* DOF preview * High 1/4000 shutterspeed * Panoramic mode (we use it to do 3d stereo shots) * Built in Date Back * Fullly manual override

* Top display panel doesn't have light for nightwork * Sometimes has trouble focusing when busy photo or subject moving at close range (but I guess that's understandable!

My husband & I have been big Pentax fans for a long time, and both each own a LX. We have also had the ME Super, K1000 as part of our "collection" and recently my husband bought the Pz-1. I bought the MZ-3, not knowing the MZ-S was about to be released, or I would have waited! BUT, this is still a great camera. I like the look and feel of a manual SLR. It is really easy to use and I have take some awesome pictures - recently took great handheld pics of the July 4th fireworks and was incredibly impressed with the exposures! I am planning on purchasing the MZ-S almost solely for the fact that it stores the photo data on the neg. As I am currently taking a course, I would like to record the settings of my photos, but most times just don't have the time to still record the data between each take.

Customer Service

Not needed to use yet.

Similar Products Used:

Pentax LX Pentax ME Super

only a little more than the MZ-5n ( I found one for less actually ) it has slightly faster top shutter and flash sync, well built and has everything needed for most of my uses. It has all the basic mid level amateur features needed with DOF preview, auto bracketing, spot metering, AE lock and exposure compensation. The retro controls are easy to use and almost every function can be used without you neededing to take your eye out of the finder. Decent AF speed and all my older Manual focus lenses work with it ( abeit not autofocusing ) and the infocus indicator is rather accurate.

It could use a center + AF sensor or built in AF assist lamp, cannot do multipule exposures easy.

I''ve owned a MZ-M as a backup and needed better AF and a few more features over my Pz-20 so naturally upgrading to the MZ-3 was the obvious choice. I recommend getting the FG battery pack to add some weight and improve performance. For just a bit more than the MZ-5n you get slightly faster AF, shutter and flash sync. Any Pentax owner needing to upgrade from a manual focus or older AF should look into this camera and remeber you get to keep all of your older Pentax lenses.

Customer Service

Not needed but Pentax Canada has always been very good to me in the Past with questions or software upgrades .

Similar Products Used:

Pentax PZ-20, Nikon n60, Nikon n70

The interface is just like a common manual cameras and is very simple. The size is prefectly small. You will like to take it with you anywhere.

Build-in flash is too weak, almost useless.

If you want to train up your skill, it is a frefect choice. This camera has no special features and program modes. To take a good picture, you have to use your brain, rely on your experience. I suggest you buy a AF330FTZ flash if you want to take a good picture in the dark.

Customer Service

not yet

Similar Products Used:

This is my frist SLR.

Lightweight and compact, intuitively placed controls, well-rounded feature set.

Flash sufficient for close-up shots but a weak for longer range shots.

A back-to-classic type of camera with modern-day features. By simply toggling a few switches, you can go from hands-free automatic to a hands-on manual SLR.

Combined with any of Pentax great primes (28mm, 35mm, 43mm, 50mm, or 77mm) or a medium zoom, the MZ-3 is extremely small and portable.

With 1/4000 max. shutter speed, 6-segment/center/spot metering, three or single point focus, metering lock, and simple to understand dial controls, this camera is a great first camera or addition to a growing collection for any avid photographer.

Customer Service

None necessary since purchase in 1998.

Similar Products Used:

PZ-1p, MZ-10

Solid mechanical construction, small size, very easy to handle, reliable

weak flush, easy to forget setting some switches (back data), loud rewinding

I am using this camera in different conditions and finde it reliable and very handy. I like very traditional way of setting camera what allows me to concentrate on subject not on camera settings. MZ-3 seems to have a tendency to overexposure so I often use -0.5 compensation. Nice fast autofocus is easly switch on/off if required. The another important future-deph of view swith without wich I cannot imaging making most of shots. Relatively weak flush must be support by the external one when making shots in dark light. Using the external flush is recomended as the camera has no built in autofocus-supporting light.
I would recomend this camera to all who needs some more then just pressing button but first of all think what are they doing.

