K-5 / K-7 : eight raw buffer limit exists

**Rondec** · 09-27-2010, 04:14 AM

Originally posted by ogl

The real buffer of K-5 at Photokina - 7 RAW.
The low mode is 1.6 fps as at PENTAX with 10 RAW.

The comment was made that the cameras varied hugely in the number of RAW files it took to fill the buffer. The impression got at Photokina was that the firmwares are not final and so it is hard to judge based on these cameras.

JohnBee · 09-27-2010, 04:22 AM

Originally posted by ogl

The real buffer of K-5 at Photokina - 7 RAW.
The low mode is 1.6 fps as at PENTAX with 10 RAW.

Word seems to be all over the map with reference to this.
One person claims, that a hands review afirmed 14 RAW at Photokina, while another says 7...

I'm hoping for the best but I could live with 2 seconds of continuous shooting I suppose.

Mehlsack · 09-27-2010, 04:28 AM

When i did a test at PK the K5 i managed to get 4 RAW before slowing down.

**Ash** · 09-27-2010, 04:38 AM

How much improvement could we expect from firmware updates if the buffer's capacity is what it is?

JohnBee · 09-27-2010, 05:40 AM

Originally posted by Ash

How much improvement could we expect from firmware updates if the buffer's capacity is what it is?

I have my doubts on how much that could do toward the issue. But then again, I am far from an expert on such things.

However... there is also the possibility of improving the no. of total frames with the new SDxC cards. Assuming the cards could provide enough bandwidth to make a difference.

alexeyga · 09-27-2010, 06:54 AM

Hopefully the production model will get improved... the fundamental problem, however, lays no only in buffer's size, but also in the processing engine... There's a reason why 7D comes with 2 processors.... there's a reason why D7K got a new one as well... But despite increase in FPS and resolution Pentax is still trying to push all that sh@t load of data with the old and trusty Prime II... when Ideally, they should either use two of them or the Prime III or IV....

Gimbal · 10-18-2010, 09:04 AM

So what is the verdict?
Do the K-5 have an 8 or 15 raw pictures deep buffer?

narichey81 · 10-19-2010, 10:13 AM

Personally, i dont care about shooting 900 RAW photos in a row, especially considering how good the k5 jpegs look. then you have to look through them all. i dont really buy into the machine gun approach anyway. but why dont you knock off the histrionics and ask one of the several people on this forum who now own k5s with final firmware to run a few buffer tests? then you will know for sure and wont have to wrangle with the confusing specs

dgaies · 10-19-2010, 10:15 AM

Originally posted by Gimbal

So what is the verdict?
Do the K-5 have an 8 or 15 raw pictures deep buffer?

It depends on the ISO level.

At low levels (100-800) you should get about 8. Around ISO 6400 it drops to 4 pictures.

Gimbal · 10-19-2010, 10:52 AM

Yes I have seen it now, approximately one second of continuous shooting. Or "continuous" might not be the right word here, it's more like a really-short-burst mode.

10-19-2010, 10:13 AM	#53
narichey81 Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Vancouver, WA Posts: 58	calm down Personally, i dont care about shooting 900 RAW photos in a row, especially considering how good the k5 jpegs look. then you have to look through them all. i dont really buy into the machine gun approach anyway. but why dont you knock off the histrionics and ask one of the several people on this forum who now own k5s with final firmware to run a few buffer tests? then you will know for sure and wont have to wrangle with the confusing specs

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09-27-2010, 04:14 AM	#46
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,650	Originally posted by ogl The real buffer of K-5 at Photokina - 7 RAW. The low mode is 1.6 fps as at PENTAX with 10 RAW. The comment was made that the cameras varied hugely in the number of RAW files it took to fill the buffer. The impression got at Photokina was that the firmwares are not final and so it is hard to judge based on these cameras.

09-27-2010, 04:22 AM	#47
JohnBee Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Newrfoundland Photos: Albums Posts: 4,667	Originally posted by ogl The real buffer of K-5 at Photokina - 7 RAW. The low mode is 1.6 fps as at PENTAX with 10 RAW. Word seems to be all over the map with reference to this. One person claims, that a hands review afirmed 14 RAW at Photokina, while another says 7... I'm hoping for the best but I could live with 2 seconds of continuous shooting I suppose.

09-27-2010, 04:28 AM	#48
Mehlsack Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Innsbruck Posts: 283	When i did a test at PK the K5 i managed to get 4 RAW before slowing down.

09-27-2010, 04:38 AM	#49
Ash Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toowoomba, Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,920	How much improvement could we expect from firmware updates if the buffer's capacity is what it is?

09-27-2010, 05:40 AM	#50
JohnBee Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Newrfoundland Photos: Albums Posts: 4,667	Originally posted by Ash How much improvement could we expect from firmware updates if the buffer's capacity is what it is? I have my doubts on how much that could do toward the issue. But then again, I am far from an expert on such things. However... there is also the possibility of improving the no. of total frames with the new SDxC cards. Assuming the cards could provide enough bandwidth to make a difference.

09-27-2010, 06:54 AM	#51
alexeyga Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Montreal, Canada Posts: 838	Hopefully the production model will get improved... the fundamental problem, however, lays no only in buffer's size, but also in the processing engine... There's a reason why 7D comes with 2 processors.... there's a reason why D7K got a new one as well... But despite increase in FPS and resolution Pentax is still trying to push all that sh@t load of data with the old and trusty Prime II... when Ideally, they should either use two of them or the Prime III or IV....

10-18-2010, 09:04 AM	#52
Gimbal Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Sweden Posts: 2,106	So what is the verdict? Do the K-5 have an 8 or 15 raw pictures deep buffer?

10-19-2010, 10:15 AM	#54
dgaies Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Maryland / Washington DC Posts: 3,917	Originally posted by Gimbal So what is the verdict? Do the K-5 have an 8 or 15 raw pictures deep buffer? It depends on the ISO level. At low levels (100-800) you should get about 8. Around ISO 6400 it drops to 4 pictures.

10-19-2010, 10:52 AM	#55
Gimbal Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Sweden Posts: 2,106	Yes I have seen it now, approximately one second of continuous shooting. Or "continuous" might not be the right word here, it's more like a really-short-burst mode.

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