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**UncleVanya** · 11-03-2015, 09:13 PM

Just in case someone else is on the fence the "slightly better sr" may only be an update in name. There are speculations that the change merely reflects a change in testing and certification.

howieb101 · 11-03-2015, 10:48 PM

Originally posted by UncleVanya

Just in case someone else is on the fence the "slightly better sr" may only be an update in name. There are speculations that the change merely reflects a change in testing and certification.

Depends on your point of view. Anecdotally their are personal reports of better sr in the II model.

Make of it what you will.r

**UncleVanya** · 11-04-2015, 07:41 AM

Originally posted by howieb101

Depends on your point of view. Anecdotally their are personal reports of better sr in the II model.

Make of it what you will.r

That's news to me. I had not seen any. If you can point me in the direction of those I would appreciate it. I was under the impression this wasn't really anything other than a paper update in the SR department. I would love to know it was an actual improvement but I imagine it is hard to test methodically.

**jatrax** · 11-04-2015, 11:06 AM

Originally posted by UncleVanya

I imagine it is hard to test methodically.

Almost impossible I suspect, at least without test gear of some sort. I have k-3 and k-3II and as far as I can tell there is no difference. Not saying there isn't a difference, only that in the real world I cannot see it.

**UncleVanya** · 11-04-2015, 11:09 AM

Originally posted by jatrax

Almost impossible I suspect, at least without test gear of some sort. I have k-3 and k-3II and as far as I can tell there is no difference. Not saying there isn't a difference, only that in the real world I cannot see it.

That's sort of what I understood. 1 stop delta may be hard to test using human hands that know which camera they are holding...

mischa72 · 10-15-2017, 01:18 PM

Originally posted by jatrax

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.

Just my curiousity: can you tell how much extra battery power the GPS functionality takes? Easier said: how much more picture can you shoot by turning off GPS?

Best regards,

Paul the Sunman · 10-15-2017, 02:11 PM

I do not have the K3ii, but I do have the K-1, which also has GPS. I use it all the time and have not noticed any significantly increased battery drainage.

Of course, comparing the K3ii to the K3, the latter has built-in flash, which is likely to draw much more power than GPS if you're using it.

**aslyfox** · 10-15-2017, 03:15 PM

I know that the OP has chosen a K 3

this post is for others who may be considering choosing between a K 3 and K 3 II

what would you use more

fill in flash or any flash or gps tracking?

as Adam said, you can get the accessory GPS unit ( which will prevent use of a flash when in use ) and have GPS capability with the K 3

otherwise, I don't see any advantage of the K 3 II over the K 3 for me and I would put any money saved towards a lens. IMHO, YMMV

Pentax K-3 II vs. Pentax K-3 vs. Pentax K-7 - Pentax Camera Comparison - PentaxForums.com

mischa72 · 10-16-2017, 12:06 AM

I want to step up from my K5 to the K3II because of the better low-light performance, faster focus and higher shooting speed (raw fps). When I need a flash I'll take my Sigma EF500DG flash. The lenses I have (16-50/2.8, 50-135/2.8, F50/1.7) didn't bring me in a position that I needed that in the last 2 years (or I only use the camera on occasions that I have enough light ;-) ). As a walkaround lens I use my 18-135, which only sometimes doesn't give me the speed I would like to have. As said I addapt the gear to the circumstances I expect on my shoot.

Regards,
Mischa

**jatrax** · 10-21-2017, 04:11 PM

Originally posted by mischa72

Just my curiousity: can you tell how much extra battery power the GPS functionality takes? Easier said: how much more picture can you shoot by turning off GPS?

I am sure it has to be something but honestly I leave mine on all the time and never noticed a drain. Except if the camera is not used for several weeks, I have had the battery dead when I picked it up then. Never a problem in my daily shooter which is now the K-1 but my backup has gone dead a couple of times. But that might have been a month between charges.
No significant difference in my shooting on a daily basis.

**savoche** · 10-22-2017, 07:32 AM

Originally posted by mischa72

I want to step up from my K5 to the K3II because of the better low-light performance, faster focus and higher shooting speed (raw fps).

Not sure what you mean with "low-light performance"; the K-3II will definitely be better at focusing in low light, both speed and precision, but the K-5 has better dynamic range and I think they are about equal for high-ISO noise (at same resolution).

The K-3II is a better camera overall. Not massively at any point, but slightly improved in a lot of ways. The speed of operation and speed of focusing the most notable to me - especially when picking up the K-5 once in a while.

mischa72 · 10-23-2017, 01:38 AM

Originally posted by savoche

Not sure what you mean with "low-light performance"; the K-3II will definitely be better at focusing in low light, both speed and precision,

That's exactley what I need

kshapero · 10-28-2017, 06:16 AM

Staying with my K-3 for now.

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11-03-2015, 09:13 PM	#16
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,468	Just in case someone else is on the fence the "slightly better sr" may only be an update in name. There are speculations that the change merely reflects a change in testing and certification.

