Firmware Friday: Almost 20 updates from Canon, Fuji, JVC, Metabones, Panasonic, Pentax, Sigma, Sony & YI

 

 

With the NAB Show slated to kick off tomorrow in Las Vegas, Nevada, this week's Firmware Friday roundup has epic proportions. In total, we have news of almost 20 updates for cameras, lenses and imaging gear from nine different manufacturers, and a fair bit of it adds new features, rather than being limited just to bug fixes.

Without any further ado, let's get right down to it!

Canon 5D Mark IV

It seems like only days ago that we were telling you about firmware version 1.0.4, a bugfixing release for the Canon 5D Mark IV DSLR. It seems that way because it was just days ago -- seven of them, to be exact. But be that as it may, we already have news of another new feature for the 5D IV. An optional, payware service center-installed update available from July 2017 will add Canon Log support to let you match footage with Canon's Cinema EOS gear. The update will cost US$100, and a version of the 5D IV will also be sold with the new feature preinstalled at an as-yet unstated price. More details can be found here.

Fujifilm GFX 50S

Fuji, too, just shipped a new update for its medium-format GFX 50S mirrorless camera a week ago, and yet has already told us of more firmware on the way. Fuji GFX 50S firmware version 1.10 will arrive in late May 2017, and will add support for tethered shooting via Wi-Fi, as well as improving autofocus and exposure compensation performance. In the meantime, if you didn't already catch last week's update and have experienced issues with viewfinder saturation, you'll want to nab it from last week's roundup.

JVC GY-LS300CH

Moving on to JVC, firmware version 4.0 for the GY-LS300CH camcorder will add support for in-camera 4:2:2 (8-bit) 4K capture at 24/25/30p frame rates. Output from the HDMI and SDI terminals remains at HD resolution during 4K capture, but the IP Remote function will now allow for 4K remote control and review in 4K resolution. The update will also add support for 50p / 60p frame rates when shooting at 3,840 x 2,160-pixel Ultra HD resolution. Public availability is slated for late May 2017, but if you're attending the NAB show you'll be able to see the new firmware demonstrated on JVC's booth.

Metabones Smart Adapters and Speed Boosters

The Metabones App 2.7 shipped recently, and updates firmware for the EF-E Smart Adapter MARK IV and EF-E Speed Booster ULTRA to version 56. Changes include support for the Canon CN-E 18-80mm T4.4 L IS KAS S lens, and auto iris, servo zoom, autofocus and custom function button support for the Canon CN-E 18-80mm T4.4 L IS KAS S lens. Servo zoom control can be accomplished using the zoom rocker on some cameras, the touch-screen on Panasonic models, and the PlayMemories Mobile app on Sony cameras; some Sony cameras also allow for more than 50 functions to be assigned to the record button.

Other changes include a fix for an issue with SteadyShot icon on the attached camera not matching with the IS switch of the Tamron 150-600/5-6.3 VC USD A011 lens, a blackout issue with time-lapses shot on the Sony A7S, and a fix for an issue with some full frame lenses being misidentified as cropped lenses. (Apparently the reverse may still occur, however.) There's also a compatibility fix for Contax N lenses which have been modified by Conurus Canada and which are being used with the CINE Smart Adapter, CINE Speed Booster Mark V or Speed Booster ULTRA II. And finally, Micro Four Thirds smart adapters and speed boosters should now support the Panasonic GH5 body.

More details can be found here.

Panasonic GH5 and GX850 / GX800 / GF9

Moving along to Panasonic, we have news on two fronts. First of all, the company will be shipping firmware version 1.1 for the Lumix DC-GH5 compact system camera from next Monday, April 24th 2017. The update, which you'll be able to download here, will enable 10-bit 4:2:2 video recording in either Full HD or Anamorphic (4:3) capture modes. It will also bring fixes for incorrect exposure adjustment when shooting using variable frame rates, and for a problem with after-images when recording high-sensitivity V-LogL video footage.

