LUMIX S1, S1R, GH5, GH5S, G9 November 2019 Firmware Updates
Photo Moment - November 06, 2019
Five top LUMIX cameras are getting updates this month, including the full-frame LUMIX S1 and S1R, plus the micro four thirds GH5, GH5S and G9. Watch the video above for a breakdown of what these updates mean, and scroll to the bottom for a GH5 vs G9 comparison!
UPDATE: These updates have been released! Here's the “how to install” video:
Panasonic Releases Firmware Update Programs for the LUMIX S1R, S1, GH5, GH5S and G9
Panasonic has announced that the company will release firmware update programs for the LUMIX Digital Single Lens Mirrorless cameras S1R / S1 (S Series), GH5 / GH5S / G9 (G Series) and application software to enhance functions and usability. All programs will be available at the LUMIX Global Customer Support website on 19 November, 2019.
The cameras and major programs to be updated are as follows.
LUMIX S1 ($2,498)
LUMIX S1R ($3,698)
LUMIX GH5 (
LUMIX GH5S (
LUMIX G9 (
SFU1 V-Log Update for GH4, GH5, FZ2500 and G9 ($97)
LUMIX Full-frame Mirrorless Camera
S1R Firmware Version 1.3 / S1 Firmware Version 1.3
- Expanded media compatibility S1 & S1R
- CFexpress Type B card can be used. A CFexpress Type B card boasts a theoretical performance of a maximum of 2,000 Mbps. Realizing an approximately 300% higher transfer speed than that of a conventional XQD card, it supports large-volume photos and videos.
- Expanded compatibility with Profoto wireless transmitters S1 & S1R
- Profoto wireless transmitters “Air Remote TTL-O/P” and “Profoto Connect-O/P” can be used, enabling wireless connection and control of external strobes for professional shooting. All functions may not be available depending on the situation.
- Improved compatibility with Sigma interchangeable lenses and mount converter S1 & S1R
- It is possible to assign functions to the Fn buttons of Sigma L-Mount interchangeable lenses.
- The performance of Body I.S. (Image Stabilizer) when attaching a lens using the Sigma MC-21 mount converter has been enhanced. It suppresses roll movement.
- Improved compatibility with Panasonic interchangeable lenses S1 & S1R
- It is possible to assign functions to the lens Fn buttons when the Panasonic LUMIX S PRO 70-200mm F2.8 O.I.S. (S-E70200) is mounted.
- Improved AF performance S1 & S1R
- [AF+MF] can be used in AFC mode.
- It is possible to set continuous AF on the live view screen in Creative Video mode or in other video recording modes when the video recording area is displayed.
- Improved performance of High-Speed Video S1 & S1R
- It is possible to manually set the exposure according to the video exposure mode (P/A/S/M) in High- Speed Video mode.
- Other major improvements*
- S1 & S1R
- It is possible to select the card slot to save the JPEG images developed by in-camera RAW processing.
- An Fn button can be used for checking the aperture effect while the button is pressed.
- Disabling any physical operation can be assigned to an Fn button.
- AF Assist Light has been added to the Focus tab of the Video menu.
- The luminance level of photos (including 6K/4K Photo and Post Focus images) can be set when playing back them over HDMI output.
- AE can be locked with the [AF/AE LOCK] button when ISO Auto is set in M mode.
- S1
- There were cases where a blue clipping effect occurred in V-Log recording. This problem has been improved.
- (S1) There were cases where afterimages occurred in V-Log recording. This problem has been improved.
- S1 & S1R
*For more details of the update program, please refer to the firmware update information page of each model to be available on November 19, 2019.
LUMIX Micro Four Thirds Mirrorless Camera
GH5 Firmware Version 2.6 / GH5S Firmware Version 1.4 / G9 Firmware Version 2.0
- Expanded compatibility with Profoto wireless transmitters GH5 GH5S G9
- Profoto wireless transmitters “Air Remote TTL-O/P” and “Profoto Connect-O/P” can be used. All functions may not be available depending on the situation.
