Pentax DSLR Firmware Update Guide

**Nakedgun** · 11-05-2014, 08:42 AM

I'm having difficulty locating the PF page which had all the latest firmware updates displayed. Anyone?

Thank you.

**Nakedgun** · 11-15-2014, 09:13 PM

I've downloaded the update and it says DCIM only. Where is the "dot bin" file?

Uncle Jaque · 07-25-2015, 01:56 PM

I updated my K-100D with no issues, but having bought a new K-50 and reading ivanvernon's experience, I think I'll just leave it the bloody hell alone!
It's just way too easy to brick one of these things!

BTW; just figured out how to look it up, and my firmware version is 1.0.0.
Have they come out with any K-50 upgrades since then?

mysterick · 12-10-2015, 03:50 PM

I've tried to update K-3 both directly to camera and to SD card in computer.
Either way, none of the following happens:

Insert the update SD card (prepared in step 1) into the camera (slot 1) and close card cover.

Turn the camera power on while pressing the MENU button. "Updates the camera firmware" appears in the LCD monitor.

Ver: 1.00/1.01/1.02/1.03 /1.10 / 1.11/1.20→1.21　will be displayed. Press the four-way controller to select "Start" and press the "OK" button.

"NOW LOADING" appears on the LCD monitor and updating starts.

Please do not under any circumstances switch off the power before the update is completed.

When update is completed, the "COMPLETE" will be displayed at the left bottom of the LCD monitor, then turn the camera off.

So nothing has changed. I have done these many times on my K-10, K-7, K-5, but the K-3 it doesn't happen. Ill leave it alone I guess.

DavidOliver · 02-07-2016, 03:08 PM

Originally posted by mysterick

I've tried to update K-3 both directly to camera and to SD card in computer.
Either way, none of the following happens:

[...]

I thought I had the same problem and spent an hour trying to get the camera to use version 1.21. My wife also tried from scratch as she's performed firmware updates on her K-5 in the past.

Then she pointed out that the firmware update is for the K-3, not the K-3 II which I have. I'm not sure why I didn't pick up on that in the first place!

kickman · 04-29-2016, 11:44 AM

I have a video for updating K3 to 1.21. Texts are in spanish but is well understood.

Hope it helps !!

Youtu.be

E-man · 09-19-2016, 02:40 PM

I'm three for four in firmware upgrades. My first attempt was an abject failure with an *ist DL about four years ago. I was glad I had bought a Square Trade warranty when I got the camera. I sent them the camera body, kept the lens and other accessories, and they reimbursed me for the full purchase price. I was understandably skittish about firmware updates after that but then I got a KX about a year ago and it was having a problem that needed a firmware update to correct and after a lot of deliberation, I screwed up the courage to do it, slapped in a fresh set of Energizer Lithium batteries successfully updated it. That emboldened me to try and update my K100D so it would read SDHC cards and my K2000 just because I could. Both were successful.

Recently, I acquired a K10D that shows firmware version 1.0 and I'm experiencing update angst all over again. I've downloaded the update but now I'm just trying to assess the risk vs. the rewards.

JASMAZ77 · 11-16-2016, 04:40 AM

It looks like the last firmware update for the K-3 was 27th May 2015 surely this can't be right?

**ivanvernon** · 11-16-2016, 09:20 AM

Following every instruction exactly to the letter, I still bricked my K-5II and had to pay big bucks to bring the camera back to life, so no more firmware updates for me! Are there any reputable repair shops that will upgrade firmware and take the risk for themselves?

**clackers** · 11-16-2016, 11:31 AM

I've never had a problem. About the only thing that can go wrong is an interruption, so I always make sure a freshly charged battery (no matter the level indicated when first turned on) is inserted.

**psoo** · 12-11-2017, 03:56 PM

If I update the firmware on my K50, which I've had for a couple of years, will I notice any significant improvements? I don't want to make a mistake and cause damage to the camera.

Kerebron · 12-14-2017, 02:02 AM

If you don't need any new features introduced in newer versions, you don't have to update. AFAIK there were no bugs in earlier versions. I had been using v1.00 without any problems and updated only when I bought 55-300 PLM lens - camera is still working fine. It's an easy procedure. Just use a quality memory card (it doesn't have to be fast) and fully charged battery.

**aslyfox** · 12-14-2017, 08:20 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by clackers

I've never had a problem. About the only thing that can go wrong is an interruption, so I always make sure a freshly charged battery (no matter the level indicated when first turned on) is inserted.

I just did an update for my new K 3 II

I had a problem

then I reread the instructions and found i forgot a step

no problem after that correction

I had previously updated a K 5 II and a K 3.

so my advice is to read the instructions, watch the video, read the instructions and carefully follow them completely

**ivanvernon** · 12-14-2017, 10:15 AM - **1 Like**

I am trying to work up the courage to update firmware on K-1 as I would love to have the square format for my crop sensor lenses. I got bit bad updating K-5ii, and once bit twice shy!

**clackers** · 12-14-2017, 03:19 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by ivanvernon

I am trying to work up the courage to update firmware on K-1 as I would love to have the square format for my crop sensor lenses. I got bit bad updating K-5ii, and once bit twice shy!

Get back on that horse, Ivan!

11-15-2014, 09:13 PM	#17
Nakedgun Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Southwest Posts: 1,365	After download - then what? I've downloaded the update and it says DCIM only. Where is the "dot bin" file?

