Should I upgrade my K20D to a K3?

jddwoods · 11-03-2015, 04:07 PM

There is no question that the K-3 is a better camera in all respects. I also respect that upgrading costs money, even though the K-3 can be had at good prices. I would suggest that if you can get a chance to actually handle a K-3 it would help your decision. I have a K-10 D which is very similar to your K-20. The feel of the K-3 is much different, being more compact and metal construction. I wish you the best with your decision. As for me I much prefer the K-3 over the K-10D you can crop so much more without visible degradation, the shutter is quieter and the rear monitor is much larger and much easier to preview your pictures, I found the upgrade definitely worth it.

**Canada_Rockies** · 11-03-2015, 04:22 PM

Having jumped from the K10 to the K3 recently I can give a whole-hearted YES!

Craig66 · 11-03-2015, 04:34 PM

Yes it's worth it. I went from a K20D this year to the K3-ll. I am very happy I upgraded. Big improvement over the K20D.. K20D is still a good camera, the K3-ll is heaps better.

old4570 · 11-03-2015, 04:55 PM

With the recent Price drops , the K3 is a good buy ...
If the Ozzi banana had not dropped so much value , I would have purchased a K3 myself ...

normhead · 11-03-2015, 05:02 PM

I upgraded, K-20D to K-5 to K-3. I pulled out the old K-20 D the other day, that was just painful. Once you get used to the AF, anything else seems slow.

**boriscleto** · 11-03-2015, 05:41 PM

Originally posted by Kerrowdown

Exactly... the only four months away rule.

It's like the EVF is only 5 years away from overtaking OVF rule.

**Scorpio71GR** · 11-03-2015, 07:10 PM

I upgraded from my K10D to the K3. I haven't touched my K10D in a year.The ability to shot at such higher ISOs opens up a whole new world of possibilities.

audiobomber · 11-03-2015, 08:58 PM

I'm a big K20D fan. It was my main camera for six years, outlasting a K-x, K-01 and K-5. I still have the K20D, but I almost never use it now that I have the amazing K-3.

Pentax_family · 11-03-2015, 09:10 PM

I have just purchased a K3 a month ago and I have much fun with it when taking wildlife that the K5IIs cannot offer, its AF has much improved. The performance of high ISO at low light condition of K3 is very promising, but I still consider the K5IIs a better option when taking photos at low light condition, may be due to its larger pixel size of sensor. I think the K5IIs, and even the K-x are great cameras for portrait, landscape and daily life photo taking. In general, I recommend people to put priority to lens instead of camera, because most of the time the limitations come from photographer and the lens rather than the camera, as Soti mentioned. Another consideration is that the camera will be fading out very soon when a new body comes up, while good lens never.

If you have to choose between K3 or K3ii, the consideration will be whether you are going to use the extra features of K3ii. To me, K3 is a great choice!

beachboy2 · 11-03-2015, 11:31 PM

The better question is "should I buy an additional, newer model".
I've kept my istDS for its compact size when weight/room is critical; my K20D is used for screw mount lenses or loaning to my son and K5/K5iis are used most.
Never sold a camera body thinking the offered prices are too low. My wife wouldn't agree!
cheers

PS Recently gone FF: Loaded some old film into a Pentax KM and a SP1000.

grispie · 11-04-2015, 12:29 AM

I jumped from a k20d to K3. Big difference that you'll appreciate.
The K20D still gets use. I use it alongside my K3 to minimise lens changing.

But with the FF coming, you have to ask yourself whether you want to go that route.
Depends on budget & the lenses you already have i guess..

**Rondec** · 11-04-2015, 04:51 AM

There is definitely a big difference in function, speed of operations and image quality with such a jump. If you have the funds for it, it certainly will be a significant improvement in all of these things. Of course, as others have said, it won't make your photos awesome -- that is up to you, but I very much enjoy using my K3 -- and have for several years now.

