New K3 replacement this fall ?

gryphongryph · 06-25-2014, 05:52 AM

Do you guys think that Pentax will update its flagship later this year, a new model or a K3s ?
Or will they present a full frame camera ?
Reason I am asking is that I would like to upgrade my K5, but part of me thinks that a new model would come out this year!
Also I have been wondering about going FF
Like the new expected Nikon 810/800s,
Mostly because I would like a bigger viewfinder, and because I feel that the K5 with battery grip is sometimes a bit cramped for me.
Problem is, I love the Pentax colors and small lenses plus the 50-135 2.8 zoom, also that it is so strong and protected against weather, which I need for most part of the year as it rains a lot here.
The Pentax menus are very nice and clear too.
On the Nikon I like the size and big view finder, but not so fond of the big glass and big prices ;-)

Is there anyone here that has changed systems either way?
Would like some input from you guys/girls.

I mostly shoot people and city, would really like to shoot more landscape, and have therefor been thinking about the 36 MP Nikon!

Do you guys know if the Nikon weather seal is as good as Pentax?

Thanks

RonHendriks1966 · 06-25-2014, 05:56 AM - **1 Like**

We don't know, but I don't expect a new top off the line aps-c follower for the K-3 at this time. My guess is that the K-3 will go on for two more years with maybe an upgrade somewhere, but not this year.

On FF, we know nothing.

gryphongryph · 06-25-2014, 05:58 AM

Thanks Ron
Did you upgrade to the K3?

goubejp · 06-25-2014, 06:18 AM

I did. Don't expect K3 replacement this fall as there is very little improvement to bring to the K3, if any, to be competitive vs canikon models.
As 645 replacement is on its way, IF there is a major announcement at photokina it could be a full frame SLR or mirrorless. And maybe a replacement of the K50 (24 Mpix upgrade).
And certainly new lenses or update of existing ones (HD coatings, better AF). This is pure speculation anyway.
By the way, for a bigger viewfinder the OS-53 magnifier is a good, cheap solution - I have one.

Kayaker-J · 06-25-2014, 06:49 AM

K3: No. That was easy. But ditto pretty much of what's been speculated above. If I had to guess what would push ahead some rather notable modification to the K3, it would be a really new K30/K50 body replacement at 24mp. R.I. could dumb it down a bit for marketing reasons (conventional AA filter in place, for example), but that really has not been Pentax's style for their WR "entry" model. So I might think D3300 or better sensor/processor performance could be offered... along with the expected mid-level to premium bits that set Pentax apart from Canikon fare.

So then, I think even a bona fide (and experienced) enthusiast might have to ask, "Do I really need -- or being very weight conscious, even want -- a K3?" Would even a strait-on K50 clone with 24mp sensor upgrade really be lagging all that much? Hence, you could see an eventual accelerated upgrade to the K3 in order to convincingly differentiate models... But not now.

Winder · 06-25-2014, 06:52 AM

K-3 replacement in 2 years.
K-1 Full Frame - this year.

Kayaker-J · 06-25-2014, 06:57 AM

Originally posted by Winder

K-3 replacement in 2 years.
K-1 Full Frame - this year.

With new FA lenses? ...And would pulling an HD DA exercise on the existing Limiteds really be such a hot idea?

rawr · 06-25-2014, 07:03 AM

There's always scope for a incremental K-3 update like a K-3 II, or K-3s, I guess, with minor engineering changes, maybe some new controls or design elements, plus one or two cool new features (eg hybrid EVF/OVF viewfinder) and some bug fixes. There is plenty of precedent for it. Makes marketing sense sometimes.

But IMHO, at the moment Pentax has nothing in hand that's big enough to warrant a completely new APS-C model. No one else seems to be rolling out any significantly upgraded 24MP APS-C sensors, for example, or making available other dramatic new technologies that Pentax would be likely to use.

I think that APS-C development has hit a kind of limit now, particularly with sensors (no one seems to want to push APS-C past 24 MP, for example, and all the current 24MP models from Sony/Nikon/Pentax perform pretty much the same in terms of IQ). So the only significant way forward for Pentax from the K-3 onwards would be to go full-frame.

Painter · 06-25-2014, 07:11 AM

Ricoh has not been a company that just rolls out camera after camera. So I think an update on the K-3 is unlikely even a year from now.

