New firmware to PENTAX K-7: 1.03

kenny558 · 02-18-2010, 12:14 AM

Just flashed, no different for my 16-50. everything just fine.

GoremanX · 02-18-2010, 12:42 AM

Originally posted by frank

Oh yeah, some guys upgraded the firmware to 1.03, and claimed that focusing w/ FA50 is better (sharper), exposure is more accurate (not as likely to get under exposed photos), high ISO noise control is better, SR is more effective, taking video is definitely better ('cause the firmware fixed some SD card problem) ...

I wouldn't dismiss it so much. I totally dismissed those people who claimed SR was more effective after they installed the silent 1.02 update a couple months back. I figured they were just seeing what they wanted to see. Then I went and installed it, and lo-and-behold, SR performance wasn't just slightly improved, it was VASTLY improved. Suddenly, shots that came out blurry at 1/40 were coming out razor sharp at 1/20. I can take a perfect shot at 1/6 and 50mm handheld when I'm steady.

Most people didn't install this silent 1.02 update because it was never listed anywhere. Pentax just pushed it to their servers to replace the previous 1.02 update, and didn't mention what it fixed. The only way to tell it was different was by checking the MD5 sum. The only way to confirm it was really new was to check the 3rd minor version number of the firmware in the EXIF of pictures taken with the camera. But the fact that the camera allowed updating the firmware from 1.02 to 1.02 was proof enough anyways. Normally the camera won't do a firmware update unless the firmware file on the SD card is different from the current one.

So people installing 1.03 would now be seeing the same improvements I did to SR performance. I wouldn't discount further possible changes to the way the camera behaves.

GoremanX · 02-18-2010, 12:50 AM

Originally posted by KansasHorizons.com

Sweet, My cheaper than the sandisk by far transcends just went back to amazon today because they couldn't keep up with the video and NOW they fix it.....

I had the same problem, my 16GB Class6 SD card couldn't keep up so I bought a faster Class10 8GB card instead. Now I can use my 16GB one for video and my 8GB one for faster picture-taking

Out of curiosity, I just tried out the high speed shooting now that I've updated the firmware. I still get only 9 shots at 5.2 fps in RAW+ and 13 shots in RAW. But I can get 25 shots in JPG-only before the camera starts to slow down, and it only slows down negligibly at that point. This is a vast improvement from the old 14-15 in JPG-only.

eljaco · 02-18-2010, 03:55 AM

Originally posted by GoremanX

So people installing 1.03 would now be seeing the same improvements I did to SR performance. I wouldn't discount further possible changes to the way the camera behaves.

Maybe that's what Pentax means by:
"Improved usability by optimize the program of vertical position judgment."

Better SR because the camera can now better judge how you handle your camera?
Just a possibility - maybe that's what they've been working on the various 'silent' updates...

Erik · 02-18-2010, 04:10 AM

Originally posted by eljaco

Maybe that's what Pentax means by:
"Improved usability by optimize the program of vertical position judgment."

Better SR because the camera can now better judge how you handle your camera?
Just a possibility - maybe that's what they've been working on the various 'silent' updates...

Actually I thought it was pretty clear that they've improved the camera's ability to sense when the camera is held vertically -- i.e. maybe it used to misjudge and rotate/not rotate some pictures that were supposed (not) to be, and now it doesn't. Don't own a K-7, but I'm pretty sure that's it.

ogl · 02-18-2010, 04:56 AM

Improved usability by optimize the program of vertical position judgment.

what does it mean?

flyer · 02-18-2010, 08:18 AM

Originally posted by ogl

Improved usability by optimize the program of vertical position judgment.

what does it mean?

I think it might relate to the "zero" position of the sensor. If the sensor didn't take the proper vertical as reference, it might cause pictures to be off level.

carpediem007 · 02-18-2010, 08:25 AM

Originally posted by thibs

Mmm? We must have had different K10D/K7 ..

Hi there Thibs,

I take/make pictures and I couldn't care less about some of the questionable "reviews/tests" one can find on the net.

But, while doing some research for a new camera I was going to surprise myself with

, I found the general consensus concerning Pentax camera image quality is:

It's been downhill from the K10D onward...
(Especially at low ISO; I don't do more than 100...)

After checking the usual suspects (dpreview, steves-digicams, imaging-resource etc...) and looking at the listings at dxomark, I decided I'll just wait for a FF later this year or next.

I'm certain it's not because of the capabilities of my K10D "if/that" my imagery sucks...

Anyways [sic], here's a link to the listing at dxomark... Just choose Pentax and see for your self... Camera rankings
28th K10D, 32nd K20D, 56th K-7...

