News / Firmware & Software Updates

A week after posting a firmware update for its G-system cameras, Panasonic has announced firmware updates for its DMC-G3 and GF3 Micro Four Thirds cameras. Version 1.2 improves compatibility of both cameras with Four Thirds lenses when mounted via the DMW-MA1 adapter. The updates are available for immediate download from Panasonic's website.

Apple has released an updated version of its Aperture Raw-conversion and photo management software. Version 3.2 adds compatibility with the company's iCloud online storage functionality and the latest iOS 5 operating system. The update also resolves minor bugs and adds miscellaneous improvements. It is available for immediate download from Apple's website.

Adobe has released Photoshop Lightroom 3.5 and Camera Raw 6.5. 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 final RAW support for 15 additional cameras including the Olympus E-P3, E-PL3 and E-PM1, Panasonic G3 and GF3, Pentax Q, and Sony NEX-C3, NEX-5N, SLT-A35, SLT-A65 and SLT-A77. A number of digital backs from Leaf and Phase One are also now supported.

Nikon has announced version 2.2.8 of its Capture NX image editing software. The latest version resolves minor bugs and extends Raw support to the recently released Nikon 1 V1 and J1 mirrorless cameras, and the Coolpix P7100 enthusiasts' compact. 

Ricoh has announced it will update the firmware of its GRD III enthusiast compact camera. The update, due in mid October, is the fifth feature-adding revision for the high-end model and includes several additional features that have come from its GXR and GRD IV cameras. These include the ability to assign an additional option to the 'Adj.' lever and the locking of the power button if the optional new GL-1 metal lens cap is fitted. The company says this will be the final update for the GRD III.

Panasonic has reclassified seven of its existing Micro Four Thirds lenses as 'HD' lenses, four of them following a firmware update. Firmware v1.1 aims to improve the image stabilization performance and reduce the focusing noise during video capture. An apparent reassessment of its 'HD' standard sees these four, plus three other existing lenses, reclassified. The firmware can be downloaded immediately from the Panasonic website.

Olympus has announced a firmware update for its flagship E-5 DSLR. Firmware version 1.2 ensures the movement of the dial on the optional HLD-4 battery grip matches the movement of the selected AF point. The update can be installed either via the Olympus imaging software or by downloading a stand-alone installer.

Ricoh has announced a firmware update for its GXR camera units, increasing the available range of features and functions. The updates bring many of the advances made in the recently-announced M-mount module, including improved manual focus magnification. There are also a number of small additions and corrections to other features, including the ability to specify both the ISO limits and minimum shutter speed limit for Auto ISO. The A12 units also gain Bulb and Time exposure modes. The updates can be downloaded from the company's website.

Panasonic has provided details of a firmware update for its recent G-system cameras to provide full compatibility with the newly-announced Lumix X power zoom lenses. The firmware, which will be available at 'the beginning of October' will work with the DMC-GH2, G3, GF3 and GF2, and will provide several additional options for how the powered zoom is controlled. By a process of elimination, it seems reasonable to assume these are the functions that won't be available to older G-series users (G1, GF1, GH1, G2, G10), and possibly Olympus PEN users.

Panasonic has updated the firmware for its LX5 high-end enthusiast compact. The update promises faster AF times and improved noise reduction for images shot at ISO 1600 or 3200. White balance under artificial light has also been tweaked, as well as a series of operational and handling improvements being made. There are revisions too for image stabilization in movie mode, the addition of a 'Miniature mode' processing mode. Coming 13 months after the camera's launch, the move continues Panasonic's habit of continuing to invest in its enthusiast models well into their lifecycle. The firmware will be available from September 13th.

Adobe has released 'Release Candidates' of its Camera RAW 6.5 and Lightroom 3.5 raw processing software. The updates cover 12 additional cameras including the Olympus E-P3, E-PL3 and E-PM1, Panasonic's G3 and GF3, Sony's NEX-C3 and SLT-A35 and Fujifilm's F600 EXR. Also included are 26 additional lens profiles. Both are available from the company's Adobe Labs site and also address a number of issues reported via customer feedback. The company uses the term 'Release Candidate' to denote software that is well tested but not yet the final version.

