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Pentax releases firmware updates for K-5 II and K-5 IIs DSLRs

Jan 17, 2013 at 02:00:00 GMT

UPDATE DSLR FIRMWARE PENTAX

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Pentax has released the first firmware updates to its K-5 II and K-5 IIs digital SLRs, which were released in September of last year. Firmware version 1.01 offers contrast adjustment option for the cameras' LCD displays as well as 'stability improvements'. The updates are available for immediate download from the company's website - click through for download links.

Click here for more information and to download the firmware v1.01 for Pentax K-5 II

Click here for more information and to download the firmware v1.01 for Pentax K-5 IIs

Pentax K-5 II

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Pentax K-5 IIs

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Comments

Total comments: 31

I own the K5 2s. Just got it on Thursday and tried updating the firmware on Friday........NO LUCK!!! I downloaded the firmware to my windows 64bit machine and transferred the file to my formatted 32gb SD card. After inserting the card, i proceeded to turn the camera on while holding the menu button down. It just showed me the current version(which is not the latest firmware version) and went directly to capture mode!!!!!!!!!!!! HELP HELP HELP. Its puzzling me.

Comment edited 50 seconds after posting

0 upvotes

Is your SD card FAT32 formatted? If in doubt, format it with the camera and copy the firmware image onto it afterwards. Besides this, the content of the downloaded file has to be copied (it's an archive), not the file itself.

0 upvotes

My SD card was formatted in the k5. I tried formatting(on another occasion) on the computer as well just to ensure i cover all points. Now, the file is self extracting so, i believe i just copied the extracted file to the card. Thing is, no matter what i try thus far, im not successful! Bummer!!

0 upvotes

Finally i got thru. They said the file is self extracting but, i had to extract myself. Copying the .exe file was my mistake. Thanks

0 upvotes

When will DPR test the II and IIs???

2 upvotes

Actually I don't think they really need to. The changes between the K-5 Classic and the II/IIs are not that far - maybe just an expanded review, with several pages dedicated to the differences. Not sure if that's harder to do, though..

0 upvotes

New processor and focus algorithm. Also, imaging resource has a neat comparometer that shows significant changes in color and clarity

0 upvotes

When is the DP-Review of the K5II and K5IIs expected?

2 upvotes

"Caution: Only K-5II/K-5IIs users are permitted to download the firmware update."

So, watch out, all you Nikon and Canon users. The download police will come after you.

7 upvotes

thanks for the reminder i shall not download the firmware update....don't wanna get fined or go to jail man..

0 upvotes

Wait, you mean I can't update the firmware of my 7D to Pentax K-5 IIs?

0 upvotes

Pretty sure that's just a warning for owners of the original K-5 not to try and install it - they're not compatible.

5 upvotes

To late , downloaded to my Panasonic bread maker, I have to tell you its not working out

3 upvotes

Yeah looks like inaccurate translation from japanese, nothing that laughable, though.

0 upvotes

Stability improvements.. bug fixes. Apparently the contrast adjustment is secondary, although some users might find it important if shooting in strong daylight.

0 upvotes

Pentax is curiously reticent to admit what bugs they may have fixed in a given release, possibly due to a quaint pretense that if they don't admit problems the product will be seen as perfect. Of course, as with all tech products (I'm looking at you, Boeing Dreamliner), there's always a few bugs at launch. As it is, we get to play a silly guessing game, and people with pet issues get to argue endlessly about them online. It'd be better to just say — even Apple admits to bugfixes in software updates.

Comment edited 14 seconds after posting

2 upvotes

Japanese logic hard to work - their monozukuri obsession and arrogance is why Japanese electronics is dying off.

If the Japanese just finally figured out the importance of software and long term product support, (yes apple still supports the Iphone 3gs) they might have a chance.

Just a crying shame there isnt an Apple like DSLR/CSC maker around

1 upvote

Well, LetsDoTheStapler, maybe you should go out and buy an American or German DSLR instead. As to product support, you can download firmware for 17 Pentax DSLRs and nearly 100 Pentax compact models going back to the beginning of digital - but that won't stem your anti-Japanese rant, I guess ...

20 upvotes

Me guess Timo is japanese, and a perfect example of monozukuri.

0 upvotes

I appreciate the flattery, Cane, but no I'm not.

