Ricoh announces PENTAX K-3 Mark III flagship DSLR camera

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.

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.