Updates big and small have attended the debutante ball; here’s a quick summary of those released over the course of April and May that I haven’t mentioned on the blog. Click on the brand names in the summary to jump to detailed information on their updates, then click on your camera’s name to go to the firmware download page for that camera. For a complete list of current firmware for every camera we sell (and then some!), click here. Remember—it’s always a good idea to keep your software as up to date as possible, to enjoy the benefits of new features and stability improvements! If you need help, you’re welcome to stop in at any Mike’s Camera location, or leave a comment and I will reach out to you.
With the official release of firmware versions 2.0 for the Z 6 and Z 7, Nikon have fulfilled their promise from February to bring Eye-AF to their full-frame mirrorless cameras. It’s a feature that shows off the latest and greatest in on-sensor auto-focus capabilities, and we’re excited to see how it plays out in the real world. Nikon photographers: please leave your experiences with the new feature in the comments! The developers have also fine-tuned other features on a variety of other cameras, particularly focusing on connectivity with SnapBridge.
Of course, Canon added Eye-detection AF to the EOS R last month as well with the 1.2.0 firmware update, along with other improvements. (The EOS RP was released with the feature built-in.) EOS M5 owners will be pleased to see a couple of bugs smoothed out.
Though already present in the X-T3, Fujifilm have been thinking about Eye-AF as well and the major 3.0 update for the camera focuses heavily on continued improvement of that algorithm, as well as incorporating many of the software advances introduced with the X-T30. Speaking of which, an update for the X-T30 offers improved usability of the Q button with more to come in June.
Finally, incremental stability updates are available from Olympus for the E-M1 and from Sony for almost their entire current lineup (including the α6500, α7 II, α7 III, α7R II, α7R III, α7S II, α9, and the non-mirrorless α99 II.
Canon updates
EOS M5 – 1.0.1
- Corrects a phenomenon in which, when the playback grid is set to “6×4”, and a vertical image is displayed, or a horizontal image is rotated to be displayed vertically, the grid does not display correctly.
- In languages other than Japanese, the phrase “no. of shots” has been corrected to “value” in the “Time-lapse movie settings > Interval/Shots” setting screen.
EOS R – 1.2
- Eye-detection AF
- Supports Servo AF when shooting still images.
- Now available when shooting movies regardless of “Movie Servo AF” setting.
Small AF Frame Size
Supports Servo AF when shooting still images. - Now available when shooting movies regardless of “Movie Servo AF” setting.
- Under certain conditions the electronic level displayed in the electronic viewfinder did not display properly.
- Under certain conditions information displayed in the electronic viewfinder was not properly rotated.
- Under certain conditions updating the firmware for the wireless file transmitter WFT-E7 was not possible.
Fujifilm updates
X-T3 – 3.0
- Strengthened the accuracy of face / eye detection AF performance. The AF algorithm has been improved along with the accuracy of face / eye detection AF. The ability to detect faces in the distance has been enhanced by approximately 30% and AF tracking is now more stable, even when an obstacle appears in the way. The improvements in AF are applicable to both still photos and video recording.
- New Face Select function. The Face Select function has been introduced to provide priority auto-focus, tracking and exposure on a selected subject when multiple faces have been detected. The priority face can be selected by using the touch screen or focus lever.
- Faster AF speed for subjects at a distance. A Double Tap Setting and Touch Function has been added to the touch screen settings. The two settings must be set to OFF to provide a better touch screen response. These new settings allow a more intuitive touch operation when shooting, AF and focus area select. 4.Intuitive operation of touch screen A Double Tap Setting and Touch Function has been added to the touch screen settings(1). The two settings must be set to OFF to provide a better touch screen response. These new settings allow a more intuitive touch operation when shooting, AF and focus area select.
*By default, Touch Screen Setting, Double Tap Setting and Touch Function are set to all OFF. Touch Screen Setting must be set to ON to use the touch screen function. - Focus frame when EYE DETECTION SETTING. When using EYE DETECTION SETTING, only focus frame on eye is displayed.
- Improvement of AF/AE area tracking when using EVF. When using the EVF, tracking function for AF/AE area movement by touch screen is improved.
- Push function of the Focus stick when INTERVAL TIMER SHOOTING. The push function is disabled when INTERVAL TIMER SHOOTING.
