[New video Oct 27] New information about upcoming APS-C flagship model

**Larrymc** · 11-16-2020, 06:22 AM

Originally posted by Henk T

On the K-1 there is besides the GPS switch an indicator light. This I don't see anywhere on the K-3 3.

Did you ever consider that the GPS is part of the "Smart" functions???? It probably doesn't absolutely have to be activated by a physical button somewhere on the camera body.

house · 11-16-2020, 06:35 AM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by Larrymc

Did you ever consider that the GPS is part of the "Smart" functions???? It probably doesn't absolutely have to be activated by a physical button somewhere on the camera body.

As a k-1 and k-3ii user that geotag my images I find that both the physical button and the light is over the top . Its a setting you change comparatively rarely and the icon is displayed on the screen. Pentax would do well to remove them and simplify the body.

taktoon · 11-16-2020, 07:27 AM

Originally posted by house

As a k-1 and k-3ii user that geotag my images I find that both the physical button and the light is over the top . Its a setting you change comparatively rarely and the icon is displayed on the screen. Pentax would do well to remove them and simplify the body.

Fully agree. I like new features on the K-33. I use K-1 and have to say that Fn wheel on this body is also over the top - mainly because it has fixed function set. When I saw that the KP got improved Fn. wheel it was clear to me that future FF body will get also this better implementation and now I see that they made big step forward with K-33 and Fn button. I probably won't buy this camera but the next FF... who knows.

gatorguy · 11-16-2020, 08:27 AM

Originally posted by house

As a k-1 and k-3ii user that geotag my images I find that both the physical button and the light is over the top . Its a setting you change comparatively rarely and the icon is displayed on the screen. Pentax would do well to remove them and simplify the body.

I would say I never geotag my photos, but I have on at least three rare occasions I can think of. One is ghost factory/warehouse that was almost impossible for me to find so yeah I tagged that one. The other two were wildlife areas that I could probably locate without it but just to be sure I did it anyway.

I'm with you in general: Those that do, do, and those that don't, well they don't. Changing it isn't something likely done very often.

Fogel70 · 11-16-2020, 08:57 AM

With low energy bluetooth, it is possible to get GPS position from a smartphone.
Which may be more accurate and can give correct position when indoors.

Low energy bluetooth may also make the smartphone app more convenient compared to using WiFi.
So you can keep the smartphone online through WiFi when you have your camera connected to the smartphone.

But camera manufacturers are in general not best know for their app designs.

**ThorSanchez** · 11-16-2020, 09:30 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Fogel70

With low energy bluetooth, it is possible to get GPS position from a smartphone.
Which may be more accurate and can give correct position when indoors.

Low energy bluetooth may also make the smartphone app more convenient compared to using WiFi.
So you can keep the smartphone online through WiFi when you have your camera connected to the smartphone.

But camera manufacturers are in general not best know for their app designs.

If the K-3iii is like my car audio system and all I have to do is turn on the car and the Bluetooth automatically pairs with my phone, that's all good. If I have to mess around with Ricoh/Pentax app on the phone and do some even slightly fiddly dance to make it pair up and make sure it stays paired and transferring GPS and other data it's going to rarely be used. And the baseline performance here is the K-3ii's GPS, which just works when you hit the button.

phoebus · 11-16-2020, 10:37 AM

Originally posted by Fogel70

With low energy bluetooth, it is possible to get GPS position from a smartphone.
Which may be more accurate and can give correct position when indoors.

Low energy bluetooth may also make the smartphone app more convenient compared to using WiFi.
So you can keep the smartphone online through WiFi when you have your camera connected to the smartphone.

But camera manufacturers are in general not best know for their app designs.

The downside of using phone/bluetooth for location is you lose camera heading information, compared to the in-built GPS/Attitude/Heading system in the K-3ii and K-1, so astrotracer can't function seamlessly. As the hardware for GPS is so cheap and small these days, I would be very surprised if it isn't included in a flagship model.

The lack of dedicated button/indicator isn't surprising, I'd be more surprised if it was still there: the SFn selector [or info screen] is the obvious place to control it.

Wheatfield · 11-16-2020, 10:48 AM

Originally posted by LeeRunge

That’s so Pentax. Motion bracketing! Someone needs a photo stitch mode to remove crowds by taking a bunch of images and removing the people.

