USB-3 vs USB-2 on K-3

Pentax Bob · 11-18-2013, 11:19 AM

I understand the K-3 uses a USB-3 to transfer files. I have an older computer that only has USB-2. Do I need to purchase a USB-3 cable? Will my USB-2 cable work ? Please clarify.

Thanks,
Pentax Bob

Adam · 11-18-2013, 11:23 AM

Originally posted by Pentax Bob

I understand the K-3 uses a USB-3 to transfer files. I have an older computer that only has USB-2. Do I need to purchase a USB-3 cable? Will my USB-2 cable work ? Please clarify.

Thanks,
Pentax Bob

You're not going to find a USB2 cable with the required connector (USB3 Micro B) for the K-3. So yes, you will need to get a USB 3 cable. You won't get any extra speed on a USB2 computer, however.

It's not like these things are expensive, though

$5.99 here:
Amazon.com: AmazonBasics USB Cable - 3.0 A Male to Micro B (6 Feet / 1.8 Meters): Computers & Accessories

sterretje · 11-18-2013, 11:38 AM

Does the camera not come with a USB cable? That should be fine on a computer with USB2.

I use USB3 external harddisks with the provided cable on my (USB2 only) computer.

kyc · 11-18-2013, 01:26 PM

Originally posted by Adam

You're not going to find a USB2 cable with the required connector (USB3 Micro B) for the K-3. So yes, you will need to get a USB 3 cable. You won't get any extra speed on a USB2 computer, however.

It's not like these things are expensive, though

$5.99 here:
Amazon.com: AmazonBasics USB Cable - 3.0 A Male to Micro B (6 Feet / 1.8 Meters): Computers & Accessories

I can confirm that you can use a micro USB cable (USB2) with the K-3 to access the memory cards. I had to do that because I had used a UHS-I card that I my old card reader couldn't handle, so connecting the camera was the only way to get the images off the card.

But, as Adam says, you only get USB2 speed.

Hope this helps.

p38arover · 11-18-2013, 02:24 PM

Bob, I bought a USB3/Multi card reader off eBay and installed that in my PC. To work, it needed a PCI Express slot.

One like this

FrankC · 11-22-2013, 05:07 PM

If your computer does not have USB-3 technology on its motherboard, then you can buy a USB-3 PCI card. Just plug it into a slot on your motherboard just like a video or sound card and you'll now have a USB-3 port on the back of your computer (that is unless you're using a laptop). They're around $20. However, don't expect to have double the download speed. I did this and went from 19Mb per second to only 25Mb per second, which was hardly worth the effort and expense.

**Ex Finn.** · 11-23-2013, 05:59 AM

I am curious about this also.
So, one person confirms that the USB-2 cable works with the K3, has anyone else tried this?

bobmaxja · 11-23-2013, 06:08 AM

USB2 cable will work .

Al_Kahollick · 11-23-2013, 06:18 AM

All USB 3 devices should be backward compatible with USB 2. The only difference between the 2 standards is the transfer speed, same as it was with USB 1 & 2. If you have an older computer, even installing a USB 3 card won't give you the increased speed because your motherboard wasn't designed for it. Most newer computers have at least 1 USB 3 port.

sterretje · 11-23-2013, 07:14 AM

From the english user manual, page 64

Quote:

USB terminal
USB 3.0 USB 2.0
The micro B terminal supports both USB 3.0 cables and USB
2.0 cables. Both types can be used with this camera. If the
host controller of the device to be connected to the camera
supports USB 3.0, the data transfer speed is faster when a
USB 3.0 cable is used.

And to answer my own rhetorical question if it comes with the cable: the really shocking answer is NO.

Not a Number · 11-23-2013, 07:58 AM

Originally posted by Al_Kahollick

All USB 3 devices should be backward compatible with USB 2. The only difference between the 2 standards is the transfer speed, same as it was with USB 1 & 2. If you have an older computer, even installing a USB 3 card won't give you the increased speed because your motherboard wasn't designed for it. Most newer computers have at least 1 USB 3 port.

If you get a PCI Express card and have a PCI Express 2.0 slot on your motherboard you should get (potentially) get the full transfer rates. PCI Express 1.1 will limit the rate to 250 MB/s.