- FLICKER REDUCTION function. The options are changed from ON/OFF to ALL FRAMES/FIRST FRAME/OFF. And when choosing FIRST FRAME, the speed of CH continuous shooting is improved.
- Message when IMAGE TRANSFER ORDER. If there is no image of TRANSFER ORDER when turning on a camera, no message appears.
- Fix of slight defects.
X-T30 – 1.0.1
- Improved operability of the Q (quick menu) button
- To avoid accidentally opening the Q (quick) menu, the button reaction time has been increased.
FUJIFILM Corporation plans an additional firmware update in June. This will allow customers to use the Q button as a Fn button. This planned update also allows the user to disable the Q button and adds it as a choice in the Function (Fn) Settings enabling the option to assign it to a different Fn button.
Nikon updates
B700 – 1.5
- Added support for SnapBridge version 1.2 and later.
- Fixed the following issues:
- If a movie was recorded in “U (User settings) mode” with RAW + Fine or RAW + Normal for Image quality, the Image quality option stored using Save user settings would change to RAW.
- If Save user settings was used to save user settings with On selected for Multiple exposure, Multiple exposure would revert to Off if the camera was turned off with the mode dial rotated to “U (User settings) mode”.
- Zoom would be unavailable if the user choose an option for Language but adjusted no other settings during the initial setup process.
- Interval timer photography would end after 10,000 shots.
- The camera would sometimes fail to pair correctly with certain Android devices.
D500 – 1.2
NEED TO PERFORM TWICE IF UPGRADING FROM 1.0-1.12
EVEN IF NO ERROR MESSAGE IS DISPLAYED, RUN THE UPDATE, THEN RUN AGAIN IF UPGRADING FROM ANY FIRMWARE VERSION UP TO 1.12
The camera now also supports direct Wi-Fi connections to devices running SnapBridge. For more information, see the “Addendum to the User’s Manual” in which this feature is described. Before using this feature, upgrade to the following version of the app:
- SnapBridge version 2.5.4 or later
• Fixed the following issues: - The camera sometimes had trouble focusing on subjects in the focus points at the edges of the frame.
- The camera would sometimes stop responding during shooting in continuous high-speed (CH) release mode.
- The camera would sometimes not turn off after the power switch was rotated to “OFF”.
D850 – 1.10
The camera now also supports direct Wi-Fi connections to devices running SnapBridge. For more information, see the “Addendum to the User’s Manual” in which this feature is described. Before using this feature, upgrade to the following version of the app:
- SnapBridge version 2.5.4 or later
• Fixed the following issue: - The camera sometimes had trouble focusing on subjects in the focus points at the edges of the frame.
D5600 – 1.10
The camera now also supports direct Wi-Fi connections to devices running SnapBridge. For more information, see the “Addendum to the User’s Manual” in which this feature is described. Before using this feature, upgrade to the following version of the app:
- SnapBridge version 2.5.4 or later
• Fixed the following issue: - Touch Fn would sometimes not be available.
D7500 – 1.10
The camera now also supports direct Wi-Fi connections to devices running SnapBridge. For more information, see the “Addendum to the User’s Manual” in which this feature is described. Before using this feature, upgrade to the following version of the app:
- SnapBridge version 2.5.4 or later
• Fixed the following issues: - If the mode dial was rotated from P to U1 and then back to P, ISO sensitivity would be set to the value selected for U1.
- Repeatedly pressing the zoom in and zoom out buttons during movie live view would cause unexpected behavior when 3840×2160; 30p was selected for Frame size/frame rate in the MOVIE SHOOTING MENU.
Z 6 – 2.0
Added eye-detection AF for use when taking photographs. To enable eye-detection AF, select:
- AF-S or AF-C for Focus mode in the PHOTO SHOOTING MENU
- Auto-area AF for AF-area mode in the PHOTO SHOOTING MENU
- Face and eye detection on for Custom Setting a4 (Auto-area AF face/eye detection) in the CUSTOM SETTING MENU
If the camera detects the face of a portrait subject, the face will be enclosed in an amber border indicating the focus point. If the subject’s eyes are detected, an amber border indicating the focus point will appear around either eye. If the camera detects more than one face or eye, triangles will appear to either side of the focus point; to position the focus point over a different face or eye, press the multi- or sub-selector left or right.
