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Friday, November 29, 2013

DxOMark of K-3 is Out

http://www.dxomark.com/Cameras/Compare/Side-by-side/Pentax-K-3-versus-Pentax-K-5-IIs-versus-Pentax-K5___914_830_676

Despite the high pixel count multiplying factor, the K-3 still loses the game against the old K-5, and the other K-5II variants as well.

Update (11-30): Shouldn't we compare the K-3 to the recent hottest FF like A7R and D610, and see what happens?! :-o

http://www.dxomark.com/Cameras/Compare/Side-by-side/Sony-A7R-versus-Pentax-K-3-versus-Nikon-D610___917_914_915

Comments (22)

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Sure, dismiss the 50% gain in resolution with only minor losses in DR and ISO performance. For a crop sensor, its really good, only very slightly bested by the D7100 in terms of numbers that have no real world effect on IQ. I'll keep my k-5 for now and buy more lenses. I have decent coverage from wide angle to telephoto. What's not to like? My k-5 will last me for some time since CRIS just rebuilt it. When it starts failing like my k-7 slowly is, I'll just get a K-3. The K-3 is a better camera in many ways. Sensor aside its hard to ignore that they rebuilt the AF and meter with completely new systems and added a host of improvements as well including the claim that they fixed the p-ttl bounce problem that plagued so many people. Yeah its not full frame, but a lot of pentaxians at this point have embraced aps-c as its own format and have stuck with it because full frame options were heavier and bulkier. The DA Limiteds are extremely small and compact and gems in their own right. Even the A7 is showing that lens options for that system are going to be large and heavy. I would much rather have a proper k-mount dslr camera to put old glass on myself and I have little interest in other system's legacy lenses. If used A7s start getting kind of cheap they would become tempting, but having no auto-aperture control would kind of suck IMO. Autofocus is kind of nice too at times. Especially with kids and fast moving situations.
Dan Johnson's avatar

Dan Johnson · 589 weeks ago

Thanks I've just sent back my silver K-3 in time for a full refund before reading this, I like my K-5IIS as well as my K-5 for a back-up. I don't need more than 16mp to make a Super-B (13 inch by 19 inch) photo print ,the Nikon DF is a 16mp FF-DSLR while the new Canon is also good, Sony's (and very likely Samsung's) will give me Full Frame options as opposed to what is now known in favorable reviews as Ricoh/Pentax an amateur only brand but definitely good enough.
6 replies · active 588 weeks ago
You can make nice poster sized prints with a k-5. Or hell, even a K-7. I know because I have. Not that long ago 12MP was deemed more than enough for such prints. The cameras we are using now are overkill for 90% of their intended applications. I'm far more interested in better high ISO and more DR and the K-5 is quite decent at both.
fullframe when?'s avatar

fullframe when? · 589 weeks ago

why Nikon DF? THat is way overpriced. Look, Canon and Nikon both dropped the ball. It's black friday and the A7 is cheaper than both the OLD Canon6D and the NikonD610(rehashed D600 with the shutter issue fixed)!! The samples coming out from the A7 with FA lenses have made me want the A7 instead of waiting for Pentax to finally get their act together and release a full frame. Unbelievable turn of events.
No camera is perfect whatever the make. The Sony A7 is not perfect either. Maybe it works fine with Pentax glass using moderate apertures. How about large apertures? Anyway I wouldn't put my Leica glass on it for sure. With Leica M-lenses the A7 failed enormously.
Anonimity is Great's avatar

Anonimity is Great · 589 weeks ago

It is nice to live in a country where returns are commonplace. If it were the case where i live, I'd try out every single camera on sale today...

Back to the topic, It s a little sad that the K-3 didn't make it to the top, but it is only sightly below expectation, and overall will just be as useful or more than any cameras up to the D800 or the A7R. Only against the 1DX or D4 or other more expensive cameras could you really say that the K-3 lost. What do you classify as professional? I've read journalists, wedding photographers, landscape photographers, nature photographers, model photographers, studio photographers that uses Pentax APS-Cs for work and enjoy them. Aren't they not pro? I will concede that for the most demanding fast action sports Pentax may not work acceptably, but with the K-3 this may also change (no review yet on people using the k-3 for real sports coverage.)

