Panasonic updates firmware for X 14-42mm and 45-175mm lenses

Panasonic has announced upcoming firmware updates for its Lumix G X Vario PZ 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 Power O.I.S. pancake and Lumix G X Vario PZ 45-175mm F4.0-5.6 Power O.I.S. Micro Four Thirds lenses. The latest firmware versions for both lenses enhance Touch Zoom operation with the recently released Lumix DMC-GX1, and improve AF performance while recording stills and videos. The update for the 45-175mm lens also improves its image stabilization function. Both will be available for download from Panasonic's website from 06:00 GMT on November 17th.

Click here for more information and to download the firmware*

* Worldwide availability from 6:00 GMT on November 17, 2011

Press release:

PANASONIC ANNOUNCES THE FIRMWARE UPDATE PROGRAM FOR LUMIX G X VARIO PZ 14-42mm / F3.5-5.6 ASPH. / POWER O.I.S. (H-PS14042) and LUMIX G X VARIO PZ 45-175mm / F4.0-5.6 ASPH. / POWER O.I.S. (H-PS45175)

Panasonic Lumix G X Vario PZ 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 OIS lens

Panasonic announces the new firmware update program for two digital interchangeable lenses of LUMIX G Micro System, the LUMIX G X VARIO PZ 14-42mm / F3.5-5.6 ASPH. / POWER O.I.S. (H-PS14042) and LUMIX G X VARIO PZ 45-175mm / F4.0-5.6 ASPH. / POWER O.I.S. (H-PS45175). 

The firmware programs will be available worldwide at GMT 6:00 on November 17, 2011 at the global Panasonic LUMIX Official Support Website: http://panasonic.jp/support/global/cs/dsc/ 

The following functions will be available with the new firmware:

For LUMIX G X VARIO PZ 14-42mm / F3.5-5.6 ASPH. / POWER O.I.S. (H-PS14042)

• Optimized operation when using Touch Zoom with DMC-GX1
• Improved AF (Auto Focus) performance in photo / video recording

For LUMIX G X VARIO PZ 45-175mm / F4.0-5.6 ASPH. / POWER O.I.S. (H-PS45175)

• Optimized operation when using Touch Zoom with DMC-GX1
• Improved the stability of O.I.S.(Optical Image Stabilizer)
• Improved AF (Auto Focus) performance in photo / video recording

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Comments

Total comments: 19

By LindaCC (Nov 28, 2011)

I have a GF1 and would love to buy this. Does it work with the GF1? I read on another blog that it will work with the firmware update. Is this true and is this the firmware update it was referring to?

0 upvotes

By Jonathan Robson (Mar 25, 2012)

Did you ever get an answer to this?

0 upvotes

By fivedock (Apr 9, 2012)

Can't comment on the 14-42 but I recently bought the 45-175 and it works a treat on my GF1 - just updated the firmware from the GF1 and no problems.

I was looking at the x14-42 but think I'll wait till the GH3 comes out and get the 14-42 with that - it'll almost certainly be a kit option.

0 upvotes

By CheapSeats (Nov 18, 2011)

Is this firmware update going to be available for the EP3? I am using the 45-175mm lens with it.

0 upvotes

By Steven Micallef (Nov 14, 2011)

I'm still waiting for my PZ 14-42mm X to arrive.

1 upvote

By RPJG (Nov 14, 2011)

Noob question that doesn't necessarily belong in this thread, but:

If they can make the 175mm lens f/5.6, why is the 42mm lens also stuck at f/5.6?

0 upvotes

By M Jesper (Nov 14, 2011)

It's not as much the focal length that makes it difficult, but the amount of zoom in the package as a whole. The 14-42 is exactly 3x zoom and the 45-175 is about 3.8x zoom, so not much different, but a magnificent difference is ofcourse the size, the 14-42X is tiny! (a third or quarter of the 45-175 size or so?). So the fact that is isn't even slower than it already is, is actually quite an extraordinary accomplishment by Panny.

Comment edited 1 minute after posting

0 upvotes

By RPJG (Nov 14, 2011)

But the f-number relates the focal length and some (internal?) aspect of the lens diameter. If the lenses are broadly similar in diameter, then my simplistic assumption would be that the much-shorter lens would have a much-lower f-number?

