Pentax K-3 Review – Can the Pentax K-3 enthusiast DSLR offer some competition to Nikon and Canon? Find out in the full What Digital Camera Pentax K-3 review

Great image quality; Solid build; Customisable interface

Sluggish AF performance; Lacking Wi-fi functionality; Some performance quirks

The K-3 ($1,299.95 direct, body only) takes a lot of what Pentax cameras are known for-robust weather sealing, excellent control layout, and fantastic high ISO image quality-and couples it with the best-yet Pentax autofocus system and an impressive burst shooting mode.

Excellent high ISO image quality; Shoots at 8.1fps; Fast, 27-point autofocus system; In-camera shake reduction; Selectable simulated low-pass filter; Weather-sealed design; Pentaprism viewfinder; Sharp rear display; Top-notch control layout; Dual SD card slots; PC sync flash socket

Limited autofocus during video recording; A little slow to start; Lacks built-in GPS or Wi-Fi

And then there's the video… The K-3 gets an improved video capability with a more seamless video interface and a wide variety of capture frame rates for both its full HD and HD resolution clips.

Good still and video image quality; High continuous shooting rate; Good capacity buffer; Weather sealed; Attractive price point versus feature set

Lack of continuous autofocus during video capture; AA filter simulator may not completely eliminate moire in extreme cases; Flash sync speed lags behind most competitors

Ricoh's flagship APS-C camera, the 24-megapixel Pentax K-3 is jam-packed with clever technology, yet it's also affordably priced and among the very smallest enthusiast DSLRs. As well as overhauled imaging, autofocus, and metering, it also boasts an industry-first system that lets you choose whether...

Top-notch image quality; Great ergonomics in a compact body; Unique on-demand low-pass filtering; Broad sensitivity range; Large and bright viewfinder for an APS-C camera; Dual card slots; Optional Wi-Fi remote control, Unusually compact for an enthusiast DSLR, Great ergonomics; movie, focus and...

AE Lock button is poorly located; Below-average battery life for a DSLR; Rather dated-looking menu system; Requires a different battery grip accessory than its predecessors; Less third-party support than some rivals, Pentax's smaller market share means less third-party support, AE-lock button is...

Upgraded to the K3 from the K30. The K3 is awesome value for money when you compare it to Nikon/Canon rivals. The RAW files this camera produces are a joy to use. The build quality of this camera is awesome - the K3 makes similar priced cameras such as the D5500 feel like a toy.

great build quality and ergonomics; good stabilization; great IQ

shortish battery life

It might be playing third-fiddle to Canon and Nikon, but Pentax - now part of Ricoh Imaging - is a venerable name in the field of photography. Its long history means that its DSLRs, like the now-top-spec K-3, can more than hold their own.

Price; rugged build quality; controls and menus are very well thought-out; stills performance is excellent

Grain at middling sensitivities; noise on video soundtrack caused by lens mechanics; smaller lens arsenal than competition

When Pentax announced the K-3 in October as the new flagship model in its line-up it was met with considerable interest and acclaim, even before the initial reviews appeared. Not only was its 24-megapixel resolution the highest in the range; it also introduced an exciting technological innovation...

I was apprehensive to move from Canon - but the price and the build quality as described in the reviews made a compelling argument. I did switch over and is blown away with every aspect of this camera. Build quality to image quality.

I had been using my Pentax K10D for the past seven years, so this was a significant upgrade for me to move up to the K3 body. Having made a jump of about five versions, I had to read the instruction manual to acquaint myself with the many new features that the K3 offers.

The pentax k3 is a big improvement over my k10d. It is very sturdy like the k10. It has much larger file size images, and a movie mode. The k3 is easier to use. The value is very good for my needs. I do love the fact that i can use all my old A lens and FA lens.