New Firmwares for K-1/II, K-3/II, KP and K-70

http://news.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/rim_info2/support/

To support better focusing operation for the three FA Limited lenses, include both the old and new versions. But it is unknown that if focusing speed and/or focusing accuracy is/are improved. I shall try it out anyway.

Dimensions and Wireless+Power Info of the K-New

https://twitter.com/nokishita_c/status/1289117575759032320

(in Japanese)

Wi-Fi(11b/g/n) with Bluetooth; Dimensions: 134.5mm W x 103.5mm H x 73.5mm D without protruding parts (138.5mm W x 103.6mm H x 80.4mm D maximum), i.e., a little bit larger than the K-3/II but with less depth; Power: D-LI90 with optional vertical grip D-BG8.

Btw, the previous secret unmarked button is just the lock button. :-(

"There Will be No K-3II Sucessor, but a K-New Body of a New Line"

See what the Japanese Pentax insider Tanaka says:

http://thisistanaka.blog66.fc2.com/entry/1202/
(Google translated to English)

What we shall get is a K-3II based body with new sensor, new image processor, camera menu and much improved image quality as a result. No new feature of any is mentioned, though, e.g. the guessed new-type hybrid optical/electronic viewfinder.

What's Inside the Pentaprism Housing of the New APS-C Flagship?

Quick check of a few Facts:

1. Top of K-3 II, separate plastic top cover on pentaprism, with GPS button (at the left side) and function:

2. Top of K-1, integral top plastic cover, with GPS button (at the right side) and function:

3. Top of the New Flagship, looks like an integral metal top cover but without any GPS button (on any part of the body) and possibly no such function built-in:

So, what's the conclusion and my somehow wild but yet sensible guess? Something new is incorporated inside the Pentaprism housing of this new camera! :-D

And, it does quite make sense to accommodate this new facility with the large space made available:

Patent link: https://ipforce.jp/patent-jp-A-2018-151588

I believe more so it is a hybrid OVF/EVF finder with the existence of a new unmarked secret button at the rear top left (where used to be the playback button on the K-3 and K-3 II) plus a new infrared proximity sensor under the viewfinder, which is a standard design for automatic EVF/LCD on/off toggle switching for mirrorless bodies equipped with EVFs:

I hope it will happen. ;-) With this, it will be a meaningful breakthrough in truly combining a DSLR with a Mirrorless, so as to get the best of both worlds. And more importantly, old Pentax users will NOT need a new mount and the K-mount will continue! After all, we shall know before this Summer!


Last Related:

The New Sony APS-C Sensor

There Will be NO K3II Replacement NOR K-1 Firmware Update, Said Asahiman

There was no higher development than the KP.

Update was canceled, sorry.

Just believe it or not. ;-p

K-3II Discontinued

http://www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/english/products/index.html

K-3 II Silver Limited Edition

http://news.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/rim_info/2016/20160223_010469.html

500 units only.

A DFA 24-70 Hands-on and Samples

http://www.yaotomi.co.jp/blog/walk/2015/10/-2015-vol2-hd-pentax-d-fa-24-70mm-f28ed-sdm-wr.html
(in Japanese)

Tested with a K-3II. The pictures speak themselves, although they are not in full size.

K-3 Vs K-3 II AF-C Shootout

http://history.hatenablog.com/entry/2015/06/08/000000

Product Recall: Power Leakage Problem of the K-3 II

http://news.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/rim_info/2015/20150710_009081.html

New K-3II Review (and its focusing performance)

@ The PB: http://www.photographyblog.com/reviews/pentax_k3_ii_review/

Whilst PB has been positive about the AF performance of the K-3II, our respectful PF, on the other hand, has found something opposite, see:

http://www.pentaxforums.com/reviews/hd-pentax-d-fa-150-450mm-prelim/focusing.html

Quoted, "Although on paper, the Pentax K-3 II promises to bring undisclosed improvements to AF-C performance, we did not observe any evidence of faster focusing, lower latency, or quicker target re-acquisition with the K-3 II."

So, whom should we believe after all? ;-p

Resolution Shootout: K-3 II Vs E-M5 II Vs D810 Vs 645Z

http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/pentax-k3-ii/pentax-k3-iiTECH2.HTM

Official K-3II Full Samples

http://www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/english/products/k-3-2/ex/

K-3 II

Official announced and specs:

http://www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/english/products/k-3-2/

DPR hands-on:

http://www.dpreview.com/articles/7238180077/hands-on-with-the-pentax-k-3-ii

The "Ricoh" name printed on the back is gone! Good! :)