Two weeks with the K-3iii

**Robert N** · 07-23-2021, 01:43 PM - **13 Likes**

I have owned the K-3iii for 2 weeks now, replacing my K-3. I decided to stick with Pentax due to the following reasons:

Excellent build quality and ergonomics.
Designed by photographers for photographers.
Compact design APSC body.
Excellent image quality.
Intuitive controls.
Simple, compact, and user friendly lenses, generally with excellent optics. Some very fine new lenses.
A fan of a good OVF.
As a system, good value for money.
If I were to change to a mirrorless system, there would be a major outlay for no benefit in photographic quality.
The K-3iii video capability is very good and easy to use for my occasional use.

Onto my initial experience of using the K3-iii:
Excellent AF performance for tracking fast moving subjects. An example is a very high hit rate for cars approaching at motorway speeds.
Superb high ISO performance. Using the Photoshop luminosity control and NIK Define2 noise reduction I have some excellent 20,000 ISO images.
Should be even more impressive with more sophisticated noise reduction software.
Class leading dynamic range.
Impressive pixel shift performance using a tripod with remote shutter control.
Very impressive SR performance for 'every day' lenses. A less marked improvement for a 300mm lens over the K-3.
Very smooth and quiet mirror/shutter operations and light/smooth shutter release button.

A few functions different to the K-3:
Focus peaking is not available when histograms are shown in the playback and live view.
The digital preview cannot be allocated to a customisable button, hence only either the digital or optical preview can be utilised, not both.
The red focus point indication is not as prominent as in the K-3, but getting used to it.

Overall a superb example of camera engineering, a pleasure to use and delivering excellent results.

I trust this is helpful to prospective K-3iii users.

**Larrymc** · 07-23-2021, 04:12 PM

Glad you are having good experiences with the Mk III!

**pentageek** · 07-23-2021, 04:18 PM

Thank you for sharing. How would you describe Auto Focus? Is it significantly better than in K-3?

**clickclick** · 07-23-2021, 06:21 PM

Originally posted by Robert N

An example is a very high hit rate for cars approaching at motorway speeds.

I like hearing this. Birds and cars are high on my list of things I like to photograph.

**Larrymc** · 07-23-2021, 08:24 PM - **3 Likes**

Originally posted by pentageek

Thank you for sharing. How would you describe Auto Focus? Is it significantly better than in K-3?

The K-3 Mk I had no problems in AF mode it was very good if you were diligent with your technique. Where the Mk III shines is with continuous autofocus and subject tracking which is light years ahead of the K-3 Mk I. The Mk III locks focus with precision but you must understand the use of the AF active areas and when to use them to the best effect. The Mk III is very advanced.

Paul the Sunman · 07-23-2021, 08:35 PM

I'm in lockdown at the moment, so mine isn't getting any exercise. I'm yet to try it after the latest firmware update, which some say improved AF.C further.

**Michail_P** · 07-24-2021, 02:05 AM

Glad you're enjoying your K3iii... The low-light performance must be excellent.. .20,000 ISO is high enough for any camera to handle pleasingly..

Ishpuini · 07-24-2021, 02:36 AM

Thanks for posting this. I haven't pushed mine to ISO 20K yet, but I did get a few "surprisingly" good ISO 6400 shots indeed.

**jersey** · 07-24-2021, 05:42 AM - **1 Like**

Thanks for sharing. It is fine camera, probably one of best I ever held for my type of photography.

Originally posted by Ishpuini

Thanks for posting this. I haven't pushed mine to ISO 20K yet, but I did get a few "surprisingly" good ISO 6400 shots indeed.

As for ISO Unless you are looking at images at 100% zoom or are obsessed with noise, 25600 is perfectly usable, I suppose for book/zine printing (so max A4) even 51200 would be ok. I photograph with print in mind so I use Av, T or TAv modes with autoISO limited at 25600, would need to test higher. I think for postcard size even something like 100k would be fine.

Spock · 07-24-2021, 05:51 AM

Originally posted by Robert N

I have owned the K-3iii for 2 weeks now, replacing my K-3......

I trust this is helpful to prospective K-3iii users.

You should post this in the review section.

Paul_R_H · 07-24-2021, 02:07 PM

Originally posted by Larrymc

The K-3 Mk I had no problems in AF mode it was very good if you were diligent with your technique. Where the Mk III shines is with continuous autofocus and subject tracking which is light years ahead of the K-3 Mk I. The Mk III locks focus with precision but you must understand the use of the AF active areas and when to use them to the best effect. The Mk III is very advanced.

Very very helpful thanks
Paul

**jhaji** · 07-24-2021, 03:46 PM

I've always shirked at buying a new body at full price.

This is the first one that am considering even with sales tax coming into play.

**DonV** · 07-24-2021, 06:53 PM

Originally posted by jhaji

I've always shirked at buying a new body at full price.

This is the first one that am considering even with sales tax coming into play.

Consider buying from B&H, using their "Payboo" credit card they will instantly rebate you the sales tax equivalent.

Pioneer · 07-24-2021, 08:56 PM

Thanks for the information..

Looking at this one closely as a possible replacement for my K5 ii. Still checking reviews. $2,000 for a body is a trifle steep but prices may drop a bit by the time I'm ready to buy.

**jhaji** · 07-25-2021, 04:17 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by DonV

Consider buying from B&H, using their "Payboo" credit card they will instantly rebate you the sales tax equivalent.

Thanks for the 8.25% off coupon. Owe you one.

