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amazon Pentax K3 reviews
Pentax brand
The Pentax name is already familiar with the photography lovers but for some past years it has gone downhill while the fight between Nikon and Canon has always been tense and both ended up fading into oblivion with even more popular rising stars such as Sony and Fujifilm.
At the end of 2011, the former owners of Pentax, the Hoya company, transferred the name to Ricoh, and it is still under brand for manufacture of DSLR cameras, lenses and binoculars. Ricoh will focus research and production itself on compact cameras and technology innovations.
All Pentax cameras and lenses in limited select products are made in limited numbers but always of very good quality. To date, Pentax does not have any professional digital camera that has a Full Frame sensor, but concentrates on the ASP-C line and at most Medium Format. The Pentax loyal customers base is getting smaller, which is hard to blame.
The K-3 is precisely designed around the Pentax K-7 with only a few changes, but it is mainly aimed at the addition of a bunch of keys for quicker operation. In fact, there are 19 controls (not including the power button) and several wheels, a K-3, plus a secondary monitor on top of the machine. Obviously, Pentax does not design K-3s for dreamers, because they are prone to confusion with the strange knack. For people who have used Nikon DSLRs, getting familiar with Pentax K-3 is easier because of the layout of controls quite similar. But this machine is studied so that, once you get familiar with it, users will realize that the position of each key is studied properly, reasonable to all needs, and size of hands.
Apparently, but the K-3 control menu also makes users wonder and “tired” more. This is because it does not lie in layout but in the fact that Pentax has a “manly” feature like shooting mode with all exclusive TAv priority to white balance as well … 19 modes have been created; there are dozens concerning effects to images, raw RAW processing on-the-machine, refining focus system, and even layouts at the layout also. It seems that Pentax is trying to put everything into a machine, not just creating a good camera. With the K-3, even people who have a lot of experience using DSLRs also take some time to get used to. They feel that there is enough that makes them need a camera. But in return, once mastered, they will feel that there is enough that they need a camera.
In addition, many features worthy of attention were added to the K-3, features that are generally known to exist only in professional cameras. There are also two slots: two SD memory cards, which can be used one at a time or both at once, for card error loss. Precise alignment of the frame you want to capture for easy viewing and a very rare design with the APS-C sensor, this optical viewfinder has 100% coverage of the frame. Although this one does not include a Wi-Fi connection, Pentax introduces the Flucard memory card (which costs about $ 100 for a 16GB class 10, while the Sandisk 16GB class 10 for just $ 11) allows users to transfer data. Via intelligent devices and remote control K-3.
Available only through Interval Movie Record for Timelapse 4K, Pentax doesn’t really consider this a 4K shooting. The K-3 allows for the configuration of how many shots each plate, how long apart (the shortest being 2 seconds, 1 photo), and automatically connects all shots into a video file without additional software.
In its role as a professional video camera, the K-3 is equipped with well-placed jacks to facilitate such use. During filming, speed, aperture, ISO, and even EV can be adjusted, should one desire to. AF will switch on via the key, but continuous focus will not be available.
Holding the Pentax K-3 comfortably and firmly as compared to competitors. The LCD protection is toughened glass, and the anti-glare coating is for use in sunny conditions. Weather-resistant (WR) coating on more than 92 parts of this camera will withstand water, dust, and weather conditions down to -10ºC.
The Pentax K-3 is said to be weatherproof against direct water damage with a WR-certified lens. In tests, K-3 performed well in temperatures even below -20 ºC. But, as per the Pentax representatives, K-3 should, in particular, avoid contact with seawater, especially in the vicinity of the tripod socket. Avoid any immersion of the equipment under water, and please dry it well when there is contact with water.
Performance
Since the period of Ricoh, Pentax cameras, have seen a number of new features added, and Phase AF is their pride. There are not many focus points, only 27, but 25 points are very accurate. AF.A mode automatically switches between AF.S (Single Mode) and AF.C (Continuous Mode) depending on the scene and suitability for moving subjects or standing.
