K-5 owner looking to upgrade to K-3 or K-3ii

LeDave · 07-29-2015, 12:43 PM

I don't really need the internal flash and I don't need the GPS. Why should I buy the K-3 over K-3ii regardless of pricing? What features does the K-3ii have better over the K-3?

enoeske · 07-29-2015, 12:46 PM

Originally posted by LeDave

I don't really need the internal flash and I don't need the GPS. Why should I buy the K-3 over K-3ii regardless of pricing? What features does the K-3ii have better over the K-3?

really?

Pentax K-3 II - Pentax K-mount DSLRs - Pentax Camera Reviews and Specifications

LeDave · 07-29-2015, 12:52 PM

Originally posted by enoeske

really?

Pentax K-3 II - Pentax K-mount DSLRs - Pentax Camera Reviews and Specifications

Thanks mate, that helped a bit. The only thing I would get the K-3ii over the K-3 for is the better SR,

Also your portfolio is nice, very pro. Wish I was as good.

G.E.Zekai · 07-29-2015, 12:56 PM

Originally posted by LeDave

Thanks mate, that helped a bit. The only thing I would get the K-3ii over the K-3 for is the better SR,

Also your portfolio is nice, very pro. Wish I was as good.

SR & Pixel shift ( useful for some).

Not sure about rest of the features but i am sure there are other small differences that might matter.

amoringello · 07-29-2015, 12:59 PM

Pixel shift might be mildly useful, but only if you do something like studio product photography under hot-lights. (not useable with flash).
If you can get a K3, save the bucks and don't waste money on features you don't need and won't/can't use.

LeDave · 07-29-2015, 01:09 PM

Thanks guys, I am going for the K-3.

**UncleVanya** · 07-29-2015, 01:20 PM

Originally posted by LeDave

Thanks guys, I am going for the K-3.

I faced the same choice recently and the price delta pushed me to the K-3. I upgraded from my K-50. Honestly it's put me in an odd situation. The K-50 jpgs would process fairly well on my Chromebook but the K-3 image size is so much larger that the system was having problems even displaying large directories of these files. I resolved the problem by increasing the swap space but it's a band-aid. I think I have to suck it up and get a traditional laptop to process the photos or at least a desktop. Sigh. I love my 8+ hour battery life and instant on Chromebook... and I have made it a quest to force myself to live inside that system for photography for a while. I can even process raw files when desired (Polarr is one of the tools there).

In any case you will not regret this choice.

Adam · 07-29-2015, 01:22 PM

Originally posted by LeDave

I don't really need the internal flash and I don't need the GPS. Why should I buy the K-3 over K-3ii regardless of pricing? What features does the K-3ii have better over the K-3?

I'd go for the original K-3 unless you plan to play with the pixel shifting feature for product photography.

**kiwi_jono** · 07-29-2015, 02:56 PM - **1 Like**

I think that in many ways the K3II is a bit of an experiment to see how many will forgo the on board flash.

I'm still on a K-5 at the moment too. If I was upgrading at the moment (which I'm not yet) then I would go for the K-3 myself. While the on board flash may not be up to much, its pretty useful as a fill flash when travelling light (which is a lot of what Pentax is good at).

**UncleVanya** · 07-29-2015, 03:03 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by kiwi_jono

I think that in many ways the K3II is a bit of an experiment to see how many will forgo the on board flash.

I'm still on a K-5 at the moment too. If I was upgrading at the moment (which I'm not yet) then I would go for the K-3 myself. While the on board flash may not be up to much, its pretty useful as a fill flash when travelling light (which is a lot of what Pentax is good at).

+1!!!!!

The fact that the flash they released as an alternative on the onboard flash does not (repeat does not) offer wireless master mode for P-TTL is a deal breaker for me. My objection to the K-3ii would be lower if the AF201FG was able to actually replace the on board flash in this way.

howieb101 · 07-29-2015, 11:05 PM

If you think you'll ever get into astro photography then definitely consider the K3-II. You can add this functionality later but it becomes a bit fiddly.

Also, if you think you'll be doing some overseas travel then gps tagging of images might be nice.

There is no right or wrong answer here. It's a case of choosing what fits YOU best.

Usually a II model is an upgrade. However, in this case they are really alternatives to each other.

Howie Be

**Rondec** · 07-30-2015, 02:45 AM

The differences are small. If you ever see yourself using a GPS/astro tracer unit, then the K3 II is the way to go. Otherwise, I think the two are pretty comparable with only minor upgrades.

**realitarian** · 07-30-2015, 06:02 AM

Not to mention that you can always buy the O-GPS1 unit yourself and add it on to the K3 (which is what I did) for astro and geo-tagging while traveling.

LeDave · 07-30-2015, 08:03 AM

Thanks for the help everyone, I just ordered a K-3 with free battery grip from B&H before midnight yesterday.

Conqueror · 07-30-2015, 12:04 PM

Unless the price of the K-3 is low enough relatively then the K-3ii is the compelling option IMO

+improved SR ... very useful to everyone I'd of thought
+pixel shift
+gps
+astrotracer

-flash

how often do you use the built in flash? an external/add-on will be better if you do a lot with your flash I'd of thought

just my 2c

07-29-2015, 12:43 PM	#1
LeDave Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Minneapolis - St. Paul Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,067	K-5 owner looking to upgrade to K-3 or K-3ii I don't really need the internal flash and I don't need the GPS. Why should I buy the K-3 over K-3ii regardless of pricing? What features does the K-3ii have better over the K-3?

