Announced firmware update for K-5

Col · 10-29-2010, 03:46 AM

True, could be when the EVF is switched on?

janneman · 10-29-2010, 04:21 AM

Originally posted by Col

And next April the viewfinder grows. Then again, maybe the update will only be valid until the end on November? Just to stimulate the market!

No, the shutterbutton will be gone, just thinking of a picture will make that happen...

Urkeldaedalus · 10-29-2010, 05:18 AM

Good news!

**fs999** · 10-29-2010, 05:25 AM

Only at ISO 100 and PEF. Why not DNG ?

dgaies · 10-29-2010, 05:30 AM

Originally posted by fs999

Only at ISO 100 and PEF. Why not DNG ?

It's will increase the number across the board, not just for PEF and ISO 100.

But the maximum will (likely) be at ISO 100 and PEF because that will result in the lowest file size.

At the moment, I get 8 DNG files before the buffer fills (up to ISO5000), and occasionally 9 frames at low ISO. That number drops to 4 at or above ISO 6400.

Edvinas · 10-29-2010, 05:40 AM

Originally posted by fs999

Only at ISO 100 and PEF. Why not DNG ?

Continuous shooting will be improved in all sensitivities and all file formats. They just specified how many frames it is going to be at ISO100 in PEF. Expect DNG to be more or less the same.

ogl · 10-29-2010, 05:56 AM

Originally posted by eurostar

PENTAX K-5? ?????????????????PENTAX

If the google translator is reliable, they plan to upgrade the 8 raw buffer to 20! How they will is beyond me... unless it was hardware-planned that way and only the rush of the Photokina presentation prevented them to be able to make the camera wrks that way since the start...

It's outstanding...

K-5 18-135 kit will be launched on November, 26

**fs999** · 10-29-2010, 05:56 AM

Thank you for the info !

RonHendriks1966 · 10-29-2010, 06:57 AM

Well I'm holding my breath, because I'm hoping to use the continu function at iso-2500 for indoor sports.

gazonk · 10-29-2010, 07:23 AM

This is really good news! I don't use drive mode a lot myself, but this was the only weak point (except for lack of tethering) I could find in this camera so far.

Btw.: How fast SD cards does the K-5 need (or how fast cards can it take advantage of)? Fastest you can get?

adamfogerty · 10-29-2010, 07:25 AM

Originally posted by falconeye

I discussed the raw buffer properties with Gordon at DPR.

Here is my latest assessment after taking the firmware announcement into account:

Re: K-5 RAM size - big enough for a 20 frame buffer (RAW): Pentax SLR Talk Forum: Digital Photography Review

And this is what I said:

yes,

the new Pentax announcement indicates that Gordon's assumption was correct (full raw frames in the buffer) and that now they move to a scheme like I hinted at (compressed files in the buffer). 20 compressed RAWs are 400 MB, so, the minimum memory needed would be 512 MB much like Gordon assumed.

If the memory was 1024 MB in the first place, it is unlikely that the initial write buffer was crippled to 8 frames (256MB or 1/4 of memory) only.
If it is 512MB, then the available memory for processing (256MB initially) would now be lower (112MB) and I don't think they have been that radical in redoing their algorithms.

Therefore, I think that the memory is 512MB and the write buffer (256MB) is now used for compressed RAWs yielding 13 RAWs, not 20. If 20 isn't an error in translation (like 20% better), then they may additionally offer a 12Bit option which is also known as level compression, a rather common option elsewhere. 20 requires to store 17 (3 can be written to SD) or 15MB per RAW, corresponding to 13.7 MB for a K-7 RAW taking the #pixels into account. That's a familiar size indeed

So, that's my new guess indeed:

1. 512MB overall memory, 256MB reserved as write buffer (WB) to SD

2. FW 1.0: Partioned into 32MB 16Bit memory frames -> 8 RAWs in WB

3. FW x.x (Nov):
Compressed 14Bit raw files -> 15 RAWs (13 in WB, 2 written)

Compressed 12Bit raw files -> 20 RAWs (17 in WB, 3 written)

So, if the announcement is accurate, it implies (if my reasoning isn't flawed) that they add a 12Bit option too. It would be strange if they would only enable it in burst mode, so yeah, we may see a general level compression option (aka 12 Bit).
The good thing is Pentax is listening
The bad part is that they didn't use state-of-the-art coding in the first place

Yes, the buffer size would shrink at higher ISO. But maybe only roughly proportionally to the size increase of 12Bit raw files.

