Face detection on K-3

**Belnan** · 11-09-2013, 09:34 AM

I dont think this is an option on the K-3 but is possible with new metering system that pentax could impliment a face detection focus with the PDAF of the K-3 like that of the d800. Or is the spread of the autofocus points to limiting. I know they mention scene recognition but not specifically face recognition. Any thoughts or does the K-3 already offer something like this, perhaps just not advertised.

Adam · 11-09-2013, 12:32 PM

Originally posted by Belnan

I dont think this is an option on the K-3 but is possible with new metering system that pentax could impliment a face detection focus with the PDAF of the K-3 like that of the d800. Or is the spread of the autofocus points to limiting. I know they mention scene recognition but not specifically face recognition. Any thoughts or does the K-3 already offer something like this, perhaps just not advertised.

AFAIK face detection requires an actual image for analysis, so that's why it's only available in live view. The PDAF sensor works completely differently and thus doesn't collect enough data for face detection.

David&karen · 11-09-2013, 02:15 PM

We used the Nikon D3X for three years and in PDAF it most definately would pick out only a brides(or grooms - lets just say a persons closest eye) as the focus point, and it was almost always 100% at doing that through all sorts of clutter. not really face detection, but I really would like to know if the K3 can do this.

David

**Belnan** · 11-09-2013, 02:51 PM

Originally posted by David&karen

We used the Nikon D3X for three years and in PDAF it most definately would pick out only a brides(or grooms - lets just say a persons closest eye) as the focus point, and it was almost always 100% at doing that through all sorts of clutter. not really face detection, but I really would like to know if the K3 can do this.

David

From one of the D800 engineers "We also bumped the pixel count of the RGB metering sensor up to 91,000 pixels so that faces can be detected even when shooting with the optical viewfinder"

Maybe in a future firmware update pentax will mention this. Seems that the 86K RGB should be sufficient to aid in focusing which is what they claim. Maybe experimenting will show that this is the case already.

rawr · 11-09-2013, 05:13 PM

Several modern FF Nikons have face detection to some degree built into the scene recognition in PDAF.

The K-3 has a few face-detection items in the EXIF, which seem related to face detection in CDAF:

Faces Detected : 0
Face Position : 0 0
Face Detect : On (5 faces max); 0 faces detected
Face Detect Frame Size : 0 0

but they look much the same as the face detect EXIF entries in older Pentaxes like the K-x. So maybe PDAF face detection still remains a work-in-progress with the K-3.

11-09-2013, 09:34 AM	#1
Belnan Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Nova Scotia Photos: Albums Posts: 1,090	Face detection on K-3 I dont think this is an option on the K-3 but is possible with new metering system that pentax could impliment a face detection focus with the PDAF of the K-3 like that of the d800. Or is the spread of the autofocus points to limiting. I know they mention scene recognition but not specifically face recognition. Any thoughts or does the K-3 already offer something like this, perhaps just not advertised.

11-09-2013, 12:32 PM	#2
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,593	Originally posted by Belnan I dont think this is an option on the K-3 but is possible with new metering system that pentax could impliment a face detection focus with the PDAF of the K-3 like that of the d800. Or is the spread of the autofocus points to limiting. I know they mention scene recognition but not specifically face recognition. Any thoughts or does the K-3 already offer something like this, perhaps just not advertised. AFAIK face detection requires an actual image for analysis, so that's why it's only available in live view. The PDAF sensor works completely differently and thus doesn't collect enough data for face detection. 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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11-09-2013, 02:15 PM	#3
David&karen Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 327	We used the Nikon D3X for three years and in PDAF it most definately would pick out only a brides(or grooms - lets just say a persons closest eye) as the focus point, and it was almost always 100% at doing that through all sorts of clutter. not really face detection, but I really would like to know if the K3 can do this. David

11-09-2013, 02:51 PM	#4
Belnan Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Nova Scotia Photos: Albums Posts: 1,090 Original Poster	Originally posted by David&karen We used the Nikon D3X for three years and in PDAF it most definately would pick out only a brides(or grooms - lets just say a persons closest eye) as the focus point, and it was almost always 100% at doing that through all sorts of clutter. not really face detection, but I really would like to know if the K3 can do this. David From one of the D800 engineers "We also bumped the pixel count of the RGB metering sensor up to 91,000 pixels so that faces can be detected even when shooting with the optical viewfinder" Maybe in a future firmware update pentax will mention this. Seems that the 86K RGB should be sufficient to aid in focusing which is what they claim. Maybe experimenting will show that this is the case already.

11-09-2013, 05:13 PM	#5
rawr Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 11,913	Several modern FF Nikons have face detection to some degree built into the scene recognition in PDAF. The K-3 has a few face-detection items in the EXIF, which seem related to face detection in CDAF: Faces Detected : 0 Face Position : 0 0 Face Detect : On (5 faces max); 0 faces detected Face Detect Frame Size : 0 0 but they look much the same as the face detect EXIF entries in older Pentaxes like the K-x. So maybe PDAF face detection still remains a work-in-progress with the K-3.

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