07-25-2015, 01:56 PM	#18
Uncle Jaque Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Photos: Gallery Posts: 63	I updated my K-100D with no issues, but having bought a new K-50 and reading ivanvernon's experience, I think I'll just leave it the bloody hell alone! It's just way too easy to brick one of these things! BTW; just figured out how to look it up, and my firmware version is 1.0.0. Have they come out with any K-50 upgrades since then? Last edited by Uncle Jaque; 07-25-2015 at 08:05 PM. Reason: Added Info

11-16-2016, 09:20 AM	#24
ivanvernon Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Medina, OH Photos: Albums Posts: 7,224	Bricking with firmware Following every instruction exactly to the letter, I still bricked my K-5II and had to pay big bucks to bring the camera back to life, so no more firmware updates for me! Are there any reputable repair shops that will upgrade firmware and take the risk for themselves?

12-14-2017, 10:15 AM - 1 Like	#29
ivanvernon Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Medina, OH Photos: Albums Posts: 7,224	Update K-1 I am trying to work up the courage to update firmware on K-1 as I would love to have the square format for my crop sensor lenses. I got bit bad updating K-5ii, and once bit twice shy!

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11-05-2014, 08:42 AM	#16
Nakedgun Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Southwest Posts: 1,365	I'm having difficulty locating the PF page which had all the latest firmware updates displayed. Anyone? Thank you.

12-10-2015, 03:50 PM	#19
mysterick Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: 44266 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 567	I've tried to update K-3 both directly to camera and to SD card in computer. Either way, none of the following happens: Insert the update SD card (prepared in step 1) into the camera (slot 1) and close card cover. Turn the camera power on while pressing the MENU button. "Updates the camera firmware" appears in the LCD monitor. Ver: 1.00/1.01/1.02/1.03 /1.10 / 1.11/1.20→1.21　will be displayed. Press the four-way controller to select "Start" and press the "OK" button. "NOW LOADING" appears on the LCD monitor and updating starts. Please do not under any circumstances switch off the power before the update is completed. When update is completed, the "COMPLETE" will be displayed at the left bottom of the LCD monitor, then turn the camera off. So nothing has changed. I have done these many times on my K-10, K-7, K-5, but the K-3 it doesn't happen. Ill leave it alone I guess.

02-07-2016, 03:08 PM	#20
DavidOliver Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Posts: 34	Originally posted by mysterick I've tried to update K-3 both directly to camera and to SD card in computer. Either way, none of the following happens: [...] I thought I had the same problem and spent an hour trying to get the camera to use version 1.21. My wife also tried from scratch as she's performed firmware updates on her K-5 in the past. Then she pointed out that the firmware update is for the K-3, not the K-3 II which I have. I'm not sure why I didn't pick up on that in the first place!

09-19-2016, 02:40 PM	#22
E-man Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 678	I'm three for four in firmware upgrades. My first attempt was an abject failure with an *ist DL about four years ago. I was glad I had bought a Square Trade warranty when I got the camera. I sent them the camera body, kept the lens and other accessories, and they reimbursed me for the full purchase price. I was understandably skittish about firmware updates after that but then I got a KX about a year ago and it was having a problem that needed a firmware update to correct and after a lot of deliberation, I screwed up the courage to do it, slapped in a fresh set of Energizer Lithium batteries successfully updated it. That emboldened me to try and update my K100D so it would read SDHC cards and my K2000 just because I could. Both were successful. Recently, I acquired a K10D that shows firmware version 1.0 and I'm experiencing update angst all over again. I've downloaded the update but now I'm just trying to assess the risk vs. the rewards.

11-16-2016, 04:40 AM	#23
JASMAZ77 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Perth Photos: Gallery Posts: 265	It looks like the last firmware update for the K-3 was 27th May 2015 surely this can't be right?

11-16-2016, 11:31 AM	#25
clackers Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne Photos: Albums Posts: 16,397	I've never had a problem. About the only thing that can go wrong is an interruption, so I always make sure a freshly charged battery (no matter the level indicated when first turned on) is inserted.

12-11-2017, 03:56 PM	#26
psoo Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 485	If I update the firmware on my K50, which I've had for a couple of years, will I notice any significant improvements? I don't want to make a mistake and cause damage to the camera.

12-14-2017, 02:02 AM	#27
Kerebron Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Photos: Gallery Posts: 322	If you don't need any new features introduced in newer versions, you don't have to update. AFAIK there were no bugs in earlier versions. I had been using v1.00 without any problems and updated only when I bought 55-300 PLM lens - camera is still working fine. It's an easy procedure. Just use a quality memory card (it doesn't have to be fast) and fully charged battery.

12-14-2017, 08:20 AM - 1 Like	#28
aslyfox Seeker of Knowledge Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Topeka, Kansas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 24,581	Originally posted by clackers I've never had a problem. About the only thing that can go wrong is an interruption, so I always make sure a freshly charged battery (no matter the level indicated when first turned on) is inserted. I just did an update for my new K 3 II I had a problem then I reread the instructions and found i forgot a step no problem after that correction I had previously updated a K 5 II and a K 3. so my advice is to read the instructions, watch the video, read the instructions and carefully follow them completely

12-14-2017, 03:19 PM - 1 Like	#30
clackers Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne Photos: Albums Posts: 16,397	Originally posted by ivanvernon I am trying to work up the courage to update firmware on K-1 as I would love to have the square format for my crop sensor lenses. I got bit bad updating K-5ii, and once bit twice shy! Get back on that horse, Ivan!