burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

For those reading this who may be asking, "What's firmware?" (I know you're out there), it is simply software stored on an erasable, programmable, read-only memory chip. It's basically the camera's computer operating system AND applications, all in one. It connects all the menus to the hardware, and operates shutter, aperture, autofocus, timers, viewers, image saving circuits... everything on a digital camera!

Firmware updates are posted by camera manufacturers on their web sites, along with instructions for downloading a compressed file, extracting the binary data file containing the firmware, copying it to a memory card, and activating the camera's firmware update feature.

Traditionally, Nikon and Canon have mostly just updated firmware when there was a "bug" or program error that caused problems. A few fixes were software cover-ups of design flaws.

Other manufacturers (Sony, Panasonic, Olympus, Fujifilm) have found that they can often add new features to older models of their cameras — features that were not ready or even thought of when the hardware was ready to ship, or features they just added to newer models that also can work in older cameras that use basically the same circuitry. They can also improve existing features, in addition to distributing standard bug fixes.

It's great... You can buy a camera that gets better and better, just like an iPhone often gets better for five years with an annual iOS update. Many of the new features are provided at no cost, since the distribution cost is basically just the cost to run a web server.

Occasionally, there's a nominal fee for an advanced feature firmware update that few users will need (Panasonic's $100 vLog-L updates for the GH4, GH5, GH5s, for example. vLog-L is a logarithmic tonal compression profile that flattens the image tonal range so it can be expanded later, to achieve maximum dynamic range in video). The fee pays for that development without costing every user of the camera for something they probably won't use.

Downloading, extracting, copying, and then updating firmware is generally a simple, straight-forward procedure, but it MUST be done exactly according to instructions, or you can turn the camera into a very expensive, NOT REPAIRABLE brick.

The most important thing to be sure of is that the camera battery is both fresh and fully charged. (By 'fresh battery', I mean one that is known to be nearly new... one that won't die unexpectedly like some 3- to 5-year old batteries that don't see much use, or batteries that have been stored in extreme heat or cold. By 'fully charged', I mean you just took it off the charger after a complete charging.)

The second most important thing is to be PATIENT. Firmware updates can take what seems like a long time. That's why you must have a fresh battery and why the battery must be fully charged. Don't turn off the camera or touch any controls during the update. The firmware update must finish on its own.

Repair services often will install firmware updates for you, if you send your camera in for a cleaning, lubrication, and adjustment (CLA), or a repair. So if the badly translated from Japanese to English instructions, or the thought of bricking your camera scare you, you can still get it done.

ecobin Loc: Paoli, PA

Yes, you’re up to date

jdtonkinson Loc: Red Wing, MN

Hi
Elliot,
I wished I had seen your post before updating the firmware yesterday.
I'm seeing the same issues you mentioned.

Any chance you still have ver 1.10 firmware on your computer?

I have searched, but can't seem to find a link to the old version.

thanks

Jim