K3 - initial impressions

After my excellent SRS deal I am now up and running with a K3. Only a small opportunity to use it so far and never in perfect conditions but I am very impressed with change from my also excellent K30. It looks like the main things I had hoped would work for me will. I won't go through them all because the spec differences between the two are there for all to see.
So highlights (plus a couple of lowlights for balance!)are:-
1. The higher megapixels have allowed me to crop less aggressively giving me a same size image of better quality.
2. Noise seems less in low light than with K30 despite spec being similar. It may be that exposure is more accurate to start or it is of a finer type of noise but big crops at ISO 400 look much better to me.
3. Shutter is much quieter - although perhaps not as much as I thought, after all the demos on line are pointless because you can't tell the PC volume settings.
4. AF Focus is definitely hitting quicker although not tried tracking yet.
5.Raw image IQ look better straight out of camera - sharper, better exposed.
6. Burst speed feels amazing.
7. Battery lasting longer

My main thing I am a bit disappointed with is the position of the back button focus. On the K30 it fell just to the left of your thumb and was natural to find without moving your hand on the grip. On the K3 it is higher to the right and recessed meaning I can't reach it without letting go of the grip to some extent to reach it. Anyone else found this or is it the same on the K5 and I will get used to it?
Only other thing is although I knew it was heavier it feels considerably so.
I know I'm going to love it.
Dave

Shot F4, so DOF low hence softer feet and tail,ISO 400, about 50% crop

Actually the K-m has its AF button in a similar place, so for me (still have a K-m) it is in an already familiar position almost! I tend to press the AE-L button which is even closer to the old K-m AF position!

The back of the K-m:



Compared to the K-3:

Yes I agree wholly with your comment about the K3 AF back-button. I much preferred it on the K7/K5 (which is where the K3 has its stills/video selector switch). Where it is now I end up with my right thumb right across the right lens of my glasses and they end up covered in greasy smears Bit of a pain if I'm honest. I agree with your other comments though. I gave my K3 its first run out with a long lens yesterday and am looking forward to seeing the pics on a big screen…

Cheers

Thanks for this update Dave, it looks as though the K-3 first impressions are good for you. When I first got mine I found the AF back button also a bit strange, but after having used it for a month or so I actually now find this position far better than the one on the K-5. When I use the K-5iis now I find myself searching for the AF button with my thumb whereas on the K-3 it falls into position naturally.

I'm looking forward to seeing some more wildlife shots from you with the K-3.

Regards
David

I prefer the AF button on the K5, but I'll no doubt get used to it

A small price to pay I think, it's like new software, you usually adapt.