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Specification

Manufacturer description #1

Independent, Accessible Control of Basic Settings

Ranging from the selection of metering and film advance modes to the adjustment of shutter speed and exposure compensation value, the MZ-3's basic operations are performed using independent, easy-to-access dials and switches with visual confirmation of the settings. This user-friendly, at-a-glance control system not only facilitates picture-taking efficiency, but also helps to minimize operational mistakes.

1/4000-Second High-Speed Shutter with 1/125-Second Flash Sync

With its top shutter speed of 1/4000 second, the MZ-3 lets you freeze the decisive moment of a subject in motion. It also offers high-speed flash synchronization at 1/125 second, letting you use wider apertures for more dramatic flash images, especially in close-up and macro shooting.

Automatic, Instant Setting of ISO Film-Speed

As soon as you drop a roll of DX-coded film into the MZ-3's film compartment, the ISO film speed is set automatically. For specialized applications, the MZ-3 also offers manual film-speed setting for a range from ISO 6 to 6400, which is greater than the automatic setting range.

Compact, Lightweight Design for Maneuverability and Portability

Despite an array of convenient features and user-friendly functions, the MZ-3 is designed to be extremely compact and lightweight, thanks to the combination of high-performance electronic circuitry, redesigned film advance/rewind mechanism, downsized components, and advanced high-density packaging technology.

Auto Bracketing for Simplified Exposure Adjustment

The MZ-3 features a convenient auto bracketing function, which takes three frames of the same subject at three different exposures — under, normal and over. You can select an auto-bracketing range of either ±1EV or ±1/2EV, depending on the subject or creative intention.

Electronic Preview for Quick Depth-of-Field Confirmation

The MZ-3's electronic preview lets you quickly and accurately confirm the depth of field with pushbutton ease, even when the lens aperture ring is set at the "A" position for automatic diaphragm control.

Clear, Bright Viewfinder with Diopter Adjustment Mechanism

Featuring the highly acclaimed Natural-Bright-Matte focusing screen, the MZ-3's viewfinder offers a sharp, high-contrast image of your subject, even under poor lighting conditions. It also offers a long eye relief and a built-in diopter adjustment mechanism (-2.5m-1 - +1.5 m-1) to facilitate the ease and comfort of image viewing, especially for eyeglass wearers.

A Choice of AF Modes with Fingertip Operation

The versatile 3-point wide-area AF mode comes in handy when the subject is positioned off center or two subjects stand side by side, while the spot AF mode assures pinpoint focus on a single, small element of the subject. You can select the desired mode with simple fingertip operation of the AF mode switch.

Three-Way Metering System to Accommodate Various Subjects

With a single turn of the metering mode switch, the MZ-3 offers a choice of sophisticated six-segment multi-pattern metering, conventional center-weighted metering and pinpoint spot metering, to satisfy your diverse photographic requirements and metering preferences.

Other Outstanding Features

• Memory lock to memorize exposure settings — and reset them — with pushbutton operation
• Built-in auto pop-up flash with automatic discharge under low-light and backlight conditions and red-eye reduction function
• Automatic switching to a horizontally extended “panorama” picture frame in the viewfinder
• Date imprinting function
• A choice of body color between classic black and stylish silver

Manufacturer description #2

TYPE: TTL autofocus, auto-exposure 35mm SLR with built-in TTL auto flash (RTF)

FORMAT: 24x36mm (Approx. 13x36 in panorama format)

USABLE FILM: 35mm perforated cartridge film. DX-coded film with ISO 25-5000; non-DX coded films with ISO 6-6400

EXPOSURE MODES: Programmed AE Mode, Shutter-Priority AE Mode, Aperture-Priority AE Mode, Metered Manual Mode, Bulb Mode, TTL Flash Mode

SHUTTER: Electronically controlled vertical-run focal-plane shutter, Electromagnetic release, Speed range: (1) Auto 1/4000-30 sec. (stepless), (2) Manual 1/4000-1 sec. (3) Bulb

LENS MOUNT: Pentax K_AF2 bayonet mount (K-mount with AF coupler, lens information contacts and power contacts)

