Pentax K-3 III or Pentax K-1 II?

**loyalt** · 11-30-2021, 11:08 AM

Originally posted by AndKM

Hello!
I am torn between upgrading to a K-3 III or a K-1 II… I shoot only portraits or sports - rarely anything else. I have had the K-r, K-3, & K-3 II. My shutter count is getting way up there & I’m worried my II will see the end of its days before too long. Any suggestions or thoughts one way or the other?

Thanks so much!

I have had the very good K-3 and K-5 for my sports photography jobs and added the K-3 Mark iii this spring. I can't tell you the HUGE benefit and difference the K-3 Mark iii makes in my action sports photography jobs, as well as my senior portrait photo shoots. I would highly recommend the K-3 Mark iii for sports over the K-1, mainly for shutter speed and autofocus speeds. I hardly have any action throw-aways now, it is so very good and fast. If there weren't user error on my part, I think I wouldn't have any bad shots. It is worth the money and the quality is what you expect from Pentax: top notch!

**mirocal** · 11-30-2021, 01:20 PM

I skipped the K-3 III and got a second K-1 II body in lieu, taking advantage of the recent discounts. The latter is still delivers very impressive results, and will likely be the permanent site for the limiteds 21/2.4 and 31/1.8. As for wildlife, my K-3 II shall do just fine still. If next year Ricoh doesn't follow up with K-1 III, I may reconsider the K-3 III.

**kiwi_jono** · 11-30-2021, 04:33 PM

Probably everything is pretty much covered by previous comments. But key questions:
1. What FF lenses do you already have?
2. Can you live a somewhat bigger system (although if you using the FA limiteds its still pretty small)?

**NZ_Ross** · 11-30-2021, 10:53 PM

Originally posted by mirocal

If next year Ricoh doesn't follow up with K-1 III, I may reconsider the K-3 III.

An updated K-1 III would be a very nice addition to the Pentax line up

AfterPentax Mark II · 12-01-2021, 02:44 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by EssJayEff

Correct, which is why I said what I would do, not what the OP should do.

But the OP did not ask what you would do, but give advice on what he should do!

**EssJayEff** · 12-02-2021, 06:35 AM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by AfterPentax Mark II

But the OP did not ask what you would do, but give advice on what he should do!

Originally posted by AfterPentax Mark II

But the OP did not ask what you would do, but give advice on what he should do!

I suppose it's just a matter of personal style. I prefer not to tell people what I think they should do; instead, I prefer to say what I would do in the situation and s/he can determine if the reasoning makes sense for her or him. Not always the best method, perhaps, but that was my intent.

AfterPentax Mark II · 12-03-2021, 03:49 AM

Originally posted by EssJayEff

I suppose it's just a matter of personal style. I prefer not to tell people what I think they should do; instead, I prefer to say what I would do in the situation and s/he can determine if the reasoning makes sense for her or him. Not always the best method, perhaps, but that was my intent.

I understand, thanks for explaining. Most of the time I try to be "neutral" about it, but not always I do it that way!

zapp · 12-04-2021, 01:06 AM - **1 Like**

You are happy with apsc so far- go for K3lll. New camera and topping your older camera by far.
The 77 ltd shines on K1, but you can upgrade to ff later. Having K1ii I am really thinking, both is required in the long run.

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11-30-2021, 11:08 AM	#46
loyalt Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: Minnesota Photos: Albums Posts: 261	Originally posted by AndKM Hello! I am torn between upgrading to a K-3 III or a K-1 II… I shoot only portraits or sports - rarely anything else. I have had the K-r, K-3, & K-3 II. My shutter count is getting way up there & I’m worried my II will see the end of its days before too long. Any suggestions or thoughts one way or the other? Thanks so much! I have had the very good K-3 and K-5 for my sports photography jobs and added the K-3 Mark iii this spring. I can't tell you the HUGE benefit and difference the K-3 Mark iii makes in my action sports photography jobs, as well as my senior portrait photo shoots. I would highly recommend the K-3 Mark iii for sports over the K-1, mainly for shutter speed and autofocus speeds. I hardly have any action throw-aways now, it is so very good and fast. If there weren't user error on my part, I think I wouldn't have any bad shots. It is worth the money and the quality is what you expect from Pentax: top notch!

11-30-2021, 01:20 PM	#47
mirocal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Washington, USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 85	I skipped the K-3 III and got a second K-1 II body in lieu, taking advantage of the recent discounts. The latter is still delivers very impressive results, and will likely be the permanent site for the limiteds 21/2.4 and 31/1.8. As for wildlife, my K-3 II shall do just fine still. If next year Ricoh doesn't follow up with K-1 III, I may reconsider the K-3 III.

11-30-2021, 04:33 PM	#48
kiwi_jono Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Christchurch, New Zealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,437	Probably everything is pretty much covered by previous comments. But key questions: 1. What FF lenses do you already have? 2. Can you live a somewhat bigger system (although if you using the FA limiteds its still pretty small)?

11-30-2021, 10:53 PM	#49
NZ_Ross Kiwi Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Timaru Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,225	Originally posted by mirocal If next year Ricoh doesn't follow up with K-1 III, I may reconsider the K-3 III. An updated K-1 III would be a very nice addition to the Pentax line up

12-01-2021, 02:44 AM - 1 Like	#50
AfterPentax Mark II Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2021 Posts: 1,461	Originally posted by EssJayEff Correct, which is why I said what I would do, not what the OP should do. But the OP did not ask what you would do, but give advice on what he should do!

12-02-2021, 06:35 AM - 2 Likes	#51
EssJayEff Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: near Saxapahaw, NC Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 969	Originally posted by AfterPentax Mark II But the OP did not ask what you would do, but give advice on what he should do! Originally posted by AfterPentax Mark II But the OP did not ask what you would do, but give advice on what he should do! I suppose it's just a matter of personal style. I prefer not to tell people what I think they should do; instead, I prefer to say what I would do in the situation and s/he can determine if the reasoning makes sense for her or him. Not always the best method, perhaps, but that was my intent.

12-03-2021, 03:49 AM	#52
AfterPentax Mark II Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2021 Posts: 1,461	Originally posted by EssJayEff I suppose it's just a matter of personal style. I prefer not to tell people what I think they should do; instead, I prefer to say what I would do in the situation and s/he can determine if the reasoning makes sense for her or him. Not always the best method, perhaps, but that was my intent. I understand, thanks for explaining. Most of the time I try to be "neutral" about it, but not always I do it that way!

12-04-2021, 01:06 AM - 1 Like	#53
zapp Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 2,385	You are happy with apsc so far- go for K3lll. New camera and topping your older camera by far. The 77 ltd shines on K1, but you can upgrade to ff later. Having K1ii I am really thinking, both is required in the long run.