Why talking about the out-of-date K-7, K-x , even K-5 !
It's very clear that all those cameras cannot compete Pana GH2/GH3 and other Canikons
Typing "pentax .. video test" from Youtube or Vimeo can prove this .
I've done some video shots to compare video functions between K-5 and K-3 with Sigma 17-50 f2.8.
The results are that
1. K-3 has quick slide button and press button for video shooting and fast AF when starting video recording. (You will love it
)
2. IQ from K-3 is much better than from K-5 , sharper and more contrast, deeper color ( You will love this
)
3. K-3 audio has 48 KHz mono with built-in mic ( not sure about plug-in mic )
4. No AF during video recording , but K-3 can do re-focusing during recording ( but with annoying blurred images before focused images
)
5. K-3 has better screen to monitor shooting (very important for continuing starring eyes in daylight outdoor ) (you will love it
)
6. K-3 has a dedicated button for selecting rectangle area . It's very smart feature ! ( you will love it
)
7. K-3 AE-L can be used to lock AE during recording . This is smart too. (You will love it
)
8. K-3 is not too hot after long video recordings
9. MOV (H264) file is more artifacts than AVI (M-JEPG) file when panning fast
10. MECHANICAL SR
..... ( still finding ) ....
K-3 video is definitely improving a lot . But Pentax engineers can do more in the next firmware . My suggestions are that
1. If Pentax engineers cannot find a solution for all-the-time AF during video recording, Pentax engineers can discard all back-focused images during recording on SD card , it means replacing front-focused imaged with already back-focused images , so videos seem playing naturally from unfocused images to focused image. Therefore , video footage can be completely used and there is no need removing annoying 2-way unfocused images in video editing stage.
2. Enable the focus-rectangular button during video recording, so we can do re-focus to another subject within fix framing.
3. Enable to select AVI or MOV format ( I prefere AVI in editing )
4. Capture slow motion with high speed (720/100p and 720/120)
5. Enable switching between optical viewfinder and LCD monitor
... (still finding ) ...
I think Ricoh/Pentax engineers can do these in software .
Thank you Ricoh/Pentax for stepping seriously into video field .
Last edited by pTom; 11-10-2013 at 02:42 PM.
Reason: typo and update