UPDATE June 29 2015: Fujifilm's firmware 4.00 for the X-T1 is now available for download. See a description of the improvements below and find the download at Fujifilm's website.

New firmware has been announced for the Fujifilm X-T1 compact system camera that promises to overhaul its autofocusing performance and 'introduces a new AF system' to this X-series flagship body. Firmware version 4.00 will be available in late June, and seems to take significant steps towards solving issues with moving subjects and focusing in low contrast conditions.

The firmware adds Zone and Wide/Tracking modes that allow users to select a group of AF points in a 3x3, 5x3 or 5x5 pattern, to help ensure moving subjects are kept in continuous focus in one particular part of the frame (when panning) or as they move across a stationary frame. The zonal and wide AF point setups are also said to improve performance when the tracked subject is moving towards or away from the camera.

A new zone focus mode will allow AF points to be grouped so that they can share the responsibility of maintaining focus on moving subjects

In low contrast light users will benefit from finer tonal detection as AF points will be divided into smaller sections for more detailed analysis of the target. The extra division of the point has allowed Fuji to notice tonal differences of just 0.5EV, instead of the 2.5EV of its current system. This means the X-T1 should be able to lock on to subjects with less defined texture and in more diffused lighting, as well as in more dimly illuminated conditions.

Eye detection AF will now be a feature of the two cameras, and macro focusing will happen automatically without the macro button being pressed. Fuji says that the macro button can now be assigned to other duties as it is no longer needed. 

Eye Detection AF should help the user to find the subject's eye in a portrait, and avoid focus falling elsewhere. This will be especially useful when using wide apertures.

Further updates include a broadening of the shutter speed range available in the T(ime) setting from 30-1/3200sec, the exposure compensation dial will be able to be used for altering exposure in manual mode when auto ISO is active, and the grid display on the rear screen and in the viewfinder will use finer lines so less of the subject is obscured. Fuji has also renamed the 'Silent Mode' to 'Sound and Flash Off' mode – apparently to 'avoid confusion'.

To download the Version 4.00 firmware visit the Fujifilm download site at the end of June. 

Press release:

FUJIFILM ANNOUNCES NEW FIRMWARE UPDATE FOR THE X-T1 

New firmware V.4.00 delivers advanced autofocus system for superior performance, along with several key upgrades 

Valhalla, N.Y., May 11, 2015 – FUJIFILM North America Corporation announced a major new Firmware Update V.4.00 for the FUJIFILM X-T1 and X-T1 Graphite Silver Edition that features an advanced autofocus system for incredible performance when shooting moving subjects and exciting action scenes. Users will also experience improved auto focus accuracy for still images and video, Eye Detection, enhanced shutter speed dial operation, Exposure Compensation control in Manual mode, and finer framing grid lines for enhanced visibility and image composition. The new firmware will be available for free in late June.

Firmware update coming June 2015 (X-T1 Graphite Silver and X-T1 Black)
The free, comprehensive firmware update coming in late June 2015 is specially designed for the FUJIFILM X-T1 and FUJIFILM X-T1 Graphite Silver Edition, and will give users thrilling new features and controls to dramatically enhance their X-T1 shooting experience, including:

1. A new auto focus system with Zone and Wide/Tracking modes for effortless capture of moving subjects - The auto focus system complements the fast and accurate single-point auto focus system with new Zone and Wide/Tracking modes, which use 77 autofocus points across a wider area to substantially improve the camera’s ability to track and capture moving subjects.

The Zone mode allows users to choose a 3x3, 3x5 or 5x5 zone from the 77-point auto focus area. When combined with the AF-C continuous focusing mode, the camera continues tracking a subject in the selected zone. The 3x3 and 3x5 zones at the center, in particular, offer extra-fast focusing with the use of the built-in phase detection pixels.

In the Wide/Tracking mode, the camera displays the area in focus, identified automatically out of the 77-point auto focus area (Wide in the AF-S mode) and tracks the focus area’s subject across the entire 77-point AF area (Tracking in the AF-C mode). This makes it possible to maintain focus on a subject that moves vertically, horizontally, and back and forth. 

2. Improved auto focus accuracy - Single-point auto focus now divides the focus area into smaller sections to more accurately determine the distance to the subject for even greater focusing accuracy. The built-in phase detection pixels have increased sensitivity from 2.5EV to 0.5EV. This improvement delivers phase detection auto focus performance that enables fast focusing in low-light conditions and on low-contrast subjects. 

3. Eye detection auto focus - The new firmware update provides Fujifilm's Eye Detection auto focus, which automatically detects and focuses on human eyes. The function allows you to easily focus on the eyes even in difficult conditions, e.g. when shooting a portrait wide open to obtain a beautiful bokeh background.

4. Auto Macro mode - The firmware update introduces an Auto Macro function that automatically switches the camera into the Macro mode while maintaining the conventional auto focus speed. You no longer have to press the Macro button to initiate a close-up shot. This update eliminates the Macro function assigned to the Macro Button, allowing you to assign a different function to the button. 

5. Auto focus improvement in Movie mode - The optimized algorithm delivers a more natural and smooth auto focus action during movie recording.

6. Other improvements

  • Improved Shutter Speed Dial operation - When the Shutter Speed Dial is set to T, you can use the command dial to set the full range of exposure times. This means you can change the shutter speeds across a broader range without having to change camera position. This is particularly useful when shooting in the portrait orientation with the Vertical Battery Grip VG-XT1 attached.

  • Exposure Compensation control in Manual mode - The Exposure Compensation dial can be used to make exposure adjustments while shooting in the Manual exposure mode with the ISO Auto setting.

  • Finer lines on the framing grid enhances visibility - The lines on the framing grid have been made finer making it easier to view the subject.

The FUJIFILM X-T1 firmware will be available in late June.