K3 vs k3ii

Nerdlinger · 08-05-2015, 06:52 AM

Can anybody who has shot both tell me is it really worth it to step up to the K3II. I have limited intentions of using Astrotracer, the GPS I would use, but is not a make or break. I personally like built in flashes. Is the supposed 1 step difference in image stabilization worth it? I am chomping at the bit to get one or the other. Any advice would be GREATLY appreciated.

Not a Number · 08-05-2015, 08:18 AM - **1 Like**

My 2 cents is unless you feel you can't live without an on-board flash go with the K3ii. Of course probably the best perspective would come from those who own both.

MikePerham · 08-05-2015, 08:23 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Nerdlinger

Can anybody who has shot both tell me is it really worth it to step up to the K3II. I have limited intentions of using Astrotracer, the GPS I would use, but is not a make or break. I personally like built in flashes. Is the supposed 1 step difference in image stabilization worth it? I am chomping at the bit to get one or the other. Any advice would be GREATLY appreciated.

Look at the features added to the K3II and ask yourself how important are they to the style and subjects in your photography. If you do a lot of street/event photography you may find the 1 stop improvement in SR of value. Astro photography, the GPS will help, I am ambivalent toward the pixel shift as I shoot a lot of landscapes, but think leaves, water etc., will have some movement creating problems; still life would be a different matter.

honey bo bo · 08-05-2015, 08:35 AM - **1 Like**

I haven't shot both; but the loss of the Pop Up(fill flash alone) for me would be a definite negative. I have the GPS for the K3 and it fits in my shoulder bag the AF360FGZ does not. The other improvements are splitting hairs not leaps in tech.

Nerdlinger · 08-05-2015, 09:17 AM

Originally posted by MikePerham

Look at the features added to the K3II and ask yourself how important are they to the style and subjects in your photography. If you do a lot of street/event photography you may find the 1 stop improvement in SR of value. Astro photography, the GPS will help, I am ambivalent toward the pixel shift as I shoot a lot of landscapes, but think leaves, water etc., will have some movement creating problems; still life would be a different matter.

I agree that the pixel shift would mess up your landscapes, but I find it intriguing to use for my macro shots....

starbase218 · 08-05-2015, 09:26 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by honey bo bo

I haven't shot both; but the loss of the Pop Up(fill flash alone) for me would be a definite negative. I have the GPS for the K3 and it fits in my shoulder bag the AF360FGZ does not. The other improvements are splitting hairs not leaps in tech.

True, but if you want to have GPS while using a flash, the K-3 II is still the way to go.

**jatrax** · 08-05-2015, 09:28 AM - **2 Likes**

I have both currently and do not see any significant difference for general use. I have not used the pixel shift feature yet.

The k-3II is an absolute home for me though as I use GPS extensively and having it built in and instantly available is a huge plus over the hot shoe one. Loss of the flash means nothing to me, I never used it for anything. If I need a flash I use a real one.

So mostly decide whether you like pop-up flash or on-board GPS. Everything else is a wash as far as I'm concerned. Unless Pixel shift is of use to you.

Nerdlinger · 08-05-2015, 11:00 AM

Thanks to all...I hope that more chirp in...Pentax Forums absolutely rule for us Pentaxians! (Thanks Adam)

loco · 08-05-2015, 11:18 AM - **1 Like**

I faced the same decision and just couldn't justify the added cost of the K-3II. I already have the OGPS-1 so I didn't lose anything there. I don't use the pop up flash much, but it's nice to have for fill on certain occasions. The pixel shift is intriguing but so limited in practical use.

