Pentax K-3 - OFFICIAL

[Kym]

I picked up the 1st K-3 in Adelaide tonight according to Photographic Wholesalers

[MattNQ]

I picked up the 1st K-3 in Adelaide tonight according to Photographic Wholesalers

I guess we don't need to ask what you will be doing this weekend ??

[pixy]

I picked up the 1st K-3 in Adelaide tonight according to Photographic Wholesalers

I am not in the least bit jealous will my SD card find a place to hide for a couple of shots.

Jack.

[ploveday]

Mine arrived on Friday too, about 12:30 (direct from Pentax web shop).

Pretty nice camera, so far, hey?

[Kym]

Pretty nice camera, so far, hey?

Yes. I've had a bit of a play on the w/end but have had other things to do as well

[cadman]

Unfortunately it looks as if I have to wait until the end of this week to get mine. The joys of living on the other side from where the deliveries are made

Sent from my GT-I9295 using Tapatalk

[Snpsht]

Come on guys.....I am really looking forward to reading some comments!

[Kym]

Detailed review

http://www.pentaxforums.com/reviews/...roduction.html

[K10D]

Uk users are seeing higher noise levels at high ISO than the K5, K5 II and IIs. My SE arrived on Monday and I've put a few shots through it and checked the AF speed. Does not appear faster than a K5 II/s and is still behind other cameras I shoot with. Shutter is very quiet. Handles well and the images are different again to the K5. The AF works in the dark! There are lots of default menu settings to sort and I'm looking to use it hard this Saturday at the Beaufort St festival in Perth.

I'm pleased with it but would not tell a K5 II or IIs owner that its a must buy body.

Best regards

[Snpsht]

Thanks, K10D. Official reviews and technical comparisons are great, but everyday user reviews are in some ways more valuable. As a K5 user without a large investment in lenses, I am considering whether to move away from Pentax, and how the K3 measures up on the ground will influence that decision.
I look forward to seeing some shots and hearing further comments.

[ricktas]

Thanks, K10D. Official reviews and technical comparisons are great, but everyday user reviews are in some ways more valuable. As a K5 user without a large investment in lenses, I am considering whether to move away from Pentax, and how the K3 measures up on the ground will influence that decision.
I look forward to seeing some shots and hearing further comments.

As a beginner (as your profile says you are), you need to invest time in learning photography. Which you can do with your current gear. Upgrading whilst a beginner is really not going to benefit you at all. The Pentax camera you have can produce brilliant results. So stop focusing on official, technical and user reviews and go out and take photos.

[Kym]

Uk users are seeing higher noise levels at high ISO than the K5, K5 II and IIs.

http://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/1...ml#post2576847
Above 6400, which is to be expected due to more MP, but the real life situation is the sharpness and detail is worth it

[Kym]

As a K5 user without a large investment in lenses, I am considering whether to move away from Pentax, and how the K3 measures up on the ground will influence that decision.

The K-5 is still a brilliant bit of kit. Like Rick said your gear probably well exceeds your skills.
Unless you really need the K-3 features (FPS and MUCH faster AF for birds for me) then don't bother.

[arthurking83]

......
Above 6400, which is to be expected due to more MP, but the real life situation is the sharpness and detail is worth it

I'm assuming that this noise level increase at high ISO is viewed at 100%(as everyone seems to do).

Same thing happened to the Nikon D7000 -> D7100 commentators. They all saw an increase in noise at higher ISO, because they were all looking at 100% pixel view.
But you can bet your last dollar that DxO will give the K-3 a better ISO, DR and sharpness rating than the K-5's because they're rating evaluations are done with the sensor data equalized to a specified output limit.

[Kym]

I'm assuming that this noise level increase at high ISO is viewed at 100%(as everyone seems to do).

Same thing happened to the Nikon D7000 -> D7100 commentators. They all saw an increase in noise at higher ISO, because they were all looking at 100% pixel view.
But you can bet your last dollar that DxO will give the K-3 a better ISO, DR and sharpness rating than the K-5's because they're rating evaluations are done with the sensor data equalised to a specified output limit.

http://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/1...ml#post2534630 Seems to be a reasonable explanation

[Kym]

Latest review

http://www.ephotozine.com/article/pe...r-review-23409

Pentax K-3 Verdict
Pentax have been consistently producing outstanding DSLRs, well specified and rugged. The K-3 continues that tradition, but honing areas that needed attention such as the AF tracking system and the video capability. The increased resolution and the clean images it produces all set off a well-rounded package that comes very close indeed to challenging very much more expensive kit.

Looking at the APS-C competition, Pentax now seems have nudged into the lead with the K-3 and for a rugged, well specified all weather camera it may well be that we need look no further. The marriage of Ricoh and Pentax expertise looks to have become a happy one indeed.

[Kym]

[K10D]

A couple of shots of my K3 here.

[IMG][/IMG]

[IMG][/IMG]

Best regards

[Snpsht]

Thanks for posting the reviews and pics. They have convinced me to pass on my current opportunity to switch brand. There is no K3 on the immediate horizon, though....just looking to the future, and I like what I see!

[Kym]

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2427371,00.asp

PCMag review of the K-3 is available.

The K-3 delivers the best high ISO output I've seen from a 24-megapixel APS-C camera, handling high sensitivities better than the Nikon D7100 and Sony Alpha 77.

The K-3 is now their top rated APS-C camera, having knocked off the D7100.
NB: The K-3 has a newer sensor than the D7100