News / Firmware & Software Updates

Panasonic is offering updated firmware for its DMC-GX1 enthusiast Micro Four Thirds model, and its 100-300mm telephoto lens. The GX1 update adds a series of interface and function improvements, including enhanced auto white balance and continuous autofocus. Meanwhile the 100-300mm lens' image stabilization is improved. The firmware will be available at the end of January.

DxO Labs has launched DxO Optics Pro v7.1 for both Mac and Windows. The latest version of its Raw converter and lens correction software adds support for an additional five cameras: the Sony A65, Panasonic DMC-G3 and the three latest Olympus PENs. The additional support for these cameras, with several lens combinations means Optics Pro is able to support more than 5,000 camera/lens combinations. As a special offer, both the Standard and Elite versions will be available at around a 30% discount until December 24th.

Sony has updated the firmware for its NEX-3, NEX-5 and NEX-C3 cameras to offer support for the LA-EA2 SLT-style autofocus A-mount adapter. Firmware version 05 for the NEX-3 and NEX-5, and version 02 for the NEX-C3 are now available from your country's Sony support site.

Adobe has released Photoshop Lightroom 3.6 and Camera Raw 6.6. These are final versions of updates that were originally posted as 'release candidates' on the Adobe Labs site, and are available for immediate download. The latest versions provide RAW support for 9 additional cameras, including the Canon Powershot S100, Fujifilm X10, Nikon 1 V1 and J1, Panasonic DMC-GX1, Samsung NX5 and NX200, and Sony NEX-7, alongside over 30 new lens correction profiles. 

Panasonic has released its promised firmware update for the DMC-GH2, enabling 24Mbps video to be captured at 1080p30 (25p for European units). Firmware also makes a number of other changes including the option to deactivate the touch screen control (which we suspect videographers in particular will welcome). The download is available now from the company's website.

Nikon has taken the unusual step of updating the firmware of its discontinued CoolPix P7000 enthusiast compact. Firmware v1.2 offers a broad selection of improvements and bug fixes, ranging from improved AF targeting to the correction of an error that meant the color temperature scale was reversed when correcting White Balance during in-camera Raw processing. The updated firmware can be downloaded from Nikon's websites.

Leica has announced a firmware update for its M9 and M9-P full-frame digital rangefinders. Firmware v1.176 addresses what the company says is a rare fault that can occur when formatting some SanDisk memory cards. It says it has tested 'all types' of SanDisk card and that the latest firmware guarantees their proper function.

Sony has released the long-rumored firmware v1.04 update for its A77 and A65 SLT models. The updates add two more lenses to the list that the cameras can correct for and also promise to improve image quality, response time and 'usability.' The updates are currently available in Asia and Europe but haven't been formally announced in the US. Following our reviews of the A77 and A65 we will install the latest firmware and update the reviews as necessary. Update: Firmware v1.04 now also available from Sony US.

Nikon has released firmware updates for its Nikkor 1 10-30mm f/3.5-5.6, 30-100mm f/3.8-5.6 and 10-100mm f/4.5-5.6 lenses. The 10-30mm and 30-100mm lenses are upgraded to firmware v1.02, which corrects a bug which causes an incorrect aperture value to be recorded. Meanwhile the 10-100mm power zoom firmware moves to v1.01 that, like the 1.01 upgrades for the other two lenses, addresses a problem by which images could 'be blurred when shot immediately after the camera was shaken or moved quickly'.

Canon has released updated firmware for its EOS 5D Mark II full-frame DSLR. Firmware v2.1.1 corrects a bug that meant only a single image was captured in continuous shooting mode or AE bracketing continuous mode. It also corrects some menu errors for Dutch language users. Click here to find out more and download the firmware.

DxO Labs has announced FilmPack v3.1 Essentials and Expert, the latest versions of its film simulation software. The biggests changes are to the more expensive, Expert edition with the addition of 25 'Creative Renderings' that offer stylized effects rather than just simulating film. These preset renderings can be user-adjusted, exported and imported so that they can be shared, or packages of presets from DxO added. The interface has also been improved in both versions, including the addition of a full screen view and a resizable filmstrip view, as well as a handful of minor updates.

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.

Apple has released a Digital Camera RAW compatibility update for Aperture 3 and iPhoto '11. Update 3.9 extends raw support to eleven additional cameras, including the Canon Powershot S100, Olympus PEN E-PL3 and E-PM1, and Sony Alpha NEX-5N, SLT-A65 and SLT-A77. The update is available for immediate download from Apple's website.

Adobe has released 'Release Candidates' of its Camera Raw 6.6 and Lightroom 3.6 raw processing software. The updates cover 5 additional cameras, namely the Canon Powershot S100, Nikon 1 J1, Nikon 1 V1, Panasonic Lumix DMX-GX1 and Samsung NX5. Also included are lens profiles for a number of recent Sigma and Nikon lenses, along with several medium format optics and the Sigma DP2x. Both updates are available from the Adobe Labs site. The company uses the term 'Release Candidate' to denote software that is well tested but not yet the final version.

Panasonic has announced a firmware update for its Lumix DMC-GH2 video-orientated interchangeable lens camera that will offer a range of improvements and new features. First and foremost is a high bitrate (24Mbps) movie mode that's designed for video editing purposes. Extended compatibility with the company's latest 'X' series powerzoom lenses is also included, as is the ability to turn all touchscreen features completely off. An update to the PHOTOfunSTUDIO 6.0 software will also be available to handle the GH2's new video mode. Both updates will be available at the beginning of December.

Fujifilm has updated the firmware for its X10 premium zoom compact. Version 1.02 resolves a bug relating to the aperture value display when zooming, and improves AF tracking performance. It can be downloaded immediately from the company's website.

Pentax Ricoh has released firmware updates for the Q mirrorless interchangeable lens camera and two of its lenses. Firmware v1.01 for the Q improves operational stability and increases resolution at the 'Fine' sharpness setting. Meanwhile Firmware v1.01 for the 01 Standard Prime lens and the 02 Standard Zoom also improves operation stability. All three can be downloaded now from the company's website.

Olympus has updated the firmware for its range-topping PEN E-P3 mirrorless camera. Firmware v1.1 corrects a bug that stopped the buttons working if the touch screen was contacted when an optional electronic viewfinder is used. It also corrects the fault by which the AF points were not shown when the camera is used with an Eye-Fi card. Users must download the Olympus Digital Camera Updater software to apply the update.

Fujifilm has released updated firmware for its X100 premium large-sensor compact camera. Firmware v1.11 improves autofocus performance at close range and corrects a couple of bugs with the camera's operation. Meanwhile, Japanese company Aki-Asahi has begun offering custom coverings for the camera, including wood and leather covers in a variety of colors and textures. (Via PetaPixel)

Sony has released firmware v1.03 for its SLT-A77 and A65 cameras. Currently only available via the company's Asia site (the first region in which the cameras are widely available), the upgrade promises to improve the responsiveness of the control dials and function buttons, along with the speed of switching between EVF and LCD modes. It also adds support for the HVL-MT24AM macro flash accessory.