Camera test 37
Photography News Issue 23 absolutephoto.com
HDRmodes Accessible from the Info menu, the K-3 II can create in-camera High Dynamic Range (HDR) images (JPEGs only). There are four modes, Auto, 1, 2, and 3, the latter numbers producing increasingly exaggerated tone-mapping effects. For example, Auto and Mode 1 are quite natural looking and very useful for high- contrast scenes, while Mode 3 is, much more artificial. The effect is nicely adjustable besides these modes, and from the Shooting menu you can define whether AutoAlignment is required (for handheld shooting), and how widely the images are bracketed from +/-1EV to +/-3EV. Shoot in Raw+JPEG mode and you’ll get an HDR JPEG and a regular Rawwhich you process differently if required. Like the Pixel Shift Resolution, the only downside is the speed of processing, as the camera takes around 10secs to process the image and the same again to save it, during which time you can’t shoot.
HDR auto
HDRmode 3
HDRmode off
Pixel Shift Resolution In Pixel Shift Resolution mode, the Shake Reduction systemmoves the sensor by a single pixel in four directions during the exposure. This records extra colour data, resulting in truer colours and increased clarity, as you can see from the comparison pictures. The mode can be quickly activated via the Info screen, but because of the way it works, it requires the camera position to be locked off. For obvious reasons, Shake Reduction is disabled in this mode, and images take while to process, which locks the camera up for a few seconds. The increased level of detail is very welcome indeed.
Full-frame image
Pixel shift off
Pixel shift on
Verdict This is Pentax’s best-ever APS-C DSLR, so if you’re already a user, put the paper down right away and seek it out. Is it improved enough over the K-3 to justify an upgrade? Well, that depends on the lure of new modes like the excellent Pixel Shift Resolution (PSR); it’s a brilliant system but one of just a few top-line additions. For new DSLR users the K-3 II should be near the top of their list to try. The only puzzling thing about the K-3 II for me is that it seems to be straddling too many markets. Some features, like the build, weather sealing and Pixel Shift Resolution make it a joy for serious enthusiasts. The AF, burst mode and Shake Reduction are equally top-notch. But then the handling feels more like a consumer model, because there’s a lack of dedicated buttons and those that are there are could have been better used. The rarely used GPS function, in my opinion, could have been activated from a menu, and its space used as an additional function button. Likewise, the prominent placing of Digital Filter modes in the Quick menu feels more entry level; they’re fun, but are they for the serious enthusiasts that the other features will attract? Write times and processing of HDR and PSR mode are also a bit sluggish, so a bigger buffer would have helped, but overall it’s a great camera at a great price. Well done, Pentax.
How it rates
Features Has almost everything, bar built-in Wi-Fi, but can use Flucards Performance Great shooting speed, AF and image quality, but write times are sluggish Handling Comfortable grip, but some fiddly issues with dual-function buttons Value for money Lots of pro-spec features for consumer cash Overall Pentax’s best APS-C DSLR yet, but there’s still some room for improvement. Better handling and a bigger buffer would have tipped it into the exceptional. Pros Price, build, image quality, AF… too many to mention Cons Handling niggles and processing speed
24/25
23/25
This is Pentax’s best-ever DSLR, so if you’re already a user, put the paper down right away and seek it out
22/25
24/25
93/100
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