- Improved AF performance
- GH5S & G9
- [Animal Detect.] has been added to AF mode. Utilizing Advanced AI Technology, animals, including canidae, felidae and birds, can be detected in addition to humans. The focus frame is automatically set on the target subject by analyzing the size and position of the target subject in the viewing image. The camera keeps tracking these subjects even when they turn their back to the camera.
- It is possible to switch the subject to focus on by pressing the joystick in [Face/Eye/Body/Animal Detect.] mode.
- GH5 & GH5S & G9
- [AF-ON: Near Shift] and [AF-ON: Far Shift] functions have been added. [AF-ON: Near Shift] preferably focuses on a subject nearby while [AF-ON: Far Shift] preferably focuses on a subject far away.
- A Focus Peaking function is available not only in MF mode but also in any AF mode.
- It is possible to set continuous AF on the live view screen in Creative Video mode or in other video recording modes when the video recording area is displayed.
- GH5S & G9
- Enhanced video functions G9
- 4K 30p/25p 4:2:2 10-bit internal recording is supported.
- 4K 60p/50p 4:2:2 10-bit HDMI output is supported.
- Luminance level for 10-bit video is supported.
- VFR (Variable Frame Rate) shooting is supported (FHD 2-180 fps/4K 2-60 fps).
- HDR video recording is supported.
- V-Log L recording and Waveform Monitor (WFM) are available with the Upgrade Software Key DMW-SFU1(sold separately).
- Other major improvements*
- GH5 & GH5S & G9
- [AWBw] has been added to WB mode.
- [Highlight Weighted] has been added to [Metering mode].
- [Exposure Offset Adjust.] has been added to the Custom menu, which enables adjustment of the standard exposure value for all metering modes.
- [0.5SEC] has been added for an option of [Duration Time (photo)] in [Auto Review].
- AE can be locked with the [AF/AE LOCK] button when ISO Auto is set in M mode.
- [MODE1] has been added to the Live View Boost function, which increases the frame rate for smooth image displays to enable easier manual focusing.
- G9
- [MODE2] has been added to High Resolution mode, which reduced subject’s motion blur.
- GH5 & GH5S & G9
*For more details of the update program, please refer to the firmware update information page of each model to be available on November 19, 2019..
LUMIX Sync Version 1.0.4
- Wireless connection (operation) with GH5/GH5S/G9 is supported.
How Do the GH5 and G9 Compare Now?
This is an excellent question, because the G9 does now have a lot of the features and capability that the GH5 does. So, what's missing? Here's a full comparison chart.
Red denotes the superior feature; green denotes new with current updates
GH5 | G9 | |
---|---|---|
Sensor | 20.3 MP Live MOS, no low-pass filter | |
ISO | 200 – 25,600 (Extended ISO 100) | |
6K PHOTO | 18 MP 30fps (HEVC H.265) | |
Weather | Splash/Dust/Freeze-proof to –10℃ / 14℉ | |
SD Cards | Dual UHS-II Slots | |
Battery Grip | BGGH5 | BGG9 |
Status LCD | n/a | Yes! |
Viewfinder | 3,680k-dot OLED, 21mm, 0.76x(35mm equiv.), 60 fps | 0.83x / 0.77x / 0.70x, 120 fps |
LCD | 3.2ʺ 1,620k-dot RGBW LCD | 3.2ʺ 1,040k-dot LCD |
Dimensions | 138.5 × 98.1 × 87.4 mm | 136.9 × 97.3 × 91.6 mm |
Weight | 725g | 658g (70g / 2.5oz lighter) |
Price | ||
High Resolution Photo Mode | n/a | 80MP JPEG/RAW 10,368 × 7,776 (synthesized by shifting sensor) |
Autofocus | Advanced DFD, approx 0.05s | Advanced DFD, approx 0.04s |
Shutter Speed | Electronic shutter 1/16,000 | Electronic shutter 1/32,000 |
Burst Shooting | AFS 12fps, AFC 9fps | AFS 60fps, AFC 20fps |
Dual I.S. 2 | 5-axis / 5 stops | 5-axis / 6.5 stops |
Movie Format | MOV, AVCHD, MP4 | MOV, AVCHD, MP4 |
