[yipchunyu]

i just wonder whether we can send mails to pentax to ask for a firmware update with the newly improved software and calculation algorithms and the UI e.g. features in regrouped categories

[Zebooka]

This will not speed-up motor, only data processing. (So in dim light it'll be faster, but in bright - no).

[deejjjaaaa]

This will not speed-up motor, only data processing. (So in dim light it'll be faster, but in bright - no).

louder noise when focusing can be attributed to either

1) quality of DA-L lenses

OR

2) higher RPM from the in-body motor in K2000D

[flyer]

louder noise when focusing can be attributed to either

1) quality of DA-L lenses

OR

2) higher RPM from the in-body motor in K2000D

It could also be caused by a motor body that is made of thinner material to fit in smaller body, or bearings that aren't centered properly in the motor housing or a different transmission or...All in all, it could be caused by a lot of things, not only the two things you named

[cabstar]

Shooting music concerts better AF in dim light would be a godsend, noise not an issue for me......

Have recently gone back to shooting with manual lenses & getting far more keepers than with af

[TourDeForce]

Have recently gone back to shooting with manual lenses & getting far more keepers than with af

You have learned well, Grasshopper.

[k100d]

i got a ZX-5n today and it seems to focus faster and more accurately than the K100D :S

[RiceHigh]

i got a ZX-5n today and it seems to focus faster and more accurately than the K100D :S

Sure. You're right.

[lequynorm]

For the KM the autofocus system is TTL Phase-matching 5-point wide autofocus system (SAFOX), 5 cross sensors


For the K20D the autofocus system is TTL Phase-matching 11-point wide autofocus system (SAFOX VIII)

So, is it better 11 points and slower or 5 points and faster?

[k100d]

Sure. You're right.

is that yes i agree the ZX-5n is faster than the K100D, or a saracastic response

[RiceHigh]

is that yes i agree the ZX-5n is faster than the K100D, or a saracastic response

I always found that MZ cameras, especially later ones like the MZ-30 or MZ-S, regardless of class, are focusing way faster than any Pentax DSLRs made so far, especially when the light levels have come down a bit.

[RiceHigh]

Well, it can be the case that "Less is More" applies. Pentax knows well what have been changed. For me, I don't believe that pure software change(s) can help totally but actually both hardware and software improvements are needed.

For the KM the autofocus system is TTL Phase-matching 5-point wide autofocus system (SAFOX), 5 cross sensors


For the K20D the autofocus system is TTL Phase-matching 11-point wide autofocus system (SAFOX VIII)

So, is it better 11 points and slower or 5 points and faster?

[Marc Sabatella]

So, is it better 11 points and slower or 5 points and faster?

More points means it more likely the camera will be *able* to choose to focus on the thing you wanted it to focus on. But there is never any guarantee it *will* focus on what you want - it can't read your mind. And the more choices you give the camera, the longer it might take to make the choice. If you want faster AF, first thing to do is stopping asking to the camera to waste time choosing. Either use center point mode, or the selectable focus point mode (not available on K-m).

[CSoars]

I always found that MZ cameras, especially later ones like the MZ-30 or MZ-S, regardless of class, are focusing way faster than any Pentax DSLRs made so far, especially when the light levels have come down a bit.

I had the cheapie MZ-30, and can vouch for this. Although once I went to the k100/k10 with light up AF-points, it seemed hard to go back.

I was given a Nikon F80 by a customer at work, it has a 5 point cross sensor that can be left on auto or selectable with a D pad. With the 50mm 1.4 AF-D lens, it focuses quite quick indoors, at most quickly hunting back and forth once before settling. (if I point it at a shadowy hallway or such). I don't use the blindingly bright AF assist light. It doesn't seem to 'double check' or zig-zag and pause near the end of the operation

Continuous autofocus is impressive too, especially in regards to tracking a subject coming at or leaving the frame (not laterally across it). I can move my palm back and forth slowly in front of the lens, and the AF tracks it almost instantaneously, the motor smoothly racking the focus in and out. If I do it quickly, there's a short pause and then it snaps into focus.

All this from a plastic film camera from 2000. My k10D was pretty terrible at continuous AF-C, much less able to keep up indoors like the F80 can.

Both systems need to have the sensor land on a decent subject, but the 5 point, CR123 lithium powered Nikon did it with less hunting and less delay in reaching the focus point and subsequently confirming it.

I really like Pentax glass, and am using my MX alongside the F80 these days, but it looks like i'll sit on my hands (and the DA70) for a body with tangible operational improvements, not just a denser sensor.

[ibk]

louder noise when focusing can be attributed to either

1) quality of DA-L lenses

OR

2) higher RPM from the in-body motor in K2000D

DA-L lenses are KAF3 - so, the body motor is not used.