Pentax K-3 review – Metering
With an 86,000-pixel RGB metering sensor, you would expect the K-3 to get perfect exposures every time. However, as we have seen from other metering sensors, a high specification isn’t everything. In fact, I noticed little difference between the metering system of the K-3 and other Pentax DSLRs I have tested and used over the years.
As with previous models, the K-3 has a tendency to underexpose, particularly in overcast light. I found myself having to add around 1-1.3EV to many exposures in dull light, while in good light a +0.3-1EV adjustment was needed. This did mean that I had a few issues with burnt-out highlight details.
Another positive of the K-3’s metering system is its consistency. As I have commented before with other Pentax cameras, you quickly get a feeling for how the metering system is going to behave in certain conditions, and as no metering system is infallible, predictability is important. However, for very tricky scenes with a high-contrast range, spot and centreweighted metering, along with an AE-L button, are on hand to ensure very precise results.