07-23-2021, 01:43 PM - 13 Likes	#1
Robert N Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Sale, Cheshire Posts: 249	Two weeks with the K-3iii I have owned the K-3iii for 2 weeks now, replacing my K-3. I decided to stick with Pentax due to the following reasons: Excellent build quality and ergonomics. Designed by photographers for photographers. Compact design APSC body. Excellent image quality. Intuitive controls. Simple, compact, and user friendly lenses, generally with excellent optics. Some very fine new lenses. A fan of a good OVF. As a system, good value for money. If I were to change to a mirrorless system, there would be a major outlay for no benefit in photographic quality. The K-3iii video capability is very good and easy to use for my occasional use. Onto my initial experience of using the K3-iii: Excellent AF performance for tracking fast moving subjects. An example is a very high hit rate for cars approaching at motorway speeds. Superb high ISO performance. Using the Photoshop luminosity control and NIK Define2 noise reduction I have some excellent 20,000 ISO images. Should be even more impressive with more sophisticated noise reduction software. Class leading dynamic range. Impressive pixel shift performance using a tripod with remote shutter control. Very impressive SR performance for 'every day' lenses. A less marked improvement for a 300mm lens over the K-3. Very smooth and quiet mirror/shutter operations and light/smooth shutter release button. A few functions different to the K-3: Focus peaking is not available when histograms are shown in the playback and live view. The digital preview cannot be allocated to a customisable button, hence only either the digital or optical preview can be utilised, not both. The red focus point indication is not as prominent as in the K-3, but getting used to it. Overall a superb example of camera engineering, a pleasure to use and delivering excellent results. I trust this is helpful to prospective K-3iii users.

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07-23-2021, 04:12 PM	#2
Larrymc Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Mississippi, USA Posts: 5,252	Glad you are having good experiences with the Mk III!

07-23-2021, 04:18 PM	#3
pentageek Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2016 Posts: 420	Thank you for sharing. How would you describe Auto Focus? Is it significantly better than in K-3?

07-23-2021, 06:21 PM	#4
clickclick Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: May 2016 Location: East Coast Posts: 2,904	Originally posted by Robert N An example is a very high hit rate for cars approaching at motorway speeds. I like hearing this. Birds and cars are high on my list of things I like to photograph.

07-23-2021, 08:24 PM - 3 Likes	#5
Larrymc Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Mississippi, USA Posts: 5,252	Originally posted by pentageek Thank you for sharing. How would you describe Auto Focus? Is it significantly better than in K-3? The K-3 Mk I had no problems in AF mode it was very good if you were diligent with your technique. Where the Mk III shines is with continuous autofocus and subject tracking which is light years ahead of the K-3 Mk I. The Mk III locks focus with precision but you must understand the use of the AF active areas and when to use them to the best effect. The Mk III is very advanced.

07-23-2021, 08:35 PM	#6
Paul the Sunman Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Melbourne Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,847	I'm in lockdown at the moment, so mine isn't getting any exercise. I'm yet to try it after the latest firmware update, which some say improved AF.C further.

07-24-2021, 02:05 AM	#7
Michail_P Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: Kalymnos Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,006	Glad you're enjoying your K3iii... The low-light performance must be excellent.. .20,000 ISO is high enough for any camera to handle pleasingly..

07-24-2021, 02:36 AM	#8
Ishpuini Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Antwerp, Belgium Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,727	Thanks for posting this. I haven't pushed mine to ISO 20K yet, but I did get a few "surprisingly" good ISO 6400 shots indeed.

07-24-2021, 05:42 AM - 1 Like	#9
jersey Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: 3City agglomeration Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,062	Thanks for sharing. It is fine camera, probably one of best I ever held for my type of photography. Originally posted by Ishpuini Thanks for posting this. I haven't pushed mine to ISO 20K yet, but I did get a few "surprisingly" good ISO 6400 shots indeed. As for ISO Unless you are looking at images at 100% zoom or are obsessed with noise, 25600 is perfectly usable, I suppose for book/zine printing (so max A4) even 51200 would be ok. I photograph with print in mind so I use Av, T or TAv modes with autoISO limited at 25600, would need to test higher. I think for postcard size even something like 100k would be fine.

07-24-2021, 05:51 AM	#10
Spock Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Perth, Western Australia Photos: Albums Posts: 674	Originally posted by Robert N I have owned the K-3iii for 2 weeks now, replacing my K-3...... I trust this is helpful to prospective K-3iii users. You should post this in the review section.

07-24-2021, 02:07 PM	#11
Paul_R_H Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2018 Posts: 88	Originally posted by Larrymc The K-3 Mk I had no problems in AF mode it was very good if you were diligent with your technique. Where the Mk III shines is with continuous autofocus and subject tracking which is light years ahead of the K-3 Mk I. The Mk III locks focus with precision but you must understand the use of the AF active areas and when to use them to the best effect. The Mk III is very advanced. Very very helpful thanks Paul

07-24-2021, 03:46 PM	#12
jhaji Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 1,141	I've always shirked at buying a new body at full price. This is the first one that am considering even with sales tax coming into play.

07-24-2021, 06:53 PM	#13
DonV Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Near Charlotte NC Photos: Albums Posts: 695	Originally posted by jhaji I've always shirked at buying a new body at full price. This is the first one that am considering even with sales tax coming into play. Consider buying from B&H, using their "Payboo" credit card they will instantly rebate you the sales tax equivalent.

07-24-2021, 08:56 PM	#14
Pioneer Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Wandering the Streets Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,411	Thanks for the information.. Looking at this one closely as a possible replacement for my K5 ii. Still checking reviews. $2,000 for a body is a trifle steep but prices may drop a bit by the time I'm ready to buy.

07-25-2021, 04:17 PM - 1 Like	#15
jhaji Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 1,141	Originally posted by DonV Consider buying from B&H, using their "Payboo" credit card they will instantly rebate you the sales tax equivalent. Thanks for the 8.25% off coupon. Owe you one.