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K-50

PENTAX steps over the conventional
ideas for the ultimate solution

The PENTAX K-3 — a new breed of field camera
harmonizing quality and performance with innovation.

In order to create a camera excelling in both image quality and operability, PENTAX has developed an unconventional but truly innovative AA (anti-aliasing) filter simulator. All other PENTAX-original technologies, including SAFOX, have been upgraded and fine-tuned to optimize their performance.
PENTAX’s years of experience and expertise have been harmonized with reative, progressive ideas to deliver a camera that revolutionizes digital SLR photography.

AA-filter-free 24-megapixel CMOS image sensor
to deliver astonishingly-high-resolution images

The K-3 comes equipped with a CMOS image sensor with approximately 24 effective megapixels. Based on the design scheme that puts priority on image resolution, it is designed without an optical AA (anti-aliasing) filter. The result is that the K-3 makes the best use of the total resolving power of the 24-megapixel CMOS sensor to produce sharp, fine-etailed images rich in gradation, while faithfully recreating the sense of depth, ambience and texture in aptured images.

AA filters are designed to reduce false color and moiré by separating light by frequencies and obscuring outlines.
Although the K-3 has no AA filter, it generates very little false color hanks to the large number of pixels present. Even when false color is generated, it is kept to an undetectable level.

In-body shake reduction mechanism
compatible with all interchangeable lenses

The K-3 features the PENTAX-developed image-sensor-shift-type SR (Shake Reduction) mechanism, which is compatible not only with shake-prone telephoto lenses, but also with wide-angle, large-aperture and compact pancake lenses. This mechanism effectively compensates for even the slightest camera shake to deliver high-resolution, blur-free images.

Note: This mechanism can be activated while the AA simulator is in operation.

The world’s first AA filter simulator
to eliminate false color and moiré whenever required

Based on original ideas and innovative technology, PENTAX has developed the world’s first AA filter simulator, which reproduces the effects created by an optical AA filter. By applying microscopic vibrat ions to the CMOS sensor during exposure, the K-3 minimizes false color and moiré. You have a choice of three settings to obtain the desired effect: “TYPE 1” to attain the optimum balance between image resolution and moiré; “TYPE 2” to prioritize moiré compensation; and “OFF” to prioritize image resolution. Thanks to this innovative feature, the K-3 offers the benefits of two completely different cameras — the high-resolution images assured by an AA-filter-free model, and minimized false color and moiré assured by an AA-filter-equipped one. You can switch the AA filter effect** on and off as you wish.

** The AA-filter effect is more evident when a shutter speed of 1/1000 second or slower is used.

For more faithful description of subjects

Newly developed PRIME III imaging engine
to deliver much-improved imaging performance

Taking full advantage of its experience and expertise in digital-imaging and data-processing technologies, PENTAX has developed a brand-new imaging engine for the K-3. This high-performance engine assures high-efficiency, high-speed processing of captured image data.

Top sensitivity of ISO 51200
to capture high-quality, noise-free images even in the dark

With its top sensitivity of ISO 51200, the K-3 delivers high-quality, noise-free images even when they are taken at low-light locations using higher ISO sensitivities. You can even adjust a sensitivity range in the ISO AUTO mode, and control the noise reduction level.

SO51200

Effective compensation of lens aberration,
fringe effect and chromatic moiré
to optimize the potential of every lens

In addition to distortion and chromatic aberration, the K-3 effectively compensates for lens vignetting to capture high-quality images with edge-to-edge sharpness. You can even compensate for the fringe effect during RAW data development, and for chromatic moiré during JPEG-image playback.

With vignetting compensation

Without vignetting compensation

86,000-pixel RGB light-metering sensor
for extra-accurate detection of the subject’s shape and color

An image captured by the K-3’s RGB light-metering sensor with approximately 86,000 pixels resembles a Live View image. Unlike conventional metering sensors which measure the subject’s light level only, it even measures the subject’s primary color and its motion with great precision, then feeds the obtained data instantly to the PENTAX Real-time Scene Analysis System.

PENTAX Real-time Scene Analysis System
to optimize the performance of AF system and white balance control

The K-3 analyzes such factors as the color distribution in the image field, the subject’s primary color and its motion to optimize its AE and AF operation and select the most appropriate finishing touch. This is made possible by the PENTAX-developed Real-time Scene Analysis System, supported by the 8.6-pixel RGB light-metering sensor and the PRIME III imaging engine. By analyzing each scene thoroughly and comprehensively, it assures reliable, high-precision AE and AWB (auto white balance) control even with challenging scenes, and enables responsive, high-speed auto tracking of the subject.

Reliable auto-exposure control down to -3EV
for high-sensitivity shooting of low-light scenes

The K-3’s RGB light-metering sensor with approximately 86,000-pixel a lso assures outstanding per formance in high-sensit ivity shooting, with its measurable minimum luminance level expanded to as low as -3 EV (at ISO 100, with a 50mm F1.4 lens). In combination with the high-performance AF system capable of accurate focusing at -3 EV luminance level, this sensor performs brilliantly for low-light scenes.

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