-3 mark III's myself as well and made a first personal video impression of my time with the camera:
https://youtu.be/hH3tm8enm7c

Written review with sample images:
Pentax K-3 mark III Review ⋆ Mike Muizebelt Fotografie

Not to spill everything....but I was impressed!

Best regards,
Mike

Thanks for posting this review, really great to hear a review from a photographer. This was fun!

**SteveinSLC** · 03-30-2021, 05:08 PM - **1 Like**

I'm not too bent out of shape relative to the price. Adjusted for inflation, it's less than what the D500 was. The big question...can it match D500 AF performance? If so, and assuming that Pentax has the expected bump in image quality, they may have a winner. That said, it would still be nice to have a Tamron or Sigma 200-600 option for this if they are going after the wildlife/sports market.
I won't say anything about the lack of tilt screen

mtkeller · 03-30-2021, 05:13 PM

Originally posted by SteveinSLC

That said, it would still be nice to have a Tamron or Sigma 200-600 option for this if they are going after the wildlife/sports market.

Could always go for a rebadged Tamron, since there’s precedent. HD coatings, no need for shake reduction in the lens, weather seals and slap a Pentax label on it.

KiloHotelphoto · 03-30-2021, 05:47 PM

I know lots of people talked about the view finder but I think more people will like the joystick more. That was one thing I really hated on my Pentax bodies was the lack of one, they really do make selecting a focus point faster.

Was a little surprised that it only has 41 selectable focus points though, maybe I read that wrong correct me if I did, I thought it would've had more when I first heard it had 100 something points.

$2000 is going to be high for a bunch of people here, I know their were a few threads about the possible price when the Ricoh executive mentioned I think $2300 and most people were hoping for $1500 range.

reh321 · 03-30-2021, 05:53 PM

Originally posted by KiloHotelphoto

I know lots of people talked about the view finder but I think more people will like the joystick more. That was one thing I really hated on my Pentax bodies was the lack of one, they really do make selecting a focus point faster.

Was a little surprised that it only has 41 selectable focus points though, maybe I read that wrong correct me if I did, I thought it would've had more when I first heard it had 100 something points.

$2000 is going to be high for a bunch of people here, I know their were a few threads about the possible price when the Ricoh executive mentioned I think $2300 and most people were hoping for $1500 range.

It is high for some of us - but not for those who really need these features - I won't be looking at it right now because my KP is currently meeting my needs.

**Belnan** · 03-30-2021, 05:58 PM

I really appreciate the effort Pentax has put into this camera, it really looks like a nice upgrade for us Pentax users. sigh 1999 usd. lots of users here were adamant about the price and they were right, but 2500 CAD is just a bit too much for me, but I think they will sell quite a few to early adopters. I don't suspect they will drop the price on this one to quickly, doesn't seem to be what they do anymore. 1699 would of put it direct competition with X-T4 and perhaps gave them a shot at some new users. I think this will only sell within the Pentax community, but we have yet to see the IQ. If it blows all else away it could a worthy FF alternative. In any case it is a sweet camera, it sucks that in order to try one I have to buy it. Perhaps Pentax Canada can do something about that.

Correction: the X-T4 does retail for the same price, it is just discounted now.

03-30-2021, 04:54 PM - 1 Like	#36
kh1234567890 Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Manchester, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,653	Bicycle shots ? Who's going to be the first with the obligatory 'person on a bicycle about to run over the photographer' shots ?

