Operability that affects sensibility

Pleasant shutter action

The PENTAX K-3 Mark III features a leaf switch,
a mechanism previously used in the PENTAX 645Z and PENTAX K-1. Compared to the tactile switch more commonly used in compact SLR cameras, the leaf switch provides a lighter, smoother shutter action and minimizes the camera shake caused by the shutter-release action. It also helps you by providing effortless hold-down of the shutter-release button during continuous shooting.
The time lag between the shutter release and an image capture has also been reduced, compared to the PENTAX K-3 II, while the camera’s mirror- and shutter-driving mechanisms have also been upgraded.
By reducing unwanted mechanical actions such as mirror bounce, it provides crisp, pleasant shutter-release action. You can feel the smooth action and speedy response every time you press the shutter-release button.

Ergonomic design for responsive camera operation

For comfortable shooting and easy carrying,
the PENTAX K-3 Mark III’s grip and control-button layout have been optimized to accommodate different hand sizes and finger lengths. Perfected after producing
a series of mock-ups and conducting repeated verifications, they let you to concentrate completely on your photo shooting.

More versatile Smart Function

The PENTAX-original Smart Function provides easy, single-action selection of menu items and functions.
Featuring a new Smart Function button,
the PENTAX K-3 Mark III now lets you preprogram
a maximum of five functions from 22 options, and displays a list of the selected functions in the viewfinder window, so you can select the desired function without removing your eye from the viewfinder. It even lets you select and program the desired values for each function, allowing you to more precisely customize this function to meet your preferences.

Compatibility with classic lenses

You must be aware that each of your classic and cherished lenses creates its own distinctive ambience in captured images. That’s why the PENTAX K-3 Mark III has been designed to accommodate classic lenses. The camera not only saves the aperture value as Exif data when you set a desired aperture using the electronic dial, but also lets you measure the light and capture images at closed-down aperture. It even accommodates the TAv mode.*
It also provides more segmented setting of the lens’s focal length in SR (Shake Reduction) shooting.

*The PENTAX K-3 Mark III allows AE photography at the closed-down aperture for M-series lenses and lenses that previously could be used only in open-aperture shooting.

Manual input of lens focal length

When required to manually input the focal length of
a lens for SR operation, the PENTAX K-3 Mark III allows you to select a desired length from the history log,
in addition to the preprogrammed ones, to minimize the time and trouble required for manual setting.

New-generation Fine Sharpness function

Thanks to the incorporation of the new PRIME V imaging engine, the PENTAX K-3 Mark III features the much-improved Fine Sharpness function to more faithfully and finely reproduce the subject's outline and detail.
Preset as a default setting, this function reproduces the subject's details more naturally and sharply,
while reducing the adverse effect of noise to a minimum.

The never-ending pursuit of high-quality imaging

With the renewal of the image sensor, imaging engine and accelerator, PENTAX has further enhanced the PENTAK K-3 Mark III’s image quality. This was based on PENTAX's image design concept emphasizing the faithful reproduction of detail and texture.
Through repeated sensibility evaluations,
PENTAX made great improvement in overall image quality,
by efficiently controlling the camera’s noise-reduction process while paying the utmost attention to the total balance of captured images, with an emphasis on factors such as the natural reproduction of gradation and color.

SAFOX 13 AF system with 101 focus points

The number of focus points in the PENTAX K-3 Mark III have been increased to 101, from 27 in the PENTAX K-3 II. The AF area also has been greatly expanded. Of 41 user-selectable points,* 25 are cross-type sensors. This high-density AF system enhances the flexibility of image composition, while optimizing focusing accuracy on the subject. Since its middle focus point is designed to detect an F2.8 luminance flux, the camera assures super-high-precision focusing when using a bright lens with an open aperture of F2.8 or larger.

*The number of selectable points may vary depending on the mounted lens.

AF area selection

The PENTAX K-3 Mark III provides a choice of the AF area from Auto Area, Zone Select, Select, Expanded Select Area (S, M or L), Select (S) and Spot. A newly installed AF point selector lever makes it easier to intuitively select the optimum focus point. Since the camera displays the selected AF coverage area and the selected AF focus point in the viewfinder window,
you can adjust the image composition and select the focus point simultaneously.

High-precision AF operation at -4EV illumination

Since the camera’s F2.8-sensitive light sensor operates even at -4EV illumination, it assures remarkable imaging power for dimly lit subjects when using a lens with an F2.8 luminance flux.

Outstanding image tracking performance

The camera features a new, high-capacity RGBIr image sensor with approximately 307,000 pixels, to provide more accurate tracking of subjects in motion or slight movement than previous models. It assures outstanding image tracking performance by correlating and assessing the data delivered by the tightly positioned AF focus points.

Dustproof, weather-resistant construction

Both the camera body and the optional D-BG8 Battery Grip are designed to be dustproof and weather-resistant to prevent the intrusion of dust and water. When an AW- or WR-series lens is mounted,* they form a highly airtight imaging system that assures dependable performance even in adverse weather conditions.

*AW stands for All Weather; WR stands for Weather Resistant.

Excellent cold-resistant performance down to -10°C

Anticipating use in low-temperature locations, PENTAX has subjected the camera to exacting environmental tests at temperatures as low as -10°C*, while assessing the performance of its mechanisms and electronical circuits and measuring the precision of optical components.

*Battery performance declines as the temperature goes down. When shooting in low-temperature environments, the user is advised to carry spare batteries and keep them warm by storing them in an inside pocket.

Highly durable shutter unit

Installed in the camera body, the extra-durable shutter unit withstands a total of 300,000 shutter release actions at a speed of 12 images per second,* contributing to an improvement in continuous shooting speed and an increase in the number of recordable images.

*Measured under RICOH in-house testing standards.