Fuji: New firmware for X-S1, X100

Japan's Fujifilm Corp. has released updated firmware for two of its digital cameras--the Fuji X-S1 ultrazoom and the large-sensor Fuji X100--bringing a variety of improvements and new features to both.

Release of the Fujifilm X-S1 firmware update had been previewed previously in a statement from the company, noting that it would aim to reduce impact of a known problem with sensor blooming by raising ISO sensitivity in conditions that are more likely to cause the problem. This short-term fix, which is being made while a new sensor design is in preparation, isn't the only change however. In full, the list of changes in the new firmware for the X-S1 is as follows:

Fujifilm X-S1 firmware v1.01

• Face detection function is upgraded to keep tracking face by means of face-tracking AF function. As this function is activated even in movie recording mode, AF on detected face in the movie becomes more effective.

• Blooming (White disk) phenomena, which can be observed in EXR AUTO mode, is reduced.

• Compatibility on Mac OS 10.7 - When the camera is connected to Mac PC on Mac OS 10.7, the camera is effectively recognized. Additionally, compatibility on RAW FILE CONVERTER EX with Mac OS 10.7 has been confirmed

• AF confirmation sound was controlled on "SHUTTER VOLUME" in the SET-UP menu. By this update, this sound is controlled on "OPERATION VOL." in the SET-UP menu, just similar to another functions.

• The image area with high brightness might be recorded as "black-out" area, just in case of dedicated shooting condition, This unpleasant phenomenon is improved.

• When the flash is used under macro shooting condition, light-reflected area was shown in greenish. This unpleasant phenomenon is improved.

For the Fuji X100, meanwhile, there are seven changes made, as follows:

Fujifilm FinePix X100 firmware v1.20

• Some functions, which can be set to "Fn" button and shown as "Fn BUTTON" in SET-UP menu, can be also set to RAW button. After pressing the command dial to right in the SET-UP menu of "Fn BUTTON", "Fn" and "RAW" are displayed and each is then selectable. Also, by holding down RAW button for more than 3 seconds, same type of selection menu for RAW button is displayed, just as short-cut procedure.

• By selecting in "ISO" menu in the shooting menu, either ISO sensitivity value or "ISO AUTO CONTROL" can be selected.

• When AF MODE is set to "AREA" in Single AF (AF-S) mode, active focus point is zoomed in (magnified to approx 5x) by pressing center of the command control.

• When "ND FILTER" is set to "Fn" button or "RAW" button, setting between ON ("ND" is displayed) or OFF ("ND" is NOT displayed) can be changeable by pressing "Fn" button or "RAW" button, which is set for "ND FILTER".

• When the image is shot with vertical angle of the camera and played back the shot in the LCD, the image is displayed with whole area of LCD even after pressing "playback zoom in" button.

• When the human face is shot, the detected face is displayed during the playing back, and pressing the command dial to down, detected face is magnified during displaying.

• AE control system and AF performance including AF speed has been improved for movie recording mode.

Changes made in previous firmware updates for the X100 are also rolled into the new update.