COMPATIBLE LENS: Pentax K_AF2-, K_AF-, K_A- and K-mount lenses are usable. Autofocus is possible using AF Adapter with K_A- mount lenses

AUTOFOCUS SYSTEM: TTL phase-matching multi-(3 points) autofocus system switchable to Spot focusing, AF operational brightness range: EV-1 to 18 (at ISO 100 with f/1.4 lens), Focus lock available using shutter release button, Focus Mode: AF (predictive AF provided), Manual [MF]

POWER ZOOM: 3-Speed Intelligent Power Zoom lens with built-in motor with FA zoom lens

VIEWFINDER: Pentaprism finder, Natural-Bright-Matte focusing screen, Field of view: 92%, Magnification: 0.8X (with 50mm lens at infinity), Diopter: -2.5 to +1.5 diopters, 3-point AF frame, Spot AF frame, Panorama format frame

VIEWFINDER INDICATION: Focus Information: In-focus (Green lamp is lit), front or back focus signals and unable-to-focus indicator (Green lamp blinks), Shutter speed indication, Aperture indication, Flash ready indication is lit, Bar graph (exposure compensation), Over or Under exposure indication in Manual Exposure Mode, exposure compensation indication, [*] memory lock indicator

EXTERNAL LCD PANEL INDICATION: [P] = Programmed-AE Mode, [Tv] = Shutter-Priority AE Mode, [Av] = Aperture-Priority AE Mode, [M] = Manual Exposure Mode, [bu] Bulb Mode, Film speed = 6-6400, ISO indication, Film status information, Battery exhaustion warning, Film counter = 0-99, Built-in flash ready indication, blinking slowly flash recommended warning, blinks rapidly Inappropriate lens warning, Red-eye reduction flash mode, Automatic flash function, PCV signal indication

PREVIEW BUTTON: Electronically controlled type and possible to use in all exposure modes

SELF-TIMER: Electronically-controlled type with delay time of 12 sec. Start by depressing of shutter release button, Operation confirmation: By PCV beep tone. Cancelable after operation

MIRROR: Quick-return mirror with AF secondary mirror

FILM LOADING: Film advances automatically to 1st frame after back cover is closed. Film information window is provided

FILM WIND & REWIND: Auto wind/rewind by built-in motor, Consecutive or Single advance mode, Approx. 1.8 frames/sec. (consecutive mode), Auto rewinding starts at end of roll, Film rewind/completion of rewinding is displayed on the LCD panel, mid-roll rewind button will rewind film in mid-roll

EXPOSURE METER: TTL multi(6)-segment metering, Metering range from EV0 to EV21 at ISO 100 with 50mm f/1.4 lens, Center-weighted and Spot metering mode can be set

EXPOSURE COMPENSATION: +/- 3EV in 0.5EV step increments

AUTO BRACKETING: Three frame consecutive shots with exposure bracketing in 1 EV or 0.5 EV step increment, Possible to use with exposure compensation

FLASH: Series-control, Retractable TTL Auto Flash (RTF), Guide number: 11 (ISO 100/m), Illumination angle covers 28mm lens angle of view, Flash-sync-speed in the range from 1/100 to a slower speed, Day-light-sync flash, Slow-speed-sync flash, Contrast-control-flash sync (ISO range=25-400), Automatic flash discharge, Red-eye reduction flash function

FLASH SYNC: Hot shoe with X-contact which couples with Pentax dedicated auto flashes, ISO range = 25-800

POWER SOURCE: Two 3V lithium battery (CR2 or equivalent)

BATTERY EXHAUSTION WARNING: Battery exhaustion symbol is lit (blinking when the shutter is locked; no indication on the right-hand edge of the viewfinder)

BACK COVER: Interchangeable for replacing Data Back F_G

From the editor

In 1998, Pentax released a special edition set consisting of a silver MZ-3 camera with a "SPECIAL EDITION" badge, a standard smc Pentax-FA 43/1.9 Limited lens, a UV filter, and a brown leather strap. Only 2,000 sets were produced, and only for the Japanese home market.

In November 2000, Pentax introduced another limited set for the Japanese home market including this time a black MZ-3 camera without any special badge. The rest of the set was the same as in 1998.

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