I'm very happy with my decision and feel I got a great deal. After all, I paid less for my K-3 than I paid for my K-30 three years ago.

farhaddad · 08-05-2015, 11:51 AM

I have tested both and for my usage, SR on K3II was a bit better. Other than that, they are almost the same. Although the pixel shift feature is nice for products photography, you wouldn't find a big difference in sharpness unless you crop a lot. Also, there is no Ricoh logo on K3II :-B

Nerdlinger · 08-05-2015, 12:02 PM

Originally posted by farhaddad

I have tested both and for my usage, SR on K3II was a bit better. Other than that, they are almost the same. Although the pixel shift feature is nice for products photography, you wouldn't find a big difference in sharpness unless you crop a lot. Also, there is no Ricoh logo on K3II :-B

I thank thee, I am almost about to press the buy button at Amazon for the K3 but the fact my macro photography will be mind blowing due to pixel shift is making me hold off. I also may just wait to see if the prices plunge when, or better yet if, the FF finally releases.

loco · 08-05-2015, 12:16 PM

What kind of macro photography do you do? Just curious.

I usually do bugs when I do macro and pixel shift would be useless for that unless it was dead. lol

Nerdlinger · 08-05-2015, 12:25 PM

Originally posted by loco

What kind of macro photography do you do? Just curious.

I usually do bugs when I do macro and pixel shift would be useless for that unless it was dead. lol

Bugs, flowers, and such....bugs would be useless? Damn

farhaddad · 08-05-2015, 12:28 PM

Yes, that's correct. Unless you photograph things like jewels or small things that don't move, pixel shift would be useless for macro photography.

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/94-pentax-price-watch/301100-k3ii-someone...se-i-will.html

Nerdlinger · 08-05-2015, 12:44 PM

Originally posted by farhaddad

Yes, that's correct. Unless you photograph things like jewels or small things that don't move, pixel shift would be useless for macro photography.

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/94-pentax-price-watch/301100-k3ii-someone...se-i-will.html

Even non mobile flowers? If that is the case, the case is closed, K3 here I come.

08-05-2015, 06:52 AM	#1
Nerdlinger Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Homer Glen, IL Photos: Gallery Posts: 55	K3 vs k3ii Can anybody who has shot both tell me is it really worth it to step up to the K3II. I have limited intentions of using Astrotracer, the GPS I would use, but is not a make or break. I personally like built in flashes. Is the supposed 1 step difference in image stabilization worth it? I am chomping at the bit to get one or the other. Any advice would be GREATLY appreciated.

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08-05-2015, 08:18 AM - 1 Like	#2
Not a Number Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 10,526	My 2 cents is unless you feel you can't live without an on-board flash go with the K3ii. Of course probably the best perspective would come from those who own both.

08-05-2015, 08:23 AM - 1 Like	#3
MikePerham Veteran Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Prince George, BC Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 642	Originally posted by Nerdlinger Can anybody who has shot both tell me is it really worth it to step up to the K3II. I have limited intentions of using Astrotracer, the GPS I would use, but is not a make or break. I personally like built in flashes. Is the supposed 1 step difference in image stabilization worth it? I am chomping at the bit to get one or the other. Any advice would be GREATLY appreciated. Look at the features added to the K3II and ask yourself how important are they to the style and subjects in your photography. If you do a lot of street/event photography you may find the 1 stop improvement in SR of value. Astro photography, the GPS will help, I am ambivalent toward the pixel shift as I shoot a lot of landscapes, but think leaves, water etc., will have some movement creating problems; still life would be a different matter.

08-05-2015, 08:35 AM - 1 Like	#4
honey bo bo Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Posts: 768	I haven't shot both; but the loss of the Pop Up(fill flash alone) for me would be a definite negative. I have the GPS for the K3 and it fits in my shoulder bag the AF360FGZ does not. The other improvements are splitting hairs not leaps in tech.

08-05-2015, 09:17 AM	#5
Nerdlinger Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Homer Glen, IL Photos: Gallery Posts: 55 Original Poster	Originally posted by MikePerham Look at the features added to the K3II and ask yourself how important are they to the style and subjects in your photography. If you do a lot of street/event photography you may find the 1 stop improvement in SR of value. Astro photography, the GPS will help, I am ambivalent toward the pixel shift as I shoot a lot of landscapes, but think leaves, water etc., will have some movement creating problems; still life would be a different matter. I agree that the pixel shift would mess up your landscapes, but I find it intriguing to use for my macro shots....