Kayaker-J · 06-25-2014, 07:22 AM

Originally posted by rawr

There's always scope for a incremental K-3 update like a K-3 II, or K-3s, I guess, with minor engineering changes, maybe some new controls or design elements, plus one or two cool new features (eg hybrid EVF/OVF viewfinder) and some bug fixes. There is plenty of precedent for it. Makes marketing sense sometimes.

But IMHO, at the moment Pentax has nothing in hand that's big enough to warrant a completely new APS-C model. No one else seems to be rolling out any significantly upgraded 24MP APS-C sensors, for example, or making available other dramatic new technologies that Pentax would be likely to use.

I think that APS-C development has hit a kind of limit now, particularly with sensors (no one seems to want to push APS-C past 24 MP, for example, and all the current 24MP models from Sony/Nikon/Pentax perform pretty much the same in terms of IQ). So the only significant way forward for Pentax from the K-3 onwards would be to go full-frame.

Nope. A K3 with Fuji-grade EVF option, full Wi-Fi/Android-IOS/Instagram/social media integration, plus just a little tweak to the noise figures and auto-focus efficiency (not necessarily Canikon "sports grade" auto-tracking) would kill anything in Canikon's foreseeable future. Not that the crowd would recognize the proverbial better mousetrap, as measured in surging Pentax sales figures. But WE'D know 😉... and Pentax could win all the awards all over again.

P.S.: Add on-sensor phase detect AF, and what else would you need?

**jatrax** · 06-25-2014, 07:49 AM

I doubt we will see a k-3 replacement this year, possibly in 2015. We might see a k-500 replacement that moves more toward the k-x style, even smaller perhaps.

FF? Who knows. It is possible Ricoh has been laying the ground work for a nice surprise at Photokina with a FF camera and 3 or 4 lenses but as already noted no one who is talking really knows and those who are talking really don't know.

The 645z introduction seems to have garnered most of Ricoh's attention and resources and perhaps with good reason. The opportunity to make gains in profit, mind share and market share are much higher with that camera than anything else they could have introduced at this time. So it is possible the only 'surprise' at Photokina will be more 645 lenses and accessories.

rawr · 06-25-2014, 07:56 AM

Originally posted by Kayaker-J

A K3 with Fuji-grade EVF option, full Wi-Fi/Android-IOS/Instagram/social media integration

I'd call that a K-3x or something. Like Sony did for a while with the 16MP NEXs - keeping the same sensor, metering, image engine - just adding new features (WiFi/Apps/touch screen, hybrid AF, EVF, in-built flash) from time to time, plus adding a new external dial or two.

**jrpower10** · 06-25-2014, 08:13 AM

If you like the D800 resolution (36MP) and full frame sensor, but want to stay with Pentax glass, look at the Sony A7R. Got to handle one about a week ago and I was very impressed. Small form factor and takes K-mount with an adapter. No OVF, but the EVF works really well. Personally I'm waiting till October before I do anything, but this might be my upgrade.

**Rondec** · 06-25-2014, 08:16 AM

I wouldn't forsee the K3 being updated before next spring, unless Sony comes up with some new sensor that has a lot better performance. There just isn't a lot to add in to the K3 package. It is the top of the line APS-C camera available at this point.

There is always the possibility that Ricoh/Pentax uses this fall as the time to launch their full frame camera, so I guess we'll see from that standpoint, but I wouldn't hesitate to get a K3 at this point.

**boriscleto** · 06-25-2014, 08:24 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by rawr

I'd call that a K-3x or something. Like Sony did for a while with the 16MP NEXs - keeping the same sensor, metering, image engine - just adding new features (WiFi/Apps/touch screen, hybrid AF, EVF, in-built flash) from time to time, plus adding a new external dial or two.

It's getting late in the week, has Sony announced a new camera yet?

