Since when did the K-50 have GPS?

WellEquippedHack · 06-20-2018, 02:27 PM

Here's the story. I'm editing the shots I took today with my lovely white K-50, and the editing app is displaying the GPS logo in the bottom right corner of the image thumbnail. Given that I'm editing with Picasa (yes, I know I'm stupidly cheap), I figured it was bugging yet again. Nevertheless, I checked my K-50's settings and found menus for GPS that I have never seen before. I haven't updated the firmware recently, and when I used the camera last week there was no indication of GPS capability. Pentax, what's going on here? Has my K-50 been learning things from my new (to me) K-1? See attached images.

Thanks,
Regan

Attached Images

View Picture EXIF

View Picture EXIF

**boriscleto** · 06-20-2018, 02:36 PM - **2 Likes**

It does not have built in GPS. It is compatible with the O-GPS1.

Pentax O-GPS1 GPS Module 39012 B&H Photo Video

stevebrot · 06-20-2018, 03:14 PM

As noted above, the K-50 is compatible with the O-GPS1. The menu options are available to allow setup prior to actually mounting the device in the field.

Steve

WellEquippedHack · 06-20-2018, 11:53 PM

Originally posted by stevebrot

As noted above, the K-50 is compatible with the O-GPS1. The menu options are available to allow setup prior to actually mounting the device in the field.

Steve

Hi Steve,

That makes perfect sense. However, what confuses me is why the pictures I took yesterday have GPS location data saved in the image file, whereas the pictures I took one week earlier at the same location, as well as the 30000 previous pictures taken over the past 5 years, have no GPS location data whatsoever. Spooky.

R.

HoutHans · 06-21-2018, 12:11 AM

Indeed, no GPS on board. Did you have the O-GPS attached at the time of taking the photos that have GPS data with them? Could it be that you inadvertedly changed some setting somewhere? Otherwise, it's probably just the entry into force of the GDPR over here in Europe so that you now know even better than before what privacy you're giving up ;-)

stevebrot · 06-21-2018, 07:40 AM

Originally posted by WellEquippedHack

Hi Steve,

That makes perfect sense. However, what confuses me is why the pictures I took yesterday have GPS location data saved in the image file, whereas the pictures I took one week earlier at the same location, as well as the 30000 previous pictures taken over the past 5 years, have no GPS location data whatsoever. Spooky.

R.

The GPS menu settings should have always been there. (They are in the user guide!) As for EXIF data having location information...perhaps the pixies have been busy? Which tags are you seeing with location information? Are you sure the files are from the K-50 and not the K-1? (Sorry, I know that sounds dumb, but I had to ask.)

Steve

WellEquippedHack · 06-22-2018, 03:01 PM

Originally posted by stevebrot

The GPS menu settings should have always been there. (They are in the user guide!) As for EXIF data having location information...perhaps the pixies have been busy? Which tags are you seeing with location information? Are you sure the files are from the K-50 and not the K-1? (Sorry, I know that sounds dumb, but I had to ask.)

Steve

Hi Steve,

It's a perfectly legitimate question. I was definitely shooting with the K-50, as confirmed by the data imbedded into the image. The only GPS data imbedded into the image are latitude and longitude, which are consistent with the location where I took the picture. Given that I don't own an O-GPS, I am still mystified as to where the data came from.

To further muddy the waters, the images I took with the K-50 yesterday don't have any latitude and longitude data saved. Very spooky.

R.

PaysonAZTim · 06-27-2018, 07:54 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by WellEquippedHack

Here's the story. I'm editing the shots I took today with my lovely white K-50, and the editing app is displaying the GPS logo in the bottom right corner of the image thumbnail. Given that I'm editing with Picasa (yes, I know I'm stupidly cheap), I figured it was bugging yet again. Nevertheless, I checked my K-50's settings and found menus for GPS that I have never seen before. I haven't updated the firmware recently, and when I used the camera last week there was no indication of GPS capability. Pentax, what's going on here? Has my K-50 been learning things from my new (to me) K-1? See attached images.

Thanks,
Regan

Picasa was a great program, especially for photo organization. So I wouldn't say that you're cheap for using it.

jimr-pdx · 06-28-2018, 06:55 PM

As a user of Picasa and LViewPro v1.D2, I definitely resemble that remark

Small and simple editors fit well with my way of thinking!

Death89 · 07-02-2018, 02:21 PM

Could it be that you also use an android phone, or iPhone with a Google account contributing to your location history?

