Pentax K-3 III review: The last great DSLR?
Our Verdict
Pentax fans and DSLR enthusiasts will detect lots to love well-nigh the M-three Iii, simply its combination of loftier toll and some outdated features foreclose it challenging the best mirrorless cameras.
For
- Stellar epitome quality
- Excellent image stabilization
- First-class build and handling
- Plenty of controls
- Peachy battery life
Against
- No flip-out LCD
- 4K video is cropped
- Autofocus struggles in some scenarios
- High price
Tom's Guide Verdict
Pentax fans and DSLR enthusiasts will observe lots to love well-nigh the K-3 3, but its combination of high price and some outdated features prevent it challenging the all-time mirrorless cameras.
Pros
- +
Stellar epitome quality
- +
Excellent prototype stabilization
- +
Excellent build and handling
- +
Enough of controls
- +
Great bombardment life
Cons
- -
No flip-out LCD
- -
4K video is cropped
- -
Autofocus struggles in some scenarios
- -
Loftier toll
Pentax K-3 III: Specs
Sensor: 25.7MP APS-C CMOS
Image stabilization: v-axis in-body image stabilization
AF points: 101/25 cantankerous-type, contrast AF in live view
Viewfinder: Optical pentaprism, 100% coverage, 1.05x magnification
Brandish: Fixed 3.ii-inch touchscreen, ane,620k dots
ISO: 100-1,600,000
Max video resolution: 4K (cropped) @ xxx 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 10 103.5 x 73.5mm / 735g
The Pentax 1000-three 3 is an splendid DSLR born into a world that no longer cares much about DSLRs. In fact, with almost people happy to snap away with 1 of the best camera phones and fifty-fifty enthusiasts having now switched to the best mirrorless cameras, it's a surprise it even exists.
But here it is withal, an APS-C DSLR that proves Pentax is standing past its assertion that it "believes in the future of SLR photography," despite the fact that neither Canon nor Nikon has released 1 in two years.
None of that should count against the G-3 III of class, which taken on its own claim is a very skilful example of a dying brood. Simply equally, it'south impossible non to consider whether in that location's really a market for information technology outside of Pentax enthusiasts.
Let's put all that aside for a moment, though, and talk well-nigh what it offers. That'south really quite a long list, including a new 25.seven-megapixel sensor, new processor, new 101-indicate autofocus arrangement, v-axis image stabilization, 12fps burst shooting, 4K video and USB charging.
- Best photo editing software
- Save your images in the cloud with the best 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 all-time DSLRs. Discover out what information technology gets right, and wrong, in our total Pentax Thousand-iii Three review.
Pentax K-three III review: Price and availability
The Pentax One thousand-3 Three costs $ane,995 in trunk-simply form and is also available with a diverseness of kit lenses. Amidst them are the xi-18mm f/2.8 lens I tested it with ($three,399), the 55-300mm f/iv.five-6.3 ($two,349) and the 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6 ($2,449). There's likewise a battery grip, which costs $295. The Pentax 1000-iii III is available now.
Nosotros don't look whatsoever discounts on it so presently afterwards its release, only you never know, so bookmark our Black Fri camera deals folio to be sure.
Pentax Chiliad-three Iii review: Design
There are no design surprises with the Pentax K-3 III: it'southward a DSLR, it's proud of information technology, and it sure equally hell isn't going to take whatever risks. But while there's nothing particularly incorrect with its looks, every bit far as DSLRs go, it suffers from the format's familiar drawbacks.
To that end, information technology'due south a adequately large and bulky camera, although it is smaller than the K-3 II. You certainly won't be fitting it in your pocket unless y'all're dressed as a clown for the day. It's also quite heavy, particularly when teamed with the chunky 11-16mm lens I used for my testing; strap it round your neck for more than an hour or two and you'll notice it.
The biggest flaw here, though, is that the 3.two-inch LCD touchscreen doesn't flip out as about now practice. 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, information technology's extremely well built. Information technology'southward crafted from magnesium alloy and is fully dust- and weatherproof; it's certainly tougher and better able to handle the British weather than I am.
Information technology likewise feels great, with a nicely rounded grip that offers enough of buy, and the multitude of manual controls are by and large accessible with the thumb or forefinger through experience alone. Dual SD card slots are some other bonus, as is the top condition panel.
And so there'southward the optical viewfinder, which is big and vivid with a 100% field of view and 1.05x magnification. Electronic viewfinders, every bit found in nearly mirrorless cameras, accept improved a lot in recent years and have some advantages — but there's still no beating an optical one for clarity.
Overall, there's plenty hither to like, and while information technology may lack the retro stylings of some mirrorless rivals, it's a nice camera to shoot with.
Pentax K-3 Iii review: Controls
The Pentax Thousand-iii Three 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 top, back and sides of the camera. This could be overwhelming for some, but then once again the bulk of people buying the G-iii Three will probably take used a DSLR before. Many of the controls are too customizable, and so you'll be able to fix information technology upwards exactly as you want.
The main mode dial is on the top left and has a lock below it to prevent accidental changes. Likewise every bit the usual modes you besides get Pentax's TAV option, which lets y'all control aperture and shutter speed via the two control dials.
Round the back, there's a nice little joystick for choosing focus points, while an AF button on the left-mitt-side lets you flip betwixt the various autofocus modes. But my favorite control (yes, I have 1) is the green push; this resets settings to default and is a great niggling bear upon.
