Ricoh has announced the new Pentax K-3 II DSLR with the same 24MP sensor, 27-point AF and 8.3fps shooting found in the original K-3. The K-3 II, however, steps up in a number of areas with improved 4.5EV stops of shake reduction, faster AF algorithm, built-in GPS, gyro sensor panning and auto horizon correction.
Additionally, the Pentax K-3 II features a new Pixel Shift Resolution capability that shifts the image sensor by one pixel over 4 frames to allow it to capture all colors at each individual pixel. While the overall resolution doesn’t change (like it does on the Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark II), the color rendition and overall sharpness of the image should be improved.
Pentax K-3 II Key Features
- 24.35 MP APS-C CMOS Sensor
- PRIME III Image Processor
- Anti-Aliasing Filter Simulator
- 3.2″ 1.03m-Dot LCD Monitor
- Full HD 1080p Video Recording at 30 fps
- SAFOX11 27-Point AF, 25 Cross Sensors
- ISO 100-51200, 8.3 fps Shooting
- 86k-Pixel RGB Exposure Metering
- Built-In GPS, Compass, and AstroTracer
- Shake Reduction & Pixel Shift Resolution
The built-in GPS causes the K-3 II to lose the pop-up flash that the first generation camera offered. Additionally, the K-3 II lacks WiFi, which is an odd choice given the prevalence of WiFi as a core feature in most mid-range DSLRs nowadays.
Still, the Pentax K-3 II offers loads of advanced features for the $1099 asking price. The new camera should ship in May 2015. Check it out here at B&H Photo.
The new Pentax camera leaves a lot to be desired. Not sure why any company would not include Wi-Fi in a camera at this price point. I would much rather have Wi-Fi than GPS and ASTRO trace. Some very strange decisions made by Pentax will hurt the sales of this camera.
And I think this is more of a traditional DSLR so GPS over Wi-Fi is definitely a better choice !!!