MZ-3

MZ-3

General Description

The cameras MZ-3, MZ-5 / ZX-5, and MZ-5n / ZX-5n have brought a lot of acclaim to Pentax. Like the manual focus M- and A-series bodies, they attract with their small size, light weight, and beautiful design. Except for metal construction and mechanical operation, these bodies have all features of the top M- and A-series cameras and more: built-in flash, built-in winder, spot and multi-pattern metering, etc.. The MZ-3 and MZ-5n / ZX-5n also offer DOF-preview and exposure lock. The controls are intuitive and easy to learn, DOF-preview works in all operating modes, and the responsive, 3-sensor AF system is a welcome improvement over the single-sensor AF system of the older Z-/PZ-series cameras.

There are a small number of things that could be have been improved, however. The viewfinder magnification could have been larger, and the viewfinder’s LCD display is difficult to see in bright light. Of the three AF sensors, none is sensitive to both horizontal AND vertical patterns.

Product Variations
Exact Name MZ-3 MZ-3
Color silver-black black
Year of Introduction 1997 1997
Catalog Number 01345 unknown
Sold with Case

Technical Specifications

General
Lens Mount KAF2
Mount Limitations
AF System (sensitivity) SAFOX IV (-1 ~ 18 EV)
AF with supersonic lenses
Power-Zoom Features auto-lens retract, power zoom
Self-Timer 12 sec
Mirror Lock-Up
Cable Release cable release F
Infra-Red Release
Panorama Functionality yes
Additional Features DOF preview
Width x Height x Depth 135 x 90 x 61.5 mm
Weight 410 g
Exposure System
Exposure Modes ‘Av, M, P, Tv
Metering Modes with K and M Lenses center-weighted, spot
Metering Modes with A and newer Lenses 6-segment, center-weighted, spot
Meter Material SPD
Exposure Compensation (Step) +/-3 (1/2 EV steps)
Exposure Lock yes
Meter Range 0 ~ 21 EV
Manual ISO Range 6 ~ 6400 ASA
Film DX Range 25 ~ 5000 ASA
Shutter
Construction electronic (vertical)
Material metal
Shutter Speeds 30 ~ 1/4000, B
Mechanical Speeds
Viewfinder
Magnification [Coverage] 0.80x [92%]
Aperture Indication LED
Shutter-Speed Indication LED
Interchangeable Screens
Power Source
Batteries 2 x CR2
External Battery Pack Fg (uses 4 AA-size batteries)
Continuous Shooting
Continuous Shooting 2 frames per second
Flash System
Command Protocol(s) analog
Features TTL, P, S
Synchronization Speed(s) 1/125 ~ 30, B
Built-In Flash
Guide Number (GN) 11
Coverage (35mm equivalent) 28
Auto Pop-Up
Red-Eye Reduction yes
AF Assist
Accessories
Fitting Case(s) soft case: Fg-S,
soft case: Fg-M,
soft case: Fg-L,
soft case: FKS,
soft case: FKM,
soft case: FKL