• Improved autofocus performance for photos and movies shot under low light: -3.5 – 19 EV (low light autofocus -6 – 19 EV), measured in photo mode with single-servo AF (AF-S) at ISO 100 and 20°C with an f/2 lens.
• The following improvements have been made to the Continuous H (extended) option for Release mode: - Not only focus but now also exposure will respond to changes in the subject during shooting
- The burst shooting display after the memory buffer fills is now easier to read
• Reduced the length of time the display turns off (the blackout period) when pictures are taken with On or On (monitor only) selected for Image review in the PLAYBACK MENU.
• Item d5 in the CUSTOM SETTING MENU, formerly Electronic front-curtain shutter, has been renamed Shutter type and offers a choice of Auto, Mechanical shutter, and Electronic front-curtain shutter. If Auto is selected, the camera will automatically choose a shutter type according to shutter speed.
• Changed the color the focus point turns when the AF-ON button is pressed or the shutter-release button is pressed halfway with Auto-area AF selected and face detection or target tracking active.
• Edited and revised help text.
• Fixed the following issues: - The camera would stop responding if certain operations were performed while HDMI output was in progress with 3840 x 2160 (4K UHD) selected for frame size.
- The value selected for maximum sensitivity would sometimes be exceeded during movie recording in mode M with On selected for Auto ISO control (mode M) if Active D-Lighting was enabled.
- The items in My Menu would sometimes not display correctly.
Z 7 – 2.0
Added eye-detection AF for use when taking photographs. To enable eye-detection AF, select:
- AF-S or AF-C for Focus mode in the PHOTO SHOOTING MENU
- Auto-area AF for AF-area mode in the PHOTO SHOOTING MENU
- Face and eye detection on for Custom Setting a4 (Auto-area AF face/eye detection) in the CUSTOM SETTING MENU
If the camera detects the face of a portrait subject, the face will be enclosed in an amber border indicating the focus point. If the subject’s eyes are detected, an amber border indicating the focus point will appear around either eye. If the camera detects more than one face or eye, triangles will appear to either side of the focus point; to position the focus point over a different face or eye, press the multi- or sub-selector left or right.
• Improved autofocus performance for photos and movies shot under low light: -2 – 19 EV (low light autofocus -4 – 19 EV), measured in photo mode with single-servo AF (AF-S) at ISO 100 and 20°C with an f/2 lens.
• The following improvements have been made to the Continuous H (extended) option for Release mode: - Not only focus but now also exposure will respond to changes in the subject during shooting
- The burst shooting display after the memory buffer fills is now easier to read
• Reduced the length of time the display turns off (the blackout period) when pictures are taken with On or On (monitor only) selected for Image review in the PLAYBACK MENU.
• Item d5 in the CUSTOM SETTING MENU, formerly Electronic front-curtain shutter, has been renamed Shutter type and offers a choice of Auto, Mechanical shutter, and Electronic front-curtain shutter. If Auto is selected, the camera will automatically choose a shutter type according to shutter speed.
• Changed the color the focus point turns when the AF-ON button is pressed or the shutter-release button is pressed halfway with Auto-area AF selected and face detection or target tracking active.
• Edited and revised help text.
• Fixed the following issues: - The camera would stop responding if certain operations were performed while HDMI output was in progress with 3840 x 2160 (4K UHD) selected for frame size.
- The value selected for maximum sensitivity would sometimes be exceeded during movie recording in mode M with On selected for Auto ISO control (mode M) if Active D-Lighting was enabled.
- The display would sometimes briefly behave unexpectedly in movie mode before or during recording.
- The items in My Menu would sometimes not display correctly.
Olympus update
OM-D E-M1 – 4.6
The operation error while shooting at slow shutter speeds in firmware version 4.5 has been corrected.
Sony updates
α99M2 – 1.0.1
Improves the overall stability of the camera
α6500 – 1.0.6
Improves the overall stability of the camera
α7M2 – 4.0.1
Improves the overall stability of the camera
α7M3 – 3.0.1
Improves the overall stability of the camera
α7RM2 – 4.0.1
Improves the overall stability of the camera
α7RM3 – 3.0.1
Improves the overall stability of the camera
α7SM2 – 3.0.1
Improves the overall stability of the camera
α9 – 5.0.1
Improves the overall stability of the camera