Ricoh and Panasonic have announced firmware updates for their cameras. Ricoh has released firmware v1.37 for its GXR module, while Panasonic promises improved GPS accuracy for several of its recent cameras. Installing firmware version 1.2 should increase the positioning accuracy of the DMC-ZS10/TZ20, TZ22 and FT3/TS3. Meanwhile, v1.37 for the GXR modules corrects a minor error with focus mode reporting, and a glitch in manual mode for the S10 module.

Nik Software has released an updated version of its Snapseed image processing app and lowered the price of its Viveza color and light control software. Viveza 2, launched in 2009 will now be available for €99.95 (down from €199.95), with upgrades from Version 1 also halved to €49.95. Meanwhile, the company has also released a 'universal' version of its Snapseed image processing app, allowing it to run on the iPhone and iPod Touch, as well as the iPad.

Leica has released a firmware update for its S2 and S2-P medium format DSLRs. Version 1.0.1.8 brings improvements to the auto-bracketing procedure and adds a customization option to the menu control button on both the S2 and S2-P cameras. Registered users can download the latest firmware via the Owner's Area on Leica's website.

Leica has released a firmware update for its M8 rangefinder camera. Version 2.014 adds support to the recently released Super-Elmar-M 21 mm f/3.4 ASPH. wide-angle lens amongst other improvements. The firmware is available for immediate download from the company's website.

Fujifilm has released the promised fimware update for its X100 large sensor compact. Firmware v1.10 includes 22 feature modifications and additions, including correction of several issues highlighted in our review of the camera. The company has detailed the changes and revised the user manual to reflect additional features added as part of the update. Both the firmware update and the updated user manual can be downloaded from the company's website immediately.

Fujifilm Canada has released details of the forthcoming X100 firmware update on its '@fujiguys' Twitter feed. A series of updates detail ten significant changes to the X100's firmware, designed to address some of the criticisms of the camera's behavior. Changes include more responsive 'wake from sleep' behavior without a long press of the shutter button, clear indication of the eye sensor being engaged and the maintaining of ISO/Self-Timer/DR/Flash/Macro settings when exposure mode, review mode or power state is changed. The original messages can be found at http://twitter.com/#!/fujiguys but, as yet, no official announcement of when the updated firmware will become available has been made.

Pentax, Sony, Leica and Ricoh have released firmware updates for several of their cameras. Pentax has updated the firmware for its K-r, K-5 and 645D. Firmware v1.10 for all three cameras brings compatibility with the recently-announced 0-GPS module. Sony, meanwhile, has created updates for its NEX-3 and NEX-5, and SLT A33 and A55 models, adding many of the features of its forthcoming NEX-C3 and SLT A35 cameras. Leica has updated the firmware for its M9 digital rangefinder to improve color consistency across the frame when used with wide-angle lenses. Finally, Ricoh has updated its G700 and G700SE rugged industrial cameras. Click here for links to the updates.

Panasonic, FujiFilm and Casio have all released firmware updates for compact camera models. Casio has updated firmware for its ZR100, ZR10, H20G and TRYX models, mainly improving compatibility with the long obsolete Mac OS 9. Panasonic meanwhile has improved the 'menu indications' for the FP3 and FH22/FS33 models. Finally, Fujifilm has adjusted the image sharpness and saturation of its XP20/XP22, XP30 and Z90/Z91 models, as well as making improvements to playback mode.

DxO Labs has launched Optics Pro v6.6, an updated version of its raw processing and correction software. Version 6.6 adds more noise control options along with a color control slider and support for extra cameras, including Panasonic's GF1 and GF2. The update means all the JPEG corrections available for fully-supported cameras can now be manually applied to images from unsupported cameras. It also provides compatibility with the simultaenously-released FilmPack 3. Users who've purchased DxO Optics Pro since 1 June 2009 get the upgrade for free while a 30% discount is available at launch.