Pentax K-3 III review: The last great DSLR?
Our Verdict
Pentax fans and DSLR enthusiasts will find lots to dear nearly the K-3 Three, but its combination of high price and some outdated features prevent it challenging the best mirrorless cameras.
For
- Stellar image quality
- Excellent image stabilization
- Excellent build and handling
- Plenty of controls
- Great battery life
Against
- No flip-out LCD
- 4K video is cropped
- Autofocus struggles in some scenarios
- High cost
Tom's Guide Verdict
Pentax fans and DSLR enthusiasts will notice lots to love almost the K-3 Iii, but its combination of high price and some outdated features foreclose it challenging the best mirrorless cameras.
Pros
- +
Stellar image quality
- +
Splendid image stabilization
- +
Excellent build and handling
- +
Plenty of controls
- +
Keen battery life
Cons
- -
No flip-out LCD
- -
4K video is cropped
- -
Autofocus struggles in some scenarios
- -
Loftier toll
Pentax K-iii III: Specs
Sensor: 25.7MP APS-C CMOS
Image stabilization: 5-axis in-torso image stabilization
AF points: 101/25 cross-type, contrast AF in live view
Viewfinder: Optical pentaprism, 100% coverage, 1.05x magnification
Display: Fixed 3.ii-inch touchscreen, one,620k dots
ISO: 100-1,600,000
Max video resolution: 4K (cropped) @ 30 fps; FHD @ 60fps
Ports: 2x SD, HDMI, USB, stereo mic and headphone jacks
Wireless/Bluetooth: Yes
Shooting speed: up to 12 fps (37 JPEGs/32 RAW)
Battery life (CIPA): 800 shots
Size/weight (body): 134.5 x 103.5 ten 73.5mm / 735g
The Pentax Grand-3 III is an splendid DSLR built-in into a world that no longer cares much about DSLRs. In fact, with most people happy to snap abroad with one of the best camera phones and even enthusiasts having now switched to the best mirrorless cameras, it's a surprise it fifty-fifty exists.
But hither it is nonetheless, an APS-C DSLR that proves Pentax is standing by its assertion that information technology "believes in the futurity of SLR photography," despite the fact that neither Canon nor Nikon has released one in 2 years.
None of that should count confronting the K-3 Iii of grade, which taken on its own merits is a very practiced case of a dying breed. Just equally, it's impossible not to consider whether there's actually a market for information technology exterior of Pentax enthusiasts.
Let's put all that bated for a moment, though, and talk about what information technology offers. That's actually quite a long listing, including a new 25.7-megapixel sensor, new processor, new 101-point autofocus system, 5-centrality image stabilization, 12fps burst shooting, 4K video and USB charging.
- Best photo editing software
- Save your images in the deject with the all-time photo storage and sharing sites
I spent several weeks with it, and enjoyed shooting with it despite its drawbacks. In fact, I'd say it's 1 of the best DSLRs. Find out what it gets right, and wrong, in our full Pentax M-3 III review.
Pentax K-3 III review: Price and availability
The Pentax K-3 III costs $1,995 in body-only class and is also bachelor with a variety of kit lenses. Amidst them are the 11-18mm f/2.8 lens I tested it with ($3,399), the 55-300mm f/4.v-6.3 ($2,349) and the xvi-85mm f/iii.five-5.6 ($2,449). There's too a bombardment grip, which costs $295. The Pentax K-3 Three is bachelor now.
Nosotros don't look whatever discounts on it so shortly after its release, but you never know, so bookmark our Black Fri photographic camera deals folio to be sure.
Pentax K-3 Iii review: Design
In that location are no design surprises with the Pentax K-3 Three: it's a DSLR, it'due south proud of it, and information technology certain as hell isn't going to take any risks. But while there's cipher specially incorrect with its looks, as far as DSLRs get, it suffers from the format's familiar drawbacks.
