Bison Bud

I've been researching the newer Pentax SLR offerings lately and really like some of the features offered, especially at the current price point. I especially like the weather resistant metal bodies, the in-camera vibration reduction that works on any lens, and I think I like the fact that the sensor has no low pass filter, but has a simulation mode should one be needed (best of both worlds if it works well). Anyway, the full frame model appears to be out of my price range, at least for now. Therefore, I've been comparing the K70 and the K3ii and found that there are only minor differences in features, but a considerable difference in price. The K3ii has a better auto focus system, shoots a bit faster in multi-frame mode, has two SD card slots, and has built in GPS (a feature I really don't care about). The K7 has a fully articulated screen, double the ISO capabilities, built in flash, and built in wireless connectivity. There are other differences, but they both use the same sensor and many other features are identical as well.

So my question is this: Is the improved auto-focus on the K3ii worth giving up the fully articulated screen and does the low pass filter simulator work well on both models? Frankly, I've found the articulated screen to be a very handy feature on previous cameras and if the K3ii had one there wouldn't be much of a choice to make, but it doesn't and I'm currently leaning toward the K70 and it's lower price. Anyway, what do fellow hedgehogs here feel is the most bang for the bucks between these two models and why? I'd also be very interested in what lens options would be recommended, especially if there are some good third party options to consider. Thanks for any feedback you might be able to provide and good luck and good shooting to all.

Mundj Loc: Richmond TX

When I started looking for a DSLR I decided that a top mounted lcd info screen was importunate to me. The K1 and K3ii have it the K70 does not. I have an older K7 and a newer K3. I still want the top mounted lcd. But to each his own.

I would strongly recommend you consider the 18-135mm lens for your first lens. It utilizes the same DC electric motor for focusing as Pentax uses in the camera body. It is like holding a snake, really fast focusing. If price is a consideration, the Pentax kit lenses 18-50mm and 55-200mm are really good first lenses as well and have metal flanges.

I believe once you start processing your photos you will wish you had the built the GPS offered by the K3ii. My older K3 requires an add on GPS that mounts on the flash shoe which is a bit of a pain.

If you choose the K3ii, Adorama is currently selling the Pentax A200 external flash for $149 which is a more versatile flash than the built in flash on the K70.

What ever your choice you will have a great setup to start your digital photography journey.

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

I don't know what to tell you, because it all depends on your values. The K-3ii is the Pentax "flag ship" of the last camera generation; it does have the top LCD, better AF, better burst characteristics, and {important to me} better build quality. The K-70 is 'basic' camera of the new Pentax line; it has flexible LCD, WiFi and {important to me} is said to produce high-quality high ISO images. I will probably wait another year to purchase a new camera, but when I do, most likely I will purchase the KP, which has built quality more like the K-3ii, focusing more like the K-3ii, WiFi, and ISO characteristics like the K-70. Incidentally, I've never heard a complaint about the low-pass simulator.

hangman45 Loc: Hueytown Alabama

I honestly have never found a use for the filter simulator I have at the moment the K-5 the K-3 and the K-1 last lower line Pentax I owned was the Kx and the build quality of the upper tier cameras are worth the extra cash.

Wanderer2 Loc: Colorado Rocky Mountains

If you post this query on www.pentaxforums.com you will get a lot of useful feedback.

GENorkus Loc: Washington Twp, Michigan

First thing, I don't own a K70 or a K3ii. My comment come from knowledge with my three Pentax cameras, K20D, K5, and my newest in the stall, the K1.

It's ultimately your choice. Hopefully my comments will help.

If you're into selfys, the reversable screen is a must. Presently I'm not so I'm happy with what I have. (two with non-movable screens and one with "part of the way" articulation.)

It's nice to have twin memory card ability, but you don't really need it. I say that because when you use a good memory card, I wouldn't worry about loosing data UNLESS you are working with a high dollar client. That is sort-of like buying auto insurance and realizing that you have not had an accident or anything in your life. It's nice to feel comfortable knowing you are semi-protected. I have lost data twice. Those were on a third party card and a Lex card. I rotate my cards often and those just didn't hold up. Sandisk cards have NEVER failed me in over twenty years! (About every five years I get a new camera and it needs a larger card, so the cards don't really get much over five years old since I might throw the small ones away. Think about it. Why would I want to keep an old 250K memory card? I don't know of anything today even uses them?)

Can't speak about the wireless ability since I've not used that function.

The in-body shake resistance is great. You mentioned that it can turns any lens used into one with a vibration controlled ability. Nice! Something the CaNikon camp can only wish for. (If Pentax digitals were generally used as much as some "other" brand of cameras, I think the sales of tripods would fall on it's face!)

The GPS feature is something I really don't use it. Sure it's turned off now but if left turned on and with my luck, some sue happy land owner will use my own photos to show that I trust passed on his/her land! I'm happy to have it on my K1 for the planned future use of the Astrotracer. If you don't plan to play around with astro photography...as I said, it's your choice.

