It's 2020 and my K-3 still rocks

kshapero · 07-19-2020, 11:38 PM

It's 2020 and my K-3 still rocks. How about you? I tried the K-3II but like the K-3 better. What say you?

maw · 07-20-2020, 12:52 AM

Hi kshapero,

The differences are minimal and depend on personal taste, I'll list them for you:

Differences in favour of K3II:

HD video up to 60 fps instead of 30
Longer battery life
Built-in GPS

Differences in favour of K3:
Built-in Flash

With the K3 you can also create time lapse, in Super HD 4K 3840x2160
in compressed Jpeg motion.

Ciao Mario

Sandy Hancock · 07-20-2020, 01:17 AM

My K-3 is still alive and well in the hands of my brother. It's an excellent camera.

**microlight** · 07-20-2020, 01:33 AM

Welcome!

In addition, the K-3II has Astrotracer, pixel-shift, improved AF.C tracking algorithms and shake reduction panning detection.

Handling-wise, identical.

**Cerebum** · 07-20-2020, 01:38 AM

I have a KP and a K3. The K3 is my go to with larger lenses. I also take it out just for fun at least once a week. When I got it a couple of years ago, second hand it was mint and the shutter count was 340. I can still get more for it now than I paid then! The camera has never let me down once! I love it!

Paul the Sunman · 07-20-2020, 01:38 AM

Mine hasn't missed a beat. Still as good as new, though looking a bit scruffy. A very capable and robust camera ... though I am really looking forward to seeing what the Knew can do.

**carlb** · 07-20-2020, 02:01 AM

I've just bought a K3 and it should arrive later this week - I can't wait to put it through its paces. I had a K5 and loved using that so I have high hopes for the K3

**savoche** · 07-20-2020, 02:24 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by kshapero

It's 2020 and my K-3 still rocks. How about you? I tried the K-3II but like the K-3 better. What say you?

Yep. Contrary to common belief a camera doesn't magically go bad when new models are released

Seriously, though, the K-3 still is a great camera, and in some respects it's still the best. E.g., it has the highest fps of any Pentax, I believe it's the only APS-c with dual card slots, and it probably has the best endurance per battery charge. The autofocus is precise and fairly quick, its sensor has plenty of pixels, the low-light performance is actually quite good.

No need to stop using the K-3

**Wiltshireborn** · 07-20-2020, 02:51 AM

I regret selling my K3 but happy now that I have a KP instead but I also recently bought a K7 which has the top LCD like the K3 but not the same sensor obviously ��

**Madaboutpix** · 07-20-2020, 03:04 AM

Much as I can't wait for more detail about the K-new, and will probably end up replacing my K-3 with it, there's little objective need to do so. Honestly, my K-3 is basically still going strong as on day one, with the added benefit that I've had six years now to learn how to use it. The pics below are from the last two days:

**aslyfox** · 07-20-2020, 03:49 AM

when I got interested in photography again, because of our planned trip to Tanzania in 2016, I picked up a used K 5 II.

upon my return I got a new K 3 and while planning for the second trip to Tanzania and prior to our first trip to Gran Tetons and Yellowstone National Parks, because of a sale, I added the K 3 II

and would use both with different lenses on them - one wide angle, one telephoto

then I got lucky enough to win the KP in the recent contest here at the forums.

____________________

the K 3 and K 3 II, I grab either and am comfortable with whatever I have gotten.

the KP I haven't used enough to get comfortable with yet and I don't know if I will get use to its differences

___________________________________________

I have no problem recommending a K 3 or K 3 II to anyone interested in getting a good camera

in my non expert opinion the best ASP-C camera in the Pentax line up

Pentax K-3 vs. Pentax K-3 II - Pentax Camera Comparison - PentaxForums.com

___________________________________________________________________________

K 3 and K 3 II sample photos posted since October 31, 2013

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/172-pentax-k-3/241198-k3-sample-shots-po...ml#post2560799

**Pentax Syntax** · 07-20-2020, 07:02 AM

Love my K-3 as a travel camera. Paired with a versatile zoom or the DA limited lenses it is a joy.

Time Traveller · 07-20-2020, 07:31 AM - **4 Likes**

I do not use GPS, WiFi or Video, I'm only interested in the basics - taking pictures - and the Pentax K-3 delivers and has delivered since 2014 - and will hopefully do so for many more years. So for me the Pentax K-3 'still rocks'. A camera that will probably go down in history as a 'classic' (Pentax) camera - a legend in Pentax's long line of quality cameras that are capable of producing high quality photographs.

Marcel K · 07-20-2020, 07:46 AM

I consiously got the K3 instead of K3II as upgrade from K200D, for budget reasons. Don’t regret this decision at all and still going strong 🤓

Jonathan Mac · 07-20-2020, 08:01 AM - **2 Likes**

I think my K-3 has now been going for longer than my K200D was, and with far fewer problems. There are a number of things I'd like to see improved but it's an incredibly good camera and has served me very well, and I hope will continue to do so. As much as I think the K-new will be better, unless my K-3 stops working I can't see it being replaced in the next few years. The KP, while I'm sure it's very nice and superior in some ways, is a step down in too many ways for me to accept it as a possible replacement for the K-3.

I doubt I'd get a K-3 II as I'd use the GPS even less than I use the built-in flash on the K-3.