To that cease, it's a fairly large and bulky camera, although it is smaller than the Chiliad-3 II. You certainly won't be fitting it in your pocket unless you're dressed as a clown for the day. It'south also quite heavy, particularly when teamed with the mesomorphic xi-16mm lens I used for my testing; strap information technology round your neck for more than an hour or two and you'll discover it.
The biggest flaw hither, though, is that the three.2-inch LCD touchscreen doesn't flip out as almost at present do. Come on, Pentax — I know making a DSLR in 2021 is something of a throwback, only that doesn't mean you can't move with the times.
On the plus side, it's extremely well built. It'southward crafted from magnesium alloy and is fully grit- and weatherproof; it's certainly tougher and meliorate able to handle the British weather than I am.
It as well feels great, with a nicely rounded grip that offers plenty of purchase, and the multitude of manual controls are generally accessible with the pollex or forefinger through feel lone. Dual SD card slots are another bonus, as is the top status panel.
And so there's the optical viewfinder, which is big and bright with a 100% field of view and 1.05x magnification. Electronic viewfinders, as plant in most mirrorless cameras, have improved a lot in contempo years and take some advantages — but at that place's still no beating an optical one for clarity.
Overall, there'due south plenty here to similar, and while it may lack the retro stylings of some mirrorless rivals, it's a squeamish camera to shoot with.
Pentax K-3 III review: Controls
The Pentax K-3 III gets a lot right with its controls. For starters, there are plenty of them — I counted a staggering 29 buttons or dials spread across the summit, back and sides of the camera. This could be overwhelming for some, merely then again the bulk of people buying the K-3 Three will probably have used a DSLR before. Many of the controls are also customizable, then y'all'll exist able to set information technology upwards exactly as you want.
The main mode dial is on the elevation left and has a lock below it to prevent accidental changes. Every bit well as the usual modes you also become Pentax's TAV choice, which lets you control aperture and shutter speed via the two command dials.
Round the back, at that place'due south a squeamish little joystick for choosing focus points, while an AF button on the left-manus-side lets you flip between the various autofocus modes. Only my favorite control (yes, I accept ane) is the green button; this resets settings to default and is a slap-up little touch on.
Pentax K-3 Three review: Operation
Autofocus is handled by a new 101-indicate SAFOX 13 AF system, but though information technology does a proficient job in some situations, it's one surface area where the G-3 III lags behind its mirrorless rivals; it certainly doesn't compare to the likes of the Fujifilm X-T4 or Sony a6600.
That'southward partly due to coverage: 101 points might sound like a lot, but the Ten-T4 has 425 and the a6600 has 850. What'southward more, only 25 of those are faster cantankerous-type points and they all sit in the center. Plus, the autofocus points don't extend across the full width or peak of the frame, meaning there are some areas where they just won't work. Though it does have continuous AF and subject tracking, it struggles to keep up if the field of study moves out of the frame. The state of affairs is worse still if you're using Live View, which only has outdated contrast-detection AF.
What all this means in practice is that the K-3 Three handles all the same subjects excellently, snapping on quickly and accurately, only information technology isn't the best when it comes to fast-moving activeness such every bit sports. I certainly had mixed results when taking photos of my energetic labrador puppy. The in a higher place image (which has been cropped in) illustrates this — it's caught him mid-spring, merely the focus is soft.
On the other manus, the One thousand-3 Iii's 5-axis epitome stabilization is excellent. Pentax claims it's expert for an extra v.5 stops and that sounds about right from my experience; I was able to shoot every bit low as ane/8sec with some skillful results.
The Chiliad-3 Iii is also relatively fast, shooting at upwards to 12fps in burst mode, although the relatively small buffer (37 JPEGs, 32 RAW files) is a bit of a drawback.
Bombardment life is excellent — Pentax says it's good for 800 images and I only needed to charge it a couple of times in my several weeks with it. Plus, you tin can charge it via USB-C, which is a bonus if yous're away from a plug as you can only apply 1 of the best portable chargers and power banks.