Customer Service

none until now

Similar Products Used:

Canon EOS50

-Great (classic) ergonomics
-Light but good build
-Mount, hotshoe, and interior made of metal
-6 segment, center, and spot metering
-DOF
-Bracketing

-AF sometimes not as accurate as my eye (also hunts in the dark)
-No multi-exposure
-Panorama is hoaky
-No mirror-lock
-Flash sync 1/250
-No grid (like N80) or multiple AF points (like Rebel 2k or N80)
-A little overpriced for features and technology

This is my first SLR so my review is intended to help other burgeoning enthusiasts.
The MZ-3 (not sold in US) is supposedly the smallest and lightest 35mm SLR. The exposure compensation and shutter speed are controlled by two large old-school dials not buttons. For those who are intimidated or frustrated by large LCDs with on-screen toggling the MZ-3 sports a small screen that only shows vitals such as frame number, flash status, and user mode status.
I've only had my camera for 3 weeks but here are several good things I've noticed about it.
-The weight and size make it easy to carry around and pull out in sitations that require quickness or discreetness.
-Shutter speed, aperture, exposure compensation, AF/MF mode, depth-of-field preview, metering modes, and braketing can all be changed without taking your eye off the viewfinder. I'm not kidding. Many of the other cameras required toggling thru choices on an LCD display.
-If you're vain you'll enjoy the sweet shutter sound. I do.
But, alas nothing is perfect.
-No multi-exposure. Maybe this feature is not necessary but the cheaper MZ-7 has it so it's kind of annoying that the higher-end MZ-3 doesn't.
-The autofocus technology does seem a little old. No AF points that allow focusing on areas other than the center without re-composing. And it hunts a quite a bit in dim lighting.
-The panorama option is hoaky but it doesn't get in the way so maybe some will enjoy it.
At the end of the day I can say so far I'm loving this camera. I gave it a higher overall rating than value rating because it's a little overpriced for its features compared to the Minolta Alpha Sweet (a slighter higher quality Japanese version of the HTsi- metal mount instead of plastic) and Canon Rebel 2k. The Minolta, for instance, has the same 1/4000 shutter speed plus multi-exposure and costs less. But the MZ-3, despite its small size and weight, feels more substantial. It eschews pre-programmed modes and instead gives you classic ergonomics that are easy to use but don't get in the way of learning about photography. If you want the flexibility of an SLR but the presets of a point-and-shoot get the Minolta, Canon, or Pentax MZ-7. If you want an ergonomic (word of the day) miracle, high build quality with all the necessary features get the MZ-3. I really want to learn photography. My friend who's had his MZ-7 for a few months and has shot more pictures than I have seems stuck in the pre-programmed modes of his camera. But I guess it all depends on what you want a camera for. One more thing. If you've been looking for something in-between a Nikon N65 or Rebel 2k and a N80 the MZ-3 is a must check. Sorry to those of you who live in the US. Try the ZX-5n. Same design but slower shutter speed.

Customer Service

Haven't used yet.

Similar Products Used:

Minolta Alpha Sweet
(similar to US HTsi)
Rebel 2000
Nikon N65

Light and small, makes it very convenient for travelling.

No vertical grip and shutter release, less convenient.
No double exposure function and no 2sec delay shutter functiona and makes you must bring the shutter cord for night shooting.

Only US$300 something for a body with almost all necessary functions, very good for beginners. Its AF speed is fastest among Pentax 135 system, of course, less faster than USM and AFS, but should be good enough for all round activities. User friendly functions and viewfinder makes you to use it without reading I/B.
However, the most unhappy feature of this body is its handle, too small to hold especially a problem when using heavy lens like 80-200/2.8

Customer Service

No experience

Similar Products Used:

Pentax Z-1p, LX, MZ-50. Ricoh XR-8.
Nikon F5, F4, F3, F70. Canon EOS300.
Contax G2

Good beginner's camera. Shutter speed is good (I went to America and took a lot of photos from a moving car - all turned out well).