3 upvotes

If the Germans made an affordable camera I would.

Hence my point that there are few alternatives other than Japanese makers. This is not an anti-japanese rant persay but just pointing out certain facts, it's no secret that Japanese companies are notoriously hopeless on the software end (let alone their marketing and PR to western markets that generally shows a total lack of understanding and disdain)

Yeah sure Pentax has to update, having owned a Pentax k7 for a number of years I screamed in frustration for manual video controls, p-ttl software improvements and well an improved flash system overall yet absolutely no response from their end, although they brought out their crappy coloured limited and other stupid editions instead for a variety of things.

Japanese management is a lumbering dinosaur (also well known fact) that doesn't like to take on new ideas of give much credit to its mArket feedback or taking feedback from lower people.

0 upvotes

@LetsDoTheStapler - Don't be too hard on Pentax for what happened during the Hoya years. Ricoh is running the company quite differently. This year we'll find out how well Ricoh is really doing. By next January we should be able to make a more accurate assessment and appropriate comments about how well they're running the business - good or bad. Since product development cycles tend to take 18-24 months we'll just have to wait a bit longer until things have settled in.

Hoya could tear something down in a day, but it takes a long time for Ricoh to build it back up.

Comment edited 2 times, last edit 2 minutes after posting

2 upvotes

Too bad there is no FW update for people, there are so many what could benefit...

3 upvotes

@DStudio
Time will tell, but considering how Ricoh has royally botched the chance to make the GXR any sort of success I don't have much faith in them at this stage.

Japanese companies in many cases excluding the likes of Sony, Canon, Nikon and some others are generally hopeless and inept when it comes to any sort of marketing to Western Markets.
Pentax has consistently shown disdain and arrogance in listening to it's customers, the fact it's taken THIS LONG to see an improvement in it's flashes, the fact that is has purposely ignored it's user base regarding simple improvement like manual video, a tele converter is a joke.

They are good at pumping out wanky Japanese market only special editions as that's the monozukuri thing but when it comes to software improvements or anything like that they are useless.

It's reasons like this I wish Apple would jump into the DSLR/CSC market, as they understand you can improve through software not just release new models and hello kitty crap.

0 upvotes

Oh, please, NOT an Apple DSLR I hope.......
Surely I won't buy it. and when we speak about arrogance.....
Apple is THE company in the world that has plenty of arrogance in stock :-)

1 upvote

@LetsDoTheStapler :
How can you be so blind ? Apple products have been lacking features for years (since Intel-based Mac and iPhone as far as I could say).
Also as one of their former customers from back in the days of "classic" Mac OS (started with 7.5), until Mac OS X 10.4, I can tell you today's Apple Inc. doesn't give a damn about their customers.
Instead, they make you pay for each system upgrade, each piece of software, for each online service, only change is required configuration and system closure. People've been wanting serious MacPro workstation for years with usable and innovating OS, instead they've been dropping PPC support, up until recent abandon of desktop plateform in favor of ARM nonesense.

Also if Pentax's release notes are what your desire for an Apple DSLR originates in, let me link last Apple OS X 10.8.2 update : https://itunes.apple.com/en/app/os-x-mountain-lion/id537386512?mt=12 which says : "general operating system fixes". Come on.

0 upvotes

@LetsDotheStapler

"Japanese companies in many cases excluding the likes of Sony, Canon, Nikon"

Oh I see... :)) Sony? I like them but not their love for proprietary stuff in their gizmos.

btw there's an updated Pentax flash coming in this year, which is probably a sign that the flagship flash (and the entire flash system in general) is going to get an update too.

But I don't think you'd be interested in that... especially from two Japanese companies fused together. :P

1 upvote

Now that is a cool firmware update :). Allowing contrast adjustment for both LCD displays, that's a first for a fw update if I've ever seen one.

3 upvotes

Its probably because the gapless screen is higher contrast and users have requested the option to turn it down.

0 upvotes

There are MANY very high contrast screens out there for many cameras of many makes- nice of Pentax to even admit a contrast adjustment is even possible let alone do a firmware update to allow its users to adjust it. Noone else does that despite the fact its been needed for quite some time.

0 upvotes

And that's why Pentax is the schniznit....and why I own a K-30 (great camera!)

0 upvotes

Total comments: 31


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