Please tell me how happy you are after using your K-3 for some time now. Do you wish you had saved some money (potentially for lenses) and chosen the K-50 or K-5iis? Thanks in advance for your time!
1298988
Its a better experience in every aspect. I stepped from the K5 and the AF and clarity on all my high end lens now shines. Color depth is fantastic and the details are just better. I am glad I upgraded.
1298989
To cut to the chase on the K3 is like this: the K3 model is the BEST DSLR Pentax/Ricoh camera body made by them, bar none. The cost difference in between the K3 and the others is a moot subject compared to the large and small details that has been added. If I only one of the changes to pick as best, I would pick image resolution because no other Pentax DSLR can come close to the K3. To my judgment, the money was well spent for it. This camera makes your Pentax system 50% better instantly! I hope this helps your choice.
1298990
I shoot butterflies, as the most critical situation. More pixels= better cropping, the autofocus is supposedly improved (comparespecs), and the low noise sensor gives better results at highISO, which allows greater depth of field with high shutter speed;only ISO noise has been tested as the butterflies are not outyet. So far for general and landscape I am pleased, but my photosare not hugely better than this class with the K5. It seems thatprice goes with performance, so how much performance do you needfor your main application?
1298991
I have the k5, k5ii and the k3 and I love the K3. I have no regrets for buying it and would do it again.
1298992
I am very happy with the k3. It works well with the light I get inside. It was a good upgrade from the 5d mark II and 7d I had. I hope to buy another one soon. I thought about the k50 or k5IIs but there's no need to go back to a lesser brand when the new one is only $1000 right now. Unless you like the color of the k50. The k3 has everything that they both have plus more.
1298993
Quite happy. I had a K10D previously (still have it as backup) and have a pretty good complement of lenses because of that. I feel like I am getting more out of the other lenses because of the K-3. I was out shooting with the long lens (300-500mm zoom) last weekend, and saw the benefits. Still feel like I am on learning curve, but have no regrets.
1298994
I have a K-50 as well and I bought the K-3 so I would have two different bodies that use the same lenses. To be honest I would look for a good deal on the K-5iis or a K-50. The K-3 has some advantages but not enough to warrant the price compared to the k-50. I am sure you would be happy with either camera. If I only had the k-50 I would not feel cheated.
1298995
The K-3 is an upgrade from a K-x, which I'd had for three years. I've been very happy with it. I had considered the K-5IIs, but the improved features of the K-3 swayed me. I'm using the kit lenses that came with my K-x, plus a 50mm 1.4 FA that I already had, though I recently purchased an 18-55mm DA WR so I could gift my K-x with the kit short zoom to my son. I have no immediate plans to purchase more lenses. In fact, having purchased LightRoom at the same time I got the K-3, the quality of images I'm getting from my budget lenses is amazing. The K-3 has wonderful shadow detail which LightRoom pulls out very well. The K-3 is an upgrade from a K-x, which I'd had for three years. I've been very happy with it. I had considered the K-5IIs, but the improved features of the K-3 swayed me. I'm using the kit lenses that came with my K-x, plus a 50mm 1.4 FA that I already had, though I recently purchased an 18-55mm DA WR so I could gift my K-x with the kit short zoom to my son. I have no immediate plans to purchase more lenses. In fact, having purchased LightRoom at the same time I got the K-3, the quality of images I'm getting from my budget lenses is amazing. The K-3 has wonderful shadow detail which... » Read More The K-3 is an upgrade from a K-x, which I'd had for three years. I've been very happy with it. I had considered the K-5IIs, but the improved features of the K-3 swayed me. I'm using the kit lenses that came with my K-x, plus a 50mm 1.4 FA that I already had, though I recently purchased an 18-55mm DA WR so I could gift my K-x with the kit short zoom to my son. I have no immediate plans to purchase more lenses. In fact, having purchased LightRoom at the same time I got the K-3, the quality of images I'm getting from my budget lenses is amazing. The K-3 has wonderful shadow detail which LightRoom pulls out very well. « Show Less
1298996
I upgraded from the K-5 to the K-3. Both are excellent cameras, but the K-3 is definitely superior. Regarding lenses - I have 30 year old Pentax lens that work on the K-3 (manual mode only) as well well as more recent Pentax and Sigma lenses that work in either manual or automatic modes.
746999
Hi Ben, I just ordered this camera, but currently have the k100d. I did use an older lens with my k100d a while back and I had to press the a/e button for about a second to get it to stop down, the camera won't know what the aperature is set at, but it is still usable. I find dpreview.com is really helpful for those sort of questions. Just type in your query in the 'search' area and any discussion about it will come up. Good luck.
1771451
I really didn't consider K-3 or K-50. The K-5IIs is a very nice camera that takes fantastic pictures. Its sturdy and extremely well built and feels like it will last. Shutter has a nice crisp sound and feel. Would maybe have been nice to have Wi-Fi built in, but I bought Eye-Fi SD card and that works reasonable well as well.
