Navigating between cameras to find your ideal camera? Then I recommend that you take a look at the model that replaces this jewel; the Pentax KP that we are talking about here. Enjoy it ;). More about Pentax, in this comprehensive guide to cameras and lenses.
Some time ago we told you about a magnificent camera that we nicknamed “The Pentax Flagship Search”. That was neither more nor less than the Pentax K5 II, successor in turn to the Pentax K5. Today we are going to talk about the improved version of both: The Pentax K3a model with excellent features and a value for money that will not leave you indifferent.
Who is this camera for?
Mainly, and as always, to those who know how to squeeze all their possibilities (which are many). The Pentax K3 It is a very well made, robust off-road camera, with features from semi to fully professional, so it is recommended for advanced amateurs or for true enthusiasts 🙂 So if you feel that your first SLR camera is getting too small for you, if it has already given you everything it could give, if you feel like giving one more step In this magnificent world of photography, this camera is an option that deserves your attention. Do we see her?
Main features
- 24 MP APS-C sensor
- 27 focus points (25 cross points)
- Burst at 8.3fps. (Up to 22 images in RAW and 60 in JPEG).
- 3.2” LCD screen
- Exposure sensor with 86,000 RGB pixels
- Integrated mechanical stabilizer (SR or Shake Reduction)
- No low pass filter
- 92 point sealed magnesium body
- ISO up to 51,200
- Operation in temperatures from -10° C to 40° C
- Full HD video (1920 x 1080 60i/30P)
- Multi-coated pentaprism with 100% coverage and 0.95x magnification.
- Guaranteed shutter up to 200,000 shots
- Weight: 800 gr.
Outstanding features and benefits
Body sealed against rain and dust
At first glance, the Pentax K3 stands out for its sturdiness. As you have already seen in its main characteristics, it is a camera of 92-point sealed magnesium body. This means that it is designed to isolate her completely made of water and dust, which makes it a great companion for great adventures. She can already rain, snow or wrap a sandstorm in the desert. This magnificent camera will continue to work if you manage to manage in such a situation 😉
27 point focus
When you start you have enough and you are enough with 9 or 11 focus points, but now that you are already an AMATEUR in capital letters, you may start to miss having a few more, especially knowing that the possibility exists, right? Well, the Pentax K3 comes with no less than 27 focus points; more than double its predecessor, which will allow you to obtain a very precise focus and in an agile way without having to change the frame. In addition, of the 27, 25 of them are cross, which for us to understand, are the best; the most accurate and with the least margin of error. For example, to give you an idea, the Nikon D7100, which could be considered a competitor of our Pentax, has only 15 cross (although it does have 51 focus points vs. the 27 of the Pentax K3 😉 ).
Quick; very fast
Can you imagine what you can do in a second? A blink of an eye? Well, while you blink, this camera has taken more than 8 pictures. How do you stay? 😉 In addition, for each burst, you can get up to 22 images in RAW format and 60 in JPEG.
No low pass filter
It’s a bit of a mysterious name, right? The low pass filter is commonly used to reduce moiré and false color; optical defects that we find when we try to photograph specific situations such as repetitive colors or patterns. This filter avoids or reduces this effect, but at the same time reduces the sharpness of the images when it would not always be necessary to use it. Pentax, in this case, has opted to include an “anti-aliasing” (AA) simulator that you can activate depending on each scene. This translates into better quality and sharpness in the image even working with high ISO.
Integrated Image Stabilizer
The Pentax K3 includes an image stabilizer or Shake Reduction (SR) that will allow you to reduce the speed between two and three stops without appearing trepidations. This will be very useful if you are one of those who like to travel light, without tripods and shooting left and right freehand. Have you already seen yourself reflected? 😉
Assured life cycle of 200,000 fillings
What places it, in this aspect, among the professional range cameras. This means that Pentax ensures its proper functioning up to 200,000 shutters; it is made to last 🙂
Price
It will be really difficult for you to find a camera with such semi-professional features at this price. You can find it for a little less than 1,000 euros on amazon; just the body. You can also buy it as a kit with a lens, for about 130 euros more with the 18-55mm or for about 250 euros more with an 18-135mm (all the options, here).
Disadvantages
Weight
I don’t know what you will think of 800gr. weight only body, but not bad at all; Light it is not, although it does not seem that it pretends to be. The Pentax K3 is a rugged, all-rounder camera.
little intuitive
If you have never used a Pentax camera, it may take you a while to learn how to use this camera. Being so complete translates into a multitude of external buttons and internal functionalities that are not always the most intuitive. Although that yes, a good “broken” of the manual will solve a good part of the problems. On the other hand, precisely the variety of buttons ends up becoming a great advantage. You don’t know how much it’s appreciated to have a dedicated button for each function, since that way you don’t have to waste time going into the menu every time you want to change a setting.
Improved focus tracking system
Although it has improved on its predecessors, it is not one of the strong points of this magnificent camera. Obviously, if you focus normally in manual this will not be the slightest problem.
No built-in Wi-Fi system (or yes)
For some of you, the fact that it does not have integrated Wi-Fi may be a great disadvantage. In that case, don’t worry because the Pentax K3 is provided with Wi-Fi through its compatibility with wireless cards such as FluCard.
conclusion
This camera is a robust and well-designed adventurer’s camera for running in the rain or crawling in the sand ;-). Its features are magnificent, the quality of its images excellent, whether it’s cold, hot, bright, low light… You are facing one of the most versatile cameras in its range and one that will offer you the best results. So now you know, if you feel that you have already made the most of your first SLR camera, that you need more focus points, more precision, better image quality… this camera is a great way to take a step forward in your photographic passion. Of course, never forget that the camera does not make the photographer. Only if you are prepared to handle it, will it give you better results than the one you have now.
I hope it has been useful to you, and if so, that you share it with whoever you think may be interested on Facebook, Twitter or Google +. Thank you very much! 🙂