The filter simulator is something that is only used in special cases. So far not having it on my K1, I've never given it a second thought.

The articulating screen is a nice feature but that is a weak point. On the K1, Richo-Pentax has the screen beefed up. I like that. I have to admit that for maybe one out of a thousand shots, I leave the screen in the origonal spot and look through the eyepiece.

Lenses are a totally different thing. You'll get many different opinions. Most of those are based on what type of shooting the other person does or thinks you will be doing. Figure what type of shooting you favor and go from there. For me I like faster lenses. Cann't always afford them but I like them! LoL

The K3ii has been discontinued by Richo-Pentax and so far, the k70 is still offered. I'm guessing a newer APS-C and maybe FF camera will be forth coming soon. With the summer Olympics coming to Japan in 2020, I think all the camera mfg's are planning on something big just for that event

lsimpkins Loc: SE Pennsylvania

GE - the K-3ii is still listed and for sale on the Ricoh Imaging US site. https://us.ricoh-imaging.com/index.php/cameras/pentax-k-3-ii
However, I see that the Ricoh Japan site has moved it to the Discontinued list. That leaves a hole in their DSLR lineup in my opinion, as I don't feel that the KP is a good flagship model, even with its great image performance.

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

The K-70, about 1-1/2 years old, now seems to be the bottom of the Pentax line, with the KP above it. There is a strong rumor that another FF will be introduced, but we aren't sure yet whether the K-1ii will supplement or replace the K-1 over the short run. There are currently no credible rumors about a new APS-C camera; one possibility is that the K-3ii is to be replaced by the FF cameras in crop mode.

GENorkus Loc: Washington Twp, Michigan

You're correct. I'm incorrect. The K3ii lives on!

Looking around all I could find to support my thought was a stupid rumor mill. (hate those things.)
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/16-pentax-news-rumors/337742-k-3ii-marked-discontinued.html

...and that wasn't where I heard it before. I thought it was from a site in Japan since I had to get a translation to read it. That "rumor" must have been deleted.

lsimpkins Loc: SE Pennsylvania

I think they (Ricoh USA) will be living off of inventory for at least a little while. The article I read indicated that production of the K-3ii stopped some time ago. This could be the precursor to an announcement of a new flagship APS-C body to go with the new lenses that are coming.

Bison Bud

Thanks for all the info, especially appreciate all the links provided, lots of information on the Pentax forums! On paper the K70 seems like a lot for the money, but it sure doesn't seem to be a popular or recommended choice here. Does anyone actually own one of the K70's? I have to say that "build quality" is an issue for me and it concerns me that the K70 may be noticably different in build quality than the K3ii as some here have indicated. Frankly, I'd actually have to hold one in my hands before I bought one, but I have to say that the "new" purchase price and the articulated screen still make it a consideration for me. However and at least for now, the K3ii seems to be the best choice if I can't afford the full frame K1 that I really want. Frankly, on my budget and fixed income, I'm probably going to have to find a used K3ii to make any sort of move, but those appear to be rather scarce on the used market and still priced rather high on the one's I have been able to find. Maybe if the K3ii is indeed discontinued and a new "Flagship APS-C" model is soon introduced, the used market price will come down a bit on the K3ii, but then I'll probably want the new and the cycle starts all over again. Anyway, I've learned a lot about the Pentax digital line of cameras over the past few weeks and appreciate all the input here! Good luck and good shooting to all.

hangman45 Loc: Hueytown Alabama

If you decide to buy used dont forget the original K-3 and the reason the K-70 does not seem popular on here is the same reason it is not popular anywhere and that is lack of knowledge of the Pentax line. If I would have not bought a Pentax because of bang for the buck when I bought my first DSLR which was the Km back in 2009 and I have been with Pentax since.

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

I have used a K-30 for the past 32 months. To be perfectly honest, the K-30 is said to have a reliability problem; sometimes, the mechanism which allows the body to control the lens's aperture apparently fails, at an unacceptably high rate of failure. My personal belief is that they have had several suppliers for a particular part, and one of those suppliers wasn't "up to snuff". Mine hasn't failed yet, but it is in the "danger zone" now agewise. Pentax has confirmed that the K-70 has the same design - perhaps they have worked their way past this issue, but I'm leery. The single-digit K's seem to have a different design. The head of the Pentax Forum recommends the K-70, because it has essentially the same sensor and processor as the KP but at a lower price, but personally, having held my breath with the K-30 {and having a collection of elderly lenses ready to go if the problem does strike mine}, I'm ready to go with another design.

hangman45 Loc: Hueytown Alabama

Yes the K-30 and K-50 had the aperture control problem but supposed to be taken care of after K-50 never was an issue with K-7,K-5,K-5ii or either K-3's

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

Yes, that is what I meant by the ""single digit K's"