Before launch Pentax said support for SDXC would be coming via a firmware update. A quick search suggests SDXC write speeds can be theoretically as much as x4 that of SDHC.

Maybe you're over thinking things and this is all Pentax is doing?

Adam

rawr · 10-29-2010, 08:24 AM

Originally posted by adamfogerty

SDXC write speeds can be theoretically as much as x4 that of SDHC.

Exactly. In theory - if the hardware supports those write speeds.

It's not clear if the K-5 hardware is engineered to read/write at full SDXC speeds. Instead, it maybe the case that the K-5 will support the larger data capacities of SDXC but only read and write to them at (still pretty fast) SDHC speeds. Which if you are talking stuff like Class 10 SDHC (30MB/s or so) is still going to be a pretty decent outcome with SDXC.

Fototim · 10-29-2010, 08:26 AM

Originally posted by adamfogerty

Before launch Pentax said support for SDXC would be coming via a firmware update. A quick search suggests SDXC write speeds can be theoretically as much as x4 that of SDHC.

Maybe you're over thinking things and this is all Pentax is doing?

Adam

Maybe. But maybe not...

SDXC is a feature. I expect Pentax would list this as a so in the announcement.

RonHendriks1966 · 10-29-2010, 08:27 AM

Originally posted by Fototim

Maybe. But maybe not...

SDXC is a feature. I expect Pentax would list this as a so in the announcement.

SDXC was anounst for spring as I remember it. Still there are no fast SDXC cards on sale at the time.

Col · 10-29-2010, 09:07 AM

Originally posted by janneman

No, the shutterbutton will be gone, just thinking of a picture will make that happen...

What without an 18-135mm

Sorry not to come back quicker, but I was checking the camera body to see where the second card slot was going to appear.

10-29-2010, 07:25 AM	#26
adamfogerty Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 47	Originally posted by falconeye I discussed the raw buffer properties with Gordon at DPR. Here is my latest assessment after taking the firmware announcement into account: Re: K-5 RAM size - big enough for a 20 frame buffer (RAW): Pentax SLR Talk Forum: Digital Photography Review And this is what I said: yes, the new Pentax announcement indicates that Gordon's assumption was correct (full raw frames in the buffer) and that now they move to a scheme like I hinted at (compressed files in the buffer). 20 compressed RAWs are 400 MB, so, the minimum memory needed would be 512 MB much like Gordon assumed. If the memory was 1024 MB in the first place, it is unlikely that the initial write buffer was crippled to 8 frames (256MB or 1/4 of memory) only. If it is 512MB, then the available memory for processing (256MB initially) would now be lower (112MB) and I don't think they have been that radical in redoing their algorithms. Therefore, I think that the memory is 512MB and the write buffer (256MB) is now used for compressed RAWs yielding 13 RAWs, not 20. If 20 isn't an error in translation (like 20% better), then they may additionally offer a 12Bit option which is also known as level compression, a rather common option elsewhere. 20 requires to store 17 (3 can be written to SD) or 15MB per RAW, corresponding to 13.7 MB for a K-7 RAW taking the #pixels into account. That's a familiar size indeed So, that's my new guess indeed: 1. 512MB overall memory, 256MB reserved as write buffer (WB) to SD 2. FW 1.0: Partioned into 32MB 16Bit memory frames -> 8 RAWs in WB 3. FW x.x (Nov): Compressed 14Bit raw files -> 15 RAWs (13 in WB, 2 written) Compressed 12Bit raw files -> 20 RAWs (17 in WB, 3 written) So, if the announcement is accurate, it implies (if my reasoning isn't flawed) that they add a 12Bit option too. It would be strange if they would only enable it in burst mode, so yeah, we may see a general level compression option (aka 12 Bit). The good thing is Pentax is listening The bad part is that they didn't use state-of-the-art coding in the first place Yes, the buffer size would shrink at higher ISO. But maybe only roughly proportionally to the size increase of 12Bit raw files. Before launch Pentax said support for SDXC would be coming via a firmware update. A quick search suggests SDXC write speeds can be theoretically as much as x4 that of SDHC. Maybe you're over thinking things and this is all Pentax is doing? Adam

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Un-announced firmware upgrade for K-x?	Deolman	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	1	05-27-2010 03:14 PM
Cannot Update Firmware	a johnson	Pentax DSLR Discussion	10	04-27-2010 04:36 PM
New Canon 5D Mark II HD firmware details announced	Samsungian	Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Other Camera Brands	0	03-02-2010 05:22 AM
K7 Firmware Update	Workingdog	Pentax DSLR Discussion	2	12-22-2009 01:53 PM
Need Help to Update Firmware	JamesD	Pentax DSLR Discussion	22	10-20-2007 04:34 PM

10-29-2010, 03:46 AM	#16
Col Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Stansted Essex Photos: Gallery Posts: 614	True, could be when the EVF is switched on?