For the Panasonic GX850, GX800 and GF9, meanwhile, firmware version 1.1 is now available. The sole change is the addition of Panasonic's Beauty Retouch function to these camera models. You can download the new firmware here, should you want to update.

Pentax K-1 and 645Z

Ricoh has updated its full-frame Pentax K-1 and medium-format Pentax 645Z DSLRs to add support for its new Image Transmitter version 2.3.0 release, which you can download here for Windows machines, or here for Mac OS machines. Once the updated firmware and software are installed, you'll be able to control a raft of new features remotely:

• Drive mode

• White balance mode

• Custom image mode

• Image recording format

• JPEG recording size (K-1 only)

• Recording image quality (K-1 only)

• Card slot setting

• Live view magnification

• Focus fine adjustment function for live view

• Focus assist setting (Windows only for 645Z)

• Exposure bracket setting (645Z only, and Windows only)

• Start and stop / file transfer for movie shooting. (K-1 only; live view is incompatible)

You can download Pentax K-1 firmware version 1.41 here, and Pentax 645Z firmware version 1.23 here.

Sigma 500mm f/4 and USB dock

Sigma's 500mm f/4 DG OS HSM S016 lens gets an update this week in Nikon-mount form. There is one change noted for the new firmware version 1.01 release, correcting an issue preventing use of 3D tracking with the Nikon-mount Sigma Tele Converter TC-1401 attached.

The Sigma USB dock, meanwhile, can now be updated to firmware version 1.03 for Canon or Sigma-mount, or firmware version 1.02 for Nikon mount. In all three cases, there is just one change: Newly-added support for the SIGMA 100-400mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM C017 lens. Since this optic isn't offered in Sony or Pentax mounts, there is no corresponding update for these versions of the USB dock.

To install Sigma's updates, you'll want to get your hands on the optional USB dock if you don't already have one, and then update Sigma Optimization Pro to version 1.4.1 or later for Windows machines, or version 1.4.0 or later for Macintosh machines. Sigma Optimization Pro can be downloaded here.

Sony PXW-FS5, PXW-X400 and PXW-Z150

Like Canon and JVC, Sony also has new camcorder firmware in planning and unveiled at the NAB show. The Sony X400 will get new firmware from early 2017 adding support for 4K QFHD (3,840 x 2,160-pixel) XAVC Intra or XAVC Long GOP capture at rates of either 50 or 59.94 frames per second.

From July 2017 the Sony FS5 and Z150, meanwhile, will both get support for High Dynamic Range capture when shooting in Hybrid Log-Gamma mode. The FS5's firmware version 4.0 update will also add an option to change the minimum ISO sensitivity from ISO 3200 to ISO 2000 when recording S-Log2 or S-Log3 footage, as well as support for continuous 1080p120 High Frame Rate capture if you purchase the optional CBKZ-FS5HFR upgrade. And the Sony Z150's firmware version 2.0 update will also add support for QoS transfer for higher streaming quality, a new enhanced zebra marker function with 1% level adjustments, and system link compatibility with the RM-30BP Remote Commander or MCX-500 Multi-Camera Live Producer.

YI-M1, 12-40mm f/3.5-5.6 and 42.5mm f/1.8

And finally, we come to the Yi Camera. The new firmware version 2.0-int release for the YI-M1 makes six main changes as follows:

1. Supports shooting on the APP remotely

2. Improved the audio quality when recording videos

3. Added a prompt message when switching mode for the prime lens

4. Improved the display result when F/S/EV on the Live view interface is not selectable

5. Improved the speed of adjustment parameters by the control dial

6. Improved SD card compatibility

The release notes also state that "some known bugs" have been fixed, but doesn't elaborate on this point. Firmware version 1.1 for the 42.5mm f/1.8 prime lens also aims to resolve issues with low-light autofocus, while firmware version 1.1 for the 12-40mm f/3.5-5.6 zoom lens is said to fix an issue with choppiness in some shooting situations. You can download all of YI's new updates here.

And that's it for this week! Be sure to check back next time for more camera 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.)