K-30: End of firmware updates?

altopiet · 06-13-2013, 08:23 AM

Will the new cameras, K-50 and K-500, mean the end of further firmware updates for the K-30?

Nick Siebers · 06-13-2013, 08:27 AM

Originally posted by altopiet

Will the new cameras, K-50 and K-500, mean the end of further firmware updates for the K-30?

In the past, Pentax has updated firmware for old bodies, not sure how much they have done recently or what they will do in the future. I would hope they will release updates, given how new the K30 is.

**boriscleto** · 06-13-2013, 08:27 AM

No. For example, the K-x was last updated in March 2012...

VisualDarkness · 06-13-2013, 08:40 AM

My Q just got its latest update.

Docrwm · 06-13-2013, 09:10 AM

Pentax came out with an official statement several months ago that they are dedicated to continuing to support cameras even when they are discontinued.

JinDesu · 06-13-2013, 09:11 AM

Originally posted by Docrwm

Pentax came out with an official statement several months ago that they are dedicated to continuing to support cameras even when they are discontinued.

Probably in expectation of this release.

Docrwm · 06-13-2013, 09:15 AM

Originally posted by JinDesu

Probably in expectation of this release.

If I recall correctly is was in response to the discontinuing of the K-5 and the K-5II and IIs coming out. I really appreciate Pentax-Ricoh making the effort to say that, and we have seen some firmware for discontinued cameras already from them to back up their statement.

Tako Kichi · 06-13-2013, 10:17 AM

Talking of firmware I just checked mine on my newly arrived K-30 and it shows as v1.0 in the menu so I take it I need to upgrade to the latest version ASAP.

Docrwm · 06-13-2013, 10:26 AM

Originally posted by Tako Kichi

Talking of firmware I just checked mine on my newly arrived K-30 and it shows as v1.0 in the menu so I take it I need to upgrade to the latest version ASAP.

They almost always ship with the original firmware.
Software Downloads : Support & Service | PENTAX RICOH IMAGING

Tako Kichi · 06-13-2013, 10:40 AM

Thanks for the link Doc, I had already downloaded it but not had a chance to install it yet.

Anvh · 06-13-2013, 11:17 AM

If the hardware is the same... it could very well be that the K50 and K30 will share the same firmware maybe?

Na Horuk · 06-13-2013, 02:19 PM

Depends on the update. If Pentax deems the update critical, they do it for some older models as well. If not, they don't bother.
Recently it was mostly to make different types of SD cards compatible

VisualDarkness · 06-13-2013, 02:27 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Na Horuk

Depends on the update. If Pentax deems the update critical, they do it for some older models as well. If not, they don't bother.
Recently it was mostly to make different types of SD cards compatible

Well, they recently transformed the original Q to Q10 software-wise.

Docrwm · 06-13-2013, 02:45 PM

Originally posted by VisualDarkness

Well, they recently transformed the original Q to Q10 software-wise.

Yes, there is absolutely no reason to be negative or pessimistic about firmware updates for discontinued models. They could well have left the focus peaking and other features off the Q to boast sales of the Q10 but they did not. Are they going to transform your 10 year old 2mp camera into a 24mp FF camera with new firmware - ah...no. But they are fully supporting older cameras. Good for them!

**monochrome** · 06-13-2013, 04:28 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Docrwm

Yes, there is absolutely no reason to be negative or pessimistic about firmware updates for discontinued models. They could well have left the focus peaking and other features off the Q to boast sales of the Q10 but they did not. Are they going to transform your 10 year old 2mp camera into a 24mp FF camera with new firmware - ah...no. But they are fully supporting older cameras. Good for them!

During the "General Talk" portion of the Q Users' conference call with Jim Malcolm April 30th we were told Pentax, as a NEW CORPORATE POLICY, has adopted Ricoh's practice of providing Firmware updates for discontinued models - about twice a year - for as long as the hardware can accept the updates. In the case of Ricoh cameras that was sometimes several years.

06-13-2013, 08:23 AM	#1
altopiet Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: The Gem of the Karoo, South Africa Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,307	K-30: End of firmware updates? Will the new cameras, K-50 and K-500, mean the end of further firmware updates for the K-30?