Pentax G-3 3 review: Paradigm quality
The K-iii Three teams a new back-illuminated 25.7MP APS-C CMOS sensor with a new Prime V processor, and the combination makes for superb images in almost every situation. I used information technology extensively over sunny days and gloomy afternoons outside, and indoors under harsh lighting and it rarely fabricated a wrong step.
Stills have masses of detail and are incredibly clean; you tin can shoot upwards to ISO 6400 without any concerns and even 25,600 is usable. That said, I wouldn't recommend trying ISO 1,600,000, which makes it look similar you're using a filter called 'colorful sand'.
Dynamic range is also impressive, with the Pentax Thou-3 Iii rendering blue skies without blowing out the highlights on a brilliant sunny twenty-four hour period, and also picking upwardly details in the shadows in more overcast conditions. Colors tend towards a more natural look, which tin can brand them look muted compared to some, but you can hands ramp them up in the settings.
I shot the same scene with K-3 3 and my beloved Fujifilm X-T3 and the results are quite stark. The X-T3 may be 3 years onetime, just information technology's still an excellent photographic camera — simply the K-3 3 leaves information technology for expressionless in this comparison, doing a much better chore at exposing the scene and serving up far more realistic colors.
Pentax 1000-3 III review: Video
Though the One thousand-3 III can shoot 4K video, it's definitely aimed more at stills shooters. The get-go problem is that video is only via live view, and that mode is hamstrung with slower contrast-detection AF. Plus, although there is a continuous autofocus selection, it'due south only available with certain lenses (of which mine wasn't one).
What's more than, 4K footage (at 30/24fps) is only available via a cropped way, besides, so you're probably better off with 1080p (at upward to 60fps). And because the screen can't flip out, you end up having to concur the heavy body up in forepart of you in society to see what's going on.
Simply while it's hardly going to trouble the best vlogging cameras, it's perfectly serviceable for family unit videos. Footage is articulate and colorful and the paradigm stabilization really helps to go along things steady. In short, it'll do the chore for stills shooters who occasionally take videos, merely not much more.
Pentax K-3 III review: Features
Pentax has long had fans in the star-gazing community, thank you to its defended Astrotracer feature, which shifts the sensor as you shoot the heavens then that stars remain static fifty-fifty every bit the World rotates. Having used it on the Grand-three Two, I expected it to be in the new model, simply while information technology is, there's no built-in GPS as there was in its predecessor. The outcome of that is that amateur astronomers will need to buy the dissever O-GPS-1 zipper ($195) to take reward of information technology.
The Yard-three III does have built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for easy connection to a telephone, but unfortunately the Android version of its Image Sync app has been removed from the Play Store at the time of writing, and so I was unable to try it.
Pentax K-three 3 review: Verdict
If the Pentax K-iii Three had come out five years ago, it would take been 1 of the best cameras available at its price betoken. As it is, information technology will have to settle for being i of the concluding slap-up DSLRs.
If you're a long-fourth dimension Pentax user, it comes highly recommended. Image quality is superb and it's well built, with plenty of nice little touches that make information technology a pleasure to shoot with — though the absenteeism of GPS for the Astrotracer part is annoying, and the price is on the steep side.
That $i,995 toll also counts against it when compared to several older DSLRs. The first-class Canon EOS 90D is available for less than one-half that, and shoots uncropped 4K video; Nikon'south D780 is slightly cheaper and has a full-frame sensor (and full-width 4K to kicking).
Withal, most people will instead be better off with a similarly priced mirrorless camera such every bit the Fujifilm X-T4 or Nikon Z6 2, both of which are smaller, lighter, faster and offer better autofocus.
Ultimately, while the Yard-3 III takes cute photos, information technology doesn't exercise quite plenty to justify that high price — or to explain why Pentax is sticking with DSLRs equally the remainder of the globe moves on.
Source: https://www.tomsguide.com/reviews/pentax-k-3-iii
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