The Pentax K-3 is a 24-megapixel Pentax high-end digital single-lens reflex camera with an APS-C sensor, announced on 7 October 2013.[1] The Pentax K-3 is the successor to both the K-5 II and K-5 IIs models, which have a 16-megapixel sensor. The K-5 II (and most other cameras of its time) had an optical low pass filter or anti-aliasing (AA) filter that can prevent the appearance of moire patterning on the captured image. This filter reduces the sharpness of the image, so Pentax also produced the K-5 IIs which omitted this filter. In the K-3, Pentax obviated the need for providing two separate models by including a selectable AA filter "simulator". This mechanism vibrates the sensor when switched on, slightly blurring the image in a way that replaces the function of the optical AA filter, providing the same benefit as the filter in the K-5 II and other cameras with an optical AA filter. When the AA simulator is disabled, the sensor records a sharper image, as in the K-5 IIs.

The Pentax K-3 was also the first camera to support the Pentax FluCard for wireless remote capture and download of images.

The Pentax K-3 is a mid-size DSLR with a weather-sealed magnesium alloy body, and is priced at a relatively similar level to the newer upper-entry level Nikon D5500 DSLR[2] and $300 cheaper than the newer mid-range Nikon D7200 DSLR. The Pentax K-3 was ranked #2 in a comparison of mid-size DSLR class, was class-leading in image quality for portrait, street, daily and landscape photography, and ranked only slightly lower for sport photography. In-body stabilization also gives the Pentax K-3 an advantage, but its 800-gram weight is slightly more than average for a mid-size DSLR.[3]

Limited editions

When the K-3 was originally announced, Ricoh made available a Premium Silver Edition that included the camera body and battery grip with a silver paint finish as well as an exclusive red leather neck strap. According to Ricoh, this would match the silver versions of Pentax HD DA Limited lenses.[4] In July 2014, Ricoh announced the Prestige Edition, which included a K-3 and battery grip in a "gunmetal gray" finish as well as two batteries and black artificial leather neckstrap,[5] embossed with the lettering "2014 TIPA BEST DIGITAL SLR EXPERT" and the Pentax K-3 logo.[6] Each edition was limited to 2000 units.[4][5]

Awards

The Pentax K-3 has won the TIPA Award "Best Digital SLR Expert" for 2014,[7] and the EISA Photo Award 2014-2015 for Best Advanced DSLR.[8]

References

  1. ^ "Ricoh announces Pentax K-3 24MP DSLR with selectable low pass filtering". 7 October 2013. Retrieved 13 October 2013.
  2. ^ "Nikon D5500 vs Pentax K-3". Retrieved 26 April 2015.
  3. ^ "Pentax K-3 vs Nikon D7200". Retrieved 26 April 2015.
  4. ^ a b "Ricoh announces Pentax K-3 24MP DSLR with selectable low pass filtering". dpreview.com. Retrieved 26 June 2017.
  5. ^ a b "Ricoh announces Pentax K-3 Prestige Edition". dpreview.com. Retrieved 26 June 2017.
  6. ^ "Ricoh Unveils Pentax K-3 Prestige Edition". ubergizmo.com. Retrieved 26 June 2017.
  7. ^ http://www.tipa.com/english/award-details.php?iId=3634&sAward=Best%20Digital+SLR++Expert
  8. ^ "fotomagazin.de". fotomagazin.de. Retrieved 26 June 2017.

External links

Reviews

Pentax digital interchangeable lens camera timeline
Type Sensor Class 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
DSLR MF Professional 645D 645Z
FF K-1 K-1 II
APS-C High-end K-3 II K-3 III
K-3
Advanced K-7 K-5 K-5 II / K-5 IIs
*ist D K10D K20D KP
Midrange K100D 100DS K200D K-30 K-50 K-70
Entry-level *ist DS *ist DS2 K-r K-500 K-S2
*ist DL DL2 K110D K-m/K2000 K-x K-S1
MILC APS-C K-mount K-01
1/1.7" Q-mount Q7
Q-S1
1/2.3" Q Q10
DSLR Prototypes
Type Sensor Class
2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021