After keeping everyone in suspense, and apparently mulling over it seriously for a long time, Pentax has finally decided to name its new APS-C flagship DSLR… the K3 Mark III — the successor of, wait for it, the K3 Mark II. Pentax says that it firmly believes in the future of DSLRs, and while there are many photographers who are still currently using DSLRs, we cannot help but wonder if this will continue to be the case in a few years. Unwilling or unable to embrace ground-breaking mirrorless technology, Pentax seems to have settled for the collector’s game, putting out ever so slightly improved DSLRs every couple of years, and issuing limited edition of silver models.
As to their claim of reaching ISO 1.6M in the K3 Mark III, we’ll have to wait until February 2021 when the camera is officially launched to see what that high sensitivity claim really amounts to. We find this a bit hard to believe or take at face value, and since Pentax does not make a bit deal about it, we can only surmise it may be a feature where a number of long exposure photos are stacked together in-camera to mathematically yield that high ISO number. According to the video, we can expect the price of the K3 Mark III to be in the US $2500 – $3000 range.
Oct 27, 2020
Progress report on PENTAX’s new APS-C-format digital SLR flagship camera: officially named PENTAX K-3 Mark III
RICOH COMPANY, LTD. and RICOH IMAGING COMPANY, LTD. have been developing a new PENTAX K-series digital SLR camera, which will be positioned as the flagship model of the APS-C-format SLR lineup.
Currently in development, the new camera now has its official name: the PENTAX K-3 Mark III.
Designed to be a camera embodying The Five Principles of PENTAX, it will incorporate an array of functions and features to highlight the significance of SLR photography, and to optimize the joy taking pictures for everyone with a passion for photography.
The product prototype was exhibited last year during the PENTAX 100th Year Anniversary event. At the event, we announced that it would be launched by the end of 2020 — and it is now in the final stage of development. Once the development is complete, we will streamline the camera’s production system. It has taken a bit longer than expected, so we appreciate your patience and wish to share already an overview of the product, as per the specifications below.
We’ll provide you with more product information, such as the scheduled market launch date, as soon as the information is confirmed. Finally, we invite you to visit our RICOH IMAGING website for more information on the new PENTAX APS-C-format digital SLR flagship, and to get ready for the arrival of this new camera, which we expect to set a new standard for the future of SLR photography.
Overview of the new product in development:
- Product name: PENTAX K-3 Mark III
- Launch date: scheduled around the period of the CP+ camera exhibition, which will be held from February 25 to 28 in 2021.
- Price: Not decided
The five principles of PENTAX:
- We design new cameras through sheer devotion.
- Our goal is to produce cameras with the power to capture images that allow for direct communication with the subject.
- We design cameras that allow our users to enjoy all the processes involved in taking a picture.
- We pursue a level of quality and performance that can’t be measured by numbers alone.
- We respect and value the photographic experiences of our users and view this as an invaluable asset.
The designs and specifications are identical to those first announced publicly about the camera’s development, and are subject to change without notice.
Main Features of the PENTAX K-3 Mark III:
|
Type |
TTL autofocus, auto-exposure SLR digital-still camera |
|
Lens Mount |
PENTAX KAF2 bayonet mount (AF coupler, lens information contacts, K-mount with power contacts) |
|
Compatible Lens |
KAF4, KAF3, KAF2 (power zoom compatible), KAF, KA mount lens |
|
Image capture unit |
|
|
Image Sensor |
Primary color filter, CMOS. Size: 23.3 x 15.5 (mm) |
|
Effective Pixels |
Approx. 25.73 megapixels |
|
Total Pixels |
Approx. 26.78 megapixels |
|
Dust Removal |
Image sensor cleaning using ultrasonic vibrations “DR II” |
|
Sensitivity |
ISO AUTO/100 to 1600000 (EV steps can be set to 1EV, 1/2EV or 1/3EV) |
|
Image Stabilizer |
Sensor-shift shake reduction “SR II”(5-axis) Auto/Panning/Off |
|
AA Filter Simulator |
Moiré reduction using SR unit. OFF/Low/High/Bracketing (2 images)/Bracketing (3 images) |
|
File formats |
|
|
File format |