**WPRESTO** · 11-04-2015, 04:57 AM

I suspect I'm just singing the chorus, but YES! I still have my K20 and use it for some things, but for general use, the K3 is a significant step up. At the moment, it's selling for half what I paid (no regrets) and is a real bargain. ONE small thing I like about the K20 versus the K3: the mechanical switch to turn on/off shake reduction. I frequently go from tripod to hand-held, and the switch was more convenient than going into the "info" screen.

BTW: A K3 is on offer on BUY/SELL.

audiobomber · 11-04-2015, 05:09 AM

Originally posted by WPRESTO

ONE small thing I like about the K20 versus the K3: the mechanical switch to turn on/off shake reduction. I frequently go from tripod to hand-held, and the switch was more convenient than going into the "info" screen.

A couple of suggestions. I configured the useless-to-me raw/jpeg button to cycle SR. An even better means for controlling SR and a host of other functions is to set up a User mode for tripod shooting. My User modes are set up for Action, Tripod and Flash, with the most appropriate exposure mode, auto-focus setting, AF point, metering, SR, ISO setting, etc. for each.

**WPRESTO** · 11-04-2015, 05:13 AM

Originally posted by audiobomber

A couple of suggestions. I configured the useless-to-me raw/jpeg button to cycle SR. An even better means for controlling SR and a host of other functions is to set up a User mode for tripod shooting. My User modes are set up for Action, Tripod and Flash, with the most appropriate exposure mode, auto-focus setting, AF point, metering, SR, ISO setting, etc. for each.

Thanks for suggestions. Never thought about reprogramming the raw/jpeg button, which like you, I never use. I also forget about the user modes as I had some difficulty with them on the K5 and have never set them on the K3.

11-03-2015, 04:55 PM	#19
old4570 Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Melbourne Photos: Albums Posts: 2,551	Hmmmm With the recent Price drops , the K3 is a good buy ... If the Ozzi banana had not dropped so much value , I would have purchased a K3 myself ...

11-03-2015, 11:31 PM	#25
beachboy2 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Perth Western Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 222	The better question is "should I buy an additional, newer model". I've kept my istDS for its compact size when weight/room is critical; my K20D is used for screw mount lenses or loaning to my son and K5/K5iis are used most. Never sold a camera body thinking the offered prices are too low. My wife wouldn't agree! cheers PS Recently gone FF: Loaded some old film into a Pentax KM and a SP1000. Last edited by beachboy2; 11-04-2015 at 02:38 AM. Reason: additional comment

11-04-2015, 04:57 AM	#28
WPRESTO Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Massachusetts Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 59,107	I suspect I'm just singing the chorus, but YES! I still have my K20 and use it for some things, but for general use, the K3 is a significant step up. At the moment, it's selling for half what I paid (no regrets) and is a real bargain. ONE small thing I like about the K20 versus the K3: the mechanical switch to turn on/off shake reduction. I frequently go from tripod to hand-held, and the switch was more convenient than going into the "info" screen. BTW: A K3 is on offer on BUY/SELL. Last edited by WPRESTO; 11-04-2015 at 05:14 AM.

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11-03-2015, 04:07 PM	#16
jddwoods Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Newark, Delaware Posts: 1,035	There is no question that the K-3 is a better camera in all respects. I also respect that upgrading costs money, even though the K-3 can be had at good prices. I would suggest that if you can get a chance to actually handle a K-3 it would help your decision. I have a K-10 D which is very similar to your K-20. The feel of the K-3 is much different, being more compact and metal construction. I wish you the best with your decision. As for me I much prefer the K-3 over the K-10D you can crop so much more without visible degradation, the shutter is quieter and the rear monitor is much larger and much easier to preview your pictures, I found the upgrade definitely worth it.

11-03-2015, 04:22 PM	#17
Canada_Rockies Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Sparwood, BC, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,385	Having jumped from the K10 to the K3 recently I can give a whole-hearted YES!

