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

The Pentax K3 is a weighty and powerful 24M pixel DSLR unit. I was sent the body and a 18-135mm lens. It went on my various journeys for several weeks, so not only did I get my normal range of test shots but some interesting Landscape offerings.

I am not a photographer, rather an enthusiast. I picked Pentax over a basic full frame Canon. Read three tests and reviews. When it came, I tested it against the Canon Rebel T3i (an unfair comparison, I know), and I loved its sharpness and colour balances, although I did not push the creative...

: This 24mp DSLR is weather-sealed with image stabilisation by sensor shift. It has a true pentaprism optical viewfinder with 100 per cent coverage. The special feature of the K-3 is the removal of the anti-aliasing filter, promising sharper images.

The Pentax K-3 -- Pentax's top-of-the-line model -- wins awards as the most full-featured prosumer DSLR camera on the market. With great performance, excellent image quality and superior handling, the rugged K-3 is a semi-pro camera that successfully competes with its Canon and Nikon rivals.

27-point autofocus system; Excellent high ISO quality; Weather-sealed for extreme temperatures; Anti-aliasing option

Slow autofocus

I was always a Pentax shooter, but last year changed to Nikon. That didnt last long. Pentax cameras are just a better 'fit' for me. The K-3 really takes off from where the fantastic K-5 did a few years ago. It's rugged, fast, and incredibly well built.

Easy to use; Compact; Build quality

Our Pentax K-5 review dates all the way back to early 2011 and though there was then an updated K-5 II and IIs, both using an improved autofocus system, it was otherwise a largely identical camera.

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.

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

Even with the negatives, the Pentax K-3 is really a top-notch enthusiast DSLR that's deserving of an Editor's Choice.

Excellent 24MP image quality; Extremely responsive; fast burst; Anti-aliasing simulator; Rugged and weather sealed

Bulky; expensive – but to be expected; Built-in mono mic; No built-in Wi-Fi/NFC connectivity