Firmware Friday: Canon C200, Nikon W100, Sigma sd Quattro, Sony A9 among raft of camera, lens updates

 

 

After a couple of weeks of shorter posts, this week's regular Firmware Friday roundup is a giant, bringing news of updates to six digital cameras -- one of which we already told you about midweek -- as well as for two professional video cameras and two Micro Four Thirds lenses. And as if that wasn't already plenty to discuss, we've also learned of updates to two camera-related software utilities, as well as the debut of a third.

Without any further ado, let's get right down to it! We'll tackle the full list this week in alphabetical order...

Canon EOS C200 and C200B

Firmware version 1.0.1.1.00 for the Canon Cinema EOS C200 and C200B makes just one change to correct a bug in the previous release. When importing MP4-format clips captured at 50 or 59.94 frames per second rates into a non-linear editor, the starting time code could be displayed incorrectly. To resolve this issue, you can download and install the firmware which can be found here.

Fujifilm Raw File Converter EX 2.0

Fujifilm doesn't have any new firmware this week, but it does have a new software release for Raw File Converter EX 2.0. Version 4.2.8.0 of the application makes but one change, adding support for the Fuji X-E3 compact system camera. You can download it here.

Nikon Coolpix W100

The first of the still cameras on our list of updates this week is the Nikon W100. The new firmware version 1.5 release for the W100 aims to fix issues with SnapBridge pairing and connection issues when using the Android version of the Snapbridge app. You can download it here.

Panasonic DMC-GH4, DC-GH5, LUMIX G MACRO 30mm F2.8 Asph. Mega O.I.S., Panasonic Leica DG Nocticron 42.5mm f/1.2 Asph. Power O.I.S. and Lumix Tether

We already told you about the firmware version 2.0 update for the Panasonic Lumix GH5 compact system camera earlier in the week, so we won't duplicate efforts there. Hop on over to our earlier article if you're a GH5 shooter for the full story. The company has also updated the earlier DMC-GH4 model to firmware version 2.7, but this is a simpler bugfix release. It corrects a problem where third-party lenses' image stabilization functionality sometimes didn't work correctly if you were shooting variable frame-rate video. You can download this update here.

And there are also updates for two of Panasonic's lens models, the LUMIX G MACRO 30mm F2.8 Asph. Mega O.I.S. and Leica DG Nocticron 42.5mm f/1.2 Asph. Power O.I.S. primes. Both now support the Dual I.S. 2 functionality of suitably-equipped cameras. You can download the 30mm lens firmware here, and the 42.5mm lens firmware here.

And finally, Panasonic's new Lumix Tether application is now available for photographers shooting with the Panasonic GH5. Version 1.0 supports Windows 7 SP1, 8.1 or 10 machines, whether 32-bit or 64-bit, as well as Mac OS X 10.10 or 10.11 and MacOS 10.12. You can download Lumix Tether here.

Sigma sd Quattro, sd Quattro H and Photo Pro

Moving along to Sigma, the company has updates this week for both the sd Quattro and sd Quattro H camera bodies. Firmware version 1.07 for the Sigma sd Quattro and firmware version 1.03 for the Sigma sd Quattro H both make the same two changes. In previous versions, incorrect lens profile information could be recorded in images, causing some software to render images incorrectly or to display the wrong lens information. This has been resolved, as has an issue causing flash sync failures with the EF-610 DG Super SA-STTL flash strobe if you dialed in a shutter speed faster than the selected FL Flash mode sync speed. You can download the Sigma sd Quattro firmware here, and the sigma sd Quattro H firmware here.

And on the software front, the company has released version 6.5.5 of Sigma Photo Pro for the MacOS platform. This release adds compatibility with Apple's MacOS High Sierra (aka 10.13) operating system, and also resolves issues with the application failing to start up on some computers. You can download this latest version here.

Sony Alpha A9

And finally for this week, we come to the Sony Alpha A9 compact system camera, which is now on firmware version 1.10. This release adds support for Eye AF when using the LA-EA3 adapter with lenses on the list below:

• Vario-Sonnar T* 16-35mm F2.8 ZA SSM II (SAL1635Z2)

• DT 16-50mm F2.8 SSM (SAL1650)

• DT 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 SAM (SAL18135)

• Vario-Sonnar T* 24-70mm F2.8 ZA SSM II (SAL2470Z2)

• 300mm F2.8 G SSM II (SAL300F28G2)

• 500mm F4 G SSM (SAL500F40G)

• Planar T* 50mm F1.4 ZA SSM (SAL50F14Z)

• DT 55-300mm F4.5-5.6 SAM (SAL55300)

• 70-200mm F2.8 G SSM II (SAL70200G2)

• 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 G SSM II (SAL70300G2)

• 70-400mm F4-5.6 G SSM II (SAL70400G2)

It also resolves a problem that could cause raw files to be lost from SDXC and MicroSDXC cards inserted in the camera body when connected to some smartphone models, improves image quality (although the company doesn't state precisely how), and also is said to improve overall stability. You can download the update here.

And that's all for this week. Be sure to check back next time!

(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.)