Does Pentax make the sensor for K3?

Ilovemypentax · 12-26-2013, 09:15 PM

**crewl1** · 12-26-2013, 09:22 PM

Originally posted by Ilovemypentax

Does Pentax make the sensor for K3?

No, Pentax does not make any of their sensors. I believe it is a Sony in the K-3.

bobmaxja · 12-26-2013, 09:26 PM

Canon , Sony and Samsumg make their sensor but it's not an avantage anymore.

aquashankar · 12-26-2013, 09:56 PM

I think it is the Toshiba sensor used in the Sony and Nikon

Adam · 12-27-2013, 01:39 AM

Originally posted by Ilovemypentax

Does Pentax make the sensor for K3?

The K-3 has a Sony sensor.

saper · 12-27-2013, 01:54 AM

There were many talks everywhere and most concluded it's Sony in K3 :-)

Dariusz · 12-27-2013, 03:02 AM

Originally posted by bobmaxja

Canon , Sony and Samsumg make their sensor but it's not an avantage anymore.

Canon's sensors were always great, and still are. I still consider them as an advantage over others, although advantage not as significant as it used to be.

A decade ago, when everyone was using "colourful" CCDs in their cameras of all sorts and "precise" CMOSes only in their top of the range devices, Canon was installing their marvellous CMOSes even in their entry level SLRs. This was a huge advantage over others IMO. Today everyone seems to use CMOS everywhere, SONY sensors became really good and the difference between "Canon and the world" in sensors' universe is not that obvious anymore

Kunzite · 12-27-2013, 03:34 AM

Sony sensors are currently better.

saper · 12-27-2013, 04:04 AM

Originally posted by Dariusz

Canon's sensors were always great, and still are. I still consider them as an advantage over others, although advantage not as significant as it used to be.

A decade ago, when everyone was using "colourful" CCDs in their cameras of all sorts and "precise" CMOSes only in their top of the range devices, Canon was installing their marvellous CMOSes even in their entry level SLRs. This was a huge advantage over others IMO. Today everyone seems to use CMOS everywhere, SONY sensors became really good and the difference between "Canon and the world" in sensors' universe is not that obvious anymore

I think it would be easier to check dxomark.com for camera sensors rating. Canon sensors are not winners today

**clackers** · 12-27-2013, 04:29 AM

Originally posted by aquashankar

I think it is the Toshiba sensor used in the Sony and Nikon

??? Sony put a Toshiba in their Sony ???

Ilovemypentax · 12-27-2013, 04:49 AM

When it is a 3rd party sensor, is it made to Pentax specs or is it a standard Sony (or whoever made it) drop in sensor?

Doesn't Nikon make its own sensors?

aquashankar · 12-27-2013, 05:14 AM

Originally posted by clackers

??? Sony put a Toshiba in their Sony ???

Sorry, my bad. I was thinking of Sony while typing that. I remembered reading somewhere (cannot confirm) that it was a Toshiba sensor same as one of the Nikon's.

Regarding Canon sensors, I used an SMC Takumar on a Canon 1100D and compared the image to my K100D Super. The Pentax image was better rendered. Again, this is subjective. But Canon does make excellent sensors on their higher end cameras.

saper · 12-27-2013, 05:53 AM

Originally posted by Ilovemypentax

When it is a 3rd party sensor, is it made to Pentax specs or is it a standard Sony (or whoever made it) drop in sensor?

Sony provide Pentax with their standard CMOS matrix, i.e. they do not perform its R&D per Pentax specs. However the sensor sandwich (matrix + AA/color filter) is made by Sony at its factories according to the Pentax requirements. Last K-5/3 Pentax cameras use Pentax home developed primary color filter.

**rbefly** · 12-27-2013, 05:56 AM

Originally posted by Dariusz

Canon's sensors were always great, and still are. I still consider them as an advantage over others, although advantage not as significant as it used to be.

A decade ago, when everyone was using "colourful" CCDs in their cameras of all sorts and "precise" CMOSes only in their top of the range devices, Canon was installing their marvellous CMOSes even in their entry level SLRs. This was a huge advantage over others IMO. Today everyone seems to use CMOS everywhere, SONY sensors became really good and the difference between "Canon and the world" in sensors' universe is not that obvious anymore

Hello Dariusz,
That sounds suspiciously like something you read on a Canon forum. Unfortunately, practically nobody in the world of independent testing agrees, including DxOMark. In fact, Canon-made sensors are often cited as the weakest part of their cameras, not nearly equal to the best Sonys. I've even seen posts from Canon users asking the maker to switch to Sonys for exactly that reason.
And the reason most cameras now use CMOS sensors is because they are much cheaper to manufacture, require less expensive machining for production and use substantially less battery power for image-capturing. Which is probably why Canon initially used them for their entry level cameras.
You might want to Google 'CMOS and CCD Sensors' and click on a couple of links.
Ron

Dariusz · 12-27-2013, 11:41 AM

Originally posted by rbefly

the reason most cameras now use CMOS sensors is because they are much cheaper to manufacture, require less expensive machining for production and use substantially less battery power for image-capturing. Which is probably why Canon initially used them for their entry level cameras.

Hi Ron and thanks for your reply.

There is some inconsistency though. Let me take as an example neutral here make of Nikon. In 2006 Nikon was using CCDs across the whole of its range of cameras. Except one - the top of the range, the most expensive D2Xs. It used CMOS. Were they using CMOS because they wanted to save bucks on the most extravagant model of their whole range? I'm not convinced.

12-26-2013, 09:15 PM	#1
Ilovemypentax Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 121	Does Pentax make the sensor for K3? Does Pentax make the sensor for K3?