07-29-2015, 01:22 PM	#8
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,594	Originally posted by LeDave I don't really need the internal flash and I don't need the GPS. Why should I buy the K-3 over K-3ii regardless of pricing? What features does the K-3ii have better over the K-3? I'd go for the original K-3 unless you plan to play with the pixel shifting feature for product photography. 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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07-29-2015, 12:46 PM	#2
enoeske Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Surprise, Az Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,136	Originally posted by LeDave I don't really need the internal flash and I don't need the GPS. Why should I buy the K-3 over K-3ii regardless of pricing? What features does the K-3ii have better over the K-3? really? Pentax K-3 II - Pentax K-mount DSLRs - Pentax Camera Reviews and Specifications

07-29-2015, 12:52 PM	#3
LeDave Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Minneapolis - St. Paul Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,067 Original Poster	Originally posted by enoeske really? Pentax K-3 II - Pentax K-mount DSLRs - Pentax Camera Reviews and Specifications Thanks mate, that helped a bit. The only thing I would get the K-3ii over the K-3 for is the better SR, Also your portfolio is nice, very pro. Wish I was as good.

07-29-2015, 12:56 PM	#4
G.E.Zekai Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Albums Posts: 199	Originally posted by LeDave Thanks mate, that helped a bit. The only thing I would get the K-3ii over the K-3 for is the better SR, Also your portfolio is nice, very pro. Wish I was as good. SR & Pixel shift ( useful for some). Not sure about rest of the features but i am sure there are other small differences that might matter.

07-29-2015, 12:59 PM	#5
amoringello Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Virginia, USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,562	Pixel shift might be mildly useful, but only if you do something like studio product photography under hot-lights. (not useable with flash). If you can get a K3, save the bucks and don't waste money on features you don't need and won't/can't use.

07-29-2015, 01:09 PM	#6
LeDave Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Minneapolis - St. Paul Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,067 Original Poster	Thanks guys, I am going for the K-3.

07-29-2015, 01:20 PM	#7
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,398	Originally posted by LeDave Thanks guys, I am going for the K-3. I faced the same choice recently and the price delta pushed me to the K-3. I upgraded from my K-50. Honestly it's put me in an odd situation. The K-50 jpgs would process fairly well on my Chromebook but the K-3 image size is so much larger that the system was having problems even displaying large directories of these files. I resolved the problem by increasing the swap space but it's a band-aid. I think I have to suck it up and get a traditional laptop to process the photos or at least a desktop. Sigh. I love my 8+ hour battery life and instant on Chromebook... and I have made it a quest to force myself to live inside that system for photography for a while. I can even process raw files when desired (Polarr is one of the tools there). In any case you will not regret this choice.

07-29-2015, 02:56 PM - 1 Like	#9
kiwi_jono Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Christchurch, New Zealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,437	I think that in many ways the K3II is a bit of an experiment to see how many will forgo the on board flash. I'm still on a K-5 at the moment too. If I was upgrading at the moment (which I'm not yet) then I would go for the K-3 myself. While the on board flash may not be up to much, its pretty useful as a fill flash when travelling light (which is a lot of what Pentax is good at).

07-29-2015, 03:03 PM - 1 Like	#10
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,398	Originally posted by kiwi_jono I think that in many ways the K3II is a bit of an experiment to see how many will forgo the on board flash. I'm still on a K-5 at the moment too. If I was upgrading at the moment (which I'm not yet) then I would go for the K-3 myself. While the on board flash may not be up to much, its pretty useful as a fill flash when travelling light (which is a lot of what Pentax is good at). +1!!!!! The fact that the flash they released as an alternative on the onboard flash does not (repeat does not) offer wireless master mode for P-TTL is a deal breaker for me. My objection to the K-3ii would be lower if the AF201FG was able to actually replace the on board flash in this way.

07-29-2015, 11:05 PM	#11
howieb101 Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Melbourne, Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 594	If you think you'll ever get into astro photography then definitely consider the K3-II. You can add this functionality later but it becomes a bit fiddly. Also, if you think you'll be doing some overseas travel then gps tagging of images might be nice. There is no right or wrong answer here. It's a case of choosing what fits YOU best. Usually a II model is an upgrade. However, in this case they are really alternatives to each other. Howie Be

07-30-2015, 02:45 AM	#12
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,650	The differences are small. If you ever see yourself using a GPS/astro tracer unit, then the K3 II is the way to go. Otherwise, I think the two are pretty comparable with only minor upgrades.

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07-30-2015, 06:02 AM	#13
realitarian Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Los Angeles, CA Photos: Albums Posts: 221	Not to mention that you can always buy the O-GPS1 unit yourself and add it on to the K3 (which is what I did) for astro and geo-tagging while traveling.

07-30-2015, 08:03 AM	#14
LeDave Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Minneapolis - St. Paul Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,067 Original Poster	Thanks for the help everyone, I just ordered a K-3 with free battery grip from B&H before midnight yesterday.

07-30-2015, 12:04 PM	#15
Conqueror Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: UK Posts: 440	Unless the price of the K-3 is low enough relatively then the K-3ii is the compelling option IMO +improved SR ... very useful to everyone I'd of thought +pixel shift +gps +astrotracer -flash how often do you use the built in flash? an external/add-on will be better if you do a lot with your flash I'd of thought just my 2c