K3 vs K3ii

JLou · 10-18-2015, 05:11 PM

Hi
I am thinking of upgrading my K7, I thought I was going to get the K3ii, but after reading many reviews I am not sure there is any advantage over the K3. Here in Aus, there is ~$400 difference, so I am thinking of just getting the K3.

Why would I need the K3ii over the K3?

Cheers
Jlou

**jatrax** · 10-18-2015, 05:16 PM

Originally posted by JLou

Why would I need the K3ii over the K3?

If you want built in GPS. Outside of that, honestly not much. The pixel shift is also new but I have yet to find a use for it. For me, the GPS is completely worth the difference. In fact I traded my 1 year old k-3 in on a k-3II just to have the GPS. YMMV.

jimr-pdx · 10-18-2015, 05:18 PM

An extra stop of SR is included with the update!

And GPS replaces flash

JLou · 10-18-2015, 05:21 PM

So ...If I dont need the GPS, I am probably better off with the cheaper K3?
That is where I am heading I think ☺

**UncleVanya** · 10-18-2015, 05:25 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by JLou

So ...If I dont need the GPS, I am probably better off with the cheaper K3?
That is where I am heading I think ☺

That was also my logic and the decision I made. K3 has been a superb choice.

jkomp316 · 10-18-2015, 05:50 PM

not just geo tagging, there is built in astrophotography tools on the k3ii.

Adam · 10-18-2015, 06:52 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by jkomp316

not just geo tagging, there is built in astrophotography tools on the k3ii.

Functionality is the same as the K-3 + O-GPS1, FWIW.

Adam
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Pentax_family · 10-18-2015, 06:54 PM - **1 Like**

I picked the K-3 a week ago because I don't think GPS is important to me. Before the purchase, I was worrying about the noise with higher ISO along with the higher pixels count but it seems that it has controlled the noise quite well. The autofocus has great improvement against K5IIs! Won't be a wrong decision!

Billk · 10-18-2015, 09:18 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by JLou

Hi
I am thinking of upgrading my K7, I thought I was going to get the K3ii, but after reading many reviews I am not sure there is any advantage over the K3. Here in Aus, there is ~$400 difference, so I am thinking of just getting the K3.

Why would I need the K3ii over the K3?

Cheers
Jlou

As of an hour ago, I am the proud owner of a shiny new K3ii to sit alongside my very well-loved and well-used K7. Will be able to do some side by side shots to show you what the K3ii can do compared to the K7. That won't answer the K3 vs K3ii question but will help make up your mind on whether to upgrade or not.

If I can get some astro shots, that might help you to decide whether the extra $400 is money well spent.

Paul the Sunman · 10-18-2015, 09:39 PM - **1 Like**

I think I would rather have the built-in flash than the GPS, so I'm not upgrading my K3. This is not because I use the flash much by itself; rather, I use it quite often as master or controller for an off-camera P-TTL flash. I would need to buy and carry another flash for that purpose if I had the K3ii.

JLou · 10-19-2015, 12:24 AM

Originally posted by Billk

As of an hour ago, I am the proud owner of a shiny new K3ii to sit alongside my very well-loved and well-used K7. Will be able to do some side by side shots to show you what the K3ii can do compared to the K7. That won't answer the K3 vs K3ii question but will help make up your mind on whether to upgrade or not.

If I can get some astro shots, that might help you to decide whether the extra $400 is money well spent.

Thanks for that. That will be awesome and much appreciated ☺
Cheers
Jlou

**jatrax** · 10-19-2015, 07:59 AM

Originally posted by JLou

So ...If I dont need the GPS, I am probably better off with the cheaper K3? That is where I am heading I think ☺

Yes, that would be my decision. There are a few other improvements but nothing earth shattering except the GPS. If you don't want GPS get the k-3.

**Madaboutpix** · 10-19-2015, 12:22 PM

No need to repeat the - on the whole - somewhat incremental feature differences between the K-3 II and K-3. It is really a question if the specific features mentioned above matter for your shooting preferences or not.

Otherwise, I can assure you that over a K-7, which I had shot for several years before I upgraded, the K-3 offers such a substantial leap ahead that you will quickly stop worrying about what you might be sacrificing vs. a K-3 II.

Given the price difference between the two K-3 iterations you're quoting, and some recent deals I've seen where the K-3 was bundled with that lovely DA50 and/or attractive accessories, it's kind of a no-brainer, I'd say.

JLou · 11-03-2015, 07:07 PM

I did it ... My new K3 arrived last week and I am LOVING it.
I will post some photos in the photo sharing thread ☺

**GregK8** · 11-03-2015, 07:31 PM - **1 Like**

I am very excited as I sit here and wait for my new K-3ii to arrive tomorrow. I ultimately decided to go with the 3ii because as I look back over the last 5 years I owned my K-5 I have tried to take shots of the moon and sky about 5-6 times a year, and I think I've used the onboard flash twice. I am very much an available light photographer and I just don't use the flash much. I am far more likely to crank up the iso than flip up the flash if the lighting is a little low.

Now that that trade-off is decided, I think I like the slightly better SR, AF and then I'll also be able to experiment with the pixel-shift.

