Key Features
Apr 23 2015
Announced
24 megapixels
Resolution
| Brand | Pentax |
| Sensor Type | APS-C |
| Sensor | CMOS |
| Weight | 800g |
| MSRP | $1099USD |
Other similar cameras
Pentax K-3 Mark III
Released Mar 31 2021 | 26MP resolution
Pentax K-1 Mark II
Released Feb 22 2018 | 36MP resolution
Pentax K-5 II
Released Jun 04 2013 | 16MP resolution
Overview of the K-3 Mark II
If you are a photography enthusiast, you must be familiar with the Pentax brand and its reputation for producing exceptional cameras. The Pentax K-3 Mark II is one of the most sought-after models from this brand. It boasts an impressive list of features and specifications that make it stand out from the competition. In this blog post, we will dive deep into the Pentax K-3 Mark II, covering everything you need to know about its features, performance, image quality, autofocus, and user interface. By the end of this review, you will have a clear understanding of whether this camera is right for your photography needs.
Pentax K-3 Mark II Pros and Cons
Now, we will look more closely at our review of the Pentax K-3 Mark II camera. We will see what it can do and compare it to other cameras like it. We will tell you what's good about it and what's not so good. This way, you'll know if it's the camera for you!
Pros
Cons
Build and Construction
Body and dimensions
Pentax K-3 Mark II
| Weather sealed | |
| Dimensions | 131 x 100 x 77mm |
| Weight | 800g |
| Thickness | 77mm |
Weather Sealing
The Pentax K-3 Mark II camera is equipped with environmental seals that make it resistant to weather, preventing water and dust from entering the camera. If you enjoy outdoor photography and need a camera that can handle extreme conditions, the K-3 Mark II is an excellent choice.
Design and Handling
Main design features
| View Finder | Optical (pentaprism) |
| Screen Type | Fixed Type |
| Screen Resolution | 1,037k dots |
| Body type | Mid-size SLR |
Suitable for:
| Photography | Above Avg. |
| Videography | Above Avg. |
| Travel | Above Avg. |
LCD Screen
This camera has a fixed type 3.20" screen, with a display resolution of 1,037k dots. This makes the Pentax K-3 Mark II not as suitable for those looking for a vlogging camera as you cannot view yourself while shooting selfies easily. Unfortunately, the camera does not have a touch screen, which may make it less user-friendly.
Viewfinder
K-3 Mark II includes a optical (pentaprism) viewfinder with no electronic viewfinder of resolution with a coverage of 100% and a magnification of 0.64x. This feature enhances the camera's suitability for outdoor photography in bright conditions.
Image Quality
Pentax K-3 Mark II has a 24MP sized CMOS sensor. You can shoot at maximum resolution of 24 pixels. Pentax K-3 Mark II has a native ISO range of 100 - 51200 which can be boosted to null - null. It can also save files in RAW format which gives you a wider room for post processing.
Key Features
Apr 23 2015
Announced
100 - 51200
ISO Range
| Sensor | APS-C |
| Extended ISO | null - null |
| Max resolution | 6016 x 4000 pixels |
DXO Sensor Scores
Overall
80 / 102
Color Depth
23.6 / 26.5
Dynamic Range
13.6 / 14.8
Low Light ISO
1106 / 4505
DXO mark sensor scores
The DXOmark rankings indicate that the Pentax K-3 Mark II camera has above average color depth performance, which refers to the number of colors the sensor can distinguish. Additionally, its dynamic range is also excellent, allowing it to retain low amounts of details in both bright and dark areas of a scene. The camera's low light ISO performance is poor, which is an important factor to consider if you plan to use it in dimly lit indoor environments or at night. Overall the image quality of the K-3 Mark II is average
Crop Factor
Camera crop factor (or focal length multiplier) refers to how a camera's sensor size affects the apparent field of view of a lens. Crop factor is determined by comparing the size of a camera's sensor to that of a full-frame sensor, which is a standard reference size for camera sensors.
Size comparison
Crop factor calculator
Crop factor
1.5x
Full frame equivalent
36mm
This camera: APS-C
24mm
Connectivity, storage, battery
| Storage | Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC |
| Battery Life | 720 shots |
| Battery Model | D-LI90 |
| HDMI | |
| USD | |
| Wireless Connectivity |
Storage
The Pentax K-3 Mark II supports Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC with 2 slots for storage. Having dual SD card slots on the Pentax K-3 Mark II is highly advantageous as it mitigates the risk of losing footage due to memory card malfunctions. This feature is particularly beneficial for wedding photography and other professional settings.
Battery
The Pentax K-3 Mark II uses the D-LI90 model of battery pack. This is rated for 720 shots shots which is high. If you intend to take photos or record videos for an extended period, it might be a good idea to bring along additional batteries.
Photography Features
Flash
The Pentax K-3 Mark II does not have a built-in flash, but it does offer a flash shoe that allows you to attach external flashes. This provides more versatility in your lighting choices.
Shutter
The Pentax K-3 Mark II boasts a maximum mechanical shutter speed of 1/8000s, which is ideal for shooting fast-moving subjects in bright environments, such as in sports photography. Faster shutter speeds enable you to freeze the action and capture every detail, making it easier to get the perfect shot.
With a continuous mechanical shutter speed of n/a or an electronic shutter speed of n/a, this camera is not capable of capturing the perfect moment more easily, making it not as suited for wedding, sports, and wildlife photography. Higher shutter speeds make it easier to capture fast-paced action, ensuring that you never miss the perfect shot.
Autofocus
The Pentax K-3 Mark II includes two autofocus (AF) systems: contrast detection and phase detection, with 27 number of focus points.
While contrast detection is generally more accurate and precise, phase detection autofocus is faster and more effective in most situations, particularly when photographing moving subjects.
Phase detection autofocus works by dividing the incoming light into pairs and then analyzing how they intersect on the camera's sensor. This method allows the camera to determine not only if a subject is in focus but also the direction and distance needed to adjust the focus to achieve perfect sharpness.
On the other hand, contrast detection autofocus works by analyzing the contrast of an image and adjusting the focus until the highest contrast is detected. While this method is very accurate, it can be slow, especially in low light conditions or when photographing moving subjects.
FAQ
The Pentax K-3 Mark II features a CMOS sensor
Yes the K-3 Mark II does have weather sealing.
The Pentax K-3 Mark II was announced on Apr 23 2015
Yes the K-3 Mark II does have in-body image stabilization that can compensate for camera shake, making it easier to shoot handheld in low light conditions.
The K-3 Mark II has a native ISO range of 100-51200, which can be expanded to ISO null-null for even greater sensitivity in low light conditions.
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