Firmware update

Panasonic has released firmware updates for its DMC-LX3 premium compact, and the DMC-TZ7/ZS3 and DMC-TZ6/ZS1 compact superzooms. The company has not provided any information about the updates' actions beyond the slightly obscure 'Optimization of software processing. Change in software version has no effect on camera performance.' Firmware v2.2 for the LX3 and v1.3 for the TZ7 and TZ6 are available for immediate download from Panasonic's website.

• More information and to download firmware v2.2 for DMC-LX3
  
• More information and to download firmware v1.3 for DMC-TZ7/ZS3
  
• More information and to download firmware v1.3 for DMC-TZ6/ZS1

Canon has posted a firmware update for its EOS 7D digital SLR. Firmware v1.2.2 fixes AF point selection and display bugs occuring under specific shooting conditions, and also addresses an error in movie mode. It also corrects misspellings in the Spanish and Thai language menus. The firmware is available for immediate download from Canon's website here.

Canon has released firmware updates for its EOS-1D Mark IV and EOS Rebel T2i/550D digital SLRs. Firmware v1.0.8 for both cameras fixes a bug in the movie mode. The update for the EOS 1D Mark IV also corrects misspellings in the French and Spanish language menus. The latest versions are available for immediate download from Canon's website.

• Download firmware v1.0.8 for the EOS-1D Mark IV DSLR
  
• Download firmware v1.0.8 for the EOS Rebel T2i/550D DSLR

Firmware v2.0.7 for the Canon 5D Mark II fixes bugs pertaining to movie mode, differences between LCD and viewfinder information in manual mode, and the use of wireless file transmitters. The update is available for immediate download from the Canon website.

As promised by Panasonic Lumix earlier this year, the updates for the GF-1, the GH-1 and the G-1 are now all available. You can download the firmware updates from the following pages:

• DMC GF-1 Firmware update v 1.2
  
• DMC GH-1 Firmware update v 1.2
• DMC G-1   Firmware update v 1.4
  

See this post for what the updates will bring to the cameras. 

As noted in this article: www.pragueworkshops.com/blog/firmware-update-announced-olympus-pen-series-cameras, the firmware update is now live and ready for downloading. On top of that DP Review has done some testing with the new firmware loaded and pitted it against the Panasonic Lumix G1. It's a pretty interesting article, you can read it here.

Panasonic releases new firmwares for the DMC-GF1, GH1 and G1 of Lumix G Micro System to enhance the potential of the cameras and compatibility.

Firmware ver.1.2 for DMC-GF1

• Improved operation menu for image stabilizer ([OFF] will be added under [STABILIZER] only when LUMIX G VARIO 14-42 mm / F3.5-5.6 ASPH. / MEGA O.I.S. (H-FS014042) is attached)
• Improved AF performance with lenses of other manufacturer

Firmware ver.1.3 for DMC-GH1

• Improved operation menu for image stabilizer ([OFF] will be added under [STABILIZER] only when LUMIX G VARIO 14-42 mm / F3.5-5.6 ASPH. / MEGA O.I.S. (H-FS014042) is attached)
• Availability of AF performance in FHD (full HD) movie recording mode with Four Thirds lenses that are compatible with contrast AF
• Improved AF performance in movie recording with LEICA DG MACRO-ELMARIT 45mm / F2.8 ASPH. / MEGA O.I.S. (H-ES045) Improved modulation accuracy of flash
• Improved AF performance with lenses of other manufacturer

Firmware ver.1.5 for DMC-G1

• Improved operation menu for image stabilizer ([OFF] will be added under [STABILIZER] only when LUMIX G VARIO 14-42 mm / F3.5-5.6 ASPH. / MEGA O.I.S. (H-FS014042) is attached)
• Improved modulation accuracy of flash Improved AF performance with lenses of other manufacturer

The new firmware will be available worldwide at GMT: 8:00 the 10th of May, 2010 at http://panasonic.jp/support/global/cs/dsc/.

From DP Review: Olympus has announced a firmware update for all three of its PEN Series cameras (The E-P1, E-P2 and E-PL1). To be released on April 22, the latest updates promise faster auto focusing speeds and improvements when using the recently announced 9-18mm lens. There are also improvements and bug fixes for individual cameras. The company has also announced a stand-alone Digital Camera Update software application exclusively for camera and lens firmware updates.

Firmware details:

All PEN models (E-P1, E-P2 and E-PL1)

• Higher AF speed in still image taking (with all lenses)

Additional functions for E-P1 & E-P2

• Higher AF tracing capacity in C-AF of movie taking (M.ZUIKO 9-18mm & 14-150mm) to same level of the E-PL1

Additional functions for E-P2 and E-PL1 only

• When using the VF-2, the flexibility to display the MENU and played image on the LCD (instead of on the VF-2)
•  Flexibility to display the REC-VIEW on the LCD (instead of on the VF-2)

Improvements with M.ZUIKO 9-18mm (all PEN models)

•  Frame rate adjustment of the live view when used with the new M.ZUIKO 9-18mm (without new firmware, the frame rate may be smaller on the live view)

Fix of minor technical issues

• Example : The E-P2 displays strange horizontal lines on the EVF when combined with no lens (or old manual lens) and "Grainy Film" setting.

When Olympus posts the release we'll have a link to the page. 

Canon has announced a firmware update for the EOS 7D and it incorporates the following improvements and fixes:

1. Extends the timing at which the high temperature warning indicator is displayed and the timing of automatic shut down of the camera due to a rise in internal temperature during Live View or EOS Movie functions.
2. Optimizes program shift when the ISO setting of the camera is set to AUTO.
3. Corrects a misspelling in the French-language menu.
4. Corrects a phenomenon in which vertical magenta-colored banding appears in still images taken in movie-shooting mode. (This only occurs when in Manual exposure mode and when the ISO speed is set to "H". Note that this phenomenon only affects units with Firmware Version 1.2.0)

Firmware Version 1.2.1 is for cameras with firmware up to version 1.2.0. If the camera's firmware is already version 1.2.1, it is not necessary to update the firmware.

Note that cameras with firmware Version 1.2.1, 1.2.0 cannot be downgraded to a previous firmware version (such as Version 1.1.0).

To download the firmware, please click on the Canon page here. 

Canon has released firmware v2.0.4 for the EOS 5D Mark II, which corrects a manual audio level bug that forced the company to remove v2.0.3 from the web earlier this week. Here is the link to download the new firmware.