It is something available in Photoshop. It would be cool to have it available as an in camera routine.

someasiancameraguy · 11-16-2020, 10:56 AM

I just noticed that the new body has a dedicated SR button. Any theories as to why a button like this is necessary?

Henk T · 11-16-2020, 11:46 AM

Originally posted by Fogel70

With low energy bluetooth, it is possible to get GPS position from a smartphone.
Which may be more accurate and can give correct position when indoors.

Low energy bluetooth may also make the smartphone app more convenient compared to using WiFi.
So you can keep the smartphone online through WiFi when you have your camera connected to the smartphone.

But camera manufacturers are in general not best know for their app designs.

The GPS of the K-1 is always 'spot on' for me in reporting to the nature observation data base in my country. Their program reads the coordinates of my picture and plots these on their map. This looks very accurate as I can check easily when e.g. taking a picture from the border of a pool and I know the spot well.

**RobA_Oz** · 11-16-2020, 12:00 PM

Originally posted by Serkevan

Considering the camera is marketed for "dynamism", I'm fairly certain that bringing the SR button back is for quickly changing between "Normal" and "Panning" SR for improved performance while tracking.

Originally posted by Serkevan

I thought about that because it *is* one of those little usability things that Pentax loves doing. Now if they brought back the lever for metering modes instead of that lock/unlock thing that might as well not exist...

. I understand that's useful for some people but it's the one thing I believe they have made worse over the years.

Originally posted by someasiancameraguy

I just noticed that the new body has a dedicated SR button. Any theories as to why a button like this is necessary?

See above possibilities.

Mistral75 · 11-16-2020, 12:11 PM

Originally posted by someasiancameraguy

I just noticed that the new body has a dedicated SR button. Any theories as to why a button like this is necessary?

The K10D/K20D had an SR lever as well.

**Belnan** · 11-16-2020, 12:14 PM

Originally posted by someasiancameraguy

I just noticed that the new body has a dedicated SR button. Any theories as to why a button like this is necessary?

I hadn't noticed, but I liked the button on the K5.

reh321 · 11-16-2020, 12:28 PM

Originally posted by ThorSanchez

If the K-3iii is like my car audio system and all I have to do is turn on the car and the Bluetooth automatically pairs with my phone, that's all good. If I have to mess around with Ricoh/Pentax app on the phone and do some even slightly fiddly dance to make it pair up and make sure it stays paired and transferring GPS and other data it's going to rarely be used.

That may depend on menu settings.
On my KP I have to turn on WiFi whenever I'm going to use it, but of course, WiFi is different from Bluetooth.

MMVIII · 11-16-2020, 12:55 PM

Originally posted by reh321

That may depend on menu settings.
On my KP I have to turn on WiFi whenever I'm going to use it, but of course, WiFi is different from Bluetooth.

LE (low energy) bluetooth can wake up devices that are "turned off". On my Olympus Air 01 a bluetooth connection is established from my phone as soon as the app on my mobile phone is started. The camera can be turned off and will be turned on, then a WIFI connection is established for the actual remote control, to provide a live view, control of functions and image transfer. BT would be too slow for that. Now, this could work on a DSLR probably for settings that are not set by external switches, to avoid contradictory information between settings of levers and set functions. This might be only the on off switch and the AF switch. The Fn button instead of the Function selection wheel might be also better suited for deeper possibilities for remote control. It could be possible to duplicate the options from the touchscreen which would be available either in LV or movie mode.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
July 22nd, 2020 at 7 p.m.: Update on the development of the new APS-C flagship model	beholder3	Pentax News and Rumors	14	07-16-2020 03:47 PM
New information about new flagship's selling date	Karen the Star	Pentax News and Rumors	1650	02-29-2020 01:18 AM
Purchase dilemma - KP or new APS-C flagship?	NotMyFatDog	Pentax DSLR Discussion	80	12-10-2019 08:00 AM
Upgrade Question - Upcoming ASP-C Flagship or K1 Mk ii ?	5shot	Pentax DSLR Discussion	43	08-10-2019 08:40 PM
Who knows the actually information about new aps-c flagship?	Karen the Star	Pentax DSLR Discussion	48	06-28-2019 11:15 AM

11-16-2020, 06:22 AM	#1126
Larrymc Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Mississippi, USA Posts: 5,251	Originally posted by Henk T On the K-1 there is besides the GPS switch an indicator light. This I don't see anywhere on the K-3 3. Did you ever consider that the GPS is part of the "Smart" functions???? It probably doesn't absolutely have to be activated by a physical button somewhere on the camera body.