12-27-2013, 01:39 AM	#5
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,595	Originally posted by Ilovemypentax Does Pentax make the sensor for K3? The K-3 has a Sony sensor. 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:

12-27-2013, 05:56 AM	#14
rbefly Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Denver, Colorado Photos: Albums Posts: 2,030	Uh, Nope Originally posted by Dariusz Canon's sensors were always great, and still are. I still consider them as an advantage over others, although advantage not as significant as it used to be. A decade ago, when everyone was using "colourful" CCDs in their cameras of all sorts and "precise" CMOSes only in their top of the range devices, Canon was installing their marvellous CMOSes even in their entry level SLRs. This was a huge advantage over others IMO. Today everyone seems to use CMOS everywhere, SONY sensors became really good and the difference between "Canon and the world" in sensors' universe is not that obvious anymore Hello Dariusz, That sounds suspiciously like something you read on a Canon forum. Unfortunately, practically nobody in the world of independent testing agrees, including DxOMark. In fact, Canon-made sensors are often cited as the weakest part of their cameras, not nearly equal to the best Sonys. I've even seen posts from Canon users asking the maker to switch to Sonys for exactly that reason. And the reason most cameras now use CMOS sensors is because they are much cheaper to manufacture, require less expensive machining for production and use substantially less battery power for image-capturing. Which is probably why Canon initially used them for their entry level cameras. You might want to Google 'CMOS and CCD Sensors' and click on a couple of links. Ron

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12-26-2013, 09:22 PM	#2
crewl1 Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Los Angeles, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,807	Originally posted by Ilovemypentax Does Pentax make the sensor for K3? No, Pentax does not make any of their sensors. I believe it is a Sony in the K-3.

12-26-2013, 09:26 PM	#3
bobmaxja Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Laval, Quebec Canada Posts: 2,171	Canon , Sony and Samsumg make their sensor but it's not an avantage anymore.

12-26-2013, 09:56 PM	#4
aquashankar Junior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Hyderabad Photos: Albums Posts: 42	I think it is the Toshiba sensor used in the Sony and Nikon

12-27-2013, 01:54 AM	#6
saper New Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 12	There were many talks everywhere and most concluded it's Sony in K3 :-)

12-27-2013, 03:02 AM	#7
Dariusz Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 97	Originally posted by bobmaxja Canon , Sony and Samsumg make their sensor but it's not an avantage anymore. Canon's sensors were always great, and still are. I still consider them as an advantage over others, although advantage not as significant as it used to be. A decade ago, when everyone was using "colourful" CCDs in their cameras of all sorts and "precise" CMOSes only in their top of the range devices, Canon was installing their marvellous CMOSes even in their entry level SLRs. This was a huge advantage over others IMO. Today everyone seems to use CMOS everywhere, SONY sensors became really good and the difference between "Canon and the world" in sensors' universe is not that obvious anymore

12-27-2013, 03:34 AM	#8
Kunzite Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Romania Posts: 15,132	Sony sensors are currently better.

12-27-2013, 04:04 AM	#9
saper New Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 12	Originally posted by Dariusz Canon's sensors were always great, and still are. I still consider them as an advantage over others, although advantage not as significant as it used to be. A decade ago, when everyone was using "colourful" CCDs in their cameras of all sorts and "precise" CMOSes only in their top of the range devices, Canon was installing their marvellous CMOSes even in their entry level SLRs. This was a huge advantage over others IMO. Today everyone seems to use CMOS everywhere, SONY sensors became really good and the difference between "Canon and the world" in sensors' universe is not that obvious anymore I think it would be easier to check dxomark.com for camera sensors rating. Canon sensors are not winners today

12-27-2013, 04:29 AM	#10
clackers Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne Photos: Albums Posts: 16,397	Originally posted by aquashankar I think it is the Toshiba sensor used in the Sony and Nikon ??? Sony put a Toshiba in their Sony ???

12-27-2013, 04:49 AM	#11
Ilovemypentax Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 121 Original Poster	When it is a 3rd party sensor, is it made to Pentax specs or is it a standard Sony (or whoever made it) drop in sensor? Doesn't Nikon make its own sensors?

12-27-2013, 05:14 AM	#12
aquashankar Junior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Hyderabad Photos: Albums Posts: 42	Originally posted by clackers ??? Sony put a Toshiba in their Sony ??? Sorry, my bad. I was thinking of Sony while typing that. I remembered reading somewhere (cannot confirm) that it was a Toshiba sensor same as one of the Nikon's. Regarding Canon sensors, I used an SMC Takumar on a Canon 1100D and compared the image to my K100D Super. The Pentax image was better rendered. Again, this is subjective. But Canon does make excellent sensors on their higher end cameras.

12-27-2013, 05:53 AM	#13
saper New Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 12	Originally posted by Ilovemypentax When it is a 3rd party sensor, is it made to Pentax specs or is it a standard Sony (or whoever made it) drop in sensor? Sony provide Pentax with their standard CMOS matrix, i.e. they do not perform its R&D per Pentax specs. However the sensor sandwich (matrix + AA/color filter) is made by Sony at its factories according to the Pentax requirements. Last K-5/3 Pentax cameras use Pentax home developed primary color filter.

12-27-2013, 11:41 AM	#15
Dariusz Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 97	Originally posted by rbefly the reason most cameras now use CMOS sensors is because they are much cheaper to manufacture, require less expensive machining for production and use substantially less battery power for image-capturing. Which is probably why Canon initially used them for their entry level cameras. Hi Ron and thanks for your reply. There is some inconsistency though. Let me take as an example neutral here make of Nikon. In 2006 Nikon was using CCDs across the whole of its range of cameras. Except one - the top of the range, the most expensive D2Xs. It used CMOS. Were they using CMOS because they wanted to save bucks on the most extravagant model of their whole range? I'm not convinced.