06-13-2013, 04:28 PM - 1 Like	#15
monochrome Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Working From Home Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 26,276	Originally posted by Docrwm Yes, there is absolutely no reason to be negative or pessimistic about firmware updates for discontinued models. They could well have left the focus peaking and other features off the Q to boast sales of the Q10 but they did not. Are they going to transform your 10 year old 2mp camera into a 24mp FF camera with new firmware - ah...no. But they are fully supporting older cameras. Good for them! During the "General Talk" portion of the Q Users' conference call with Jim Malcolm April 30th we were told Pentax, as a NEW CORPORATE POLICY, has adopted Ricoh's practice of providing Firmware updates for discontinued models - about twice a year - for as long as the hardware can accept the updates. In the case of Ricoh cameras that was sometimes several years. Last edited by monochrome; 06-14-2013 at 07:46 AM.

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06-13-2013, 08:27 AM	#2
Nick Siebers Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Madison, WI Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,165	Originally posted by altopiet Will the new cameras, K-50 and K-500, mean the end of further firmware updates for the K-30? In the past, Pentax has updated firmware for old bodies, not sure how much they have done recently or what they will do in the future. I would hope they will release updates, given how new the K30 is.

06-13-2013, 08:27 AM	#3
boriscleto Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: North Syracuse, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,473	No. For example, the K-x was last updated in March 2012...

06-13-2013, 08:40 AM	#4
VisualDarkness Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Uppsala, Sweden Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,439	My Q just got its latest update.

06-13-2013, 09:10 AM	#5
Docrwm Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Somewhere in the Southern US Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,285	Pentax came out with an official statement several months ago that they are dedicated to continuing to support cameras even when they are discontinued.

06-13-2013, 09:11 AM	#6
JinDesu Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: New York City Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,638	Originally posted by Docrwm Pentax came out with an official statement several months ago that they are dedicated to continuing to support cameras even when they are discontinued. Probably in expectation of this release.

06-13-2013, 09:15 AM	#7
Docrwm Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Somewhere in the Southern US Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,285	Originally posted by JinDesu Probably in expectation of this release. If I recall correctly is was in response to the discontinuing of the K-5 and the K-5II and IIs coming out. I really appreciate Pentax-Ricoh making the effort to say that, and we have seen some firmware for discontinued cameras already from them to back up their statement.

06-13-2013, 10:17 AM	#8
Tako Kichi Veteran Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: SW Ontario, Canada (ex-pat Brit) Posts: 1,296	Talking of firmware I just checked mine on my newly arrived K-30 and it shows as v1.0 in the menu so I take it I need to upgrade to the latest version ASAP.

06-13-2013, 10:26 AM	#9
Docrwm Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Somewhere in the Southern US Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,285	Originally posted by Tako Kichi Talking of firmware I just checked mine on my newly arrived K-30 and it shows as v1.0 in the menu so I take it I need to upgrade to the latest version ASAP. They almost always ship with the original firmware. Software Downloads : Support & Service \| PENTAX RICOH IMAGING

06-13-2013, 10:40 AM	#10
Tako Kichi Veteran Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: SW Ontario, Canada (ex-pat Brit) Posts: 1,296	Thanks for the link Doc, I had already downloaded it but not had a chance to install it yet.

06-13-2013, 11:17 AM	#11
Anvh Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 4,616	If the hardware is the same... it could very well be that the K50 and K30 will share the same firmware maybe?

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06-13-2013, 02:19 PM	#12
Na Horuk Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Slovenia, probably Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,186	Depends on the update. If Pentax deems the update critical, they do it for some older models as well. If not, they don't bother. Recently it was mostly to make different types of SD cards compatible

06-13-2013, 02:27 PM - 1 Like	#13
VisualDarkness Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Uppsala, Sweden Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,439	Originally posted by Na Horuk Depends on the update. If Pentax deems the update critical, they do it for some older models as well. If not, they don't bother. Recently it was mostly to make different types of SD cards compatible Well, they recently transformed the original Q to Q10 software-wise.

06-13-2013, 02:45 PM	#14
Docrwm Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Somewhere in the Southern US Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,285	Originally posted by VisualDarkness Well, they recently transformed the original Q to Q10 software-wise. Yes, there is absolutely no reason to be negative or pessimistic about firmware updates for discontinued models. They could well have left the focus peaking and other features off the Q to boast sales of the Q10 but they did not. Are they going to transform your 10 year old 2mp camera into a 24mp FF camera with new firmware - ah...no. But they are fully supporting older cameras. Good for them!