4K 60/50p | 4K 60/50p (4:2:0 8-bit) 150Mbps, Unlimited recording | 4K 60/50p (4:2:0 8-bit) 150Mbps, (Up to 10 min.) |
4K 30/25/24p | C4K/4K 30/25/24p (4:2:2 10-bit) All-I 400Mbps, Unlimited recording | 4K 30/25/24p (4:2:2 10-bit) 150Mbps, (Up to 29 min. 59 sec.) |
VFR | 4K: Max. 60 fps (flexible), FHD: Max. 180 fps (flexible), Manual exposure | 4K: Max. 60 fps (flexible), FHD: Max. 180 fps (flexible), Manual exposure |
HDMI Output | 4K 60p 4:2:2 10-bit Output | 4K 60p 4:2:2 10-bit HDMI Output |
V-Log L Upgrade | Yes | Yes |
GH5 Unique Features
- Unlimited Recording
- NTSC 59.94Hz / PAL 50.00Hz / Cine 24.00Hz
- C4K
- Anamorphic Support
- Shutter Angle
- Synchro Scan
- Master Pedestal
- Vector Scope
- Focus Transition
- All-Intra Codecs
- Time Code
- Color Bars
- XLR-1 Support
- HDMI Out Recording Control
- HDMI Out LUT Display
- Video Priority Layout
G9 Unique Features
- Superior Autofocus
- Higher FPS for still photography
- Night mode (red display)
- AF Point Scope function
- USB Power Supply
- Dual burst mode presets
- Fn Lever
- Improved JPEG color rendering
If you adjust ec using the top button, while you adjust EC, the brightness changes but you do not see any resulting changes to zebras. This is also the case if you adjust EC using a Fn button.
However, if you set the top back dial or control dial to adjust EC, the zebras will change as you adjust the EC.
How can a request be submitted to Panasonic to have zebras react in all EC adjustment methods? (Or is there some wisdom to this “madness”)
I have always assumed that ‘multiple’ metering was similar to Canon/Nikon, that is it was ‘center weighted’/‘multi’ metering with EC adjusted based on metering at multiple points and adjusted based on a proprietary “magic sauce”.
Since Panasonic called it highlight weighted I am assuming it is a form of weighting. However, the symbol they use adds confusion that it might be ‘spot metering’.
I tried but it says NO VALID PICTURE even though i followed all the right steps till then.
Any solution? Anyone...?
• 25/0.95 speedmaster (if you don’t mind manual focus) https://geni.us/rPpGbZn or the 25/1.4 https://geni.us/ww4A6LA
• 42.5mm/1.2 if you can afford it https://geni.us/h2UL or the 42.5/1.7 if not https://geni.us/0uinjND (there is a noticeable difference in sharpness other than the half-stop difference).
Guess what... .MOV is an Apple codec but... Apple Quicktime is nog able to open te files !
OMG, Apple. What has become of you ? Apple is becoming Microsoft !
No, i am not on Catalina yet. Since the latest iOS-13-email-debacle i have not had the courage to update MacOS yet.
For quick playback i am using VLC which i highly recommend because it plays back anything you throw at it.
Fortunately FCPX plays it without any hiccups. So i am using VLC to determine which clips are worth importing into FCPX and after importing you are good to go and edit away.
Cheers
G9 got a loot better indeed, but the purpose of the GH5 and the G9 is still very different even after the update - GH5 will never do still pics as the G9 and the g9 will never (unless they change in the next update) do videos as the GH5 - Unlimited recording, C4K time and the 10-bit 400Mbs are the deal breakers for filmmakers
This is it. We have the ideal hybrid solution here.
The natural upgrade path is the S1H. Can't lose.
What a beast... Panasonic is WINNING WINNING WINNING in my view.... especially for newbie freelancers cutting their teeth.
Could someone give precise details/specs regarding the .MOV video for the G9 for particularly Pal here in Australia?
Thanks.
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