11-16-2020, 06:35 AM - 2 Likes	#1127
house Pentaxian Join Date: May 2015 Photos: Albums Posts: 3,306	Originally posted by Larrymc Did you ever consider that the GPS is part of the "Smart" functions???? It probably doesn't absolutely have to be activated by a physical button somewhere on the camera body. As a k-1 and k-3ii user that geotag my images I find that both the physical button and the light is over the top . Its a setting you change comparatively rarely and the icon is displayed on the screen. Pentax would do well to remove them and simplify the body.

11-16-2020, 07:27 AM	#1128
taktoon Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Posts: 605	Originally posted by house As a k-1 and k-3ii user that geotag my images I find that both the physical button and the light is over the top . Its a setting you change comparatively rarely and the icon is displayed on the screen. Pentax would do well to remove them and simplify the body. Fully agree. I like new features on the K-33. I use K-1 and have to say that Fn wheel on this body is also over the top - mainly because it has fixed function set. When I saw that the KP got improved Fn. wheel it was clear to me that future FF body will get also this better implementation and now I see that they made big step forward with K-33 and Fn button. I probably won't buy this camera but the next FF... who knows.

11-16-2020, 08:27 AM	#1129
gatorguy Moderator Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Central Florida Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,092	Originally posted by house As a k-1 and k-3ii user that geotag my images I find that both the physical button and the light is over the top . Its a setting you change comparatively rarely and the icon is displayed on the screen. Pentax would do well to remove them and simplify the body. I would say I never geotag my photos, but I have on at least three rare occasions I can think of. One is ghost factory/warehouse that was almost impossible for me to find so yeah I tagged that one. The other two were wildlife areas that I could probably locate without it but just to be sure I did it anyway. I'm with you in general: Those that do, do, and those that don't, well they don't. Changing it isn't something likely done very often.

11-16-2020, 08:57 AM	#1130
Fogel70 Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Stockholm, Sweden Photos: Albums Posts: 3,062	With low energy bluetooth, it is possible to get GPS position from a smartphone. Which may be more accurate and can give correct position when indoors. Low energy bluetooth may also make the smartphone app more convenient compared to using WiFi. So you can keep the smartphone online through WiFi when you have your camera connected to the smartphone. But camera manufacturers are in general not best know for their app designs.

11-16-2020, 09:30 AM - 1 Like	#1131
ThorSanchez Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2012 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,806	Originally posted by Fogel70 With low energy bluetooth, it is possible to get GPS position from a smartphone. Which may be more accurate and can give correct position when indoors. Low energy bluetooth may also make the smartphone app more convenient compared to using WiFi. So you can keep the smartphone online through WiFi when you have your camera connected to the smartphone. But camera manufacturers are in general not best know for their app designs. If the K-3iii is like my car audio system and all I have to do is turn on the car and the Bluetooth automatically pairs with my phone, that's all good. If I have to mess around with Ricoh/Pentax app on the phone and do some even slightly fiddly dance to make it pair up and make sure it stays paired and transferring GPS and other data it's going to rarely be used. And the baseline performance here is the K-3ii's GPS, which just works when you hit the button.

11-16-2020, 10:37 AM	#1132
phoebus Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Buckinghamshire (UK) / Morbihan (FR) Photos: Gallery Posts: 470	Originally posted by Fogel70 With low energy bluetooth, it is possible to get GPS position from a smartphone. Which may be more accurate and can give correct position when indoors. Low energy bluetooth may also make the smartphone app more convenient compared to using WiFi. So you can keep the smartphone online through WiFi when you have your camera connected to the smartphone. But camera manufacturers are in general not best know for their app designs. The downside of using phone/bluetooth for location is you lose camera heading information, compared to the in-built GPS/Attitude/Heading system in the K-3ii and K-1, so astrotracer can't function seamlessly. As the hardware for GPS is so cheap and small these days, I would be very surprised if it isn't included in a flagship model. The lack of dedicated button/indicator isn't surprising, I'd be more surprised if it was still there: the SFn selector [or info screen] is the obvious place to control it.