So now back to my question, are those people i mentioned not professional?
UsedtobuyPentax's avatar

UsedtobuyPentax · 588 weeks ago

Don't forget the K-3 will get a few firmware updates yet. I can see why folks really want a Pentax FF. They do a great user friendly APS-C which has a passionate following.
"Thanks I've just sent back my silver K-3 in time for a full refund before reading this,"

Meanwhile, in China, a bag of rice fell over.
A. Pentaxian's avatar

A. Pentaxian · 589 weeks ago

P. S.
Congratulations on your 2000 post, it's very helpfull.
pentaxfools 's avatar

pentaxfools · 589 weeks ago

I would have thought they k-5 line would have been perfect by the 3rd of 4th rehash of that same dated camera.
DxO is only sensor's rating.
Other good features on the camera isn't include in the score.
However, as the new 24MP sensor.
I am not sure why K-3 score much much lower score than D7100.
They both use same SONY 24MP sensor, it should perform pretty close result as it should.
2 replies · active 588 weeks ago
I don't think the sensor is the same...
You're right, according the information I got the D7100 has a Toshiba sensor.
Just bought my K-3 two weeks ago. Feels like I always had it, the ergonomics are so good. And no way am I going back to the K-5.

A friend of mine just borrowed my K-5. He knows several people with FF Nikon cameras, but he borrowed mine, because he has seen my pictures.

I believe it is especially the Auto White Balance which is way underestimated. It is really a key to beautiful pictures, and Pentax does it really well.
5 replies · active 588 weeks ago
pentaxfools's avatar

pentaxfools · 588 weeks ago

Your grabbing at straws. AWB is Pentax's strong point? You have reached the bottom......
Anonimity is Great's avatar

Anonimity is Great · 588 weeks ago

Why troll so much? Are you very disappointed by Pentax? Which camera disappoints you? Why?

If the guy says AWB is it strong point, why don't you counter him by detailing your own experience? "You've reached the bottom" isn't a good way to start a friendship.
pentaxfools's avatar

pentaxfools · 588 weeks ago

Friends? Virtual Friends, get a life chief. If the truth hurts visit PF only, no where else or you will read the truth. You folks from PF march in lock step...
Anonimity is Great's avatar

Anonimity is Great · 588 weeks ago

I'm questioning you here. I don't worry about the gear. To me the K-3 is more than enough. Now you explain why you need to bash them so much. Just get it out of your system.
pentaxfools's avatar

pentaxfools · 588 weeks ago

Pentax folks tend to be too brand loyal to see the truth. They tend to over compensating for something. Considering Pentax's current offerings including the k3 I understand the distress folks still in the Pentax camp are feeling. Your post indicates you are willing to settle for the k3 not the it is the best tool. I am not willing to settle.
K-3 has the same data as K-5IIs, except ISO80 - that's why DR is lower. At base ISO100-25600 no any difference.
1 reply · active 588 weeks ago
pentaxfools's avatar

pentaxfools · 588 weeks ago

Great then they did not go backwards much. So the K-3 should be about as good as the k-5ii. Now that's a reason to buy...???...
SonyFFbeta's avatar

SonyFFbeta · 586 weeks ago

At £1099 body only, the K-3's massively overpriced, at least for the UK market.

Look at the competition . . .

Nikon D7100, 24 megapixel no AA filter, weather sealed, 6fps, £765 body only
Canon EOS 70D, 20 megapixel, 7fps, weather sealed, Wi-Fi, £969 body only
Sony Alpha A77, 24 megapixel, 12fps, IS, weather sealed, GPS, £729 body only

You can get an A7 into the UK for £1079 now if you use one of the Hong Kong suppliers, no VAT or duty to pay, free delivery.

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