I have had location data added to photos that way before. Had me foxed until I realised that was what was happening. Given that Picasa was also Google's doing I'd guess its a 'helpful' backend feature.

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06-20-2018, 02:36 PM - 2 Likes	#2
boriscleto Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: North Syracuse, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,477	It does not have built in GPS. It is compatible with the O-GPS1. Pentax O-GPS1 GPS Module 39012 B&H Photo Video

06-20-2018, 03:14 PM	#3
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	As noted above, the K-50 is compatible with the O-GPS1. The menu options are available to allow setup prior to actually mounting the device in the field. Steve

06-20-2018, 11:53 PM	#4
WellEquippedHack New Member Join Date: May 2018 Location: Saskatoon Posts: 4 Original Poster	Originally posted by stevebrot As noted above, the K-50 is compatible with the O-GPS1. The menu options are available to allow setup prior to actually mounting the device in the field. Steve Hi Steve, That makes perfect sense. However, what confuses me is why the pictures I took yesterday have GPS location data saved in the image file, whereas the pictures I took one week earlier at the same location, as well as the 30000 previous pictures taken over the past 5 years, have no GPS location data whatsoever. Spooky. R.

06-21-2018, 12:11 AM	#5
HoutHans Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Appingedam Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,122	Indeed, no GPS on board. Did you have the O-GPS attached at the time of taking the photos that have GPS data with them? Could it be that you inadvertedly changed some setting somewhere? Otherwise, it's probably just the entry into force of the GDPR over here in Europe so that you now know even better than before what privacy you're giving up ;-)

06-21-2018, 07:40 AM	#6
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by WellEquippedHack Hi Steve, That makes perfect sense. However, what confuses me is why the pictures I took yesterday have GPS location data saved in the image file, whereas the pictures I took one week earlier at the same location, as well as the 30000 previous pictures taken over the past 5 years, have no GPS location data whatsoever. Spooky. R. The GPS menu settings should have always been there. (They are in the user guide!) As for EXIF data having location information...perhaps the pixies have been busy? Which tags are you seeing with location information? Are you sure the files are from the K-50 and not the K-1? (Sorry, I know that sounds dumb, but I had to ask.) Steve

06-22-2018, 03:01 PM	#7
WellEquippedHack New Member Join Date: May 2018 Location: Saskatoon Posts: 4 Original Poster	Originally posted by stevebrot The GPS menu settings should have always been there. (They are in the user guide!) As for EXIF data having location information...perhaps the pixies have been busy? Which tags are you seeing with location information? Are you sure the files are from the K-50 and not the K-1? (Sorry, I know that sounds dumb, but I had to ask.) Steve Hi Steve, It's a perfectly legitimate question. I was definitely shooting with the K-50, as confirmed by the data imbedded into the image. The only GPS data imbedded into the image are latitude and longitude, which are consistent with the location where I took the picture. Given that I don't own an O-GPS, I am still mystified as to where the data came from. To further muddy the waters, the images I took with the K-50 yesterday don't have any latitude and longitude data saved. Very spooky. R.

06-27-2018, 07:54 PM - 1 Like	#8
PaysonAZTim Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: near Payson, Arizona Posts: 160	Originally posted by WellEquippedHack Here's the story. I'm editing the shots I took today with my lovely white K-50, and the editing app is displaying the GPS logo in the bottom right corner of the image thumbnail. Given that I'm editing with Picasa (yes, I know I'm stupidly cheap), I figured it was bugging yet again. Nevertheless, I checked my K-50's settings and found menus for GPS that I have never seen before. I haven't updated the firmware recently, and when I used the camera last week there was no indication of GPS capability. Pentax, what's going on here? Has my K-50 been learning things from my new (to me) K-1? See attached images. Thanks, Regan Picasa was a great program, especially for photo organization. So I wouldn't say that you're cheap for using it.

06-28-2018, 06:55 PM	#9
jimr-pdx Pentaxian Join Date: May 2010 Location: now 1 hour north of PDX Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,897	As a user of Picasa and LViewPro v1.D2, I definitely resemble that remark Small and simple editors fit well with my way of thinking!

07-02-2018, 02:21 PM	#10
Death89 Guest	Could it be that you also use an android phone, or iPhone with a Google account contributing to your location history? I have had location data added to photos that way before. Had me foxed until I realised that was what was happening. Given that Picasa was also Google's doing I'd guess its a 'helpful' backend feature.