Panasonic Lumix GH2 Firmware Updated

Panasonic has announced a new firmware update for the Panasonic Lumix GH2, read our review here, the updates improve on the camera's video recording quality, by adding several desirable features. The updates include:

• 25p mode
• New 24MBps bit rate
• Full area touch LCD
• Lumix X lens compatability

The updated firmware will be available from the beginning of December from http://panasonic.jp/support/global/cs/dsc. Full details below:

From Panasonic: Panasonic Announces the Firmware Update Program for DMC-GH2 and PHOTOfunSTUDIO 6.0 BD Edition

Panasonic announces the new firmware update program for the digital interchangeable lens system cameras DMC-GH2 of LUMIX G Micro System and for the GH2 bundled software PHOTOfunSTUDIO 6.0 BD Edition.

The following functions will be available with the new firmware:

For DMC-GH2

• New video mode which is suitable for editing video recorded at high bit rate (24Mbps)
• New functional option with Power Zoom Lens ([DISP FOCAL LENGTH (Display of Focal Length)], [STEP ZOOM], [ZOOM RESUME], [ZOOM SPEED] and [ZOOM RING *])
• Full area enlargement of AF area setting
• Improvement in the speed of consecutive shooting when shot with auto bracket
• Increased number of recordable images in consecutive shooting
• [EX.TELE CONV. (Extra Tele Conversion)] can be set ON/OFF separately in photo or video recording
• More accurate light adjustment of built-in flash
• Improvement in the AF performance in video recording
• Synchronization of alarm volume for low battery with [BEEP VOLUME]
• New [HALF-PRESS RELEASE] function
• Improved NR(Noise Reduction) in high sensitivity shooting
• ON/OFF control of the touch-screen

For PHOTOfunSTUDIO 6.0 BD Edition

• Compatible with new video mode added with the GH2 firmware update mentioned above

* Available with LUMIX G X VARIO PZ 45-175mm / F4.0-5.6 ASPH. / POWER O.I.S. only.