Pentax K-3

570 reviews

May, 2024

Positive
performance (180)
usability (135)
image quality (102)
durability (79)
price (64)

Negative
flash (1)

General overview
Price comparison

alaTest has collected and analyzed 570 reviews of Pentax K-3. The average rating for this product is 4.6/5, compared to an average rating of 4.3/5 for other Digital Compact Cameras for all reviews. Reviewers really like the price and durability. The image quality and usability are also mentioned favorably, but there are some critical comments about the flash.

performance, usability, image quality, durability, price

flash

We analyzed user and expert ratings, product age and more factors. Compared to other Digital Compact Cameras the Pentax K-3 is awarded an overall alaScore™ of 92/100 = Excellent quality.

Review analysis

(Based on 570 reviews)

Expert Reviews

User Reviews

Review Ratings

(77% of reviews)
Show all 5 star reviews (17% of reviews)
Show all 4 star reviews (3% of reviews)
Show all 3 star reviews (2% of reviews)
Show all 2 star reviews (1% of reviews)
Show all 1 star reviews

Features

performance
Show positive (85%)Show negative (15%)(Show all)

usability
Show positive (84%)Show negative (16%)(Show all)

image quality
Show positive (94%)Show negative (6%)(Show all)

durability
Show positive (95%)Show negative (5%)(Show all)

price
Show positive (83%)Show negative (17%)(Show all)

More features

Showing 277 review(s)

Expert Reviews User Reviews

Disclaimer:

Below is a list of reviews for this or similar products. If you think this grouping is wrong please click here to flag.
Read more on our FAQ’s page.

Showing 1 - 212 of 277 Show Reviews: in English | in other languages (292)

Consumer review (amazon.co.uk)

Amazon.co.uk review summary for Pentax K-3

alaTest has collected and analyzed 31 user reviews of Pentax K-3 from Amazon.co.uk. The average user rating for this product is 4.9/5, compared to an average user rating of 4.3/5 for other Digital Compact Cameras on Amazon.co.uk. Comments about the durability and image quality are generally positive. The usability and portability are also mentioned favorably, whereas comments about the size and reliability are different.

performance, portability, usability, image quality, durability

100% of the reviews on Amazon.co.uk give this product a positive rating.

May, 2024

Consumer review (amazon.com)

Amazon.com review summary for Pentax K-3

alaTest has collected and analyzed 156 user reviews of Pentax K-3 from Amazon.com. The average user rating for this product is 4.8/5, compared to an average user rating of 4.2/5 for other Digital Compact Cameras on Amazon.com. People are impressed by the portability and image quality. The price and usability are also appreciated, whereas there are some critical views about the flash and battery. Comments are divided on the shutter.

performance, usability, price, image quality, portability

battery, flash

98% of the reviews on Amazon.com give this product a positive rating.

May, 2024

Consumer review (amazon.ca)

Amazon.ca review summary for Pentax K-3

alaTest has collected and analyzed 15 user reviews of Pentax K-3 from Amazon.ca. The average user rating for this product is 4.6/5, compared to an average user rating of 4.3/5 for other Digital Compact Cameras on Amazon.ca. Opinions about the image quality and focus are overall positive. The usability and performance also get good feedback.

price, performance, usability, focus, image quality

93% of the reviews on Amazon.ca give this product a positive rating.

May, 2024

Expert review by : Richard Butler , Jeff Keller (dpreview.com)

Pentax K-3 Review

Pentax has a long history of being a little different from the 'big two' SLR makers, introducing features that would normally be found on cameras costing quite a bit more, such as weatherproofing and larger, pentaprism optical viewfinders. It's also...

The K-3 is the latest iteration of what's become a very strong series of DSLRs - the

Apr, 2014

Read the full review

Expert review by : Jim Fisher (pcmag.com)

Pentax K-3

The Pentax K-3 is the most refined K-mount SLR to date, offering fast autofocus and superb image quality. Its video autofocus implementation isn't the best, but it still manages to snag our Editors' Choice award.

Excellent high ISO image quality. Shoots at 8.1fps. Fast, 27-point autofocus system. In-camera shake reduction. Selectable simulated low-pass filter. Weather-sealed design. Pentaprism viewfinder. Sharp rear display. Top-notch control layout. Dual SD...