0 upvotes

By Surefoot (Nov 15, 2011)

f-number is related to the focal length and the diameter of aperture as seen from the front. So indeed you are right a shorter focal lens will have a higher f-number if it has the same aperture. (Note it's the aperture we are talking about, as in, the iris, not the front lens)

Comment edited 26 seconds after posting

0 upvotes

By Chris Tofalos (Nov 14, 2011)

Hooray!

0 upvotes

By IcyVeins (Nov 14, 2011)

As soon as the 12-35mm and 35-100mm f/2 zooms come out, M4/3 will have a full lens system that can compete with DSLRs

Comment edited 19 seconds after posting

2 upvotes

By ZAnton (Nov 14, 2011)

The only question is "When?"
m4/3 suffer from high noise level at high ISO, a well as lack of DOF control, and it seems, that it takes years, before Olympus, Panasonic and other lens manufacturer understand it.

1 upvote

By thinkfat (Nov 14, 2011)

As long as they sell, there is not enough suffering.

1 upvote

By DonParrot (Nov 14, 2011)

"The only question is "When?"
m4/3 suffer from high noise level at high ISO, a well as lack of DOF control, and it seems, that it takes years, before Olympus, Panasonic and other lens manufacturer understand it."

Is there? I never experienced DOF control issues with my FT and µFT gear - you just have to know how to use it - and while it's true that the high-ISO performance is slightly inferior to the APS-C/DX cameras equipped with the latest Sony 16MP sensors, claiming that they suffer from high-ISO noise isn't appropriate, IMHO.
But yes, if I would be a pro having to shoot sport in dimly lit halls I arguably would go for a D7000 or K5. But then, every systems has its pros and cons, hasn't it?

Comment edited 2 times, last edit 1 minute after posting

5 upvotes

By M Jesper (Nov 14, 2011)

Sorry dude. More than F/2.8 is very unlikely. Mostly because that would just price it out of range for the audience they're trying to reach. Olympus's 12/2 is €800, imagine a 12-35/2 and 35-100/2. No way.

Completely agree with Don. The m4/3 system is how it is and it will continue improving along with aps-c and full-frame, but none of them will ever beat each-other. Which-ever is the best choice depends on the person buying and what it will be used for. As for Noise performance and DoF control, what more do they have to understand ? I think they have a fantastic line-up of lenses with plenty fast ones, and even at iso800 the results are very usable. A good photographer really shouldn't need more than that so desperately. Just use the right lens in the right situations or bounce a flash if you really need to, which will yield even better results than iso1600 would be on aps-c . But honestly how often do you really need to photograph in near darkness that absolutely can't be avoided.

1 upvote

By Joe Ogiba (Nov 14, 2011)

The Olympus 14-35mm F2.0 and 35-100mm F2.0 are over $2,000 each so don't expect to get the new F2.0 panny zooms at a much lwer price.

0 upvotes

By AlexA22 (Nov 14, 2011)

I recently bought the 14-42mm PZ X lens from a store in NYC on my vacation. H and B Digital. They had it in stock and the price was the lowest even then the internet.
They gave me this youtube link to check out quality footage as well. Good people there.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xidDWqRlgpw

0 upvotes

By Kjeld Olesen (Nov 14, 2011)

m4/3 already competes with SLR! Just not on every parameter - like DOF or noise - but it competes quite well on portability. I own a full frame dSLR as well as 300 and 400 mm f/2.8 lenses that can produce extremely shallow DOF, but I am still going to purchase a m4/3 system to complement for portability - that is if Canon does not announce something simmilar very very soon.

0 upvotes

By Kerensky97 (Nov 15, 2011)

I've got a GF1 and there are limitations with very dark shots and limited DoF but it's ot restrictive, it's just not as good as with a larger newer sensor as would be expected.

But I've taken shots of the milkyway with with almost no noise using the 20mm/1.7 and I've taken closeup shots of dragon flies using a 200mm where the DoF was only about an inch framing the head. It's better than a point and shoot but not a $1500 DSLR, just as you would expect.

0 upvotes

Total comments: 19