K-7 Firmware Version 1.0 (Production Firmware) Arrives!

See Falk Lumo's latest article at his blog:-

http://falklumo.blogspot.com/2009/06/k-7-final-firmware-and-tungsten-high.html

And, he has uploaded some test shots in DNG format. Note that he mentions that his
beta testing K-7 unit is somewhat different in hardware than those production
K-7, although now his unit is programmed with the production firmware.

Noise is well controlled up to ISO 1600, exposure is good (multi-segment metering, no exposure compensation applied), white balance is good (Auto WB used). The white balance is not really very "whitest" but I like that it does reproduce the true feel of being under tungsten that the objects in the pics are not overly yellowly casted (just see the iPhone which is in snow white and we should know).

As for the ISO 3200 and 6400, they are there as standard or expanded options. But I would rather avoid to use them as far as possible for that high noise level and the obvious grains. The difference between the ISO 1600 and ISO 3200 is huge. Btw, does any Noise Reduction applied for any of these shots? I don't know, and I shall ask Falk..

Still, the lens used seems to produce not very sharp images. I think the focus is on the ball but yet I can still see some blurs when viewed 100%. Kit lens? (It does not look like Noise Reduction for that kind of blur.)

Edit (6-19): One more test with 1.0 firmware programmed into a beta K-7 by Frank (Fengwei) at Singapore here:-

http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/showthread.php?t=527416&page=8

The results look good but do note about that very adequate exposures were given for all the shots (so that the resulted pictures are all looking bright) and there is not much shadow and darker area in the test scene. All these just mean a more favourable environment and testing condition for the test, e.g., over Falk Lumo's one above (and below, read further).

If you have read the latest K-7 Vs K20D Noise Comparison Test by Falk Here, it can be easily noticed that shadow/dark area/underexposure is the true friend of noise. In fact, the noise as shown in Falk's test is that the K-7 isn't going to be better for the noise level and control for every ISO speed than the K20D, but the higher level of details achieved at higher ISOs by the K-7 would be.

Edit (6-20): One more review on K-7 with production firmware:-

http://www.whatdigitalcamera.com/equipment/digitalslr/1203/1/pentax-k7-dslr-full-review.html

And reactions by Pentaxians here, here and here. What I would say is that this review is not much useful, frankly.