- Mirrorless is compatible with many legacy lens mounts, via adaptors. There's potentially more backwards compatibility there than Pentax.
- No TTL viewfinder no, because there's no mirror. That's why an EVF is provided, and this shows the exact depth of field because it's what the sensor is actually seeing, not an approximation. That then allows for the likes of Eye AF, digital zoom and focus peaking focusing aids.
- Can't see the back screen when sunny on a DSLR either, and again that's why the EVF is provided.
- Many cameras have programmable buttons and dials.

Again, mirrorless cameras have more in common with DSLRs than different, as they both still have mechanical shutters to take the shot.

To me this isn't a mirrorless discussion though, more a where is Pentax going and when will they update their ageing lines of 645 and K-3 models.
It's about staying current with the industry, rather than slipping into oblivion really.

You've got Pentax customers, who want to buy Pentax, but they're not providing any new material for those customers to purchase.
As their existing cameras come up for renewal, they'll go elsewhere, not through wanting to but out of necessity because Pentax hasn't kept up.

Huh? Just fold the mirror up and you're good to go. No different to Live View on the rear screen.
Pentax K-70 has on sensor Phase Detection AF points, to allow for decent AF during video and live view purposes.

DSLR for video isn't a new thing, it's been around for 10 years now.
https://petapixel.com/2010/04/09/house-season-finale-filmed-entirely-with-canon-...

Again, with digital zoom and focus peaking in the viewfinder or on the rear screen, mirrorless can be a lot easier to use with manual lenses than a DSLR.


Mirrorless and DSLRs have more in common than different. Just talking mirror/optical viewfinder vs EVF/rear screen and AF unit vs on sensor AF points. Pros and cons to each approach, but I personally don't see enough to be blindly passionate one way or another. After those differences comes all the common supporting content, such as body shape ergonomics, weather sealing, lens ecosystem, battery size, dual card slots, video capability, WiFi, IBIS and IBIS features like pixelshift and high res modes, flash support, tracking AF, raw bit depth etc, ISO noise, max shutter speed, menu system clarity, customisable buttons and wheels/dials, ongoing firmware support and feature enhancements, after sales support and ease of use etc.

So why do Sony and Canikon users buy them to use with adaptors?
[/quote]Because the old Pentax glass has a really nice feel to it.
Especially in video, in which case they need to adapt these to a modern camera system that can do video well too, which rules out Pentax bodies at present.
No one is buying new Pentax lenses to adapt to Sony cameras, because there are equivalent new native and third party lenses available.

In fact Canon is doing well with their modern lenses being purchased for use on Sony, because there are quite seamless auto focus adaptors available
This approach is the most versatile, and is best for resale value of the lens at a later date, because it can be used on the two most popular mounts.


I think if one is 100% satisfied with their current Pentax equipment, then they don't really need to comment on discussions about potential development or improvement aspects.
It's not really on to say another Pentax Users wish list isn't valid, because those aspects are important to that user, even if not directly applicable to others.

I love aspects of my K-3, but there are definitely use cases that it's not particularly well suited for. I've spent a lot of time with the tracking AF setup, and whilst it has a lot of additional configuration options over say the K-30 range, it's certainly not as good as I'd like to be (especially in situations like players running towards the camera etc).

This thread is a discussion around a potential K-3iii type camera, so I don't think it's unreasonable that Pentax Users discuss features they'd like to see this camera offer.
I'm also a bit concerned for the resale and future direction of my equipment, given Pentax seems to have slowed to an absolute crawl/stand still recently. K-3 and 645Z cameras are examples of this.

There should be plenty of positive posts about this, if you look back far enough.
Hard to write about the positives of their modern 645Z and K-3 equivalents, because those cameras don't exist.

I see this as quite the opposite unfortunately. A company needs new customers, and the proportion leaving Pentax seems larger than those joining. How does the future look in that scenario? Pentax have rather walked away from the K-3 line, and have provided a KP which to many is quite a different camera.

As I've said previously, it's almost impossible to purchase Pentax locally (for me in New Zealand at least) with Pentax not being present in any major department electronics chain (where most people purchase their new camera gear) or even the few remaining speciality camera stores. That coupled with the lack of new products and one wonders just how any new buyer is to even find or consider Pentax as part of their buying process?

What a cool shot and crack up story 👍🏻

Given the K-3 was released in October 2013 and the mk ii variant 4 years ago in April 2015, we have to be honest that it's been a long time between drinks here.

Others have come in the interim of course, but the likes of the KP were always half way between the K-3 and the K-70 lines.
KP had less burst rate, slower max shutter speed, single card slot etc but picked up the newer features like pixel shift, flippy screen and WiFi etc.

Big question for me is what do you put in a new K-3 line camera in 2020?
Real improvements in tracking AF and improved video capabilities seem the obvious weaknesses that would need to be addressed.

IQ wise I've been pleased with the Pentax quality for a long time, and natural improvements like we've seen in the KP (with the accelerator chip and pixel shift etc) would build on this nicely. The K-3 is targeted more at birding/sports with it's fast burst and large buffer, so it now really needs tracking AF that can support this.

I want to replace mine, but Pentax don't offer a modern alternative currently.

Love the write up and image 👍🏻

They released some custom coloured KP grips?

You the photographer selects which part of the many settings choices you want control over, depending on the shot situation and your knowledge of what the camera will be able to achieve correctly.

This includes the use of semi automatic modes such as Av and Tv, and you interact in various ways, such as exposure compensation to help influence the automatic behaviour.

I don’t see focussing as being any different to the above. Tracking AF is just another automatic tool you can use if you have faith in it, or opt to override. The power is always in the hands of the photographer, to make their choices of settings to get the shot they want.

In my case I struggle to see an exact focus point via an APS-C viewfinder in many situations, especially where wide open apertures are used. Anything that assists with this is appreciated, and I’d welcome smarts that detected people (and not the backgrounds behind them) better. Eye AF event more so.