11-03-2015, 04:34 PM	#18
Craig66 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Sapphire Coast. NSW. Posts: 141	Yes it's worth it. I went from a K20D this year to the K3-ll. I am very happy I upgraded. Big improvement over the K20D.. K20D is still a good camera, the K3-ll is heaps better.

11-03-2015, 05:02 PM	#20
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	I upgraded, K-20D to K-5 to K-3. I pulled out the old K-20 D the other day, that was just painful. Once you get used to the AF, anything else seems slow.

11-03-2015, 05:41 PM	#21
boriscleto Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: North Syracuse, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,475	Originally posted by Kerrowdown Exactly... the only four months away rule. It's like the EVF is only 5 years away from overtaking OVF rule.

11-03-2015, 07:10 PM	#22
Scorpio71GR Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Michigan Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,005	I upgraded from my K10D to the K3. I haven't touched my K10D in a year.The ability to shot at such higher ISOs opens up a whole new world of possibilities.

11-03-2015, 08:58 PM	#23
audiobomber Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Sudbury, Ontario Photos: Albums Posts: 6,806	I'm a big K20D fan. It was my main camera for six years, outlasting a K-x, K-01 and K-5. I still have the K20D, but I almost never use it now that I have the amazing K-3.

11-03-2015, 09:10 PM	#24
Pentax_family Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Hong Kong Photos: Albums Posts: 26	I have just purchased a K3 a month ago and I have much fun with it when taking wildlife that the K5IIs cannot offer, its AF has much improved. The performance of high ISO at low light condition of K3 is very promising, but I still consider the K5IIs a better option when taking photos at low light condition, may be due to its larger pixel size of sensor. I think the K5IIs, and even the K-x are great cameras for portrait, landscape and daily life photo taking. In general, I recommend people to put priority to lens instead of camera, because most of the time the limitations come from photographer and the lens rather than the camera, as Soti mentioned. Another consideration is that the camera will be fading out very soon when a new body comes up, while good lens never. If you have to choose between K3 or K3ii, the consideration will be whether you are going to use the extra features of K3ii. To me, K3 is a great choice!

11-04-2015, 12:29 AM	#26
grispie Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Posts: 1,199	I jumped from a k20d to K3. Big difference that you'll appreciate. The K20D still gets use. I use it alongside my K3 to minimise lens changing. But with the FF coming, you have to ask yourself whether you want to go that route. Depends on budget & the lenses you already have i guess..

11-04-2015, 04:51 AM	#27
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,653	There is definitely a big difference in function, speed of operations and image quality with such a jump. If you have the funds for it, it certainly will be a significant improvement in all of these things. Of course, as others have said, it won't make your photos awesome -- that is up to you, but I very much enjoy using my K3 -- and have for several years now.

11-04-2015, 05:09 AM	#29
audiobomber Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Sudbury, Ontario Photos: Albums Posts: 6,806	Originally posted by WPRESTO ONE small thing I like about the K20 versus the K3: the mechanical switch to turn on/off shake reduction. I frequently go from tripod to hand-held, and the switch was more convenient than going into the "info" screen. A couple of suggestions. I configured the useless-to-me raw/jpeg button to cycle SR. An even better means for controlling SR and a host of other functions is to set up a User mode for tripod shooting. My User modes are set up for Action, Tripod and Flash, with the most appropriate exposure mode, auto-focus setting, AF point, metering, SR, ISO setting, etc. for each.

11-04-2015, 05:13 AM	#30
WPRESTO Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Massachusetts Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 59,107	Originally posted by audiobomber A couple of suggestions. I configured the useless-to-me raw/jpeg button to cycle SR. An even better means for controlling SR and a host of other functions is to set up a User mode for tripod shooting. My User modes are set up for Action, Tripod and Flash, with the most appropriate exposure mode, auto-focus setting, AF point, metering, SR, ISO setting, etc. for each. Thanks for suggestions. Never thought about reprogramming the raw/jpeg button, which like you, I never use. I also forget about the user modes as I had some difficulty with them on the K5 and have never set them on the K3.