The PENTAX K-3 Mark III features a host of functions and outstanding imaging performance to optimize the fun and excitement of the entire photo-shooting process — for photographers who are particular about the key values of SLR cameras, and who cherish photography as a lifetime passion.

PENTAX developed a top-grade, easy-to-view optical viewfinder which fully immerses the photographer in shooting. It also renewed key devices, including the image sensor, imaging engine and accelerator unit. This was done to provide the highest possible image quality, and attain the super-high top sensitivity of ISO 1600000. The compact, sturdy camera body assures excellent operability and portability — benefits characteristic of the APS-C format. 

New Optical viewfinder with approx. 100% field of view, and approx. 1.05X magnification

The PENTAX K-3 Mark III features a high-performance viewfinder with a high-refraction glass pentaprism to provide approximately 1.05 times magnification (with an FA 50mm F1.4 lens set at infinity). Despite the compact, lightweight APS-C-format SLR body, it delivers a truthful, wide-view image equal to that of a full-frame SLR, and helps you to become more fully immersed in the photo-shooting process. This viewfinder also provides an almost 10 percent increase in brightness, thanks to the improved reflectance of the pentaprism, while also assuring a nearly 100 percent field of view. By incorporating a distortion-compensating optical element and optimizing the lens coatings, it provides natural, true-to-life image rendition with high-magnification observations.

Optimizing the sense of immersion in the photo-shooting process
Since the viewfinder eyepiece is designed to protrude from the LCD viewfinder display screen — to prevent your nose from contacting the camera body — you can look into the viewfinder more naturally and comfortably. The eyepiece also features an eye sensor, which turns the monitor off the moment you bring your eye up to the eyepiece ring. This prevents the status screen’s illumination from affecting visibility during shooting while allowing you to capture images more comfortably.

Optimizing the ease of operation
The PENTAX K-3 Mark III features a transparent LCD viewfinder display that provides a broader range of data in the viewfinder window. Because you can adjust the camera’s settings without taking your eye away from the viewfinder, you can concentrate more fully on the subject. The camera also allows you to program the desired combination of display data, such as grid pattern and AF focus point, making it easier to swiftly change settings for a specific scene or subject.

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 an 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 has 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 concentrate completely on your photo shooting.

New-generation Hyper Operation system

The conventional Hyper Operation system allows you to instantly shift the AE mode to Tv (Shutter-priority) or Av (Aperture-priority) when the camera’s exposure mode is set to P (Program). The PENTAX K-3 Mark III's new-generation Hyper Operation system provides more flexible exposure-mode control, by adding a new Advanced mode* to the conventional Standard mode. *The Standard mode is set as default. An Advanced mode is a customizable option.

More versatile Smart Function

The PENTAX-original Smart Function provides an 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 customize this function more to meet your preferences.

Flexible operation with touch-screen control

The PENTAX K-3 Mark III features a large 3.2-inch LCD monitor with touch-screen control. By combining intuitive touch-screen control with the four-way controller and the front/rear electronic dials, it provides a new, user-friendly system that enhances speedy camera operation.

LCD panel
On the top panel, the PENTAX K-3 Mark III features a second LCD panel, which provides easy confirmation of the functions and settings selected for the Smart Function, in addition to providing basic data such as exposure and drive-mode settings.

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 a closed-down aperture. It even accommodates the TAv mode.* It also provides a 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.

New back-illuminated CMOS imaging sensor with approximately 25.7 megapixels

To further improve image quality, the PENTAX K-3 Mark III incorporates a newly adopted, back-illuminated imaging sensor with approximately 25.7 effective megapixels. It also features an AA (anti-aliasing)-filter-free design to faithfully reproduce the delicacy of light or the fine outlines of a subject.

PRIME V imaging engine and second-generation accelerator unit

For the PENTAX K-3 Mark III, PENTAX developed the PRIME V imaging engine and the second-generation accelerator unit. This combination provides a harmony of flawless, high-speed operations and super-high-sensitivity, high-quality imaging, all at a level of performance higher than ever before. The overall performance of the PENTAX Real-time Scene Analysis System and the autofocus system has also been much improved to ensure: flawless, high-speed operation; super-high-sensitivity, high-resolution imaging; better autofocus performance; and a broader range of shooting functions.

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.