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The Pentax K-3 is a 24-megapixel Pentax high-end digital single-lens reflex camera with an APS-C sensor, announced on 7 October 2013.[1] The Pentax K-3 is the successor to both the K-5 II and K-5 IIs models, which have a 16-megapixel sensor. The K-5 II (and most other cameras of its time) had an optical low pass filter or anti-aliasing (AA) filter that can prevent the appearance of moire patterning on the captured image. This filter reduces the sharpness of the image, so Pentax also produced the K-5 IIs which omitted this filter. In the K-3, Pentax obviated the need for providing two separate models by including a selectable AA filter "simulator". This mechanism vibrates the sensor when switched on, slightly blurring the image in a way that replaces the function of the optical AA filter, providing the same benefit as the filter in the K-5 II and other cameras with an optical AA filter. When the AA simulator is disabled, the sensor records a sharper image, as in the K-5 IIs.
 | |
| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Type | Digital single-lens reflex camera |
| Lens | |
| Lens | Interchangeable Pentax KAF3 and KAF2 mount compatible with Pentax auto-aperture lenses; older lenses supported in stop-down metering mode |
| Sensor/medium | |
| Sensor | APS-C 23.7 × 15.7 mm CMOS sensor |
| Maximum resolution | 24.71 megapixels (6016×4000) |
| Film speed | ISO 100–51,200 in 1, 1⁄2, or 1⁄3 EV steps |
| Recording medium | 2 slots for SD/SDHC/SDXC; dedicated Flucard for wireless tethering available |
| Exposure/metering | |
| Exposure modes | Green (fully automatic), program, aperture priority, shutter priority, sensitivity priority, aperture and shutter priority, manual, bulb, X-sync shutter speed, three User presets. |
| Exposure metering | 86,000-pixel RGB metering sensor with Real-Time Scene Analysis System |
| Metering modes | Multi-segment, Center-weighted, Spot |
| Flash | |
| Flash | Onboard pop-up flash; hot shoe for P-TTL flash units with high-speed sync support; PC socket for studio flashes; 1/180 s X-sync speed |
| Shutter | |
| Shutter speed range | 1/8000 – 30 s, Bulb |
| Continuous shooting | Up to 8.3 fps for 60 JPEG or 23 raw images |
| Viewfinder | |
| Viewfinder | Eye-level pentaprism, 100% coverage, 0.95× magnification |
| General | |
| LCD screen | 3.2 in (81 mm), 1,037,000 dots (720×480 RGB pixels) |
| Battery | D-LI90 lithium-ion rechargeable battery |
| Optional battery packs | D-BG5 battery grip accepts additional D-LI90 battery or 6 AA (R6) batteries |
| Dimensions | 131×97×73 mm |
| Weight | With battery: 800 g (28 oz) Without battery: 715 g (25.2 oz) |
| Made in |  Philippines |
The Pentax K-3 was also the first camera to support the Pentax FluCard for wireless remote capture and download of images.
The Pentax K-3 is a mid-size DSLR with a weather-sealed magnesium alloy body, and is priced at a relatively similar level to the newer upper-entry level Nikon D5500 DSLR[2] and $300 cheaper than the newer mid-range Nikon D7200 DSLR. The Pentax K-3 was ranked #2 in a comparison of mid-size DSLR class, was class-leading in image quality for portrait, street, daily and landscape photography, and ranked only slightly lower for sport photography. In-body stabilization also gives the Pentax K-3 an advantage, but its 800-gram weight is slightly more than average for a mid-size DSLR.[3]
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When the K-3 was originally announced, Ricoh made available a Premium Silver Edition that included the camera body and battery grip with a silver paint finish as well as an exclusive red leather neck strap. According to Ricoh, this would match the silver versions of Pentax HD DA Limited lenses.[4] In July 2014, Ricoh announced the Prestige Edition, which included a K-3 and battery grip in a "gunmetal gray" finish as well as two batteries and black artificial leather neck strap,[5] embossed with the lettering "2014 TIPA BEST DIGITAL SLR EXPERT" and the Pentax K-3 logo.[6] Each edition was limited to 2000 units.[4][5]
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The Pentax K-3 has won the TIPA Award "Best Digital SLR Expert" for 2014,[7] and the EISA Photo Award 2014-2015 for Best Advanced DSLR.[8]
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