Limited autofocus during video recording. A little slow to start. Lacks built-in GPS or Wi-Fi.

When using the FluCard to control the K-3 remotely you'll have access to a basic control mode that lets you select a focus point and fire the shutter. You can switch this to advanced mode, which gives you more control, including the shutter speed,...

Mar, 2014

Partner Source

Read the full review

Expert review by : Lori Grunin (cnet.com)

Pentax overhauls top-of-line dSLR

While the camera still has the weather-sealed body and same basic design, almost everything else about the Pentax K-3 from sensor to control layout is different.

Oct, 2013

Read the full review

Expert review by : Josh Fate (steves-digicams.com)

Pentax K-3

In the fall of 2013, Ricoh Imaging announced the new PENTAX K-3 DSLR. Designed with "advanced enthusiasts" in mind, the K-3 boasts a 24-megapixel APS-C CMOS image sensor, the ability to continuously shoot at 8.3 frames-per-second, Full HD 1080p Video...

Green" shooting mode is accurate and easy in all situations ; Dedicated Video Capture Button is always ready to record ; Full 1080p HD video capture with tons of control ; HDMI output and audio input add to the video capabilities of the camera ;...

Although performance was very good, it did not live up to expectations ; High ISO images are incredibly noisy ; Face Detection only works in "Green" mode with Live View enabled

Pentax has introduced an excellent dSLR into the mid-level range. Its APS-C sized 24-Megapixel CMOS sensor, built-in SR stabilization, 1080p HD video and fantastic performance and quality make it a true challenger in this market. The weather sealed...

Mar, 2014

Read the full review

Expert review by : Mark Peters (letsgodigital.org)

Pentax K-3 Prestige Gunmetal Edition

Pentax K-3 Special Edition D-SLR camera : In keeping with its tradition of excellence and the new standard of performance, Ricoh Imaging is proud to presents the Pentax K3 Prestige Edition. The Pentax K-3 Prestige is a special-edition model of the...

The AA simulator, a highly innovative function developed specifically for the Pentax K-3, allows the user to effectively minimize moiré without actually installing an optical AA filter in the digital camera. This provides a choice of filtered or...

Jul, 2014

Read the full review

Expert review by : Mark Goldstein (photographyblog.com)

Pentax K-3 Review

The flagship Pentax K-3 is a new semi-professional DSLR camera. Key features of the K-3 include a 24 megapixel APS-C sensor with an anti-aliasing simulator rather than an optical anti-aliasing filter, 27-point Safox XI AF module that remains...

The Pentax K-3 is the most full-featured prosumer DSLR camera on the market, but not only that, it also delivers great performance, weather-resistant build quality, slick handling and excellent image quality too. The K-3 certainly has what it takes to...

Nov, 2013

Read the full review

Expert review by : Mike Tomkins (imaging-resource.com)

Pentax K-3 Review

Ricoh's flagship APS-C camera, the 24-megapixel Pentax K-3 is jam-packed with clever technology, yet it's also affordably priced and among the very smallest enthusiast DSLRs. As well as overhauled imaging, autofocus, and metering, it also boasts an...

Top-notch image quality; Great ergonomics in a compact body; Unique on-demand low-pass filtering; Broad sensitivity range; Large and bright viewfinder for an APS-C camera; Dual card slots; Optional Wi-Fi remote control

AE Lock button is poorly located; Below-average battery life for a DSLR; Rather dated-looking menu system; Requires a different battery grip accessory than its predecessors; Less third-party support than some rivals

Dec, 2016

Read the full review

Expert review by : imaging-resource.com (imaging-resource.com)

Pentax K-3

Since the launch of the Pentax K-7 in 2009, the company's flagship models have been among our favorite enthusiast-grade digital SLRs. Pentax's most recent iterations -- the simultaneously-launched K-5 II and K-5 IIs -- were very much evolutionary...

Apr, 2014

Read the full review

Expert review by : Shutterbug (shutterbug.com)

Pentax Unleashes Special Gunmetal "Prestige" Edition of K-3 DSLR

Pentax has unveiled a new limited edition "Prestige" version of its K-3 digital SLR with a distinctive gunmetal chassis. According to Pentax, the K-3 is a special edition camera created to commemorate “the many awards bestowed upon the K-3” by...

Jul, 2014

Read the full review

Expert review by : jmeyer (digitalcameraworld.com)