Even in low-light environments, the K3’s AF system works very precisely without support lights, while other DSLRs have difficulties. Surprisingly, the K-3 does not have impairment of stability and accuracy in focus using the old FA lenses meant for film cameras and characterized by the old mechanical rotary focusing system. Although it does not aid in improving the noise and speed inherently present on older lenses, it’s clear that the focusing speed of the K-3 mainly depends on the lens, which is the best with those featuring DC micromotors whereby the KIT 18-185mm lens achieves the highest in term of efficiency and speed.
K-3 with 1/8000 seconds maximum shutter speed and 8.8 frames per second continuous shooting speed (held true in tests with the SanDisk Extreme Pro UHS-3 SDXC memory card) can catch “dead” moments when shooting sports. The simplest of all is to select Hold AF mode so that the camera automatically grabs the subject, waiting for the appropriate opportunity to shoot continuously, picking the best moment. Capture mode and continuous focus work best when dealing with subjects moving horizontally across the frame, but as the object moves nearer, the ratio of the image is sometimes quite true, reaching up to 50-70%.
Right next to the sensor, Pentax has designed a K-3 optical image stabilizer by shifting the sensor. Consequently, all the lenses that can be attached to the K-3, including vintage ones, are practically anti-vibration. This saves Pentax camera users a good amount on lens upgrades, which Nikon and Canon are doing with their anti-shake mechanism in the lens.
where can you get a Pentax K3 online
Pentax K-3II Pentax DSLR (Body Only): Buy it now
Pentax K-3 SLR Camera – Body Only: Buy it now
Pentax K-3 lens kit w/ 18-135mm WR 24MP SLR Camera with 3.2-Inch TFT LCD and 18-135mm WR f 3.5-5.6 (Black): Buy it now
Pentax K-3 DSLR Camera with 18-55mm WR Lens Kit (24MP, CMOS Sensor) 3.2 inch LCD: Buy it now
Pentax K-3 II Digital SLR Camera Body, 24.35MP, Full HD 1080p Video, – Bundle With Pentax AF-200FG Shoe Mount Flash, Pentax D-BG5 Battery Grip: Buy it now
Picture Quality
Most Canon samples are taken; these Nikon shooting scenes and Pentax players just shoot flowers. This seems to have come about due to the fact that JPG tones differ from the manufacturers, but this boundary blurred with the K-3. K-3 JPG colors tend to be gentle, natural and accurate, after choosing the Natural by setting the Hue to + 3 and Contrast to + 1.
The main point is the “weird” white balance system of this camera. In a case with a model with a yellowish background, the few bluish skin tones are required, but with K-3, that color is almost exactly the same as to the human eye. This camera does not hesitate in complex lighting environments. That is possible, even transferring the white balance of a photograph straight onto a new image.
Image processing at high ISO sensitivity is not strength for Pentax, but the K-3 does not disappoint us. Details and color are mostly unchanged, from about ISO 100-3200. Up to ISO 6400, noise starts appearing and at JPEG small images for ISO 12,800 can be used. Compared to the Nikon D7100, the image of the Pentax K-3 is less noise in high iso while retaining much better image details, even though both are of sensorless design. For most cases, it’s the AA filter. According to Pentax engineers, 4-D shooting activates the moving sensors of the K-3, thereby avoiding undesired moiré effects without requiring a filter, so that light entering the sensor is not impaired.
RAW files coming from the K-3 are not only capable of handling high ISO better in terms of detail and colors but also exhibit excellent Dynamic Range, which further assists in maintaining details in the shadows. JPG images do not compete well against those of the two brands, Nikon and Fujifilm.
Pentax Camera K-3
CMOS APS-C sensor resolution of 24 MP
Image processor: PRIME III
Features: AA filter emitter,
Three-point-two inches, 1,037K resolution display
0.95x magnification with 100 percent coverage: optical pentaprism viewfinder
ISO: 100 – 51.200
Shutter speed: 1 / 8000-30 seconds
High-speed continuous shooting: 8.3 frames per second (according to manufacturer’s announcement)
Focus: 27 points include 25 cross points
Video recording: Time lapse Ultra HD, Full HD 60p / 50p, 30p / 24p cinema
Image formats: Pentax PEF, Adobe DNG, JPG
Interface: USB 3.0, HDMI
Storage: 2 SDHC / SDXC slots
Dimensions: 13.1 x 10 x 7.7 cm
Weight: Approximately 800grams (including battery and memory card)