06-25-2014, 05:52 AM	#1
gryphongryph Forum Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Faroes Islands Photos: Gallery Posts: 74	New K3 replacement this fall ? Do you guys think that Pentax will update its flagship later this year, a new model or a K3s ? Or will they present a full frame camera ? Reason I am asking is that I would like to upgrade my K5, but part of me thinks that a new model would come out this year! Also I have been wondering about going FF Like the new expected Nikon 810/800s, Mostly because I would like a bigger viewfinder, and because I feel that the K5 with battery grip is sometimes a bit cramped for me. Problem is, I love the Pentax colors and small lenses plus the 50-135 2.8 zoom, also that it is so strong and protected against weather, which I need for most part of the year as it rains a lot here. The Pentax menus are very nice and clear too. On the Nikon I like the size and big view finder, but not so fond of the big glass and big prices ;-) Is there anyone here that has changed systems either way? Would like some input from you guys/girls. I mostly shoot people and city, would really like to shoot more landscape, and have therefor been thinking about the 36 MP Nikon! Do you guys know if the Nikon weather seal is as good as Pentax? Thanks

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Will K3 do better than K5II for this kind of shot?	Shanti	Pentax K-3 & K-3 II	23	06-05-2014 04:51 PM
New Grip on new K3 Question	Bigdomino	Troubleshooting and Beginner Help	7	01-11-2014 09:54 AM
New K3	fungussface	Pentax K-3 & K-3 II	3	12-03-2013 03:20 PM
HD is the new replacement for SMC	Docrwm	Pentax News and Rumors	87	09-17-2012 05:56 PM
Hotshoe replacement after fall	Mister Guy	Pentax Camera and Field Accessories	2	05-29-2010 09:30 PM

06-25-2014, 05:56 AM - 1 Like	#2
RonHendriks1966 Banned Join Date: Jan 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,675	We don't know, but I don't expect a new top off the line aps-c follower for the K-3 at this time. My guess is that the K-3 will go on for two more years with maybe an upgrade somewhere, but not this year. On FF, we know nothing.

06-25-2014, 05:58 AM	#3
gryphongryph Forum Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Faroes Islands Photos: Gallery Posts: 74 Original Poster	Thanks Ron Did you upgrade to the K3?

06-25-2014, 06:18 AM	#4
goubejp Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: France Photos: Albums Posts: 804	I did. Don't expect K3 replacement this fall as there is very little improvement to bring to the K3, if any, to be competitive vs canikon models. As 645 replacement is on its way, IF there is a major announcement at photokina it could be a full frame SLR or mirrorless. And maybe a replacement of the K50 (24 Mpix upgrade). And certainly new lenses or update of existing ones (HD coatings, better AF). This is pure speculation anyway. By the way, for a bigger viewfinder the OS-53 magnifier is a good, cheap solution - I have one.

06-25-2014, 06:49 AM	#5
Kayaker-J Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: N.E. Ohio Posts: 535	K3: No. That was easy. But ditto pretty much of what's been speculated above. If I had to guess what would push ahead some rather notable modification to the K3, it would be a really new K30/K50 body replacement at 24mp. R.I. could dumb it down a bit for marketing reasons (conventional AA filter in place, for example), but that really has not been Pentax's style for their WR "entry" model. So I might think D3300 or better sensor/processor performance could be offered... along with the expected mid-level to premium bits that set Pentax apart from Canikon fare. So then, I think even a bona fide (and experienced) enthusiast might have to ask, "Do I really need -- or being very weight conscious, even want -- a K3?" Would even a strait-on K50 clone with 24mp sensor upgrade really be lagging all that much? Hence, you could see an eventual accelerated upgrade to the K3 in order to convincingly differentiate models... But not now.

06-25-2014, 06:52 AM	#6
Winder Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Tennessee Posts: 6,617	K-3 replacement in 2 years. K-1 Full Frame - this year.

06-25-2014, 06:57 AM	#7
Kayaker-J Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: N.E. Ohio Posts: 535	Originally posted by Winder K-3 replacement in 2 years. K-1 Full Frame - this year. With new FA lenses? ...And would pulling an HD DA exercise on the existing Limiteds really be such a hot idea?

06-25-2014, 07:03 AM	#8
rawr Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 11,913	There's always scope for a incremental K-3 update like a K-3 II, or K-3s, I guess, with minor engineering changes, maybe some new controls or design elements, plus one or two cool new features (eg hybrid EVF/OVF viewfinder) and some bug fixes. There is plenty of precedent for it. Makes marketing sense sometimes. But IMHO, at the moment Pentax has nothing in hand that's big enough to warrant a completely new APS-C model. No one else seems to be rolling out any significantly upgraded 24MP APS-C sensors, for example, or making available other dramatic new technologies that Pentax would be likely to use. I think that APS-C development has hit a kind of limit now, particularly with sensors (no one seems to want to push APS-C past 24 MP, for example, and all the current 24MP models from Sony/Nikon/Pentax perform pretty much the same in terms of IQ). So the only significant way forward for Pentax from the K-3 onwards would be to go full-frame.

