Powerful SLR camera technology for passionate photography
Large and bright prism viewfinder with 100% field of view and approx. 1.05x magnification
The PENTAX K-3 Mark III has an optical viewfinder with an almost 100% field of view and 1.05x magnification. The high-index glass prism allows a wide eye relief while providing a wide field of view equivalent to a 35mm full-frame SLR.
By using a distortion-correcting optical element and optimizing the lens coatings, the viewfinder delivers a clear and lifelike image without distortion. The brightness has been improved by almost 10 percent compared to the viewfinder of the PENTAX K-3 II.
The Natural Bright Matte III screen offers easy manual focusing and supports the positive characteristics of the viewfinder for a subject image with faithful reproduction of the bokeh effect.
In addition, the transparent display of a variety of operating data in the viewfinder window enables direct monitoring of important parameters during shooting. This underlines the importance of this essential camera component for image composition. With the large prism viewfinder of the PENTAX K-3 Mark III, the photographer has everything in view without having to take the camera away from the eye at important moments.
New 25.73 megapixel BSI sensor with top light sensitivity of ISO 1,600,000
The PENTAX K-3 Mark III is the first camera to feature a BSI sensor. This back-illuminated sensor, with an effective resolution of approx. 25.73 megapixels, together with the new Imaging Engine PRIME V and the newly designed accelerator unit, ensures extremely high image quality. By additionally dispensing with an optical AA filter (anti-aliasing), the camera produces super-high-resolution and sharp images.
The design not only extends the dynamic range, but also minimizes noise, even in the low or super-high range. By significantly improving noise reduction, the PENTAX K-3 Mark III offers a super-high peak light sensitivity of ISO 1,600,000.
In-body Shake Reduction II System (IBIS)
When PENTAX first incorporated an electromagnetic shake reduction system to prevent camera shake in SLR cameras 15 years ago in the K100, this technology was initially not taken very seriously and was widely underestimated. Today, however, "In Body Image Stabilizing" systems (IBIS) are state of the art and should not be missing in any modern high-performance camera. In the PENTAX K-3 Mark III, the Shake Reduction System fulfills a number of different functions.
1.
Camera shake compensation with compensation of 5.5 f-stops
The built-in Shake Reduction System prevents camera shake, which occurs, for example, when using lenses with a long focal length and / or slow shutter speeds in poor lighting conditions and is the cause of blurred images.
Image stabilization takes place in five axes. In addition to sensor rotation, horizontal and vertical displacement, the PENTAX K-3 Mark III also offers correction of horizontal and vertical tilt, which can occur in macro shots, for example. Horizontal panning movements are automatically detected and also corrected accordingly.
Overall, this system ensures exposure reliability of up to 5.5 LV stops and thus extends the limits of freehand photography.
It works independently of the Lens used. This means that adapted M42 lenses can be used in exactly the same way as the current lens series. Once saved, the lens information required for compensation can be called up as required.
2.
Pixel Shift function to increase resolution
With the predecessor model PENTAX K-3 Mark II, the shifting of the sensor for improved image resolution was used for the first time. With the PENTAX K-3 Mark III, this technology can now also be used without a tripod.
With conventional systems, missing RGB color information of the sensor must be interpolated, as the different colors are not captured by all pixels of the sensor. With the Pixel Shift function, the PENTAX K-3 Mark III offers the possibility of taking four shots in a row. The sensor is shifted up, down, left and right by one pixel at a time and the camera calculates a single image from this, which can be saved as a JPEG or RAW file.
This technology makes full use of the 25.73 megapixels for the image file, resulting in significantly higher sharpness and color reproduction as well as less image noise.
3.
Low-pass filter simulation
By dispensing with an AA filter (anti-aliasing), greater image sharpness is achieved. In order to avoid a possible moiré effect, the sensor unit is set into micro-vibrations and thus ensures minimal blurring. This works just as effectively as a built-in low-pass filter. Two levels ensure adaptation to the respective shooting situation.
4.
Sensor shift and auto-horizon correction
The IBIS is also used for automatic horizon alignment. A tilted camera position up to a picture angle of 2° can be automatically corrected by the sensor.
However, the sensor can also be shifted manually. This can be done in a horizontal or vertical direction with a total shift of up to 1.5 mm and even in rotation of up to 2°.
5.
DR II (Dust Removal)
Dust particles are removed from the sensor by ultrasonic vibrations. This function can be set as an on/off function, but can also be carried out manually.
SAFOX 13 autofocus system with 101 focus sensors
The SAFOX 13 phase comparison autofocus system has been newly developed for the PENTAX K-3 Mark III. It has a total of 101 AF sensors, 25 of which are positioned centrally as cross-type sensors. In order to focus reliably even when shooting at night, three special sensors are positioned centrally, which already work at an EV of -4 EV.
For the first time, the camera is equipped with a small joystick with which the individual focus points can be selected intuitively.
