Pentax Keeps The DSLR Alive
It’s been over a year since there was a new DSLR and much longer than that as far as APS-C models are concerned, but Pentax’s parent, Ricoh, is sticking with tradition, launching the third-generation version of its K-3. There’s obviously still a market for DSLRs as the first Australian shipment of the Pentax K-3 III sold out before it had landed, but globally sales are in sharp decline in the face of the mirrorless onslaught.
Nevertheless, Ricoh has packed the K-3 III with goodies – for anybody making the comparison, it stacks up pretty well against the APS-C format mirrorless offerings.
Styling and size is largely unchanged from the previous model and the body is magnesium alloy with weather sealing and insulation to allow shooting in subzero t emperatures down to -10º Celsius. On the inside, however, there’s a new sensor, new processor, new autofocus system, new metering system and a new optical viewfinder. The OVF increases the magnification to 1.05x and gives 100% coverage. The camera’s monitor is a fixed, 3.2-inch TFT LCD panel that has touchscreen controls, a first for a Pentax DSLR.
The BSI-type CMOS sensor has an effective resolution of 25.73MP, which is slightly up on the previous model, but the native sensitivity range now extends from ISO 100 to 1,600,000 thanks mainly to upgraded noise reduction processing. The sensor is matched with the latest generation PRIME V processor that enables, among other things, continuous shooting at up to 12fps and 4K UHD video recording at 30, 25 or 24fps. The shooting speed drops slightly to 11fps with continuous AF/AE adjustment. Sensor shifting is used to provide in-body image stabilisation over five axes and with correction for camera shake of up to 5.5 stops. There's also a panning mode.
The K3 III’s phase-detection autofocusing system is based on the new SAFOX 13 module which has 101 measuring points and low light sensitivity down to -4.0 EV at ISO 100. Exposure metering is based on an RGB+IR sensor that uses 370,000 measuring pixels and works with the AF as part of Pentax’s Real Time Scene Analysis, which employs AI-based ‘deep learning’ detection and recognition to better match both the focus and the exposure to the subject or scene. There are dual SD card slots, one with UHS-II speed support.
Other features include Pentax’s antialiasing filter simulator (the sensor doesn’t have an optical low-pass filter), Wi-Fi and Bluetooth wireless connectivity, ultra-high-res capture based on pixel-shifting, 12 Custom Image presets (with the option of auto selection), and a 300,000 cycle rating for the mechanical shutter.
The Pentax K-3 III is priced at $2,799 body only, and available in either black or silver. A limited edition ‘Premium’ version, packaged with a vertical/battery grip, is priced at $3,299. Pentax products are distributed in Australian by C.R. Kennedy & Company.