11-18-2013, 11:19 AM	#1
Pentax Bob Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Maryland Photos: Albums Posts: 119	USB-3 vs USB-2 on K-3 I understand the K-3 uses a USB-3 to transfer files. I have an older computer that only has USB-2. Do I need to purchase a USB-3 cable? Will my USB-2 cable work ? Please clarify. Thanks, Pentax Bob

11-18-2013, 11:23 AM	#2
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,597	Originally posted by Pentax Bob I understand the K-3 uses a USB-3 to transfer files. I have an older computer that only has USB-2. Do I need to purchase a USB-3 cable? Will my USB-2 cable work ? Please clarify. Thanks, Pentax Bob You're not going to find a USB2 cable with the required connector (USB3 Micro B) for the K-3. So yes, you will need to get a USB 3 cable. You won't get any extra speed on a USB2 computer, however. It's not like these things are expensive, though $5.99 here: Amazon.com: AmazonBasics USB Cable - 3.0 A Male to Micro B (6 Feet / 1.8 Meters): Computers & Accessories 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:

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11-18-2013, 11:38 AM	#3
sterretje Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Roodepoort, South Africa Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,561	Does the camera not come with a USB cable? That should be fine on a computer with USB2. I use USB3 external harddisks with the provided cable on my (USB2 only) computer.

11-18-2013, 01:26 PM	#4
kyc Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 69	Originally posted by Adam You're not going to find a USB2 cable with the required connector (USB3 Micro B) for the K-3. So yes, you will need to get a USB 3 cable. You won't get any extra speed on a USB2 computer, however. It's not like these things are expensive, though $5.99 here: Amazon.com: AmazonBasics USB Cable - 3.0 A Male to Micro B (6 Feet / 1.8 Meters): Computers & Accessories I can confirm that you can use a micro USB cable (USB2) with the K-3 to access the memory cards. I had to do that because I had used a UHS-I card that I my old card reader couldn't handle, so connecting the camera was the only way to get the images off the card. But, as Adam says, you only get USB2 speed. Hope this helps.

11-18-2013, 02:24 PM	#5
p38arover Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Western Sydney, Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,084	Bob, I bought a USB3/Multi card reader off eBay and installed that in my PC. To work, it needed a PCI Express slot. One like this

11-22-2013, 05:07 PM	#6
FrankC Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Photos: Gallery Posts: 322	If your computer does not have USB-3 technology on its motherboard, then you can buy a USB-3 PCI card. Just plug it into a slot on your motherboard just like a video or sound card and you'll now have a USB-3 port on the back of your computer (that is unless you're using a laptop). They're around $20. However, don't expect to have double the download speed. I did this and went from 19Mb per second to only 25Mb per second, which was hardly worth the effort and expense.

11-23-2013, 05:59 AM	#7
Ex Finn. Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Southern Maryland. Espoo. Kouvola. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,975	I am curious about this also. So, one person confirms that the USB-2 cable works with the K3, has anyone else tried this?

11-23-2013, 06:08 AM	#8
bobmaxja Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Laval, Quebec Canada Posts: 2,171	USB2 cable will work .

11-23-2013, 06:18 AM	#9
Al_Kahollick Banned Join Date: Feb 2013 Posts: 390	All USB 3 devices should be backward compatible with USB 2. The only difference between the 2 standards is the transfer speed, same as it was with USB 1 & 2. If you have an older computer, even installing a USB 3 card won't give you the increased speed because your motherboard wasn't designed for it. Most newer computers have at least 1 USB 3 port.

11-23-2013, 07:14 AM	#10
sterretje Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Roodepoort, South Africa Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,561	From the english user manual, page 64 Quote: USB terminal USB 3.0 USB 2.0 The micro B terminal supports both USB 3.0 cables and USB 2.0 cables. Both types can be used with this camera. If the host controller of the device to be connected to the camera supports USB 3.0, the data transfer speed is faster when a USB 3.0 cable is used. And to answer my own rhetorical question if it comes with the cable: the really shocking answer is NO.

11-23-2013, 07:58 AM	#11
Not a Number Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 10,526	Originally posted by Al_Kahollick All USB 3 devices should be backward compatible with USB 2. The only difference between the 2 standards is the transfer speed, same as it was with USB 1 & 2. If you have an older computer, even installing a USB 3 card won't give you the increased speed because your motherboard wasn't designed for it. Most newer computers have at least 1 USB 3 port. If you get a PCI Express card and have a PCI Express 2.0 slot on your motherboard you should get (potentially) get the full transfer rates. PCI Express 1.1 will limit the rate to 250 MB/s.