The K-3 has the most capable video mode of any Pentax to date, but the best is unfortunately not good enough to beat the competition. While the K-3's video mode has been enhanced with higher frame rates, a headphone jack, better audio sampling, and full manual controls, there are a few things that will still prevent the Pentax K-3 from being an ideal candidate for shooting videos.
One issue is the K-3 stabilizes its videos electronically, which may introduce unwanted artifacts. Sensor-based stabilization is noisy and might be audible while recording, so it seems that Pentax has decided to refrain from going down that route altogether (the K-5 did have mechanical SR in video mode, but future cameras did not). In-lens stabilization would be the best choice for video for when you're not on a tripod.
Second, the K-3's video autofocus is still very poor. There is no continuous AF, and the on-demand AF that has been added is too slow to be dependable. Furthermore, the lack of focus peaking during recording also makes manual focusing tough. This was a feature that had otherwise hoped for.
http://www.pentaxforums.com/reviews/pentax-k-3-review/introduction.html
The first thing that strikes the new user is that the shutter is so, so quiet and smooth. This is probably the quietest DSLR. The camera is highly responsive, with minimal delay when firing the shutter. The AF seems to lock on in the dullest light with no difficulty and the speed has been significantly improved.
Exposure was accurate, full exposure being given without tending to blow out the highlights. The options remain as to matrix, centre-weighted or spot measurement. The very fine quality of Pentax JPEG files remains intact.
Video encoding is now AVC/H.264, provision is made for stereo sound recording using external microphones and a headphone jack is provided. The sound levels can be adjusted in the camera and level metering is provided for this.
Pentax now seems have nudged into the lead with the K-3 and for a rugged, well specified all weather camera . Pentax produced outstanding DSLR, well specified and rugged.
http://www.ephotozine.com/article/pentax-k-3-digital-slr-review-23409
Pretty positive first impressions at http://www.thephoblographer.com/2013/11/07/first-impressions-pentax-k3/
Check Pentax K-3 Impressions at PhotoPlus at http://www.pentaxforums.com/news/pentax-k-3-impressions-at-photoplus.html#more
Camera is in stock at http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1007545-REG/pentax_15530_k_3_dslr_camera.html (includes free 32GB card also)
Nikon D600 :
Pentax K-3 :
In almost every shot, the Pentax K-3 had much better color quality than the Nikon D600. Also, the Pentax K-3 did a much better job of auto selecting the appropriate shutter speed while having the camera set to aperture priority. The Pentax K-3 also did a better job of rendering a more pleasing contrast in a variety of situations. Finally, the image sharpness was visibly more appealing in the Pentax K-3 than the Nikon D600.
This test clearly shows the full frame Nikon D600 does not have image quality that is nearly as appealing or accurate as the cropped sensor Pentax K-3. Plus, the Pentax K-3 is currently $500 less expensive than the Nikon D600.
Our friends, moire and aliasing, don't want to leave us.
http://www.onfoto.ru/review/Pentax-K-3/2520.html
Bad software SR with additional crop.
Pentax K-3 Q&A
Q: Who is the manufacturer of the K-3's 24-megapixel CMOS sensor?
A: Sony.
http://www.pentaxforums.com/news/hands-on-with-pentax-k-3-in-japan.html
Nikon D5200 sensor above and Pentax K-3 sensor below. Does not look to be same sensor at all.
Hmm. I just hope that they update the low pass feature of the K3 soon (to use it with lower frequency in video mode too). Otherwise the moire problem in video mode will be quite obvious. And different lowpass stages would be also REALLY nice to have (so you can choose the best setting for your scene). I hope this features will be in the first official firmware release (or that they are coming soon within the next weeks / months) ...
I own two k5 and I'm quite satisfied with them, except for the instability of White balance in jpeg images, which sometimes gives different colors even in consecutive shooting, and autofocus issues with certain types of lenses, eg. 16-50 DA*, being difficult to use in low light, and too noisy pictures at 1600 Iso and over. Hope the new Ricoh improvements will solve those small problems with such a great camera.
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