AF has a lot of trouble in the dark or in bushy areas.
I have to use the flash for almost every photo as I don't know how to use any settings (see customer service).
The flash no longer 'pops up'. It still works but there is something wrong with the release mechanism, so it doesn't pop up when the button is pushed.

The camera seems to be fine. Unfortunately I don't know how to use most of the functions because I cannot get my hands on a manual. What photos I have taken have been quite good. Not having a manual really 'ticks' me off. I will rate this camera under the assumption that I actually know how to fully use it.

Customer Service

Virtually non-existant. The dealer didn't have an English manual when I bought the camera. I was told that Pentax Korea would be able to get me one. After twenty phone calls I was told to go to the Pentax office. When I got there I was given a Korean manual and told that they would call me when they got the English version. That was six months ago. I e-mailed America about six times before I got an answer. They finally sent me a manual but it was for a different model. Pentax England never replied at all.

Similar Products Used:

First one.

Excellent built quality and design/placement of controls. Compact and lite-weight. Great light metering with six-segment evaluative, center avg. and spot. Exposure compensation and exposure bracketing. Program, Shutter priority, Aperture priority, and full Manual exposure modes. Electronic DOF preview feature. Greatest thing for travel and easy, comfortable all-day carry around. Basically, everything you need and nothing you don't for great, GREAT results from beginners to advanced amateurs.

These are not "weaknesses" but simply not available common features in this price range. No infrared assist beam for focusing in the dark. No mirror lock-up, and no multiple exposures. Since I shoot mostly in day-light and my favorite subject is architectural photography, I almost never needed any one of these features.

Last year I bought a ZX-M. I was so happy with it that soon afterwards I upgraded to a ZX-5N. That camera was simply outstanding. I took some of my most successful pictures with it. I recently had the opportunity to buy an MZ-3. The only difference between it and the ZX-5N is the shutter speed of 1/4000th and flash sync speed of 1/125th. It retains all of the other features, looks, ease of use, Pentax lens compatibility, and built quality that made the ZX-5N so successful. Since this model is not available in the US, I had to order it from abroad. The nearest place for me was Vancouver, Canada. I bought it from Inter-Pro Photo, Ltd. (www.interprophoto.com). Their customer service, prices, and merchandise quality are truly remarkable, so for anyone in the US looking for an MZ-3, call Robert at Inter-Pro Photo -- you will not be disappointed!

Customer Service

N/A

Similar Products Used:

PENTAX ZX-5N QD

compact,alle noodzakelijke functies aanwezig, degelijke constructie. Eenvoudige bediening, geen gepriegel met electronische knopjes om in te stellen

geen stille AF, geen lenzen met Image Stabilizer beschikbaar, AF t/m f5.6 Autofocus onder slechte lichtomstandigheden niet trefzeker (maar dit is een algemeen euvel van AF systemen)

Dit is voor het geld werkelijk een sublieme camera. Geen moeilijk gedoe met electronische knopjes om diafragma en sluitertijd te kiezen. Als volautomaat is nagenoeg iedere opname geslaagd, iedereen met een beetje fotografisch inzicht kan eenvoudig ingrijpen in de automatische belichting (zonder deze uit te schakelen) om 100% geslaagde foto's te maken. De camera is wat mogelijkheden betreft zeker geen "kale" camera alle functies die een gemiddelde fotograaf zich kan wensen zijn beschikbaar. Qua bediening is de MZ-3 veruit mijn favoriet, zelfs ten opzichte van mijn EOS3. De keuze voor de EOS3 is alleen bepaald door de mogelijkheid om ImageStabilizer lenzen te gebruiken en de mogelijkheid voor AF bij f8. Als Pentax deze functies, met name de IS, in haar producten gaat gebruiken dan staat mijn EOS3 in de etalage. Voor mensen met kleine handen (bijvoorbeeld dames)is dit een bijzonder prettige camera. De originele Pentax objectieven vormen een perfecte eenheid met de camera met name de * objectieven (niet goedkoop!) leveren een optimale kwaliteit

Customer Service

geen ervaring

Similar Products Used:

EOS 3