Firmware Friday: 12 new updates from Fujifilm, Sigma and Sony
posted Friday, March 31, 2017 at 6:33 PM EST
It's time for our regular Firmware Friday roundup once more, and this week we have news to report from Fuji, Sigma and Sony. In all, there are a total of 12 updates in this roundup, although a couple are just slightly older updates from earlier in the month which have only just come to our attention. Without any further ado, let's get right down to it!
Fuji X-A3, X-A10, X-T1, X-T2, X-Pro2 and EF-X500
Fujifilm has updated four of its interchangeable-lens cameras and one flash strobe over the last week, and if that wasn't enough, while prepping our roundup we spotted a fifth camera update from earlier in the month which we missed at the time.
The Fuji X-A3 and X-A10 both share the same twochanges in their new version 2.00 firmware. Autofocus performance is said to have been improved for both cameras, and image quality when using the Portrait Enhancer function is also now said to be better than in the past.
The new Fuji X-T1 firmware, meanwhile, adds support for upgrading accessories from the camera body. The reason for this late addition? There's also new firmware out for the EF-X500 flash strobe which resolves a potential problem that could cause battery overheating. (You can check your own strobes' serial numbers here to see if they're potentially affected.)
As for the Fuji X-T2 and X-Pro2, if you read last week's roundup, you'll already be familiar with the list of changes below, as Fujifilm gave a heads-up on the new firmware before releasing it. Changes are as follows:
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X-T2 version 2.00 & X-Pro2 version 3.00
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Shooting RAW in Bracketing and Advanced Filters
The update enables you to use the RAW format when shooting not only in AE Bracketing but also in other Bracketing modes (ISO, Dynamic Range, White Balance, Film Simulations) and also in Advanced Filter modes. -
Extended ISO 125 and 160 selectable
The update adds ISO125 and ISO160 to extended ISO levels available. -
Programmable long exposure of up to 15 minutes
Long exposure in the T mode currently goes only up to 30 seconds. The update will allow users to extend it up to 15 minutes. -
ON/OFF for 1/3-step shutter speed adjustment (X-T2 only - already in X-Pro2)
The update allows you to turn off the Command Dial's function to adjust shutter speed by 1/3 steps in order to prevent unintended adjustments. -
Full-range ISO adjustments with the Command Dial (X-T2 only)
With the update, set the ISO "A" position to "Command" to adjust ISO sensitivity across the full range, including extended ISOs, with the Front Command Dial. -
"AUTO" setting added for the minimum shutter speed in the ISO Auto setting
The update adds an AUTO option for the minimum shutter speed in the ISO Auto setting, that allows the camera to automatically define the minimum shutter speed according to the focal length of the lens attached. -
Faster "Face Detection AF"
The update enables the use of Phase Detection AF for faster performance in Face Detection AF. -
Improved in-focus indication in the AF-C mode
The update reduces focus hunting in the AF-C mode, making it easier to track a subject. -
Addition of a smaller Focus Point size in Single Point AF
The update adds a smaller Focus Point size in Single Point AF, bringing the total number of available sizes to six. The new smallest size facilitates pin-point focusing. -
Addition of "AF Point Display" (X-Pro2 only - already on X-T2)
With the update, you can choose to have AF Points constantly displayed in Zone AF and Wide / Tracking AF, making it easier to track a subject. -
Addition of "AF-C Custom Setting" (X-Pro2 only - already on X-T2)
The update adds "AF-C Custom Setting" for specifying focus-tracking characteristics. Choose from five presets according to your subject's type of movements. -
Addition of "Portrait / Landscape AF Mode Switching" (X-T2 only)
The update allows you to specify separate AF mode and AF point settings for portrait orientation and landscape orientation. -
Change of focus frame position while enlarging it
The update allows you to move the position of focus frame while enlarging it in Single Point in the AF-S mode or in the Manual Focus -
Activation of the Eye Sensor in video recording (X-T2 only)
The update allows you to use the Eye Sensor during video recording to automatically switch between EVF and LCD. -
Change of ISO sensitivity during video recording (X-T2 only)
The update allows you to change ISO setting during video recording. -
Re-autofocusing in video recording
With the update, half-press the Shutter Release button or press the button assigned to "AF-ON" function during video recording to re-do autofocusing. -
Display live histogram during video recording (X-T2 only)
