Pentax Image Transmitter 2
Compatibility
As of 2021, only the Pentax K-3 III, Pentax K-1 series, 645Z, and KP are compatible with Image Transmitter 2. It's likely safe to assume that future full-frame and medium format models will continue to support tethering, and with the addition of KP support in mid-2017 and K-3 III support in 2021, perhaps all future APS-C models will enjoy compatibility as well.
Regardless, the recent trend to equip DSLRs with Wi-Fi means that all future models should at the very minimum offer wireless remote control through the free Pentax Image Sync Android/iOS app— a function that should be able to satisfy most users short of studio professionals. Plus, sparse community support continues for these cameras through programs such as pkTriggerCord.
For the sake of clarifying what is otherwise a fairly obscure topic, the table below summarizes tethering compatibility of all Pentax DSLR cameras. It should be noted that IT2 is not backwards-compatible with the 645D, which can only make use of the original Image Transmitter software.
645Z | 645D | K-1* K-1 II K-3 III** | KP** | K-S2, K-70 | K-S1 | K-3 II K-3 | *ist D K10D K20D | Other Models | |
USB Tethering | IT2, Lightroom | IT | IT2, Lightroom | IT2 | N/A | N/A | Community Software | Remote Assistant | Community Software |
Wi-Fi Tethering | O-FC1 | N/A | Native | Native | Native | O-FC1 | O-FC1 | N/A | N/A |
Table: tethering compatibility of Pentax DSLRs
*camera firmware v1.10, IT2 v2.2.0 or higher required
**IT2 v2.3.0 or higher required (KP), v2.6.0 or higher required (K-3 III)
IT2 updates are available from the Japanese Ricoh Imaging web site.
For more information on these Pentax cameras, please visit our camera database.
For information on Lightroom tethering, visit our Lightroom tethering guide.
We digress, however. It's time to get back to the software at hand: Pentax's own Image Transmitter 2.