Greets from a cold and rainy Cologne,
Michael

farfisa · 02-18-2010, 08:38 AM

Up on the Pentax Canada site now:
Pentax Canada - K-7

MarcinZ · 02-18-2010, 09:04 AM

On Pentax Japan as well:

Pentax Japan K-7

sbbtim · 02-18-2010, 09:12 AM

K-x next? Finger crossed...

KansasHorizons.com · 02-18-2010, 10:49 AM

Originally posted by GoremanX

I had the same problem, my 16GB Class6 SD card couldn't keep up so I bought a faster Class10 8GB card instead. Now I can use my 16GB one for video and my 8GB one for faster picture-taking

Out of curiosity, I just tried out the high speed shooting now that I've updated the firmware. I still get only 9 shots at 5.2 fps in RAW+ and 13 shots in RAW. But I can get 25 shots in JPG-only before the camera starts to slow down, and it only slows down negligibly at that point. This is a vast improvement from the old 14-15 in JPG-only.

I never tried the actual photo counting in burst before I upgraded to 103 but I just did a test on my remaining 8 gig Transcend and can now get 2:30 ish before the buffer fills up. I guess this is still an improvement but it's still not going to work for full capability videos on those class 6 cards. I would suspect though that the 15 mb/s and especially 20 mb/s cards would work just fine now.

GoremanX · 02-18-2010, 12:14 PM

Originally posted by eljaco

"Improved usability by optimize the program of vertical position judgment."

That's just atrocious translating... I find it hilarious how Japanese translates to English. It's even worse than French to English.

emr · 02-18-2010, 12:17 PM

What is it with v 1.02 firmware and Pentax? Atleast now there are only sofware versions 1.01 and 1.03 for K20D too.

Originally posted by carpediem007

Greets from a cold and rainy Cologne

Wanna trade that for -29°C and a metre of snow?

Danny Delcambre · 02-18-2010, 12:26 PM

Sad not get full manual video, Low Light, more more... I think 1.03 is last then no longer because I see other most of 1.03 never get more than 1.04 or more.. Look alike it was last then no longer firmware for K-7 because I had my K10d was only 1.03.. SAD

02-18-2010, 08:25 AM	#38
carpediem007 Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Eilat, Israel Photos: Gallery Posts: 51	Not intending to "pixel peep" but... Originally posted by thibs Mmm? We must have had different K10D/K7 .. Hi there Thibs, I take/make pictures and I couldn't care less about some of the questionable "reviews/tests" one can find on the net. But, while doing some research for a new camera I was going to surprise myself with , I found the general consensus concerning Pentax camera image quality is: It's been downhill from the K10D onward... (Especially at low ISO; I don't do more than 100...) After checking the usual suspects (dpreview, steves-digicams, imaging-resource etc...) and looking at the listings at dxomark, I decided I'll just wait for a FF later this year or next. I'm certain it's not because of the capabilities of my K10D "if/that" my imagery sucks... Anyways [sic], here's a link to the listing at dxomark... Just choose Pentax and see for your self... Camera rankings 28th K10D, 32nd K20D, 56th K-7... Greets from a cold and rainy Cologne, Michael

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02-18-2010, 12:14 AM	#31
kenny558 Inactive Account Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Hong Kong Photos: Albums Posts: 4	Just flashed, no different for my 16-50. everything just fine.

02-18-2010, 12:42 AM	#32
GoremanX Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Georgia, VT Photos: Albums Posts: 1,657	Originally posted by frank Oh yeah, some guys upgraded the firmware to 1.03, and claimed that focusing w/ FA50 is better (sharper), exposure is more accurate (not as likely to get under exposed photos), high ISO noise control is better, SR is more effective, taking video is definitely better ('cause the firmware fixed some SD card problem) ... I wouldn't dismiss it so much. I totally dismissed those people who claimed SR was more effective after they installed the silent 1.02 update a couple months back. I figured they were just seeing what they wanted to see. Then I went and installed it, and lo-and-behold, SR performance wasn't just slightly improved, it was VASTLY improved. Suddenly, shots that came out blurry at 1/40 were coming out razor sharp at 1/20. I can take a perfect shot at 1/6 and 50mm handheld when I'm steady. Most people didn't install this silent 1.02 update because it was never listed anywhere. Pentax just pushed it to their servers to replace the previous 1.02 update, and didn't mention what it fixed. The only way to tell it was different was by checking the MD5 sum. The only way to confirm it was really new was to check the 3rd minor version number of the firmware in the EXIF of pictures taken with the camera. But the fact that the camera allowed updating the firmware from 1.02 to 1.02 was proof enough anyways. Normally the camera won't do a firmware update unless the firmware file on the SD card is different from the current one. So people installing 1.03 would now be seeing the same improvements I did to SR performance. I wouldn't discount further possible changes to the way the camera behaves.

