[Oakland Rob]

But it was runner up to the Nikon 7200, which was camera of the year in the DSLR category.

Cameras of the Year: Best Enthusiast and Pro Cameras of 2015

[Fenwoodian]

That's not bad, being the runner up to the the Nikon D7200.

But did you know that right now at B&H the Nikon D7200 is exactly $378 more expensive than the K3II ! So I'd argue that the K3II is clearly the better "value".

I own the Nikon D7100 and use it with Nikon's fast telephotos for birds-in-flight and super fast action sports. This Nikon system (and the D7200 too of course) are great for super fast action.

However, for everything else, I prefer to shoot my Pentax K3II. My K3II with better Pentax glass has much better colors (and often better bokeh too) then does my Nikon equipment.

Also, for shooting things that don't move much, the K3II's "pixel shift" mode blows away anything the Nikon D7200 can produce under similiar conditions.

[Imp]

Next year, best professional camera: Pentax K-1!!

[clackers]

Obviously, the 7200 is such a great APS-C camera, but it's, like, $1200, right?

[Imp]

Obviously, the 7200 is such a great APS-C camera, but it's, like, $1200, right?

right... but the k-3 was usually going for about the same when it was the k-5, k-5 II, right?

[clackers]

right... but the k-3 was usually going for about the same when it was the k-5, k-5 II, right?

Of course. This is the pricing cycle. And why the K-3 is such outstanding value right now.

Once you charge so much for a cropped frame camera - 7200, XT-1, NX-1, you've got to wonder, cost wise, aren't you only a step away from full frame?

I have the same problem with premium compacts like the RX-100 MkIV. You're paying a lot for the convenience of the form factor.

[Imp]

I have the same problem with premium compacts like the RX-100 MkIV. You're paying a lot for the convenience of the form factor.

When the K-50 is only $300!!

[clackers]

When the K-50 is only $300!!

Yeah, what a buyers market we live in right now, whether you want an expensive toy or affordable quality.

[Rondec]

I guess if you have the money, you just get them all. If you don't then you have to choose wisely.

[Outis]

It always rankles me when the Pentax is named The Next Best Camera, and The Best Camera is praised mostly for things the Pentax has, too, but nobody bothers to point that out. As I posted in the comments on the IR article:

Could you explain why you picked the D7200 over the K-3 II? You praised the increased buffer depth of the D7200, but the buffer of the K-3 II blows the D7200 out of the water. (For the K-3 II vs D7200, for high-quality JPEG, 50+ vs. 56; for RAW, 22 vs. 18; for RAW plus JPEG, 23 vs. 11). You also praised the sensor (same as the K-3 II), the great high-ISO performance (where you noted that "both these cameras deliver good detail at ISO 3200"), dual SD card slots (same as the K-3 II), and weathersealing (if you haven't seen the Pentax Dust and Weather Sealing if Afghanistan YouTube video, you're missing out).


To me, the main features recommending the D7200 are the better autofocus and the Nikon system, which has a wider range of options. The main features recommending the K-3 II are the IBIS, which mean that all lenses are stabilized (a lifesaver for someone like me who spends a lot of time shooting in dimly-lit museums where no flash is allowed; I can push the hand-held exposure time to 1/15th of a second with no difficulty) and the technological developments it has allowed, like the pixel-shift and Astrotracer functions. And there's the spirit of innovation in general; Nikon hasn't put out anything interesting, novel, and useful like this over the past couple of years.


Anyway, I'd be curious to hear your thoughts on this.


Cites for K-3 versus D7200 stats:
http://www.imaging-resource.co...
http://www.imaging-resource.co...
http://www.imaging-resource.co...

We'll see what/if they respond.

[Rondec]

I think the biggest reason that the D7200 scores better than the K3 II is because its sensor seems to be the very best APS-C sensor ever tested, at least by DXO Mark. If you look at the dynamic range curves of the D7200 versus the D610, they lie almost on top of each other, while the K3 II lags behind. SNR (noise) is basically the same between the D7200 and the K3, but the fact that the D7200 basically matches the K5's low iso dynamic range while maintaining that to high iso is a pretty big achievement.

[mikeSF]

It always rankles me when the Pentax is named The Next Best Camera, and The Best Camera is praised mostly for things the Pentax has, too, but nobody bothers to point that out. As I posted in the comments on the IR article:



We'll see what/if they respond.

Outis, your response here is spot on. I am never surprised when the 2nd prettiest girl at the ball gets asked to dance, as in this case, but it seems obvious to me that the K3II knocks the D7200 out of the ring when comparing specs/performance, features, durability, and value.

[bertwert]

As I posted in the comments on the IR article:

Good comment.

it seems obvious to me that the K3II knocks the D7200 out of the ring when comparing specs/performance, features, durability, and value.

If I could get one free I'd get the D7200, then sell. And buy the K-3II with a lens as well.

[Oakland Rob]

And of course there are the lenses.

I've always wondered about camera bodies, and why manufacturers don't discount them more in order to get more lenses sold. I wonder what the relative profit is. OTOH, I suspect tons of people never get an interchangeable lens for an ILC camera. I wonder what that number is as well. You'd think they'd at least try to sell bigger bundles, like a three prime package, or a birders' kit, etc.

[bertwert]

birders' kit

Canon Birders Kit:
1DX and 800 f5.6 Only $17000!