08-05-2015, 09:26 AM - 1 Like	#6
starbase218 Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Planet Earth, Sol system, Milky Way galaxy, Universe Posts: 1,119	Originally posted by honey bo bo I haven't shot both; but the loss of the Pop Up(fill flash alone) for me would be a definite negative. I have the GPS for the K3 and it fits in my shoulder bag the AF360FGZ does not. The other improvements are splitting hairs not leaps in tech. True, but if you want to have GPS while using a flash, the K-3 II is still the way to go.

08-05-2015, 09:28 AM - 2 Likes	#7
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	I have both currently and do not see any significant difference for general use. I have not used the pixel shift feature yet. The k-3II is an absolute home for me though as I use GPS extensively and having it built in and instantly available is a huge plus over the hot shoe one. Loss of the flash means nothing to me, I never used it for anything. If I need a flash I use a real one. So mostly decide whether you like pop-up flash or on-board GPS. Everything else is a wash as far as I'm concerned. Unless Pixel shift is of use to you.

08-05-2015, 11:00 AM	#8
Nerdlinger Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Homer Glen, IL Photos: Gallery Posts: 55 Original Poster	Thanks to all...I hope that more chirp in...Pentax Forums absolutely rule for us Pentaxians! (Thanks Adam)

08-05-2015, 11:18 AM - 1 Like	#9
loco Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Virginia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,846	I faced the same decision and just couldn't justify the added cost of the K-3II. I already have the OGPS-1 so I didn't lose anything there. I don't use the pop up flash much, but it's nice to have for fill on certain occasions. The pixel shift is intriguing but so limited in practical use. I'm very happy with my decision and feel I got a great deal. After all, I paid less for my K-3 than I paid for my K-30 three years ago.

08-05-2015, 11:51 AM	#10
farhaddad Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Wilsonville Photos: Albums Posts: 226	I have tested both and for my usage, SR on K3II was a bit better. Other than that, they are almost the same. Although the pixel shift feature is nice for products photography, you wouldn't find a big difference in sharpness unless you crop a lot. Also, there is no Ricoh logo on K3II :-B

08-05-2015, 12:02 PM	#11
Nerdlinger Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Homer Glen, IL Photos: Gallery Posts: 55 Original Poster	Originally posted by farhaddad I have tested both and for my usage, SR on K3II was a bit better. Other than that, they are almost the same. Although the pixel shift feature is nice for products photography, you wouldn't find a big difference in sharpness unless you crop a lot. Also, there is no Ricoh logo on K3II :-B I thank thee, I am almost about to press the buy button at Amazon for the K3 but the fact my macro photography will be mind blowing due to pixel shift is making me hold off. I also may just wait to see if the prices plunge when, or better yet if, the FF finally releases.

08-05-2015, 12:16 PM	#12
loco Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Virginia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,846	What kind of macro photography do you do? Just curious. I usually do bugs when I do macro and pixel shift would be useless for that unless it was dead. lol

08-05-2015, 12:25 PM	#13
Nerdlinger Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Homer Glen, IL Photos: Gallery Posts: 55 Original Poster	Originally posted by loco What kind of macro photography do you do? Just curious. I usually do bugs when I do macro and pixel shift would be useless for that unless it was dead. lol Bugs, flowers, and such....bugs would be useless? Damn

08-05-2015, 12:28 PM	#14
farhaddad Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Wilsonville Photos: Albums Posts: 226	Yes, that's correct. Unless you photograph things like jewels or small things that don't move, pixel shift would be useless for macro photography. https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/94-pentax-price-watch/301100-k3ii-someone...se-i-will.html

08-05-2015, 12:44 PM	#15
Nerdlinger Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Homer Glen, IL Photos: Gallery Posts: 55 Original Poster	Originally posted by farhaddad Yes, that's correct. Unless you photograph things like jewels or small things that don't move, pixel shift would be useless for macro photography. https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/94-pentax-price-watch/301100-k3ii-someone...se-i-will.html Even non mobile flowers? If that is the case, the case is closed, K3 here I come.