The PENTAX K-3 was made to compete with the top brands of the DSLR-world and the competition is close, but with its price and exemplary features, the PENTAX K-3 is creating some distance.

Great image quality; Rugged build; Water-resistant

Insufficient autofocus for video

Have been owning the K-3 for less than a month yet, but already shot 600+ images with it, if that is any indication of the fun I've had with it. Coming from a K-7, which I used through nearly five years and 9,800+ actuations, I have been pleasantly surprised by the seamless transition to the new...

Even though the new Pentax K-3 offers a very robust and massive body, it is quite compact; it's only slightly larger than the ultra-compact Canon EOS Rebel SL1, although it's almost double the weight.

The K-3 is the latest iteration of what's become a very strong series of DSLRs - the K-5 added a great sensor to the excellent body introduced with the K-7 , the K-3 makes a big step forward in terms of focus capabilities as well as showing a great deal of tweaking and polishing.

Very high image quality; especially in Raw; Excellent ergonomics and handling; Extensive feature set; In-body stabilization works with all lenses; Extremely solid build quality; Large; bright optical viewfinder; Good level of customization; Well-chosen direct controls; Comprehensive in-camera Raw...

Disappointing JPEG color response; Rather clumsy JPEG sharpening (slightly improved by changing to 'Fine' sharpening; Many lenses don't appear to live up to camera's full autofocus potential; Video quality not up to standards implied by inclusion of mic and headphone jacks; SD-based Wi-Fi not as...

Since Pentax was bought from Hoya by Ricoh, it's seen a bit of an increase in new launches and development.

Weatherproof body; 100% viewfinder; Universal DNG raw format

Chromatic aberration issues; LCD screen fixed; Tends to underexpose

Since Pentax was bought from Hoya by Ricoh, it's seen a bit of an increase in new launches and development. The K-3 comes just a year after the Pentax K-5 II was launched, which arrived two years after the Pentax K-5 .

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

The K-3 ($1,299.95 direct, body only)($1,085.95 at Adorama) 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. When coupled with a weather-resistant lens it's a go-anywhere 24-megapixel SLR that is capable of capturing outstanding images. It's not perfect—video autofocus is speedier than we've seen in past Pentaxes, but you'll have to initiate it manually, and the camera is a little slow to start and grab a shot compared with some others in this class. But those minor complaints aren't enough to keep the K-3 down. We think it's a better camera than our previous winner in the high-end APS-C SLR category, the Nikon D7100($899.00 at Amazon), and that makes the K-3 our Editors' Choice. Design and Features The K-3 is on the small side for a camera of this class, measuring 3.9 by 5.2 by 3.1 inches and weighi...

The Pentax K-3 is the most refined K-mount SLR to date, offering fast autofocus and superb image quality. Its video autofocus implementation isn't the best, but it still manages to snag our Editors' Choice award.

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

Superb weatherproof build; Incredibly detailed pictures; Built-in stabilisation; Dual SD card slots;

Average video skills; Lacks flip-out screen; No Wi-Fi;

The Pentax K-3 may not have all the latest bells and whistles, but as a stills shooter it's hard to beat

Superb weatherproof build; Incredibly detailed pictures; Built-in stabilisation; Dual SD card slots

Average video skills; Lacks flip-out screen; No Wi-Fi