Bob Smith Loc: Banjarmasin

I always look at these guys before making any decisions as they seem to give good advice not too biased toward sales. Bought my XT1 because of their review and have just upgraded to the Free firmware mentioned in the video. Impressive after only a few shots. Some good points raised here and Canon and Nikon should probably take heed. What do you guys think?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7baCduSPCQ&list=TLxS6NFDF4Ujk

cmc65

RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA

Surely you are not so naive as to think they don't know what the others are doing??

brucewells Loc: Central Kentucky

I've been working with firmware upgrades on various devices for many, many years. As they imply in the video, it's a way to fix bugs, embellish features and add new features.

All camera manufacturers issue firmware updates these days, so I'm not really sure I understand your point. If you are implying that Fuji firmware updates are somehow superior, well, they may be. The key, in this situation, is comparing mirrorless to a DSLR. Many of us simply do not embrace the mirrorless technology, and it lends itself to embellishment by firmware updates, if for no other reason than there are fewer moving parts. But, firmware will not make changes in the sensor, as an example. Only way to get a better sensor is to get a camera with a better sensor in it. Same with the EVF.

I sincerely doubt that any of the camera manufacturers have their heads in the sand. Firmware updates have been around a long time and they keep getting better, on every appliance. Cameras included.

Bob Smith Loc: Banjarmasin

No my point is that Mirrorless seem to be moving forward at a greater pace than DSLR's. I loved my DSLR but I hate to say it but since changing over I have been impressed by the way improvements have been made on the camera I have through firmware updates. No doubt all mirrorless manufacturers are doing the same and I know a lot of people have invested a lot of money in equipment but to my mind DSLR improvements seem to be in small steps. But saying that I can see Nikon or Canon coming out with something really really good soon and just maybe they will have too.

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

And Fuji leads the pack by a long shot on improving their previous models with free firmware upgrades instead of gouging the consumer with a new camera.

Kuzano

Excellent comment. Both good or bad, we can thank the internet for the Firmware ?dilemma? if you want to phrase it that way.

I have told many of my students in my computer classes, that there is no such thing as the purchase of a "finished" software program....

The final decision by management in any software publishing concerns is said so: "Screw it, wrap it, ship it, we'll fix/finish it with updates".

Market pressures drive these decisions.

The same is true of Camera Rollouts... "Screw It, Box it, Ship it, we'll fix/finish it with firmware!!"

Fortunately for the people who buy Fuji... the promise is kept. Few others do as well. I have a high regard for Olympus in this area.

Bottom line, the consumer can never buy a "finished" product. Look at automotive recalls.

Thank the Internet for the final fixes, but only if the MFR is on top of the process.

Do any of you remember how we used to get the updates for unfinished software applications before the internet... Yeah, that's right modem and bulletin boards and many hours and a lot of technical expertise required.

Can you imagine how long it would take for the mfrs to roll out new models of camera's if there were NO firmware process via the Internet?

:thumbdown:

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

Well, I do sort of agree, but by that logic, then no product is ever "finished" even before the internet, there's always room for improvement and new models.

Right?

I build airplanes for a living, if that logic held there would never be another airplane built because they all are a trade off of design decisions that at some point must stop :)