Pentax K-3 Mark III Monochrome Review
We've aggregated 3 high-signal reviews and 0 live retailer prices below.
Our editorial take on the Pentax K-3 Mark III Monochrome
The Pentax K-3 Mark III Monochrome is a rare breed: a dedicated black-and-white DSLR with a monochrome sensor that strips away the color filter array for cleaner tonality and better high-ISO performance. Reviewers note the approach pays off, delivering a dynamic tonal range that justifies the specialized sensor. The camera itself is quick and responsive, staying out of the way during shooting, though one reviewer likens it to an AMC Eagle rather than a sports car, quirky, tough, and capable, but not exactly cutting-edge.
Built around a 25.73-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor with PRIME V processing, the K-3 Mark III Monochrome shoots 12 fps bursts and offers an extraordinary ISO range up to 1,600,000. It features 5-axis in-body stabilization rated at 5.5 stops, a 101-point phase-detection autofocus system, and magnesium alloy weather sealing. Video capabilities are basic: 4K at 30p with 8-bit H.264 and a 25-minute recording limit. The optical pentaprism viewfinder, dual SD card slots, and robust build cater to serious DSLR shooters who value tactile control and durability. At $2,200, it's a niche tool for monochrome purists working in the Pentax K ecosystem.
- Dedicated monochrome sensor delivers excellent tonal range and high-ISO performance
- Quick, responsive handling that doesn't interfere with shooting
- Robust build with magnesium alloy body and weather sealing
- Strong in-body stabilization at 5.5 stops
- Exceptionally wide ISO range up to 1,600,000
- Limited video features: 8-bit, no log, 25-minute recording cap
- Quirky and not cutting-edge compared to modern mirrorless designs
Synthesized by Geared editors from aggregated expert reviews.
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Editorial reviews
Overall, the Pentax K-3 Mark III Monochrome is quick and responsive, and won't get in the way of your shooting. By DSLR standards, it's ...
Except in the K-3 Mark III Monochrome's case, it's not exactly a sports car but more like an AMC Eagle: quirky, tough, somewhat performance- ...
The dedicated monochrome sensor delivers a dynamic tonal range and high-ISO performance that validates the colour-filter-array-less approach.
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Specs
- Battery
- D-LI90, 7.2V, 1860 mAh, approx. 800 shots
- Weight Grams
- 735 g (body only), 820 g (with battery and card)
- Dimensions Mm
- 134.5 x 103.5 x 73.5 mm
- Build Material
- Magnesium alloy
- Weather Sealing
- Yes
- Bit Depth
- 8-bit
- Raw Video
- No
- Log Profiles
- None
- Internal Codecs
- H.264
- Max Frame Rate 4k
- 30p
- Max Frame Rate Hd
- 60p
- Max Recording Time
- 25 minutes
- Max Video Resolution
- 4K UHD (3840x2160)
- Gps
- Via adapter
- Hot Shoe
- Yes
- Bulb Mode
- Yes, 1/60 to 20 minutes
- Time Mode
- Yes, 1/60 to 20 minutes
- Raw Format
- DNG
- Self Timer
- 2, 12 seconds
- Flash Modes
- P-TTL, Auto, Flash On, Slow Sync, Hi-Speed Sync, Wireless
- Jpeg Format
- Yes
- Pc Terminal
- Yes
- Remote Port
- 2.5mm sub-mini
- Aspect Ratio
- 3:2
- Tripod Mount
- 1/4 inch-20
- Status Display
- Yes, top LCD with white backlight
- Viewfinder Type
- Pentaprism
- Flash Sync Speed
- 1/200 s
- Monochrome Sensor
- Yes, monochrome-specific CMOS without color filter array
- Custom Image Modes
- Standard, Hard, Soft (monochrome-specific)
- Interval Recording
- Yes
- Operating Humidity
- Up to 85%
- Viewfinder Diopter
- -4 to +1
- Night Vision Display
- Yes
- Raw Bit Depth Stills
- 14-bit
- Viewfinder Eye Point
- 20.5 mm
- Operating Temperature
- 14 to 104°F (-10 to 40°C)
- Continuous Burst Depth
- 32 frames (Raw), 55 frames (JPEG)
- Sensor Size
- APS-C (23.3 x 15.5 mm)
- Sensor Type
- CMOS
- Image Processor
- PRIME V
- Low Pass Filter
- No
- Effective Megapixels
- 25.73 MP
- Dual Native Iso
- No
- Iso Range Stills
- 200-1600000
- Continuous Shooting
- 12 fps
- Shutter Speed Electronic
- 1/16000 to 30 s
- Shutter Speed Mechanical
- 1/8000 to 30 s
- Viewfinder
- Optical pentaprism, 1.05x magnification, 100% coverage
- Rear Screen
- 3.2" touchscreen LCD, 1,620,000 dots
- Touchscreen
- Yes
- Lens Mount
- Pentax K
- Crop Factor
- 1.5x
- Usb
- USB-C 3.0/3.1/3.2 Gen 1
- Hdmi
- Micro-HDMI
- Audio Io
- 3.5mm stereo microphone input, 3.5mm stereo headphone output
- Wireless
- Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n), Bluetooth 4.2
- Card Slots
- 2x SD (Slot 1: UHS-II, Slot 2: UHS-I)
- Ibis
- 5-axis, 5.5 stops
- Af Points
- 101 (25 cross-type)
- Af System
- SAFOX 13 phase-detection
- Af Low Light
- -3 EV
