Pentax K3

amazon Pentax K3 reviews

Pentax brand

For those who love photography, the Pentax brand is nothing new. But in recent years, the name Pentax has gone downhill while the competition between Nikon and Canon has always been tense, while Sony and Fujifilm are getting more and more popular.

Until the end of 2011, the previous owner of the Hoya company transferred Pentax to Ricoh, and is still owned by the owner as a brand of DSLR cameras, lenses and binoculars. Ricoh will focus on compact cameras and technology innovations.

Pentax cameras and lenses, especially a limited number of products are produced in limited quantities, always in high quality. So far, Pentax does not yet have a Full Frame sensor digital camera for professionals, but focuses on the ASP-C line and a little on the Medium Format line. Difficult to blame the Pentax loyal customer group is increasingly less and less.

Staying true to the Pentax K-7 design style with just a handful of changes, the K-3’s primary focus is on adding some keys for quicker operation. There are a total of 19 controls (excluding the power button) and multiple 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 when you get familiar with this machine, users will realize that the position of each key is studied properly, reasonable for all needs and size of hands.

Apparently, but the K-3 control menu also makes users wonder and “tired” more. This is not due to the layout, but because Pentax has a “manly” feature, shooting mode, from exclusive TAv priority, to white balance as well … 19 modes, There are dozens of effects associated with images, raw RAW processing on the machine, refining the focus system, or even layouts in 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. But in return, once mastered, they will feel that there is enough that they need a camera.

In addition, Pentax adds many worthwhile features, often found only in professional cameras for the K-3. Two SD memory card slots support one card at a time or two cards at the same time to avoid losing images due to card errors. The optical viewfinder has a 100% coverage of the frame for easy viewing, exact alignment of the frame you want to capture, a very rare design with the APS-C sensor. And while not equipped with a Wi-Fi connection, Pentax introduced 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.

Pentax does not provide true 4K filming, which only uses the Interval Movie Record to capture Timelapse 4K. K-3 allows you to customize how many shots each plate, how much time apart (shortest 2 seconds 1 photo) and automatically connect to a video without any other software.

K-3 supports jacks to become a professional camcorder when needed. During filming, the camera still allows for adjusting speed, aperture, ISO and even EV, if desired. Auto focus can be achieved via the AF key whenever needed, but continuous focus can not be achieved.

The Pentax K-3 delivers a far more solid feel than its rivals. The screen is protected by toughened glass, and the anti-glare coating is for use in the sun. In particular, Pentax also has 92 WR (Weather roof), which allows the K-3 to withstand water, dust, and even weather-to -10ºC.

When used with a WR-certified lens, the Pentax K-3 can withstand direct water. Some tests with K-3 at temperatures up to -20ºC that the machine remains stable. However, Pentax representatives said they should try to limit K-3 exposure to seawater, particularly in the location of the tripod socket. Be careful not to immerse the machine under water and dry the machine when it is exposed to water.

Performance

Since Ricoh, Pentax cameras have improved a lot of features, and Phase AF has become a pride. There are not many focus points, only 27 points, but there are 25 points with high accuracy. AF.A mode automatically switches between AF.S (Single Mode) and AF.C (Continuos Mode) with scenes suitable for moving subjects or standing.

Even in low-light environments, the K-3’s AF system works very precisely without support lights, while many other DSLRs struggle to do the same. Surprisingly, with the use of old FA lenses designed for film cameras with an old mechanical rotary focusing system, the stability and accuracy of the K-3 when focusing are not impaired. Though it can not improve the noise and speed inherent on older lenses. The K-3’s focusing speed depends mostly on the lens, and is best with lenses with DC micromotors, in which the KIT 18-185mm lens achieves maximum efficiency and speed.

K-3 with a maximum shutter speed of 1/8000 seconds and continuous shooting speed of 8.8 frames per second (tested with SanDisk Extreme Pro UHS-3 SDXC memory card) can still “catch dead” moments when shooting sports. The simplest way to do this is to adjust the Hold AF mode so that the camera automatically grabs the subject, waiting for the appropriate opportunity to shoot continuously, pick the best moment. Capture mode and continuous focus work well with subjects moving horizontally across the frame, but as objects get closer, the aspect ratio of the image is accurate, sometimes reaching up 50-70%.

Right next to the sensor, Pentax has designed a K-3 optical image stabilizer by moving the sensor. As a result, any lens that can be attached to the K-3, even vintage lenses, is effectively anti-vibration. This helps Pentax camera users significantly save the cost of upgrading lenses, while Nikon and Canon put anti-shake mechanism on 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

Canon shooting sample, Nikon shooting scenes, and some Pentax players just take care of flowers. This thought seems to be due to the JPG tones from the manufacturers tend to be different, but this boundary soon blurred with the launch of the K-3. The K-3 JPG colors follow a gentle, natural and accurate tendency, after choosing the Natural with Hue + 3 and Contrast + 1.

The main reason is the “strange” white balance system of this camera. Normally, with a yellowish background, the model’s skin tone must have a bit of blue, but with K-3, that color is almost exactly the same as the human eye. This camera does not hesitate in complex lighting environments. It is even possible to adjust the white balance of a photograph and save it straight to a new image.

Image processing at high ISO sensitivity is not the strength of Pentax, but the K-3 does not disappoint us. From about ISO 100-3200, details and color are almost unchanged. Up to ISO 6400, the noise starts to appear and at ISO 12,800 only small images can be used. Compared to the Nikon D7100, the Pentax K-3’s image appears less at high ISO and retains significantly better image details, even though the two cameras are favored using a sensorless design. To the filter AA filter in most common cases. According to Pentax engineers, the K-3’s sensors always move during 4-D shooting, thereby reducing the moiré effect without the need for a filter, so that light entering the sensor is not impaired.

RAW images from K-3 are not only able to keep details and colors in high ISO better, but also show a very good Dynamic Range, which helps keep the details in the shadows better. JPG images are not as good quality as the competitors from the two brands Nikon and Fujifilm.

Pentax K-3 Camera Specifications

CMOS APS-C sensor resolution of 24MP

Image processor: PRIME III

Special features: AA filter emitter,

Display: 3.2 “1,037K resolution

Viewfinder: optical pentaprism, 100% coverage, 0.95x magnification

ISO: 100 – 51.200

Shutter speed: 1 / 8000-30 seconds

Maximum continuous shooting speed: 8.3 frames per second (according to manufacturer’s announcement)

Focus: 27 points, including 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: 800gram (including battery and memory card)