trapper1 Loc: Southside Virginia

I have seen repeated references to firmware and ran down an explanation of the term but it is not clear when any action affecting or involving the firmware is needed. Would appreciate comments on that aspect.

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

Digital cameras are computers. They are built from 'hardware', which doesn't change. Firmware is a set of codes that enable the 'hardware' to operate, but can be modified / upgraded to improve the operation but remains a 'permanent' feature of the device until it is changed. Software is a transient set of instructions that load when the device is powered on, and add additional capabilities, but disappear when powered down

Firmware updates can add permanent capabilities to support new functionality such as new features or support for new lenses. It can also fix bugs or prevent malware compromises.

In the Canon context, Magic Lantern is run time software that adds additional functionality to certain cameras and specific firmware versions that can be advantageous and add additional capabilities.

Modern cameras (digital cameras) are computers, and have many layers just like an onion. I hope that helps a little.

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

Firmware is the basic operating system of the processor(s) that control your camera.
From time to time the camera maker will do an update of the software just like Apple or Microsoft update the OS for your computer.
Go to the support site for your camera(s) and check to see if they have any updates. There should also be instructions for how to update the firmware.

Since it is software it is also on rare occasions possible for it to get corrupted - electric shock, Voodoo Queen next door zapping bugs in her kitchen*( well my friend the computer tech says they work by black magic anyway) and therefore it needs to be reinstalled just like a clean install of a computer program to fix a bug/corrupted file.

*This is extremely rare with cameras - the only guy I know who had to have it done forgot to use a fully charged battery while doing a firmware upgrade and the battery died before the upgrade finished.

BebuLamar

Firmware is program code and thus it's not hardware. In the beginning in a computer system the firmware while is program code it's can not be changed only the software can be changed and thus it's not hardware nor software. However, overtime the firmware still serve the same purpose but they make it so it's changeable thus firmware updating is possible.

Bill_de Loc: US

Your camera manufacturer's website should have a list of firmware updates, if any, for your camera.. Your camera's menu will show you the version of the firmware installed on your camera.

If the firmware in your camera is older than what is available, read the instructions carefully and install the newest version.

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gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

Firmware is the software inside your camera. You can look up the version number in you camera's menu. You should be able to look up the newest firmware version on your manufacturer's website. If there’s a newer version than yours, it can be downloaded to an SD card and installed on your camera. It’s best to keep your firmware up to date. They usually correct imperfections in the old versions.

kschwegl Loc: Orangeburg, NY

Be aware that most likely the firmware update will reset the camera settings to the new factory default. Save all your custom settings (eg. display focus point in playback). Nikon ( and I'll bet other manufacturers) allow you to save to the memory card, then reload the settings. Check your owners manual. An entry level DSLR's may not have the feature, (my D3100 no, my D7200 yes) but 'ya never know.

Ken S.

Bill P

Most manufacturers state what the updates fix or add. I have a camera that has had one or two updates, and all they do is Video stuff. Since I'm totally uninterested in video, I passed on them.