Camera Test: Pentax K-3 DSLR

Pentax has priced this flagship DSLR close to midlevel bodies from Canon and Nikon. Between the K-3 and Nikon's D7100, it's hard to pick a winner. The K-3 is more rugged and offers more weather-sealing; it also has image stabilization that will work with any lens you mount on the camera (we even...

The Pentax K-3 is a feature-packed, well-built DSLR that is certainly an upgrade on the Pentax K-50. A significant increase in focus points, a higher resolution and improved weather-proofing are just a few of the improvements.

Pentax K-3 Review

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

Pentax K-3 review review

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

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

Pentax K-3

The Pentax K-3 is the company's the new top-end APS-C SLR with no AA filter, fast shooting and the usual weather-sealed body