Firmware Friday: A flurry of future features for Fujifilm; Low-temp fix for Sigma sd Quattro, Quattro H

 

 

Our Firmware Friday roundup is back to its regularly weekly schedule, and this week we bring news of a huge raft of firmware upgrades from Fujifilm. Although a couple are already here, the bulk are set to ship in the next six weeks or so. And we also have news of a couple of updates for Sigma's Foveon sensor-based sd Quattro-series cameras, as well.

Let's get right down to it!

Fujifilm GFX 50S, X100F, X-E3, X-H1, X-Pro2, X-T2, X-T20 and XC15-45mm lens

Firmware version 3.1 for the Fujifilm GFX 50S is set to arrive next month. It will include at least five new features, per the list provided by the company below:

1. Compatible with the newly developed FUJINON GF250mmF4 R LM OIS WR capabilities
   The upgrade will add compatibility for the newly developed FUJINON GF250mmF4 R LM OIS WR capabilities that include “Focus Preset”, “AF-L” and “AF-ON”.

2. Addition of “Flicker Reduction”
   For enhancing the quality of indoor sports photography, the upgrade allows users to reduce flicker in both pictures and display when shooting under fluorescent lighting and other similar light sources.

3. Addition of “Select Folder” and “Create Folder”
   Enables users to choose the folder in which subsequent pictures will be stored. Users will also be able to enter a five-character folder name to create a new folder in which to store subsequent pictures.

4. New enlarged and customizable indicators: “Large Indicators Mode”
   The upgrade allows users to enlarge indicators and information in the viewfinder and/or LCD monitor. This upgrade will also enable users to customize the location of where the information is shown on the display.

5. Addition of Fn button support for “35mm Format Mode”
   The upgrade allows users to set the Fn button as “35mm Format Mode” for quicker setting changes.

Also arriving in May will be updates for the X-H1 (version 1.1.0), X-T2 (version 4.0.0) and X-Pro2 (version 5.0.0). All three cameras will share the same large indicators mode function described above, and they all receive phase-detection AF improvements, too. (The X-H1 gains access to the smallest AF point size for single or continuous still / movie capture; the X-T2 and X-Pro2 get major continuous AF performance improvements during zoom operation, as well as a 1.5-stop improvement in low-light AF to -1EV, and support for AF all the way down to f/11.

Both the X-T2 and X-Pro2 will also get the flicker reduction function and support for folder creation / selection. The X-H1 and X-T2 will both get focus bracketing, as well as support for the Fujinon MKX18-55mmT2.9 and MKX50-135mmT2.9 lenses. The X-T2 will get support for recording F-LOG movies to SD card, and a new 120 fps Full HD capture mode for 1/2, 1/4 or 1/5 slow-motion effects. And X-H1 shooters will receive Function button support for IS mode, plus the ability to pair up to seven Bluetooth devices at once, sync date and time or update firmware via Bluetooth, or trip the shutter from a Bluetooth remote control.

But before those cameras receive their updates, the Fuji X-E3 and X100F will get theirs some time this month. Both cameras will also receive the large indicators function we mentioned previously. For the X100F, that'll be the only change. X-E3 shooters will also get the Bluetooth improvements mentioned for the X-H1 above (except for the date and time function). They'll also get four other changes unique to their camera, as follows:

1. Supports “FUJIFILM X RAW STUDIO”
   After connecting a camera to a computer via USB cable, the “FUJIFILM X RAW STUDIO” enables users to convert RAW files with X Processor Pro. Fast batch processing will also be available. The “FUJIFILM X RAW STUDIO” can be downloaded from the FUJIFILM website for free.

2. Support for backup/restore of camera settings via FUJIFILM X Acquire
   Once connecting a camera to a computer via USB cable, the “FUJIFILM X Acquire” allows users to backup/restore camera settings to/from a file. Copying all camera settings from one camera to another is available.

3. Compatible with the newly developed FUJINON XC15-45mmF3.5-5.6 OIS PZ lens
   The upgrade will add compatibility for the newly developed FUJINON XC15-45mmF3.5-5.6 OIS PZ lens.

   1. MF ring can be used as zoom ring

   2. Maintain the lens zoom position during interval shooting

   3. Maintain the lens zoom position in playback mode to shorten the startup time for the next shooting

   4. Improve radio flash controller usability

4. The upgrade allows users to shoot with compatible third party studio flash in high speed sync. or TTL mode via their radio controllers.

