Some great news for current (and potentially future) Panasonic camera owners has just been revealed in the form of firmware updates for some of the company’s most popular mirrorless models. The S1 and S1R gain previously promised CFexpress support, the G9 gets an incredible boost to video recording, and the GH5 and GH5S both gain enhanced functionality. This is a serious set of firmware updates and all current owners should make sure they upgrade.
S1 and S1R Move Up to Version 1.3
Full-frame mirrorless from Panasonic continues to improve with this latest update version 1.3 for the S1 and S1R, which notably brings CFexpress support. This new media format can reach speeds up to 300% faster than current XQD cards and features the same form factor and interface. The cameras also gain compatibility with the Profoto Air Remote TTL-O/P and Connect-O/P for wireless flash setups. Other compatibility-related changes include expanded support for Sigma L-mount lenses because you can now assign functions to the Fn buttons of select lenses and enjoy optimized performance of Body I.S. with lenses adapted using the MC-21 Mount Converter. Improved AF performance signifies that AF+MF can now be used in AFC mode and it is possible to set continuous AF on the live view screen in Creative Video or other video recording modes. Additionally, users can now set exposure manually in High-Speed Video, and other major improvements have been made.
G9 Becomes a 10-Bit Video Camera
Though certainly designed as a stills-first camera, Panasonic has seen fit to massively upgrade the G9’s video specs in version 2.0 to bring it in line with its GH Series brethren. This includes 10-bit 4:2:2 in 4K both internally and externally. For internal recording this maxes out at 4K at 30 fps, but externally via HDMI improves the max frame rate to 60 fps. Variable Frame Rate settings are added, too, with Full HD from 2-180 fps and 4K from 2-60 fps. HDR is available now and you can pick up the optional DMW-SFU1 Software Upgrade Key to unlock V-Log L and Waveform Monitor.
There are other changes included with the G9 firmware version 2.0, which are included in the updates for the GH5 and GH5S.
Numerous Changes for the GH5 and GH5S
More is available for the G9, and those updates are shared with the GH5 firmware version 2.6 and GH5S firmware version 1.4. Top billing here is compatibility with the Profoto Air Remote TTL-O/P and Connect-O/P, much like the S Series. Also, improved AF performance, including Animal Detect for the GH5S and G9, has been noted. Other smaller changes are the addition of AWBw, highlight-weighted exposures, and more.
All of these updates will be made available on November 19, 2019 on the LUMIX Global Customer Support Site.
2 Comments
Not so much a comment as a question (which may interest others). If we installed the filmmaker's license for the S1, do we need to re-install it after upgrading to firmware version 1.3?
That should not be necessary. The firmware license should stay in place.