03-30-2021, 05:58 PM	#45
Belnan Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Nova Scotia Photos: Albums Posts: 1,090	I really appreciate the effort Pentax has put into this camera, it really looks like a nice upgrade for us Pentax users. sigh 1999 usd. lots of users here were adamant about the price and they were right, but 2500 CAD is just a bit too much for me, but I think they will sell quite a few to early adopters. I don't suspect they will drop the price on this one to quickly, doesn't seem to be what they do anymore. 1699 would of put it direct competition with X-T4 and perhaps gave them a shot at some new users. I think this will only sell within the Pentax community, but we have yet to see the IQ. If it blows all else away it could a worthy FF alternative. In any case it is a sweet camera, it sucks that in order to try one I have to buy it. Perhaps Pentax Canada can do something about that. Correction: the X-T4 does retail for the same price, it is just discounted now. Last edited by Belnan; 03-30-2021 at 06:15 PM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
K-3 Mark III Specification -- "Aperture Information Record" customization	c.a.m	Pentax News and Rumors	43	01-23-2021 03:16 PM
Pentax K-3 Mark III - First Hands-on	Mistral75	Pentax News and Rumors	690	01-10-2021 04:38 PM
K-3 Mark III teaser Volume 7	Sandy Hancock	Pentax News and Rumors	83	12-16-2020 03:08 PM
Pentax K-3 Mark III (R03010) - Additional pictures	Mistral75	Pentax News and Rumors	594	12-15-2020 04:56 PM
Pentax K-3 Mark III camera AF points arrangement and internal pictures	Pelto	Pentax News and Rumors	6	12-11-2020 04:44 AM

03-30-2021, 04:43 PM - 14 Likes	#31
SimplyCreativePhotography Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Drayton, Ontario, Canada Photos: Albums Posts: 264	So it's going to cost me $2,500 Canadian to replace my 10-year-old K-5. Sure I would have liked it for less money but the reality is that current DSLR volume (especially for Pentax) means higher prices. Everyone compares the price to camera "X" or "Y" as if that really matters. Am I going to jump ship to another brand? No. Do I value and enjoy many of the things that make Pentax a really great camera? Yes. So here I am. And while my K-5 has been a great workhorse, I'm really excited to see how much things have advanced. For me, this will not be an incremental improvement. Trying to save a couple of hundred dollars waiting for a price drop sometime in the future won't really matter in a year or five years, so I'm really going to enjoy this camera as soon as I can get my hands on one. For reference, I bought a new 386DX computer in 1992 for $2,200 and it was pretty much obsolete 18 months later. I suspect this camera will be a much better purchase.

03-30-2021, 04:50 PM - 2 Likes	#32
Serkevan Site Supporter Join Date: May 2019 Photos: Albums Posts: 5,976	Originally posted by SimplyCreativePhotography So it's going to cost me $2,500 Canadian to replace my 10-year-old K-5. Sure I would have liked it for less money but the reality is that current DSLR volume (especially for Pentax) means higher prices. Everyone compares the price to camera "X" or "Y" as if that really matters. Am I going to jump ship to another brand? No. Do I value and enjoy many of the things that make Pentax a really great camera? Yes. So here I am. And while my K-5 has been a great workhorse, I'm really excited to see how much things have advanced. For me, this will not be an incremental improvement. Trying to save a couple of hundred dollars waiting for a price drop sometime in the future won't really matter in a year or five years, so I'm really going to enjoy this camera as soon as I can get my hands on one. For reference, I bought a new 386DX computer in 1992 for $2,200 and it was pretty much obsolete 18 months later. I suspect this camera will be a much better purchase. I would expect you'll be able to get another ten years out of this!

03-30-2021, 04:51 PM - 1 Like	#33
mee Veteran Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 7,403	Originally posted by SimplyCreativePhotography For reference, I bought a new 386DX computer in 1992 for $2,200 and it was pretty much obsolete 18 months later. I suspect this camera will be a much better purchase. I'm not sure this is a similar scenario. PCs back then were leapfrogging performance every 6 months to a year, while DSLRs are not getting huge updates lately. Outside of Pentax catching up to speed. But I'm sure it will be a fine purchase. Especially going from a gen1 K-5! If you get 10 years out of it, its 250 dollars per year. Not terrible for something keeping you out of trouble. hehe

03-30-2021, 04:51 PM	#34
8BitTim Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2021 Posts: 43	Originally posted by Fries Just preordered the black premium kit. How? What site?

