PENTAX · PENTAX K

K-3 Mark III Monochrome

Released April 2023

An APS-C DSLR dedicated to black-and-white photography, with a 25.73-megapixel monochrome sensor, five-axis stabilisation and an optical viewfinder.

Type: DSLR
Sensor: APS-C
Megapixels: 25.73
Lens: PENTAX KAF2 bayonet mount
Video: 3840 × 2160 at 30 fps
Body weight: 735 g

What reviewers say

Both like the detailed monochrome images, substantial controls and large optical viewfinder, but criticise the fixed screen and fragile highlight recovery. Amateur Photographer's full pre-production test finds particularly strong low-noise shadow detail, yet questions the premium over other Pentax bodies. Digital Camera World sees useful value beside expensive monochrome rivals, but finds disappointing RAW highlight latitude and limited editing flexibility.

From amateurphotographer.com and digitalcameraworld.com

Specifications

Report a wrong or missing spec

Image and sensor

Camera type: DSLR
Sensor format: APS-C
Sensor type: Monochrome CMOS without colour or optical low-pass filters
Sensor dimensions: 23.3 × 15.5 mm
Effective resolution: 25.73 MP
Largest image: 6192 × 4128
RAW recording: Yes
Standard ISO range: 200–1600000
Sensor detail: 25.73 effective and 26.78 total megapixels; monochrome CMOS records brightness at each pixel without a colour filter array or demosaicing
Image formats: 14-bit PEF or DNG RAW, JPEG and simultaneous RAW/JPEG; monochrome-only Standard, Hard and Soft image profiles
ISO detail: Maker standard range ISO 200–1600000; no separate expanded range stated

Lens and shooting

Lens mount: PENTAX KAF2 bayonet mount
Stabilisation: Sensor shift
Maximum continuous burst: 12 fps
Lens detail: KAF4, KAF3, KAF2 including power zoom, KAF and KA lens compatibility; native KAF2 bayonet includes autofocus coupler, information and power contacts
Autofocus: SAFOX 13 through-viewfinder phase detection, 101 points including 25 cross-type; EV −3 to 19 at ISO 200, with −3 limited to f/2.8-flux-compatible points and lens. Contrast-detection live view with face detection, touch AF and focus peaking
Shutter: Mechanical focal-plane shutter 1/8000–30 seconds and Bulb; electronic shutter up to 1/16000 second; timed Bulb 1 second–20 minutes
Burst detail: Up to 12 fps with approximately 55 JPEGs, 32 RAW or 30 RAW/JPEG pairs at ISO 200; speed and buffer depend on lens, aperture, shutter, sensitivity and card. AP measured lower speeds with a pre-production sample
Stabilisation detail: Five-axis sensor-shift SR II with Auto, Panning and Off modes; anti-aliasing simulator and horizon/composition adjustment. Astrotracer Types 1/2 require an optional O-GPS unit; Type 3 also listed by maker
Flash: External flash hot shoe and X-sync socket, 1/200-second sync
Exposure controls: PASM, sensitivity priority, combined shutter/aperture priority and five saved user modes; ±5 EV compensation; 307,000-pixel RGBIr metering sensor

Video

Highest video resolution: 3840 × 2160 at 30 fps
Video detail: Monochrome H.264 MOV; UHD 3840×2160 at 30/24p, Full HD 1920×1080 at 60/30/24p. Maker limit 25 minutes or 4 GB, with temperature-dependent shutdown. No 120p mode inferred from the AP table
Audio: Built-in stereo microphone; external stereo microphone input, headphone terminal, recording-level adjustment and wind-noise reduction

Screen and viewfinder

Viewfinder: Optical
Screen size: 3.2″
Screen dots: 1,620,000
Touchscreen: Yes
Tilting screen: No
Display detail: Fixed 3.2-inch capacitive touchscreen, approximately 1.62 million dots; outdoor-view adjustment and night-vision display
Viewfinder detail: Optical pentaprism, approximately 100% coverage and 1.05× magnification with FA 50mm F1.4 at infinity; 20.5 mm eye relief from view window. AP's approximately 0.7× figure is equivalent magnification

Connections and design

Wi-Fi: Yes
Bluetooth: Yes
Battery life (maker's claim): 800 photographs
Body weight: 735 g
Release detail: Maker Japan notice confirms 28 April 2023 local sale; earliest worldwide and UK day unconfirmed, so month precision retained. Later Ricoh notice announces ending current K-series production; surviving range pages do not prove ongoing production
Recording media: Two SD/SDHC/SDXC slots; slot 1 supports UHS-II, slot 2 UHS-I. Sequential, duplicate or separate RAW/JPEG recording
Ports: USB-C USB 3.2 Gen 1, Type D micro-HDMI, microphone and headphone terminals, 2.5 mm cable-switch terminal and X-sync socket
Wireless connections: IEEE 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi at 2.4 GHz and Bluetooth 4.2 Low Energy
Battery life detail: D-LI90 lithium-ion battery; approximately 800 shots CIPA or 250 minutes playback
Charging: USB-C in-camera charging; USB power adapter supplied, optional AC adapter required for the maker's external power-supply arrangement
Dimensions: Approximately 134.5 × 103.5 × 73.5 mm, excluding protrusions
Weight detail: Approximately 735 g body only; 820 g with battery and SD card
Materials: Dust and weather resistant magnesium-alloy construction described in Amateur Photographer's pre-production test; maker operating temperature −10 to 40°C
Colours: Black with grey markings and silver SR badge; Matte Black Edition is a cosmetic finish, not another generation
In the box: D-LI90 battery, USB power adapter and plug, I-USB166 cable, strap, eyecup, viewfinder/body/hot-shoe/connector covers and strap rings; Digital Camera Utility 5 installer in camera, regional contents may vary

Pros and cons

Pros

Dedicated monochrome sensor without colour interpolation
Five-axis in-body stabilisation
Two SD card slots and 800-shot CIPA battery claim

Cons

Cannot capture colour images
Rear touchscreen does not tilt
Live-view autofocus uses contrast detection

Closest rivals

Model	Type	Sensor	Megapixels	Lens	Video	Body weight	Released
PENTAXKF	DSLR	APS-C	24.24	PENTAX KAF2 bayonet mount	1920 × 1080 at 30 fps	625 g	Nov 2022
CanonEOS 250D	DSLR	APS-C	24.1	Canon EF / EF-S	3840 × 2160 at 25 fps	402 g	Apr 2019
CanonEOS 2000D	DSLR	APS-C	24.1	Canon EF / EF-S	1920 × 1080 at 29.97 fps	427 g	Mar 2018

Sources

Photo: news.ricoh-imaging.co.jp

Spot a mistake? Tell us