RAW (PEF/DNG), JPEG (Exif 2.3), DCF2.0 compliant |
|
Recorded Pixels |
JPEG:L(26M:6192×4128)、M(15M:4752×3168)、S(9M:3648×2432)、XS(2M:1920×1280) |
|
Quality Level |
RAW (14bit): PEF, DNG |
|
Color Space |
sRGB, AdobeRGB |
|
Storage Medium |
SD, SDHC and SDXC Memory Card (Conforms to USH-I, UHS-II standards) |
|
Dual SD slot |
Sequential Use, Save to Both, Separate RAW/JPG, Image copy between slots possible |
|
Storage Folder |
Folder Name: Date (100_1018,101_1019…) or User assigned folder name (Default “PENTX”) |
|
Recording File |
File Name: “IMGP****” or User assigned file name |
|
Viewfinder |
|
|
Type |
Pentaprism Finder |
|
Coverage (FOV) |
Approx. 100% |
|
Magnification |
Approx. 1.05x (FA 50mmF1.4 at infinity) |
|
Eye-Relief Length |
Approx. 20.5mm (from the view window), Approx. 22.0mm (from the center of lens) |
|
Diopter adjustment |
Approx. -4.0m to + 1.0m-1 |
|
Focusing Screen |
Natural-Bright-Matte III focusing screen |
|
Viewfinder Overlay |
AF Points, Grid Display, Electronic Level, AF Frame, Spot Metering Frame, Crop, Smart Function, Operation Control Lock |
|
Live view |
|
|
Type |
TTL method using image sensor |
|
Focusing Mechanism |
Contrast detection (Auto Area, Zone Select, Tracking, Select(L/M/S), Spot) |
|
Functions |
Focus Peaking, Face detection, Touch AF |
|
Display |
Field of View approx. 100%, Magnified view (up to 16x), |
|
LCD monitor |
|
|
Type |
Wide viewing angle TFT color LCD, Air-gapless glass |
|
Size |
3.2 inch (aspect ratio 3:2) |
|
Dots |
Approx. 1620K dots |
|
Touch Screen |
Capacitive sensing method |
|
Adjustment |
Brightness, Saturation and Colors adjustable |
|
Outdoor View Setting |
Adjustable ±2 step |
|
Night Vision LCD Display |
ON/OFF |
|
White Balance |
|
|
Type |
Method using a combination of the image sensor and the RGBIr sensor |
|
White Balance |
AUTO WB, Multi Auto WB, |
|
Fine Adjustment |
Adjustable ±14 steps on A-B axis or G-M axis |
|
Autofocus System |
|
|
Type |
TTL: Phase-matching autofocus |
|
Focus Sensor |
SAFOX 13, 101 point (25 cross type focus points) |
|
Brightness Range |
EV-4 to 18 (ISO 100 / at normal temperature) |
|
AF mode |
Single AF (AF.S), Continuous AF (AF.C) |
|
AF Point Selection |
Auto Area, Zone Select, Select, Expanded Area(S, M, L), Select(S), Spot |
|
AF Assist Light |
Dedicated LED AF assist light |
|
Metering |
|
|
Type |
TTL open aperture metering using 307K pixel RGBIr sensor, Multi-segment, Center-weighted, Spot and Highlight-weighted |
|
Metering Range |
EV-3 to 20 (ISO100 at 50mm F1.4) |
|
Exposure Mode |
Scene Analyze Auto, Program, Sensitivity Priority, Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority, Shutter & Aperture Priority, Manual, Bulb, Flash X-sync Speed, USER1, USER2, USER3, USER4, USER5 |
|
EV Compensation |
±5EV (1/2EV steps or 1/3EV steps can be selected) |
|
AE Lock |
Button type (timer type: two times the meter operating time set in Custom Setting); |
|
Shutter |
|
|
Type |
Electronically controlled vertical-run focal plane shutter |
|
Shutter Speed |
Auto:1/8000 to 30 sec., Manual:1/8000 to 30 sec. (1/3EV steps or 1/2EV steps), Bulb (Timed exposure setting possible from 1 sec. to 20min.) |
|
LV Electronic Shutter |
ON/OFF |
|
Drive modes |
|
|
Mode Selection |
Single Frame, Continuous (H, M, L), Bracketing (2, 3 or 5 frames), Depth of Field Bracketing, Motion Bracketing, Mirror-up, |
|
Self-timer |
12s, 2s |
|
Remote Control |
0s, 3s |
|
Continuous Shooting |
Max. approx. 12 fps, JPEG ( L: ★★★ at Continuous H): up to approx. 37 frames, RAW: up to approx. 32 frames |
|
External Flash |
|
|
Flash Modes |
Auto Flash Discharge, Auto Flash + Red-eye Reduction, Flash On, Flash On + Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Slow-speed Sync + Red-eye, P-TTL, Contrast-control-sync, High-speed sync, Wireless sync |
|
Sync Speed |
1/200sec. |
|
Flash Exposure Compensation |
-2.0～+1.0EV |
|
Capture Settings |
|
|
Custom Image |
Auto Select, Bright, Natural, Portrait, Landscape, Vibrant, Radiant, Muted, Flat, Bleach Bypass, Reversal Film, Monochrome, Cross Processing |
|
Cross Process |
Random, Preset 1-3, Favorite 1-3 |
|
Digital Filter |
Extract Color, Replace Color, Toy Camera, Retro, High Contrast, Shading, Invert Color, Unicolor Bold, Tone Expansion, Bold Monochrome, Grainy Monochrome |
|
Clarity |
Adjustable ±4 step |
|
Skin Tone |
Type1/Type2 |
|
HDR |
Auto, HDR1, HDR2, HDR3, Advanced HDR, Exposure bracket value adjustable, Automatic composition correction function |
|
Pixel Shift Resolution |