11-16-2020, 10:48 AM	#1133
Wheatfield Moderator Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: The wheatfields of Canada Posts: 15,981	Originally posted by LeeRunge That’s so Pentax. Motion bracketing! Someone needs a photo stitch mode to remove crowds by taking a bunch of images and removing the people. It is something available in Photoshop. It would be cool to have it available as an in camera routine.

11-16-2020, 10:56 AM	#1134
someasiancameraguy Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: Hong Kong Posts: 419	I just noticed that the new body has a dedicated SR button. Any theories as to why a button like this is necessary?

11-16-2020, 11:46 AM	#1135
Henk T Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2020 Posts: 33	Originally posted by Fogel70 With low energy bluetooth, it is possible to get GPS position from a smartphone. Which may be more accurate and can give correct position when indoors. Low energy bluetooth may also make the smartphone app more convenient compared to using WiFi. So you can keep the smartphone online through WiFi when you have your camera connected to the smartphone. But camera manufacturers are in general not best know for their app designs. The GPS of the K-1 is always 'spot on' for me in reporting to the nature observation data base in my country. Their program reads the coordinates of my picture and plots these on their map. This looks very accurate as I can check easily when e.g. taking a picture from the border of a pool and I know the spot well.

11-16-2020, 12:00 PM	#1136
RobA_Oz Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Tasmania, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,197	Originally posted by Serkevan Considering the camera is marketed for "dynamism", I'm fairly certain that bringing the SR button back is for quickly changing between "Normal" and "Panning" SR for improved performance while tracking. Originally posted by Serkevan I thought about that because it is one of those little usability things that Pentax loves doing. Now if they brought back the lever for metering modes instead of that lock/unlock thing that might as well not exist... . I understand that's useful for some people but it's the one thing I believe they have made worse over the years. Originally posted by someasiancameraguy I just noticed that the new body has a dedicated SR button. Any theories as to why a button like this is necessary? See above possibilities.

11-16-2020, 12:11 PM	#1137
Mistral75 Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Paris, France Posts: 7,527	Originally posted by someasiancameraguy I just noticed that the new body has a dedicated SR button. Any theories as to why a button like this is necessary? The K10D/K20D had an SR lever as well.

11-16-2020, 12:14 PM	#1138
Belnan Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Nova Scotia Photos: Albums Posts: 1,090	Originally posted by someasiancameraguy I just noticed that the new body has a dedicated SR button. Any theories as to why a button like this is necessary? I hadn't noticed, but I liked the button on the K5.

11-16-2020, 12:28 PM	#1139
reh321 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: South Bend, IN, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,177	Originally posted by ThorSanchez If the K-3iii is like my car audio system and all I have to do is turn on the car and the Bluetooth automatically pairs with my phone, that's all good. If I have to mess around with Ricoh/Pentax app on the phone and do some even slightly fiddly dance to make it pair up and make sure it stays paired and transferring GPS and other data it's going to rarely be used. That may depend on menu settings. On my KP I have to turn on WiFi whenever I'm going to use it, but of course, WiFi is different from Bluetooth.

11-16-2020, 12:55 PM	#1140
MMVIII Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: EU Posts: 1,121	Originally posted by reh321 That may depend on menu settings. On my KP I have to turn on WiFi whenever I'm going to use it, but of course, WiFi is different from Bluetooth. LE (low energy) bluetooth can wake up devices that are "turned off". On my Olympus Air 01 a bluetooth connection is established from my phone as soon as the app on my mobile phone is started. The camera can be turned off and will be turned on, then a WIFI connection is established for the actual remote control, to provide a live view, control of functions and image transfer. BT would be too slow for that. Now, this could work on a DSLR probably for settings that are not set by external switches, to avoid contradictory information between settings of levers and set functions. This might be only the on off switch and the AF switch. The Fn button instead of the Function selection wheel might be also better suited for deeper possibilities for remote control. It could be possible to duplicate the options from the touchscreen which would be available either in LV or movie mode.