Ricoh announces PENTAX K-3 Mark III flagship DSLR camera

GaryPageau ,
Pentax K-3 Mark III

Ricoh Imaging Americas Corp. announced the PENTAX K-3 Mark III, the flagship model in its APS-C format digital SLR camera series. The PENTAX K-3 Mark III incorporates a back-illuminated CMOS image sensor with approximately 25.73 effective megapixels. A newly developed, high-performance PRIME V imaging engine and new-generation accelerator unit delivers well-defined images with minimal noise, while retaining high-resolution reproduction at all sensitivities, the company says. The PENTAX K-3 Mark III boasts a super-high sensitivity of ISO 1,600,000 and features a newly developed SAFOX 13 autofocus system with 101 focus sensors.

A new, super-bright optical viewfinder delivers a nearly 100% field of view and magnification of approximately 1.05 times, the company says. With a newly developed high-refraction glass prism, the viewfinder provides a wide field of view equivalent to that of a full-frame SLR.

The camera’s compact, rugged body is dustproof and weather-resistant, making it suitable for use in the most extreme environmental conditions. It features PENTAX’s five-axis shake-reduction (SR) system, minimizing camera shake to deliver sharp, blur-free images.

The PENTAX K-3 Mark III has a high-definition 3.2-inch touch-screen LCD monitor—the first touch screen in the PENTAX K series. The screen allows operation of a variety of functions, including scrolling menu selection and image zooming during playback.

“The development of the PENTAX K-3 Mark III has been a longtime labor of love,” said Kaz Eguchi, president, Ricoh Imaging Americas Corporation. “At Ricoh, our goal is to develop high-quality cameras with the power to capture images that speak louder than words and inspire photographers to continue pursuing their passion for photography every day.”

The PENTAX K-3 Mark III will be available in late April at www.us.ricoh-imaging.com and can be pre-ordered at Ricoh Imaging-authorized retail outlets starting on April 6 for $1,999.95.

PENTAX K-3 Mark III Silver with battery grip

Ricoh is also producing two limited-edition kits — the PENTAX K-3 Mark III Black Premium Kit and PENTAX K-3 Mark III Silver Premium Kit. These special packages include a camera body and battery grip (the Silver Premium Kit comes with a silver camera body and a silver battery grip that is exclusive to this package), plus an exclusive leather strap and a spare battery. The specifications of the limited-edition models are identical to those of the PENTAX K-3 Mark III. The Premium Kits will be available in late April for the manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $2,299.95.

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Gary Pageau is principal of InfoCircle LLC, continuing his marketing communications career. InfoCircle LLC is a marketing and communications consulting firm, specializing in business-to-business markets. For nearly 25 years, he was with PMA International, serving most recently as Publisher, Content Development and Strategic Initiatives. His primary responsibilities included overseeing the Association’s editorial department, marketing research unit, education and corporate relations department.