Before any of those cameras get their updates, though, the Fuji X-T20 and XC15-45mm lens have both received updates of their own. For the X-T20, there are nine new features as below. Download the X-T20 update here.:

1. New AF tracking algorithm for moving subjects
   Thanks to the newly developed image recognition algorithm, the update enhances AF-C to track moving subjects twice as fast as previous firmware. In addition, the update also enhances tracking to be able to capture up to 50% smaller moving subjects than before.

2. Enhanced touch screen operation
   The firmware update will add some of the touch screen operation features which are currently available on the FUJIFILM X-E3. These touch screen features include:

   1. The Auto Focus area can be moved when in focus zoom with flick operation.

   2. Pinch-in/out operation in playback mode will be updated to go from full-frame playback to multi-frame playback (Nine-frame view and Hundred-frame view)

   3. Select the frame in multi-frame playback with tap or drag operation or return to full-frame playback by double-tapping

   4. Q (Quick) menu selection

   5. Input character with touch key-board (*1)
      *1：Except for some functions. (ex. SSID input)

3. Support “FUJIFILM X RAW STUDIO”
   After connecting a camera to a computer via USB cable, the “FUJIFILM X RAW STUDIO” enables users to convert RAW files with X Processor Pro. Fast batch processing will also be available. The “FUJIFILM X RAW STUDIO” can be downloaded from the FUJIFILM website for free.
   *"FUJIFILM X RAW STUDIO Installer for Windows/Mac" can be downloaded from the URL below.
   FUJIFILM X RAW STUDIO Installer for Windows/Mac

4. Support for backup/restore of camera settings via FUJIFILM X Acquire
   Once connecting a camera to a computer via USB cable, the "FUJIFILM X Acquire" allows users to backup/restore camera settings to/from a file. Copying all camera settings from one camera to another is available.
   *Settings other than date and custom white balance can be backup and restored.
   *"FUJIFILM X Acquire Ver.1.7 Installer for Windows/Mac" can be downloaded from the URL below.
   FUJIFILM X Acquire Ver.1.7 Installer for Windows/Mac

5. Compatible with the newly developed FUJINON XC15-45mmF3.5-5.6 OIS PZ lens
   The upgrade will add compatibility for the newly developed FUJINON XC15-45mmF3.5-5.6 OIS PZ lens.

   1. When changing the focus mode (AF/MF), the focus ring function (fine zoom adjustment, manual focus) automatically switches.
      * Focus ring function when focus mode is "S" or "C"：Fine Zoom adjustment.
      * Focus ring function when focus mode is "M"：Manual focus.

   2. Memorize the lens zoom position when power off and return to the position when power on

   3. Maintain the lens zoom position in playback mode to shorten the startup time for the next shooting
      <Note>
      When using the lens, upgrade the lens firmware to the latest version first.
      FUJINON XC15-45mmF3.5-5.6 OIS PZ Firmware Update Ver.1.01

6. Improve radio flash controller usability
   The upgrade allows users to shoot with compatible third party studio flash in high speed sync. or TTL mode via their radio controllers.

7. RGB histogram display and highlight warning
   If you press the function button in the histogram, RGB histogram and highlight warning (high brightness portion will blink) will be displayed.

8. Enlarged and customizable indicators or information
   The upgrade allows users to enlarge indicators and information in the viewfinder and/or LCD monitor. This upgrade will also enable users to customize the location of where the information is shown on the display. When enlarged display, some icons are not displayed like distance indicator, focus frame, focus mode, focus warning, microphone/remote release, AF+MF, button lock and sound and flash indicator.

9. AE optimization when face detection

As for the XC15-45mm lens update, firmware version 1.01 is available here and makes just one change, improving stability of the lens barrel when turning on and off.

Sigma sd Quattro and sd Quattro H

Finally for this week, we come to Sigma. Here, the sd Quattro and sd Quattro H cameras have both received updates aimed at improving performance in low temperatures. Specifically, Sigma says that it has improved the viewfinder, main display, shutter and image saving performance in very cold conditions. You can download the sd Quattro firmware version 1.09 here, and sd Quattro H firmware version 1.05 here.

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