06-25-2014, 07:11 AM	#9
Painter Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 348	Ricoh has not been a company that just rolls out camera after camera. So I think an update on the K-3 is unlikely even a year from now.

06-25-2014, 07:22 AM	#10
Kayaker-J Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: N.E. Ohio Posts: 535	Originally posted by rawr There's always scope for a incremental K-3 update like a K-3 II, or K-3s, I guess, with minor engineering changes, maybe some new controls or design elements, plus one or two cool new features (eg hybrid EVF/OVF viewfinder) and some bug fixes. There is plenty of precedent for it. Makes marketing sense sometimes. But IMHO, at the moment Pentax has nothing in hand that's big enough to warrant a completely new APS-C model. No one else seems to be rolling out any significantly upgraded 24MP APS-C sensors, for example, or making available other dramatic new technologies that Pentax would be likely to use. I think that APS-C development has hit a kind of limit now, particularly with sensors (no one seems to want to push APS-C past 24 MP, for example, and all the current 24MP models from Sony/Nikon/Pentax perform pretty much the same in terms of IQ). So the only significant way forward for Pentax from the K-3 onwards would be to go full-frame. Nope. A K3 with Fuji-grade EVF option, full Wi-Fi/Android-IOS/Instagram/social media integration, plus just a little tweak to the noise figures and auto-focus efficiency (not necessarily Canikon "sports grade" auto-tracking) would kill anything in Canikon's foreseeable future. Not that the crowd would recognize the proverbial better mousetrap, as measured in surging Pentax sales figures. But WE'D know 😉... and Pentax could win all the awards all over again. P.S.: Add on-sensor phase detect AF, and what else would you need?

06-25-2014, 07:49 AM	#11
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	I doubt we will see a k-3 replacement this year, possibly in 2015. We might see a k-500 replacement that moves more toward the k-x style, even smaller perhaps. FF? Who knows. It is possible Ricoh has been laying the ground work for a nice surprise at Photokina with a FF camera and 3 or 4 lenses but as already noted no one who is talking really knows and those who are talking really don't know. The 645z introduction seems to have garnered most of Ricoh's attention and resources and perhaps with good reason. The opportunity to make gains in profit, mind share and market share are much higher with that camera than anything else they could have introduced at this time. So it is possible the only 'surprise' at Photokina will be more 645 lenses and accessories.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

06-25-2014, 07:56 AM	#12
rawr Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 11,913	Originally posted by Kayaker-J A K3 with Fuji-grade EVF option, full Wi-Fi/Android-IOS/Instagram/social media integration I'd call that a K-3x or something. Like Sony did for a while with the 16MP NEXs - keeping the same sensor, metering, image engine - just adding new features (WiFi/Apps/touch screen, hybrid AF, EVF, in-built flash) from time to time, plus adding a new external dial or two.

06-25-2014, 08:13 AM	#13
jrpower10 Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Richland, Washington, USA Posts: 935	If you like the D800 resolution (36MP) and full frame sensor, but want to stay with Pentax glass, look at the Sony A7R. Got to handle one about a week ago and I was very impressed. Small form factor and takes K-mount with an adapter. No OVF, but the EVF works really well. Personally I'm waiting till October before I do anything, but this might be my upgrade.

06-25-2014, 08:16 AM	#14
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,650	I wouldn't forsee the K3 being updated before next spring, unless Sony comes up with some new sensor that has a lot better performance. There just isn't a lot to add in to the K3 package. It is the top of the line APS-C camera available at this point. There is always the possibility that Ricoh/Pentax uses this fall as the time to launch their full frame camera, so I guess we'll see from that standpoint, but I wouldn't hesitate to get a K3 at this point.

06-25-2014, 08:24 AM - 1 Like	#15
boriscleto Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: North Syracuse, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,473	Originally posted by rawr I'd call that a K-3x or something. Like Sony did for a while with the 16MP NEXs - keeping the same sensor, metering, image engine - just adding new features (WiFi/Apps/touch screen, hybrid AF, EVF, in-built flash) from time to time, plus adding a new external dial or two. It's getting late in the week, has Sony announced a new camera yet?