The new AF system is supported by a new RGB-Ir image sensor with approx. 307,000 pixels and a newly developed image tracking algorithm. As a result, even moving subjects are captured reliably and focused more accurately.
PENTAX Real-time Scene Analysis System
The PENTAX Real-time Scene Analysis System supports camera control with the latest artificial intelligence technology. Based on the RGB-lr image sensor with approximately 307,000 pixels, the processor uses advanced image recognition technology to optimize exposure and autofocus. Shooting scenes are analyzed and certain exposure parameters, such as shutter, autofocus, white balance, are adjusted accordingly based on color or brightness distribution, subject and motion detection and taken into account for image calculation.
By introducing "Deep Learning" technology with artificial intelligence, the PENTAX K-3 Mark III ensures subject recognition and scene evaluation that is better and more reliable than ever before.
Sophisticated operation systems for image conversion
The exclusive "Hyper Operation System" was first used in the PENTAX Z-1 and is still an important element for exposure control today. In program automatic mode, it is not only possible to switch between shutter speed and aperture tracking without switching as before. ISO sensitivity tracking is now also possible.
Another PENTAX development is the Smart Function System. Five functions can be selected and called up quickly and easily for camera control as required. The control information is displayed in the viewfinder.
In addition, ten different control buttons offer a further option for individualization, with which frequently used functions can be called up quickly.
The HDR function (High Dynamic Range) is now highly appreciated by many PENTAX photographers. An image is calculated from three individual shots, which offers a balanced exposure despite a huge contrast range.
PENTAX K bayonet - a proven lens mount for generations
PENTAX is the camera system with the greatest lens compatibility. This means that the new APS-C top model can easily be used with the lenses of the early K bayonet era and even M42 lenses with an adapter. It is precisely these much sought-after and much-used treasures of the digital past that bring so much pleasure to many photographers today. The focal length information required for IBIS can now even be saved and is also written to the EXIF data.
High-resolution LCD monitor with intuitive touchscreen control
The 3.2-inch LCD monitor, with a resolution of approx. 1,620,000 pixels, is the first in the PENTAX system to feature a touchscreen with intuitive menu control and image zoom function during image playback.
The PENTAX K-3 Mark III also uses the tried-and-tested monitor design with "Air Gapless" technology for improved visibility. A special resin is inserted between the monitor layers, which effectively reduces reflections and the scattering of light.
Under the viewfinder eyepiece, which extends beyond the display, there is an eye sensor that optionally switches off the monitor as soon as the photographer looks into the viewfinder. This prevents the illumination of the monitor from impairing visibility during shooting. Another advantage, especially for night shots, is the night vision LCD display function, which allows the brightness of the monitor to be quickly adjusted depending on the shooting location.
High frame rate - when every second counts
The mirror and shutter mechanism has been redesigned for the PENTAX K-3 Mark III. In combination with the new processor technology and the fast image processing parameters, the PENTAX K-3 Mark III enables shooting series at an unprecedented frame rate. 32 RAW files can be captured at 12 frames per second. At 2.5 frames per second and in JPEG format, the shooting rate increases to 90 frames before the camera has to save. Despite maximum load, the shutter is designed for at least 300,000 shots.
Video function with 4K resolution
The PENTAX K-3 Mark III was developed in the tradition of SLR technology, but the desire of many PENTAX photographers for a 4K video function could not be ignored. The camera now records video clips in 4K resolution (3840 x 2160 pixels; 30p/24p frame rate) or Full HD (1920 x 1080 pixels; 60p/30p/24p frame rate) in H-264 recording format. For the sound, there is a connection for a stereo microphone and headphones. It is possible to set and monitor the audio recording level.
One of the two SD card slots is prepared for the UHS-II standard in order to be able to process the data volumes at high frame rates or video recordings accordingly.
Original PENTAX reliability - robust, weatherproof and compact
One of the main advantages of the APS-C system is its small size. To ensure that the camera can also be used on the move in any situation, particular attention was paid to compact size and low weight combined with high robustness. The body is made of a lightweight yet high-strength magnesium-aluminum alloy. The weather-resistant housing construction is cold-resistant down to -10°C and has 95 seals to protect against dust and moisture.
Image and video editing as well as RAW development in the camera
The PENTAX K-3 Mark III has numerous options for editing videos and photos directly in the camera. Various filters and the original PENTAX Custom Image function, which simulates different types of film, are available during shooting. Additional filters and RAW development extend the options. For video recordings, there are simple options for film editing.
Thanks to the wide range of options, there is no need for a complex image editing program to create your own distinctive image style.
Camera control and image transfer via "Image Sync"app
The PENTAX K-3 Mark III can be connected to devices such as smartphones or tablets via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.
By installing the free "Image Sync" app on a mobile device, the user can display Live View images on the respective screen, change camera settings and take pictures.
Captured images can be transferred to a mobile device and shared directly on social networks.