Available, Motion Correction On/Off |
|
Lens Correction |
Distortion Correction, Peripheral Illumin. Correction, Lateral Chromatic Aberration Correction, Diffraction Correction |
|
D-Range Correction |
Highlight Correction, Shadow Correction |
|
Noise Reduction |
Slow Shutter Speed NR, High-ISO Noise Reduction |
|
Horizon Correction |
SR On: correction up to 1 degrees, SR Off: correction up to 2 degrees |
|
Composition Adjustment |
Adjustment range of ±1.5mm up, down, left or right (1mm when rotated); Rotating range of 1 degree |
|
Electronic Level |
Displayed in viewfinder (Horizontal and vertical); Displayed on LCD monitor (Horizontal and vertical) |
|
Program Line |
AUTO, Normal, Hi-speed Priority, DOF Priority (Deep), DOF Priority (Shallow), MTF Priority |
|
Movie |
|
|
File Format |
MPEG-4 AVC/H.264(MOV) |
|
Recorded Pixels |
4K(3840×2160, 30p/24p) |
|
Sound |
Built-in stereo microphone, external microphone (Stereo recording compatible) |
|
Recording Time |
Up to 25 minutes or 4GB ; automatically stops recording if the internal temperature of the camera becomes high. |
|
White Balance |
AUTO WB, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Fluorescent Light (D:Daylight Color, N:Daylight White, W:Cool White, L:Warm White), Tungsten Light, CTE, |
|
Custom Images |
Auto Select, Bright, Natural, Portrait, Landscape, Vibrant, Radiant, Muted, Flat, Bleach Bypass, Reversal Film, Monochrome, Cross Processing |
|
Cross Processing |
Random, Preset 1-3, Favorite 1-3. |
|
Digital Filter |
Extract Color, Replace Color, Retro, High Contrast, Invert Color, Unicolor Bold, Bold Monochrome |
|
Playback |
|
|
Playback View |
Single frame, Multi-image display (20, 48, 70 segmentation), Display magnification (up to 16, 100% display, quick zoom and Focus Magnification available), Grid display (4×4 Grid, Golden Section, Scale, Square(L), Square(S), Grid Color: Black/Gray/White), Rotating, Histogram (Y histogram, RGB histogram), Bright area warning, Auto Image Rotation, Detailed information, Copyright Information (Photographer, Copyright holder), GPS information (latitude, longitude, altitude, Coordinated Universal Time) , Orientation, Folder Display, Calendar Filmstrip Display |
|
Delete |
Delete single image, Delete all, Select & delete, Folder delete, Calendar delete, Delete instant review image |
|
Digital Filter |
Base Parameter Adj, Extract Color, Replace Color, Toy Camera, Retro, High Contrast, Shading, Invert Color, Unicolor Bold, Tone Expansion, Bold Monochrome, Grainy Monochrome, Miniature, Soft, Fish-eye, Slim, Monochrome, Frame Composite |
|
RAW Development |
RAW file select: |
|
Edit |
Protect, Image Rotation, Image Copy, File Transfer, Save RAW Data in buffer memory, Resize, Cropping (Aspect ratio and Slant adjustment available), |
|
Customization |
|
|
Settings |
USER Mode, Fx Button, AF/AE Lock Settings, Preview Dial, E-Dial Programming, Smart Function, Monitor Touch Opperation, Eye Sensor, Viewfinder Display, LCD Panel, Monitor Display, Instant Review, Zoom Review, Warning Display, Control Panel, Memory, EV Steps, ISO Sensitivity Steps, Color Temperature Steps, Input MF Lens Focal Length, Save Rotation Information, Aperture Information Record, AF Fine Adjustment, Copyright Information |
|
Language |
English, French, Germany, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, Dutch, Danish, Swedish, Finnish, Polish, Czech, Hungarian, Turkish, Greek, Russian, Thai, Korean, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, Japanese |
|
Power supply |
|
|
Battery Type |
Rechargeable Lithium-ion Battery D-LI90 |
|
AC Adapter |
AC Adapter Kit K-AC166(Optional) |
|
Battery Life |
Number of recordable images: Approx.: 800 images |
|
Interfaces |
|
|
Connection Port |
USB Terminal(USB Type-C), External cable switch terminal(2.5mm diameter), X-sync socket, HDMI output terminal (Type D) , Stereo microphone input terminal, Headphone terminal |
|
USB Connection |
USB 3.2 Gen1, Data Transfer: MTP/CD-ROM, Battery Recharge/Power Supply (Optional AC Adapter required) |
|
Wireless LAN |
|
|
Standards |
IEEE 802.11b/g/n |
|
Frequency (Center Frequency) |
2412MHz～2462MHz (1ch～11ch) |
|
Security |
Authentication: WPA2, Encryption: AES |
|
Bluetooth |
|
|
Standards |
Bluetooth® v4.2 (Bluetooth Low Energy） |
|
Frequency (Center Frequency) |
2402MHz～2480MHz (CH0～CH39) |
|
Dimensions and Weight |
|
|
Dimensions |
Approx. 134.5mm (W) x103.5mm (H) x 73.5mm (D) (excluding protrusions) |
|
Weight |
Approx. 820g (Including dedicated battery and SD Memory Card), |