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.

At first click, I knew, immediately, that this was one hell of a camera! Even the jPegs are great. The layout took a little getting used to, but once I did,- oh boy! This thing is just loaded with features. And the Price! How the hell did they DO it?

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...

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

Pentax's latest DSLR, the Pentax K-3 , slightly confusingly marketed by Ricoh who now owns the brand, just happens to be a flagship pro model. Despite this, it fields a 24.7 megapixel APS-C sensor rather than the full frame chip of the Nikon D610, and in comparison is smaller and more square edged...

Solid feel; pro grade body; switch on or off anti aliasing filter; in-body image stabilisation

Like the Nikon D610; there's no Wi-Fi connectivity built into the actual camera body; squarish; blocky body design won't be to all tastes

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

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

John Riley reviews the new Pentax K-3, the flagship Digital SLR with new 24 megapixel sensor and advanced features.

Superb clarity in image quality with 24MP sensor; Rugged weather sealed construction with 92 seals; Flucard and Eye-Fi card compatibility; Shutter rated to 200,000 exposures; Some unique prime lenses in range; AA Filter Simulator; Glass pentaprism viewfinder with 95% magnification; Backwards lens...

Lack of long zoom lenses; Current lack of lens support from some third party manufacturers