Fujifilm GFX100 Firmware Update Improves Autofocus & Adds Film Simulation

Fujifilm will be releasing a firmware update in June 2021 for the GFX100 flagship mirrorless digital camera that will add a multitude of additional functions and operational enhancements, including bringing the autofocus up to the level found on the GFX100S.

Here's the full run-down of the features and enhancements Firmware Update Ver.4.00 will bring:

1. Improved autofocus performance to the same level as GFX100S

The new firmware updates the camera’s autofocus algorithm to the latest version to boost AF speed and Face/Eye-detection performance, enhancing AF accuracy even in portrait photography that involves subject movements. The ability to track a moving subject will also be improved, making it possible to maintain an accurate focus on a subject that is moving away from the camera.

2. Coordinated control of in-body and optical image stabilization mechanisms

The new firmware enables coordinated control of the camera’s in-body image stabilization (IBIS) and a lens’s optical image stabilization (OIS). Image stabilization is applied with optimum correction based on the two mechanisms’ acceleration, frequency detected by gyro sensors and the amount of camera shakes to minimize motion blur even when shooting handheld. This enhances the image stabilization function of GF lenses featuring OIS such as FUJINON Lens GF120mmF4 R LM OIS WR Macro or the FUJINON Lens GF45-100mmF4 R LM OIS WR with an additional 0.5-stop.

3. Addition of the Film Simulation "Nostalgic Neg."

The new firmware adds the Film Simulation "Nostalgic Neg.," characterized by colours and tones reminiscent of the "America New Color," which emerged in the 1970s to advocate the potential of colour expressions to the world and established colour photography as the mainstream style for photographic fine arts. The style combines “soft tonality” with “high saturation” at the same time and applies warm amber to highlights to soften the look while maintaining fine details and pop colours in shadows for lyrical looks.

4. Other added functions and operational improvements

1. The level of “clarity” can be set in the range from -5 to +5.
2. The “tone curve” can be adjusted in the increment of 0.5 stop for both highlights and shadows.
3. The “focus limiter” function is added to specify any focusing range. Choose the default focusing distance or select it from the specified range.
4. Pictures can be enlarged in the magnification of 1x, 2x, 4x or 8x in playback. There is also an option to select the magnification used in the previous playback (from center).
5. Function button can be assigned to switch “shooting mode” between P, S, A and M modes.
6. The front and rear command dials can be set to rotate in a reverse direction.
7. The number of items in the Q menu can be selected from 4, 8, 12 or 16 for both stills and video. The items to display in the Q menu are customizable.
8. The Q button can be assigned as a function button.
9. The camera stays ON even when an SD card is removed.
10. Electronic image stabilization is available while shooting video.
11. It corrects camera shake that occurs when shooting video handheld. (1.1x crop when this mode is turned on)
12. Live View can be enlarged even while shooting video.
13. The Focus Check Lock can now also be set to ON/OFF to maintain focus check or not when starting to shoot video.
14. Video recorded in the SD card can be backed up to the SD card in another card slot.
15. The elapsed video recording time can be displayed on the LCD for checking.
16. The AF area size can be changed while shooting video.
17. Video files recorded with F-log can be played back in conversion equivalent to BT.709.
18. Added White Balance / ISO metadata to RAW footage, output to Atomos Ninja V HDR Monitor Recorder via HDMI. The footage is recorded as Apple ProRes RAW files and White Balance / ISO can be adjusted in Final Cut Pro.

5. Precautions

In firmware Ver.4.00, the menu structure has been changed and some functions have been renamed. Particularly, the movie setting menu has undergone major changes due to the expansion of setting items, and some of the settings will revert back to the default value accordingly.

This new firmware can be downloaded via the smartphone App "FUJIFILM Camera Remote". However, since many items have been changed, please be sure to check the detailed information about this firmware on the official website before implementing the update.

Fujifilm Pixel Shift Combiner Updated To Ver.1.2.0

As well as new firmware for the GFX100, Fujifilm has also announced that a new version of its Pixel Shift Combiner software is now available. The software supports the Pixel Shift Multi-Shot function available in the GFX100 and GFX100S and this particular update allows users to create high-resolution 100MP images with accurate colour reproduction.

You can download the latest version of the software from the Fujifilm website and learn more about the update below. 

From Fujifilm: FUJIFILM Corporation (President: Kenji Sukeno) is pleased to announce the version update of the FUJIFILM Pixel Shift Combiner software that supports the Pixel Shift Multi-Shot function available in the FUJIFILM GFX100and FUJIFILM GFX100S.  This update enables users to generate unparalleled high-resolution images with accurate colour reproduction.

 Generally, an image sensor records only one of three colours, red (R), green (G) or blue (B) within a pixel. The information about the other two colours is estimated and complemented based on data from surrounding pixels. The Pixel Shift Multi-Shot function automatically takes images while shifting the camera’s image sensor to record information about all three colours for each of its pixels, thereby allowing colour reproduction that completely eliminates false colours (=Accurate Colours).

The latest software version 1.2.0 adds a new “Accurate Colours” option to produce 100MP image with no false colours, in addition to the existing function of generating ultra-high 400MP resolution images in Accurate Colours.

Another addition is the function to automatically detect an error when images cannot be correctly combined due to camera shake, etc. that occurred during photo shooting. The ability to detect flawed images before the completion of image generation is expected to speed up photographers’ workflow.

A further new function of the update enables enlarged viewing of combined RAW images for checking details. This means users can visually check details of combined RAW images inside the Pixel Shift Combiner before processing them in RAW developing software. In other words, workflow steps up to checking combined images can be completed within the Pixel Shift Combiner.

Fujifilm X Series and GFX System Digital Camera Control Software Development Kit

The final announcement from Fujifilm will help software developers integrate the functionality of X Series and GFX cameras into any applications that are currently being developed as Fujifilm has released a Digital Camera Control Software Development Kit (SDK).

The SDK will allow developers to initiate the automatic transfer of images, from a supported Fujifilm camera to a computer using a Windows or macOS operating system. Remote access to the basic controls of any supported Fujifilm camera is also supported. 

Information regarding the conversion of the RAW image data contained in Fujifilm’s proprietary RAF file is not provided with this SDK.

Supported cameras include the X-T3, X-T4, X-Pro3, GFX 50S, GFX 50R, GFX100 and GFX100S. 

For more information about using the SDK, visit the Fujifilm website.