11-03-2015, 10:48 PM	#17
howieb101 Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Melbourne, Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 594	Originally posted by UncleVanya Just in case someone else is on the fence the "slightly better sr" may only be an update in name. There are speculations that the change merely reflects a change in testing and certification. Depends on your point of view. Anecdotally their are personal reports of better sr in the II model. Make of it what you will.r

11-04-2015, 07:41 AM	#18
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,468	Originally posted by howieb101 Depends on your point of view. Anecdotally their are personal reports of better sr in the II model. Make of it what you will.r That's news to me. I had not seen any. If you can point me in the direction of those I would appreciate it. I was under the impression this wasn't really anything other than a paper update in the SR department. I would love to know it was an actual improvement but I imagine it is hard to test methodically.

11-04-2015, 11:06 AM	#19
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	Originally posted by UncleVanya I imagine it is hard to test methodically. Almost impossible I suspect, at least without test gear of some sort. I have k-3 and k-3II and as far as I can tell there is no difference. Not saying there isn't a difference, only that in the real world I cannot see it.

11-04-2015, 11:09 AM	#20
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,468	Originally posted by jatrax Almost impossible I suspect, at least without test gear of some sort. I have k-3 and k-3II and as far as I can tell there is no difference. Not saying there isn't a difference, only that in the real world I cannot see it. That's sort of what I understood. 1 stop delta may be hard to test using human hands that know which camera they are holding...

10-15-2017, 01:18 PM	#21
mischa72 New Member Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: South of Netherlands Posts: 9	Originally posted by jatrax 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. Just my curiousity: can you tell how much extra battery power the GPS functionality takes? Easier said: how much more picture can you shoot by turning off GPS? Best regards,

10-15-2017, 02:11 PM	#22
Paul the Sunman Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Melbourne Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,847	I do not have the K3ii, but I do have the K-1, which also has GPS. I use it all the time and have not noticed any significantly increased battery drainage. Of course, comparing the K3ii to the K3, the latter has built-in flash, which is likely to draw much more power than GPS if you're using it.

10-15-2017, 03:15 PM	#23
aslyfox Seeker of Knowledge Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Topeka, Kansas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 24,583	I know that the OP has chosen a K 3 this post is for others who may be considering choosing between a K 3 and K 3 II what would you use more fill in flash or any flash or gps tracking? as Adam said, you can get the accessory GPS unit ( which will prevent use of a flash when in use ) and have GPS capability with the K 3 otherwise, I don't see any advantage of the K 3 II over the K 3 for me and I would put any money saved towards a lens. IMHO, YMMV Pentax K-3 II vs. Pentax K-3 vs. Pentax K-7 - Pentax Camera Comparison - PentaxForums.com

10-16-2017, 12:06 AM	#24
mischa72 New Member Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: South of Netherlands Posts: 9	I want to step up from my K5 to the K3II because of the better low-light performance, faster focus and higher shooting speed (raw fps). When I need a flash I'll take my Sigma EF500DG flash. The lenses I have (16-50/2.8, 50-135/2.8, F50/1.7) didn't bring me in a position that I needed that in the last 2 years (or I only use the camera on occasions that I have enough light ;-) ). As a walkaround lens I use my 18-135, which only sometimes doesn't give me the speed I would like to have. As said I addapt the gear to the circumstances I expect on my shoot. Regards, Mischa

10-21-2017, 04:11 PM	#25
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	Originally posted by mischa72 Just my curiousity: can you tell how much extra battery power the GPS functionality takes? Easier said: how much more picture can you shoot by turning off GPS? I am sure it has to be something but honestly I leave mine on all the time and never noticed a drain. Except if the camera is not used for several weeks, I have had the battery dead when I picked it up then. Never a problem in my daily shooter which is now the K-1 but my backup has gone dead a couple of times. But that might have been a month between charges. No significant difference in my shooting on a daily basis.

10-22-2017, 07:32 AM	#26
savoche Master of the obvious Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Lowlands of Norway Posts: 18,312	Originally posted by mischa72 I want to step up from my K5 to the K3II because of the better low-light performance, faster focus and higher shooting speed (raw fps). Not sure what you mean with "low-light performance"; the K-3II will definitely be better at focusing in low light, both speed and precision, but the K-5 has better dynamic range and I think they are about equal for high-ISO noise (at same resolution). The K-3II is a better camera overall. Not massively at any point, but slightly improved in a lot of ways. The speed of operation and speed of focusing the most notable to me - especially when picking up the K-5 once in a while.

10-23-2017, 01:38 AM	#27
mischa72 New Member Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: South of Netherlands Posts: 9	Originally posted by savoche Not sure what you mean with "low-light performance"; the K-3II will definitely be better at focusing in low light, both speed and precision, That's exactley what I need

10-28-2017, 06:16 AM	#28
kshapero Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: South Florida, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 437	Staying with my K-3 for now.

K3 vs K3ii

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