Pentax K-3 Mark III Review
We've aggregated 2 high-signal reviews and 0 live retailer prices below.
Our editorial take on the Pentax K-3 Mark III
The Pentax K-3 Mark III is a well-built APS-C DSLR that stands out for its rugged construction and commitment to the Pentax K-mount ecosystem. With a magnesium alloy body, full weather sealing, and freeze-proofing down to 14°F, it's a tank designed for harsh conditions. The 25.7MP BSI CMOS sensor paired with the PRIME V processor delivers solid image quality, and the 5-axis in-body stabilization helps with handheld shooting. The optical viewfinder offers 1.05x magnification with 100% coverage, and the 101-point phase-detect AF system (25 cross-type) handles focus duties. It shoots up to 12 fps and is rated for 300,000 shutter actuations, signaling durability. Video tops out at 4K/30p with a 25-minute cap, making it a stills-first tool.
Reviewers appreciate the seamless compatibility with legacy Pentax glass and the camera's robust handling for Pentax loyalists. However, they also note the high price relative to other APS-C bodies, especially considering this is a DSLR in an era dominated by mirrorless designs. For existing Pentax users who value an optical viewfinder and a weather-sealed workhorse, the K-3 Mark III delivers. For those shopping across brands or prioritizing video and AF speed, mirrorless alternatives offer more modern features at competitive prices.
- Rugged magnesium alloy build with weather sealing and freeze-proofing to 14°F
- 5-axis in-body stabilization and 300,000-actuation shutter rating for durability
- Full compatibility with Pentax K-mount lenses, including legacy glass
- Bright optical pentaprism viewfinder with 1.05x magnification and 100% coverage
- 12 fps continuous shooting and native ISO up to 1,600,000
- Expensive for an APS-C DSLR, especially compared to mirrorless options
- DSLR platform lacks modern AF and video features found in mirrorless competitors
- 4K video limited to 30p with a 25-minute recording cap
- Fixed rear screen limits flexibility for video and low-angle shooting
Synthesized by Geared editors from early expert reviews.
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Editorial reviews
The K3 Mark III is one of the more expensive APS-C bodies currently on the market, especially when you consider it is a DSLR system and not mirrorless like ...
If you're a committed Pentax fan, then you're going to love this thing. It works seamlessly with all of your old lenses. The AF system is as ...
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Specs
- Battery
- 1x D-LI90 Rechargeable Lithium-Ion, 1860 mAh (Approx. 800 Shots)
- Weight Grams
- 735 g (Body Only), 820 g (With Battery, Recording Media)
- Dimensions Mm
- 134.5 x 103.5 x 73.5 mm
- Build Material
- Magnesium Alloy
- Weather Sealing
- Yes
- Bit Depth
- 14-Bit (Stills)
- Raw Video
- No
- Internal Codecs
- H.264/MOV
- Max Frame Rate 4k
- 29.97 fps
- Max Frame Rate Hd
- 1080p at 59.94 fps
- Max Recording Time
- 25-Minute Maximum
- Max Video Resolution
- UHD 4K (3840 x 2160)
- Freezeproof
- 14°F
- AA Filter Simulator
- Yes
- Shutter Actuations Rating
- 300,000 shutter actuations
- Sensor Size
- 23.3 x 15.5 mm (APS-C)
- Sensor Type
- APS-C BSI CMOS
- Image Processor
- PRIME V
- Effective Megapixels
- 25.73 Megapixel
- Iso Range Stills
- Native: 100 to 1,600,000
- Continuous Shooting
- Up to 12 fps at Maximum Resolution for up to 32 Frames (Raw) / 37 Frames (JPEG)
- Shutter Speed Mechanical
- 1/8000 to 30 Seconds
- Viewfinder
- Optical (Pentaprism), 1.05x magnification, 100% coverage
- Rear Screen
- Fixed 3.2" Touchscreen LCD, 1,620,000 Dot
- Touchscreen
- Yes
- Lens Mount
- Pentax K
- Crop Factor
- 1.5x
- Usb
- 1x USB-C 3.0 / 3.1/3.2 Gen 1 Input/Output
- Hdmi
- 1x Micro-HDMI Output
- Audio Io
- 1x 1/8" / 3.5 mm TRS Stereo Headphone Output, 1x 1/8" / 3.5 mm TRS Stereo Microphone Input
- Wireless
- Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n) / Bluetooth 4.2
- Card Slots
- Slot 1: SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II), Slot 2: SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I)
- Ibis
- Sensor-Shift, 5-Axis
- Af Points
- Phase Detection: 101 (25 Cross-Type)
- Af System
- SAFOX 13 Phase-Detection AF
- Af Low Light
- -4 to +18 EV
- Subject Detection
- Faces and eyes