02-18-2010, 12:50 AM	#33
GoremanX Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Georgia, VT Photos: Albums Posts: 1,657	Originally posted by KansasHorizons.com Sweet, My cheaper than the sandisk by far transcends just went back to amazon today because they couldn't keep up with the video and NOW they fix it..... I had the same problem, my 16GB Class6 SD card couldn't keep up so I bought a faster Class10 8GB card instead. Now I can use my 16GB one for video and my 8GB one for faster picture-taking Out of curiosity, I just tried out the high speed shooting now that I've updated the firmware. I still get only 9 shots at 5.2 fps in RAW+ and 13 shots in RAW. But I can get 25 shots in JPG-only before the camera starts to slow down, and it only slows down negligibly at that point. This is a vast improvement from the old 14-15 in JPG-only.

02-18-2010, 03:55 AM	#34
eljaco Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Courbevoie Posts: 72	Originally posted by GoremanX So people installing 1.03 would now be seeing the same improvements I did to SR performance. I wouldn't discount further possible changes to the way the camera behaves. Maybe that's what Pentax means by: "Improved usability by optimize the program of vertical position judgment." Better SR because the camera can now better judge how you handle your camera? Just a possibility - maybe that's what they've been working on the various 'silent' updates...

02-18-2010, 04:10 AM	#35
Erik Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Umeå, Sweden Posts: 755	Originally posted by eljaco Maybe that's what Pentax means by: "Improved usability by optimize the program of vertical position judgment." Better SR because the camera can now better judge how you handle your camera? Just a possibility - maybe that's what they've been working on the various 'silent' updates... Actually I thought it was pretty clear that they've improved the camera's ability to sense when the camera is held vertically -- i.e. maybe it used to misjudge and rotate/not rotate some pictures that were supposed (not) to be, and now it doesn't. Don't own a K-7, but I'm pretty sure that's it.

02-18-2010, 04:56 AM	#36
ogl Banned Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Sankt Peterburg Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,382	Improved usability by optimize the program of vertical position judgment. what does it mean?

02-18-2010, 08:18 AM	#37
flyer Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Ste-Anne des Plaines, Qc., Canada Posts: 2,013	Originally posted by ogl Improved usability by optimize the program of vertical position judgment. what does it mean? I think it might relate to the "zero" position of the sensor. If the sensor didn't take the proper vertical as reference, it might cause pictures to be off level.

02-18-2010, 08:38 AM	#39
farfisa Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Toronto, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,274	Up on the Pentax Canada site now: Pentax Canada - K-7

02-18-2010, 09:04 AM	#40
MarcinZ New Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Middle of the forest Posts: 11	On Pentax Japan as well: Pentax Japan K-7

02-18-2010, 09:12 AM	#41
sbbtim Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Photos: Albums Posts: 125	K-x next? Finger crossed...

02-18-2010, 10:49 AM	#42
KansasHorizons.com Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Kansas Photos: Gallery Posts: 183	Originally posted by GoremanX I had the same problem, my 16GB Class6 SD card couldn't keep up so I bought a faster Class10 8GB card instead. Now I can use my 16GB one for video and my 8GB one for faster picture-taking Out of curiosity, I just tried out the high speed shooting now that I've updated the firmware. I still get only 9 shots at 5.2 fps in RAW+ and 13 shots in RAW. But I can get 25 shots in JPG-only before the camera starts to slow down, and it only slows down negligibly at that point. This is a vast improvement from the old 14-15 in JPG-only. I never tried the actual photo counting in burst before I upgraded to 103 but I just did a test on my remaining 8 gig Transcend and can now get 2:30 ish before the buffer fills up. I guess this is still an improvement but it's still not going to work for full capability videos on those class 6 cards. I would suspect though that the 15 mb/s and especially 20 mb/s cards would work just fine now.

02-18-2010, 12:14 PM	#43
GoremanX Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Georgia, VT Photos: Albums Posts: 1,657	Originally posted by eljaco "Improved usability by optimize the program of vertical position judgment." That's just atrocious translating... I find it hilarious how Japanese translates to English. It's even worse than French to English.

02-18-2010, 12:17 PM	#44
emr Guest	What is it with v 1.02 firmware and Pentax? Atleast now there are only sofware versions 1.01 and 1.03 for K20D too. Originally posted by carpediem007 Greets from a cold and rainy Cologne Wanna trade that for -29°C and a metre of snow?

02-18-2010, 12:26 PM	#45
Danny Delcambre Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 550	Sad not get full manual video, Low Light, more more... I think 1.03 is last then no longer because I see other most of 1.03 never get more than 1.04 or more.. Look alike it was last then no longer firmware for K-7 because I had my K10d was only 1.03.. SAD