07-19-2020, 11:38 PM	#1
kshapero Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: South Florida, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 437	It's 2020 and my K-3 still rocks It's 2020 and my K-3 still rocks. How about you? I tried the K-3II but like the K-3 better. What say you?

07-20-2020, 03:49 AM	#11
aslyfox Seeker of Knowledge Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Topeka, Kansas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 24,581	when I got interested in photography again, because of our planned trip to Tanzania in 2016, I picked up a used K 5 II. upon my return I got a new K 3 and while planning for the second trip to Tanzania and prior to our first trip to Gran Tetons and Yellowstone National Parks, because of a sale, I added the K 3 II and would use both with different lenses on them - one wide angle, one telephoto then I got lucky enough to win the KP in the recent contest here at the forums. ____________________ the K 3 and K 3 II, I grab either and am comfortable with whatever I have gotten. the KP I haven't used enough to get comfortable with yet and I don't know if I will get use to its differences ___________________________________________ I have no problem recommending a K 3 or K 3 II to anyone interested in getting a good camera in my non expert opinion the best ASP-C camera in the Pentax line up Pentax K-3 vs. Pentax K-3 II - Pentax Camera Comparison - PentaxForums.com ___________________________________________________________________________ K 3 and K 3 II sample photos posted since October 31, 2013 https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/172-pentax-k-3/241198-k3-sample-shots-po...ml#post2560799 Last edited by aslyfox; 07-20-2020 at 04:04 AM.

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07-20-2020, 12:52 AM	#2
maw Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Sassari (Italy) Posts: 1,118	Hi kshapero, The differences are minimal and depend on personal taste, I'll list them for you: Differences in favour of K3II: HD video up to 60 fps instead of 30 Longer battery life Built-in GPS Differences in favour of K3: Built-in Flash With the K3 you can also create time lapse, in Super HD 4K 3840x2160 in compressed Jpeg motion. Ciao Mario

07-20-2020, 01:17 AM	#3
Sandy Hancock Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Adelaide Hills, South Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,272	My K-3 is still alive and well in the hands of my brother. It's an excellent camera.

07-20-2020, 01:33 AM	#4
microlight Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Hampshire, UK Posts: 2,129	Welcome! In addition, the K-3II has Astrotracer, pixel-shift, improved AF.C tracking algorithms and shake reduction panning detection. Handling-wise, identical.

07-20-2020, 01:38 AM	#5
Cerebum Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Lancaster Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,828	I have a KP and a K3. The K3 is my go to with larger lenses. I also take it out just for fun at least once a week. When I got it a couple of years ago, second hand it was mint and the shutter count was 340. I can still get more for it now than I paid then! The camera has never let me down once! I love it!

07-20-2020, 01:38 AM	#6
Paul the Sunman Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Melbourne Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,843	Mine hasn't missed a beat. Still as good as new, though looking a bit scruffy. A very capable and robust camera ... though I am really looking forward to seeing what the Knew can do.

07-20-2020, 02:01 AM	#7
carlb Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 1,162	I've just bought a K3 and it should arrive later this week - I can't wait to put it through its paces. I had a K5 and loved using that so I have high hopes for the K3

07-20-2020, 02:24 AM - 1 Like	#8
savoche Master of the obvious Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Lowlands of Norway Posts: 18,311	Originally posted by kshapero It's 2020 and my K-3 still rocks. How about you? I tried the K-3II but like the K-3 better. What say you? Yep. Contrary to common belief a camera doesn't magically go bad when new models are released Seriously, though, the K-3 still is a great camera, and in some respects it's still the best. E.g., it has the highest fps of any Pentax, I believe it's the only APS-c with dual card slots, and it probably has the best endurance per battery charge. The autofocus is precise and fairly quick, its sensor has plenty of pixels, the low-light performance is actually quite good. No need to stop using the K-3

07-20-2020, 02:51 AM	#9
Wiltshireborn Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2019 Location: Devizes, Wiltshire. England Posts: 125	I regret selling my K3 but happy now that I have a KP instead but I also recently bought a K7 which has the top LCD like the K3 but not the same sensor obviously ��

07-20-2020, 03:04 AM	#10
Madaboutpix Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: North Rhine-Westphalia Posts: 1,440	Much as I can't wait for more detail about the K-new, and will probably end up replacing my K-3 with it, there's little objective need to do so. Honestly, my K-3 is basically still going strong as on day one, with the added benefit that I've had six years now to learn how to use it. The pics below are from the last two days:

07-20-2020, 07:02 AM	#12
Pentax Syntax Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Maryland Posts: 595	Love my K-3 as a travel camera. Paired with a versatile zoom or the DA limited lenses it is a joy.

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07-20-2020, 07:46 AM	#14
Marcel K Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Photos: Albums Posts: 82	I consiously got the K3 instead of K3II as upgrade from K200D, for budget reasons. Don’t regret this decision at all and still going strong 🤓

07-20-2020, 08:01 AM - 2 Likes	#15
Jonathan Mac Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Madrid, Spain Posts: 10,894	I think my K-3 has now been going for longer than my K200D was, and with far fewer problems. There are a number of things I'd like to see improved but it's an incredibly good camera and has served me very well, and I hope will continue to do so. As much as I think the K-new will be better, unless my K-3 stops working I can't see it being replaced in the next few years. The KP, while I'm sure it's very nice and superior in some ways, is a step down in too many ways for me to accept it as a possible replacement for the K-3. I doubt I'd get a K-3 II as I'd use the GPS even less than I use the built-in flash on the K-3.