K10D firmware 1.10
Leaked firmware update for Pentax K10D digital SLR appeared today in various Pentax related blogs and forums. You can find the most comprehensive list of changes (as well as download link) in the RiceHigh’s Pentax blog. But you should think twice before installing this “leaked�? update – it’s better to wait for a few days till the firmware 1.10 will be officially available from Pentax website.
In any case, this new firmware update is a huge step forward. According to those who already installed it on their cameras, version 1.10 solves the most annoying K10D’s problems listed here, such as high ISO/long exposure banding and “32-sec Bulb�? turn off. Wireless control of external flash through built-in flash function added. But still no 16-bit RAW.
Update: K10D firmware update version 1.10 is now officially available for download.
Once, the entry of sony video camera had changed the entire picture of home videos. That kind of renaissance is still to be seen. The advent of digital cameras however, have brought a remarkable change in the photography arena, increasing the number of photographers and bringing down the standard of photography itself. The nikon camera has made a desperate effort to try and bring a change about that.
January 20th, 2007 at 4:58 am
I think 16-bit RAW file via firmware is impossible as long as if just only some of the K10D units are using the 12-bit (digital data output) version of the NuCore NDX-2240:-
http://ricehigh.blogspot.com/2006/12/secrets-of-k10d-part-2-of-3-bridge-to-d.html
So, I bet it’s yet a rumour until the ADC used in the K10D is confrimed to be the highest 16-bit version of the NuCore NDX-2240. BTW, the use of the NuCore can be confirmed at the Samsung Techwin website where there is a photo showing that the NDX-2240 is used as the ADC in their GX-10.
January 20th, 2007 at 10:07 am
Well, do you think that some of the “production” K10Ds could use 12-bit version of NuCore, and the others - 16-bit version?
January 20th, 2007 at 3:46 pm
I guess all K10D units are having the 12-bit output version of the NDX-2240 as all the Pentax documentation I have seen so far show that the RAW files are in 12-bit which simply implies the number of bits under concerned is very likely to be 12.
Nonetheless, even some K10Ds are using the 14-bit version or even 16-bit one, Pentax will have to release different versions of firmware to cater for the individual difference(s). But I think it’s very unlikely for Pentax to spend extra money in buying more expensive components if the design specs was set at 12-bit for the RAW.
Also, practically, as photon noise is one of the key limiting factors, more bits may not help in this case unless the photo site can be made larger (so that the lower bits are not full of noise). For more reads, see this website, or particularly this page:-
http://www.clarkvision.com/imagedetail/digital.sensor.performance.summary