10-29-2010, 04:21 AM	#17
janneman Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Netherlands Photos: Gallery Posts: 908	Originally posted by Col And next April the viewfinder grows. Then again, maybe the update will only be valid until the end on November? Just to stimulate the market! No, the shutterbutton will be gone, just thinking of a picture will make that happen...

10-29-2010, 05:18 AM	#18
Urkeldaedalus Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Iowa Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,369	Good news!

10-29-2010, 05:25 AM	#19
fs999 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Luxembourg Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,639	Only at ISO 100 and PEF. Why not DNG ?

10-29-2010, 05:30 AM	#20
dgaies Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Maryland / Washington DC Posts: 3,917	Originally posted by fs999 Only at ISO 100 and PEF. Why not DNG ? It's will increase the number across the board, not just for PEF and ISO 100. But the maximum will (likely) be at ISO 100 and PEF because that will result in the lowest file size. At the moment, I get 8 DNG files before the buffer fills (up to ISO5000), and occasionally 9 frames at low ISO. That number drops to 4 at or above ISO 6400.

10-29-2010, 05:40 AM	#21
Edvinas Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Kaunas Posts: 1,458	Originally posted by fs999 Only at ISO 100 and PEF. Why not DNG ? Continuous shooting will be improved in all sensitivities and all file formats. They just specified how many frames it is going to be at ISO100 in PEF. Expect DNG to be more or less the same.

10-29-2010, 05:56 AM	#22
ogl Banned Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Sankt Peterburg Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,382	Originally posted by eurostar PENTAX K-5? ?????????????????PENTAX If the google translator is reliable, they plan to upgrade the 8 raw buffer to 20! How they will is beyond me... unless it was hardware-planned that way and only the rush of the Photokina presentation prevented them to be able to make the camera wrks that way since the start... It's outstanding... K-5 18-135 kit will be launched on November, 26

10-29-2010, 05:56 AM	#23
fs999 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Luxembourg Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,639	Thank you for the info !

10-29-2010, 06:57 AM	#24
RonHendriks1966 Banned Join Date: Jan 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,675	Well I'm holding my breath, because I'm hoping to use the continu function at iso-2500 for indoor sports.

10-29-2010, 07:23 AM	#25
gazonk Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Oslo area, Norway Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,746	This is really good news! I don't use drive mode a lot myself, but this was the only weak point (except for lack of tethering) I could find in this camera so far. Btw.: How fast SD cards does the K-5 need (or how fast cards can it take advantage of)? Fastest you can get?

10-29-2010, 08:24 AM	#27
rawr Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 11,913	Originally posted by adamfogerty SDXC write speeds can be theoretically as much as x4 that of SDHC. Exactly. In theory - if the hardware supports those write speeds. It's not clear if the K-5 hardware is engineered to read/write at full SDXC speeds. Instead, it maybe the case that the K-5 will support the larger data capacities of SDXC but only read and write to them at (still pretty fast) SDHC speeds. Which if you are talking stuff like Class 10 SDHC (30MB/s or so) is still going to be a pretty decent outcome with SDXC.

10-29-2010, 08:26 AM	#28
Fototim Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Norway Posts: 268	Originally posted by adamfogerty Before launch Pentax said support for SDXC would be coming via a firmware update. A quick search suggests SDXC write speeds can be theoretically as much as x4 that of SDHC. Maybe you're over thinking things and this is all Pentax is doing? Adam Maybe. But maybe not... SDXC is a feature. I expect Pentax would list this as a so in the announcement.

10-29-2010, 08:27 AM	#29
RonHendriks1966 Banned Join Date: Jan 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,675	Originally posted by Fototim Maybe. But maybe not... SDXC is a feature. I expect Pentax would list this as a so in the announcement. SDXC was anounst for spring as I remember it. Still there are no fast SDXC cards on sale at the time.

10-29-2010, 09:07 AM	#30
Col Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Stansted Essex Photos: Gallery Posts: 614	Originally posted by janneman No, the shutterbutton will be gone, just thinking of a picture will make that happen... What without an 18-135mm Sorry not to come back quicker, but I was checking the camera body to see where the second card slot was going to appear.