03-30-2021, 04:52 PM - 4 Likes	#35
Serkevan Site Supporter Join Date: May 2019 Photos: Albums Posts: 5,976	Originally posted by Paul the Sunman Only for the committed Pentaxian, according to DPR. It does seem difficult to compete with the Fujifilm X-T4 and Nikon D500 on specs alone. Well, I'm interested. Waiting for the detailed reviews. To be fair to them, they go back to when they mentioned the D850 might have been the last great DSLR... and say that it might not be so, yet. IMO they looked fairly positive about the Pentax.

03-30-2021, 04:54 PM - 1 Like	#37
Serkevan Site Supporter Join Date: May 2019 Photos: Albums Posts: 5,976	Originally posted by Mousehill I was fortunate enough to test one of the K-3 mark III's myself as well and made a first personal video impression of my time with the camera: https://youtu.be/hH3tm8enm7c Written review with sample images: Pentax K-3 mark III Review ⋆ Mike Muizebelt Fotografie Not to spill everything....but I was impressed! Best regards, Mike The camera looks fantastic, absolutely. The OVF tracking seems impressive, wow...

03-30-2021, 04:56 PM - 1 Like	#38
Unregistered User 8 Closed Account Join Date: Mar 2015 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,694	Hi folks. We have had to remove several political posts from thread. Please stop. Thanks.

03-30-2021, 05:00 PM	#39
mee Veteran Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 7,403	Originally posted by kh1234567890 Who's going to be the first with the obligatory 'person on a bicycle about to run over the photographer' shots ? I'm really interested in those. I suspect it will do a much better job.

03-30-2021, 05:02 PM	#40
bobbotron Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Ottawa, ON Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,349	Originally posted by Mousehill I was fortunate enough to test one of the K-3 mark III's myself as well and made a first personal video impression of my time with the camera: https://youtu.be/hH3tm8enm7c Written review with sample images: Pentax K-3 mark III Review ⋆ Mike Muizebelt Fotografie Not to spill everything....but I was impressed! Best regards, Mike Thanks for posting this review, really great to hear a review from a photographer. This was fun!

03-30-2021, 05:08 PM - 1 Like	#41
SteveinSLC Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2017 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 568	I'm not too bent out of shape relative to the price. Adjusted for inflation, it's less than what the D500 was. The big question...can it match D500 AF performance? If so, and assuming that Pentax has the expected bump in image quality, they may have a winner. That said, it would still be nice to have a Tamron or Sigma 200-600 option for this if they are going after the wildlife/sports market. I won't say anything about the lack of tilt screen

03-30-2021, 05:13 PM	#42
mtkeller Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: Sioux City, IA Photos: Gallery Posts: 938	Originally posted by SteveinSLC That said, it would still be nice to have a Tamron or Sigma 200-600 option for this if they are going after the wildlife/sports market. Could always go for a rebadged Tamron, since there’s precedent. HD coatings, no need for shake reduction in the lens, weather seals and slap a Pentax label on it.

03-30-2021, 05:47 PM	#43
KiloHotelphoto Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Glen Mills, PA Photos: Albums Posts: 1,030	I know lots of people talked about the view finder but I think more people will like the joystick more. That was one thing I really hated on my Pentax bodies was the lack of one, they really do make selecting a focus point faster. Was a little surprised that it only has 41 selectable focus points though, maybe I read that wrong correct me if I did, I thought it would've had more when I first heard it had 100 something points. $2000 is going to be high for a bunch of people here, I know their were a few threads about the possible price when the Ricoh executive mentioned I think $2300 and most people were hoping for $1500 range.

03-30-2021, 05:53 PM	#44
reh321 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: South Bend, IN, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,185	Originally posted by KiloHotelphoto I know lots of people talked about the view finder but I think more people will like the joystick more. That was one thing I really hated on my Pentax bodies was the lack of one, they really do make selecting a focus point faster. Was a little surprised that it only has 41 selectable focus points though, maybe I read that wrong correct me if I did, I thought it would've had more when I first heard it had 100 something points. $2000 is going to be high for a bunch of people here, I know their were a few threads about the possible price when the Ricoh executive mentioned I think $2300 and most people were hoping for $1500 range. It is high for some of us - but not for those who really need these features - I won't be looking at it right now because my KP is currently meeting my needs.