Panasonic has announced extensive firmware updates for the Lumix S1, S1R, GH5, GH5s and G9 cameras.

One image can change us.

A picture, a moment can change the way we feel. Change how we see ourselves. Change our understanding and change the rules. Provoke and change history.

MPB puts photo and video kit into more hands, more sustainably. Every month, visual storytellers sell more than 20,000 cameras and lenses to MPB. Choose used and get affordable access to kit that doesn’t cost the earth. Sell the kit you’re not using to MPB. Trade in for the kit you need to create. Buy used, spend less and get more. Buy. Sell. Trade. Create.

Details of the firmware updates are covered below - Panasonic say all of the upgrades will be available on 19 November 2019, and they can be downloaded from the Lumix Global customer support website. 

LUMIX Full Frame Mirrorless

S1 and S1R firmware version 1.3

Expanded media compatibility

CFexpress Type B card can be used. A CFexpress Type B card boasts a theoretical performance of a maximum of 2,000 Mbps. Realizing an approximately 300% higher transfer speed than that of a conventional XQD card, it supports large-volume photos and videos.

Expanded compatibility with Profoto wireless transmitters

Profoto wireless transmitters "Air Remote TTL-O/P" and "Profoto Connect-O/P" can be used, enabling wireless connection and control of external strobes for professional shooting.*

Improved compatibility with Sigma interchangeable lenses and mount converter

It is now possible to assign functions to the Fn buttons of Sigma L-Mount interchangeable lenses. The performance of Body I.S. (Image Stabilizer) when attaching a lens using the Sigma MC-21 mount converter has also been enhanced and suppresses roll movement.

Improved compatibility with Panasonic interchangeable lenses

It is now possible to assign functions to the lens Fn buttons when the Panasonic LUMIX S PRO 70-200mm F2.8 O.I.S. (S-E70200) is mounted.

Improved AF performance

[AF+MF] can be used in AFC mode, and it is now possible to set continuous AF on the live view screen in Creative Video mode or in other video recording modes when the video recording area is displayed.

Improved performance of High-Speed Video

It is now possible to manually set the exposure according to the video exposure mode (P/A/S/M) in High- Speed Video mode.

Other major improvements

• It is now possible to select the card slot to save the JPEG images developed by in-camera RAW processing.
• An Fn button can be used for checking the aperture effect while the button is pressed.
• Disabling any physical operation can be assigned to an Fn button
• AF Assist Light has been added to the Focus tab of the Video menu
• The luminance level of photos (including 6K/4K Photo and Post Focus images) can be set when playing back them over HDMI output.
• AE can be locked with the [AF/AE LOCK] button when ISO Auto is set in M mode.
• S1 - There were cases where a blue clipping effect occurred in V-Log recording. This problem has been improved.
• S1 - There were cases where afterimages occurred in V-Log recording. This problem has been improved.

LUMIX Micro Four Thirds Mirrorless

GH5 firmware version 2.6 / GH5s firmware version 1.4 / G9 firmware version 2.0

Expanded compatibility with Profoto wireless transmitters

Profoto wireless transmitters "Air Remote TTL-O/P" and "Profoto Connect-O/P" can be used.*

Improved AF performance

[AF-ON: Near Shift] and [AF-ON: Far Shift] functions have been added. [AF-ON: Near Shift] preferably focuses on a subject nearby while [AF-ON: Far Shift] preferably focuses on a subject far away.

A Focus Peaking function is available not only in MF mode but also in any AF mode.

It is possible to set continuous AF on the live view screen in Creative Video mode or in other video recording modes when the video recording area is displayed.

GH5S / G9 - Animal Detect has been added to AF mode. Utilizing Advanced AI Technology, animals, including canines, felines and birds, can be detected in addition to humans. The focus frame is automatically set on the target subject by analyzing the size and position of the target subject in the viewing image. The camera keeps tracking these subjects even when they turn their back to the camera.

GH5S / G9 - It is possible to switch the subject to focus on by pressing the joystick in [Face/Eye/Body/Animal Detect.] mode.

Enhanced video functions - G9

• 4K 30p/25p 4:2:2 10-bit internal recording is supported.
• 4K 60p/50p 4:2:2 10-bit HDMI output is supported.
• Luminance level for 10-bit video is supported.
• VFR (Variable Frame Rate) shooting is supported (FHD 2-180 fps/4K 2-60 fps).
• HDR video recording is supported.
• V-Log L recording and Waveform Monitor (WFM) are available with the Upgrade Software Key DMW-SFU1 (sold separately).

Other major improvements

• [AWBw] has been added to WB mode.
• [Highlight Weighted] has been added to [Metering mode].
• [Exposure Offset Adjust.] has been added to the Custom menu, which enables adjustment of the standard exposure value for all metering modes.
• [0.5SEC] has been added for an option of [Duration Time (photo)] in [Auto Review].
• AE can be locked with the [AF/AE LOCK] button when ISO Auto is set in M mode.
• [MODE1] has been added to the Live View Boost function, which increases the frame rate for smooth image displays to enable easier manual focusing.
• G9 [MODE2] has been added to High-Resolution mode, which reduced subject’s motion blur.