697450
what is your 5dmarkiii like ? have you solved your focus,moisture and other design/production problems ???? is it lighter and better than the nikons ????? when can i have it and at what price ? arnmax1@ gmx.com/ have you solved
2254947
Thanks for the good info. I had a Canon Rebel that I returned because of picture quality with the standard kit lens. I have been trying to decide between the Nikon D90 & the Pentax K20D. I am going to go with the K20D and start with the 18-250 and see how far I go. So I am off to shop now. Again... Thanks a lot.
910058
Photofun123-I am in a similar situation. What did you decide on and what do you think of it? I will be getting a 50d and only one lens. My main subject will be my toddler. I am considering 24-70 and 24-105. Thanks.
440166
Thanks !, Old amazonian, and Nikon fan...appreciate the input. Haven't made the choice yet, and will sweat out amazon on the LX3.And then I found out that my sister is going to AC this weekend and can wrangle a "Nikon SLR" out of Tropicana- they're desperate for repeat business- so I'll play with that for a while. Must be a D40.Happy New Year!
2205906
I have had a Pentax K-x, a K-30 and now a K-5 II, and any of them are excellent for low light pictures including documents. I have done it myself several times and always had good results. Of course you get can better results with a brighter lens (f2.8, f2.0, f1.7, ...), but the kit lens is good enough.
1634145
What exactly don't you like about the K-5 autofocus? Accuracy? Speed? Maybe your K-5 needs some repairs? I use the K-5 & K-5II with the center focus points, or manual select, never the auto-select points. Both cameras have about the same speed and accuracy in good light, but in low-light is where the K-5II shines. It's way better in locking focus where the K-5 would just give up. Since I shoot a large percent of my photos in low-light, the K-5II has served me well.
735689
It will work quite well with the K-3. I have the K-30 and this is my everyday walking around lens.
2040053
I, personally just ordered a K-7. From what I understand, the high ISO performance of a D90 might best a K-7, but other than that, the features on the K-7 leave the D90 in the dust. They really arent in the same class. Not to mention how much more rugged and durable the K-7 is. I think the K-7 is a much better choice based on a lot of research.
54704
It depends on what things you value. Image quality wise, the K-5ii and K-50 are nearly the same. The K-5ii has: - better build quality (magnesium alloy vs plastic) - Weather sealing - Faster max shutter speed (1/8000 vs 1/6000) although 1/6000 is very good for that price. - More exposure bracketing options: 5 frames vs 3 - Mirror Lockup mode (but you can simulate on the K-50 using liveview mode) - Slightly faster fps (7 vs 6) - A deeper frame buffer - 100 grams heavier - A hair better sensor (14-bit vs 12-bit ADC) For me the build quality and weather sealing are probably the main differentiators. If those are not important, then the k-50 sounds like a great deal.
747375
The K-5 is replaced by the K-5ii. Go to DPReview for comparisons between the two. The lens is AF, but the lens may or may not be weather resistant. If it says 'WR' in the name than yes.
558817
From what I read about your K5iis it has a 1.5x focal factor meaning a 28mm converts to a 42mm lens. This 50mm would be a 75mm. At least that's the way I understand it
1594119
I haven't used any, but all the information that I've read about the K-50 has mentioned that any K-mount lenses CAN be used with it. That is one of the great selling points of this - and other cameras in the "K" line.
1116907
I too came from the MK II and can say, as others have pointed out, that the AF has been greatly improved in the MK III and there is a noticeable difference from MK II to MK III. The AF is responsive, snappy, and consistent. MK III's AF performs very well in low light, which is one area I found the MK II had trouble at times.
1430891
I've had opportunity to acquire or try out most of the lenses (sans the 43mm ltd, unfortunately) since last posting. Here's my list for a newbie weighing performance, price, and availability:1. DA 40mm - Excellent all around and compact, compact, compact! 2. DA 70mm - Great color saturation, sharpness if not as fast as the FA 77mm3. FA 31mm LTD. Expensive! But might as well be welded to my K-7 right now. Amazing all around.4. My FA 50mm 1.4 has been bumped down to 4 or 5, given softness at f1.4 and lack of contrast. the 55mm 1.4 is a sleeper though, although I haven't had opportunity to try it. I've had opportunity to acquire or try out most of the lenses (sans the 43mm ltd, unfortunately) since last posting. Here's my list for a newbie weighing performance, price, and availability:1. DA 40mm - Excellent all around and compact, compact, compact! 2. DA 70mm - Great color saturation, sharpness if not as fast as the FA 77mm3. FA 31mm LTD. Expensive! But might as well be welded to my K-7 right now. Amazing all around.4. My FA 50mm 1.4 has been bumped down to 4 or 5, given softness at f1.4 and lack of contrast. the 55mm 1.4 is a sleeper though, although I... » Read More I've had opportunity to acquire or try out most of the lenses (sans the 43mm ltd, unfortunately) since last posting. Here's my list for a newbie weighing performance, price, and availability:1. DA 40mm - Excellent all around and compact, compact, compact! 2. DA 70mm - Great color saturation, sharpness if not as fast as the FA 77mm3. FA 31mm LTD. Expensive! But might as well be welded to my K-7 right now. Amazing all around.4. My FA 50mm 1.4 has been bumped down to 4 or 5, given softness at f1.4 and lack of contrast. the 55mm 1.4 is a sleeper though, although I haven't had opportunity to try it. « Show Less