10-18-2015, 05:11 PM	#1
JLou Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Gippsland, Victoria, Australia Photos: Albums Posts: 71	K3 vs K3ii Hi I am thinking of upgrading my K7, I thought I was going to get the K3ii, but after reading many reviews I am not sure there is any advantage over the K3. Here in Aus, there is ~$400 difference, so I am thinking of just getting the K3. Why would I need the K3ii over the K3? Cheers Jlou

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10-18-2015, 05:16 PM	#2
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	Originally posted by JLou Why would I need the K3ii over the K3? If you want built in GPS. Outside of that, honestly not much. The pixel shift is also new but I have yet to find a use for it. For me, the GPS is completely worth the difference. In fact I traded my 1 year old k-3 in on a k-3II just to have the GPS. YMMV.

10-18-2015, 05:18 PM	#3
jimr-pdx Pentaxian Join Date: May 2010 Location: now 1 hour north of PDX Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,897	An extra stop of SR is included with the update! And GPS replaces flash

10-18-2015, 05:21 PM	#4
JLou Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Gippsland, Victoria, Australia Photos: Albums Posts: 71 Original Poster	So ...If I dont need the GPS, I am probably better off with the cheaper K3? That is where I am heading I think ☺

10-18-2015, 05:25 PM - 1 Like	#5
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,398	Originally posted by JLou So ...If I dont need the GPS, I am probably better off with the cheaper K3? That is where I am heading I think ☺ That was also my logic and the decision I made. K3 has been a superb choice.

10-18-2015, 05:50 PM	#6
jkomp316 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 227	not just geo tagging, there is built in astrophotography tools on the k3ii.

10-18-2015, 06:52 PM - 1 Like	#7
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,594	Originally posted by jkomp316 not just geo tagging, there is built in astrophotography tools on the k3ii. Functionality is the same as the K-3 + O-GPS1, FWIW. 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:

10-18-2015, 06:54 PM - 1 Like	#8
Pentax_family Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Hong Kong Photos: Albums Posts: 26	I picked the K-3 a week ago because I don't think GPS is important to me. Before the purchase, I was worrying about the noise with higher ISO along with the higher pixels count but it seems that it has controlled the noise quite well. The autofocus has great improvement against K5IIs! Won't be a wrong decision!

10-18-2015, 09:18 PM - 1 Like	#9
Billk Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Melbourne, Victoria Posts: 349	Originally posted by JLou Hi I am thinking of upgrading my K7, I thought I was going to get the K3ii, but after reading many reviews I am not sure there is any advantage over the K3. Here in Aus, there is ~$400 difference, so I am thinking of just getting the K3. Why would I need the K3ii over the K3? Cheers Jlou As of an hour ago, I am the proud owner of a shiny new K3ii to sit alongside my very well-loved and well-used K7. Will be able to do some side by side shots to show you what the K3ii can do compared to the K7. That won't answer the K3 vs K3ii question but will help make up your mind on whether to upgrade or not. If I can get some astro shots, that might help you to decide whether the extra $400 is money well spent.

10-18-2015, 09:39 PM - 1 Like	#10
Paul the Sunman Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Melbourne Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,842	I think I would rather have the built-in flash than the GPS, so I'm not upgrading my K3. This is not because I use the flash much by itself; rather, I use it quite often as master or controller for an off-camera P-TTL flash. I would need to buy and carry another flash for that purpose if I had the K3ii.

10-19-2015, 12:24 AM	#11
JLou Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Gippsland, Victoria, Australia Photos: Albums Posts: 71 Original Poster	Originally posted by Billk As of an hour ago, I am the proud owner of a shiny new K3ii to sit alongside my very well-loved and well-used K7. Will be able to do some side by side shots to show you what the K3ii can do compared to the K7. That won't answer the K3 vs K3ii question but will help make up your mind on whether to upgrade or not. If I can get some astro shots, that might help you to decide whether the extra $400 is money well spent. Thanks for that. That will be awesome and much appreciated ☺ Cheers Jlou

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10-19-2015, 07:59 AM	#12
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	Originally posted by JLou So ...If I dont need the GPS, I am probably better off with the cheaper K3? That is where I am heading I think ☺ Yes, that would be my decision. There are a few other improvements but nothing earth shattering except the GPS. If you don't want GPS get the k-3.

10-19-2015, 12:22 PM	#13
Madaboutpix Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: North Rhine-Westphalia Posts: 1,439	No need to repeat the - on the whole - somewhat incremental feature differences between the K-3 II and K-3. It is really a question if the specific features mentioned above matter for your shooting preferences or not. Otherwise, I can assure you that over a K-7, which I had shot for several years before I upgraded, the K-3 offers such a substantial leap ahead that you will quickly stop worrying about what you might be sacrificing vs. a K-3 II. Given the price difference between the two K-3 iterations you're quoting, and some recent deals I've seen where the K-3 was bundled with that lovely DA50 and/or attractive accessories, it's kind of a no-brainer, I'd say.

11-03-2015, 07:07 PM	#14
JLou Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Gippsland, Victoria, Australia Photos: Albums Posts: 71 Original Poster	I did it ... My new K3 arrived last week and I am LOVING it. I will post some photos in the photo sharing thread ☺

11-03-2015, 07:31 PM - 1 Like	#15
GregK8 Site Supporter Join Date: May 2008 Location: Western New York Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 614	I am very excited as I sit here and wait for my new K-3ii to arrive tomorrow. I ultimately decided to go with the 3ii because as I look back over the last 5 years I owned my K-5 I have tried to take shots of the moon and sky about 5-6 times a year, and I think I've used the onboard flash twice. I am very much an available light photographer and I just don't use the flash much. I am far more likely to crank up the iso than flip up the flash if the lighting is a little low. Now that that trade-off is decided, I think I like the slightly better SR, AF and then I'll also be able to experiment with the pixel-shift.