Pentax K-3 II Review

The Pentax K-3 II aims to improve on the K-3 with better continuous autofocusing, in-body image stabilisation and never before seen features like Pixel Shift Resolution and Astrotracer. Callum McInernery-Riley investigates

Product Overview

Overall rating:

90%

Pentax K-3 II

Features:90%
Design:85%
Performance:90%
Image Quality:90%
Value:95%

Pros:

  • + In-body image stabilisation
  • + Quick autofocusing system
  • + Pixel Shift Resolution feature
  • + Unique astrotracer feature for astrophotography

Cons:

  • - No touch/Articulation to LCD screen
  • - No Wi-Fi/NFC connectivity
  • - Only 27 autofocusing points

Product:

Pentax K-3 II Review

Manufacturer:

Metering

Pentax-K-3-II-sample-image-13 small

Challenging backlit screens can require user intervention to get the exposure right

The 86,000-pixel RGB sensor featured inside the Pentax K-3 II takes care of calculating the metering. Like the majority of Pentax cameras, the K-3 II has a tendency to slightly underexpose some shots in the multi-segment and centreweighted average metering modes.

The camera appears to prioritise highlight detail, allowing users to bring out more detail from the shadows. This is certainly not a bad thing, as it utilises more of the camera’s dynamic range. On occasions, particularly with backlit scenes, the camera overexposed shots. I found the K-3 II needed regular adjustment of the exposure compensation to get the shot how I wanted it, more so than most APS-C DSLRs.

See more images taken with the Pentax K-3 II in our sample image gallery

 

  1. 1. Pentax K-3 II Review – Features
  2. 2. Build and Handling
  3. 3. LCD/Viewfinder
  4. 4. Autofocus
  5. 5. Metering
  6. 6. White Balance and Colour
  7. 7. Pixel Shift Resolution System
  8. 8. Image Quality
  9. 9. Dynamic Range
  10. 10. Noise
  11. 11. Verdict
  12. 12.  Full Specification
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