The update allows you to display a live histogram during video recording. -
Optimization of external microphone's input level (X-T2 only)
The update optimizes external microphone's input level (lower limit revised from -12dB to 20dB) to reduce white noise when an external microphone with preamp is connected. -
Addition of "Eye Sensor + LCD Image Display" in the View Mode
The update gives the "Eye Sensor + LCD Image Display" option in the View Mode that allows you to shoot through the viewfinder and check images on the LCD, just as you would with an SLR. -
Shorter EVF display time-lag (X-Pro2 only - already in X-T2)
The update shortens EVF's display time-lag in the AF-C mode so that you will not miss a photo opportunity. -
Constant "Dual" mode display (X-T2 only)
With the update, the small window in the Dual mode stays on even when you half-press the shutter release button. -
Automatic vertical GUI for LCD (X-T2 only)
With the update, when you hold the camera in the portrait orientation, the camera will automatically display the GUI on the LCD in the same orientation. -
Name Custom Settings
The update allows you to assign a specific name to Custom Settings 1 - 7. -
Copyright information in EXIF data
The update allows you to register the photographer's name and the copyright holder's name in advance so that the camera automatically adds the information to EXIF data for each image. -
Voice Memo function
The update enable you to record 30-second "Voice Memo" clips in the Playback mode. -
Extended AE Bracketing
The update extends AE Bracketing from the current 3 frames +/-2EV to up to 9 frames +/-3EV. -
Addition of "Shoot Without Card" mode
With the update, you can have the "Shoot Without Card" mode turned OFF so that the camera can not shoot when there is no SD card inserted.
You can download all of Fuji's new firmware at the links below:
Sigma sd Quattro, EF-630 and MC-11
The Sigma sd Quattro also sports new firmware this week. Sigma sd Quattro firmware version 1.04 sports eight changes as follows:
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It is possible to save images in DNG format (RAW 12bit).
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It is compatible with the Live View Display of Sigma Capture Pro.
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It is compatible with the SFD mode of Sigma Capture Pro.
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It offers faster AF speed of lenses from the Contemporary, Art and Sports lines by about 10 - 30%, and has improved the AF accuracy as well.
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When used with the SIGMA ELECTRONIC FLASH EF-630 for SIGMA, it has improved the color rendering of the White Balance’s Flash mode in (it requires the latest firmware for the EF-630 for SIGMA as well).
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It has corrected the phenomenon that the AF Shooting button did not work while the camera was using AF Lock.
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It has corrected the phenomenon that adjustments on the marked images could occasionally freeze the software when the card has an X3I file in it.
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It has improved the general operation of the software to achieve better stability.
Sigma sd Quattro owners using the EF-630 flash strobe will also want to upgrade that accessory to the latest firmware version using the optionally-available FD-11 USB dock, so as to get the best possible flash white balance with their camera. And the Sigma MC-11 EF-E mount adapter has also received new firmware recently which adds support for a number of lenses as below:
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Now compatible with the SIGMA 135mm F1.8 DG HSM | Art and SIGMA 100-400mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM | Contemporary.
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Now compatible with the Cine Lenses; SIGMA 20 mm T1.5 FF EF mount, 24 mm T1.5 FF EF mount, 35mm T1.5 FF EF mount, 50 mm T1.5 FF EF mount, 85 mm T1.5 FF EF mount from FF High Speed Prime Line, and 24-35mm T2.2 FF EF mount from FF Zoom Line.
Sony RX100 III, RX100 IV and RX100 V
And finally for this week, we come to the Sony RX100 III, IV and V cameras, all of which now sport new firmware with an added Underwater Auto white balance mode for use with the MPK-URX100A underwater housing. There's also a new Flash Off mode applicable when the flash is already popped up, and Sony also says that it has improved overall camera stability. Get these new updates at the links below:
And that's all the new firmware we're aware of this week. Be sure to check back next Friday for even more firmware news!
(Camera parts image courtesy of Kelly Hofer / Flickr; used under a Creative Commons CC-BY-2.0 license. Image has been modified from the original.)