Pentax G-3 III review: Performance
Autofocus is handled past a new 101-point SAFOX xiii AF organization, just though information technology does a good chore in some situations, it'due south one area where the K-3 III lags behind its mirrorless rivals; it certainly doesn't compare to the likes of the Fujifilm 10-T4 or Sony a6600.
That'southward partly due to coverage: 101 points might sound like a lot, but the X-T4 has 425 and the a6600 has 850. What's more than, only 25 of those are faster cantankerous-blazon points and they all sit in the middle. Plus, the autofocus points don't extend across the full width or top of the frame, pregnant there are some areas where they just won't piece of work. Though it does have continuous AF and subject tracking, it struggles to go along upwards if the subject 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 G-iii Three handles notwithstanding subjects excellently, snapping on quickly and accurately, but it isn't the all-time when it comes to fast-moving activity such every bit sports. I certainly had mixed results when taking photos of my energetic labrador puppy. The to a higher place image (which has been cropped in) illustrates this — it'due south caught him mid-spring, just the focus is soft.
On the other paw, the M-three 3'due south 5-axis image stabilization is excellent. Pentax claims information technology'due south skilful for an extra v.5 stops and that sounds about right from my experience; I was able to shoot equally depression equally ane/8sec with some skillful results.
The K-3 III is besides relatively fast, shooting at up to 12fps in burst style, although the relatively modest buffer (37 JPEGs, 32 RAW files) is a fleck of a drawback.
Bombardment life is first-class — Pentax says information technology's good for 800 images and I simply needed to charge it a couple of times in my several weeks with it. Plus, you tin accuse it via USB-C, which is a bonus if you lot're away from a plug equally y'all can only use 1 of the best portable chargers and power banks.
Pentax Thou-three III review: Prototype quality
The K-3 III teams a new back-illuminated 25.7MP APS-C CMOS sensor with a new PRIME Five 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 incorrect footstep.
Stills accept masses of detail and are incredibly clean; you can shoot upward 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 like you lot're using a filter called 'colorful sand'.
Dynamic range is also impressive, with the Pentax K-3 III rendering bluish skies without blowing out the highlights on a bright sunny twenty-four hour period, and as well picking up details in the shadows in more than overcast atmospheric condition. Colors tend towards a more natural expect, which tin make them look muted compared to some, just you can easily ramp them up in the settings.
I shot the same scene with 1000-3 III and my beloved Fujifilm X-T3 and the results are quite stark. The X-T3 may be three years old, only it's however an excellent camera — but the Grand-three III leaves information technology for expressionless in this comparing, doing a much better job at exposing the scene and serving up far more than realistic colors.
Pentax K-iii III review: Video
Though the K-3 3 can shoot 4K video, it's definitely aimed more at stills shooters. The first problem is that video is just via live view, and that mode is hamstrung with slower dissimilarity-detection AF. Plus, although there is a continuous autofocus option, it'southward only available with certain lenses (of which mine wasn't one).
What's more than, 4K footage (at thirty/24fps) is only available via a cropped mode, too, so yous're probably amend off with 1080p (at up to 60fps). And considering the screen tin can't flip out, you end upwards having to hold the heavy body up in forepart of y'all in order to come across what'south going on.
Only while it's hardly going to trouble the all-time vlogging cameras, it's perfectly serviceable for family unit videos. Footage is articulate and colorful and the image stabilization really helps to continue things steady. In short, it'll do the chore for stills shooters who occasionally take videos, but non much more.
Pentax Grand-3 III review: Features
Pentax has long had fans in the star-gazing community, thanks to its dedicated Astrotracer characteristic, which shifts the sensor equally you shoot the heavens so that stars remain static even every bit the Globe rotates. Having used it on the K-3 II, I expected it to be in the new model, only while it is, there'southward no congenital-in GPS as at that place was in its predecessor. The upshot of that is that apprentice astronomers will demand to buy the divide O-GPS-ane attachment ($195) to have reward of it.
The K-3 III does have born Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for easy connection to a telephone, but unfortunately the Android version of its Epitome Sync app has been removed from the Play Store at the time of writing, then I was unable to try it.
Pentax M-three 3 review: Verdict
If the Pentax K-3 Three had come out v years ago, information technology would accept been one of the all-time cameras available at its price point. As it is, it will have to settle for being one of the last great DSLRs.
If you lot're a long-time Pentax user, it comes highly recommended. Image quality is superb and information technology's well built, with plenty of dainty petty touches that go far a pleasure to shoot with — though the absence of GPS for the Astrotracer part is annoying, and the price is on the steep side.
That $1,995 price also counts confronting it when compared to several older DSLRs. The fantabulous Canon EOS 90D is available for less than half that, and shoots uncropped 4K video; Nikon'south D780 is slightly cheaper and has a full-frame sensor (and full-width 4K to boot).
However, about people will instead be improve off with a similarly priced mirrorless camera such as the Fujifilm Ten-T4 or Nikon Z6 II, both of which are smaller, lighter, faster and offer better autofocus.
Ultimately, while the Thousand-3 Iii takes beautiful photos, it doesn't practice quite plenty to justify that high toll — or to explicate why Pentax is sticking with DSLRs as the remainder of the earth moves on.
Source: https://www.tomsguide.com/reviews/pentax-k-3-iii
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