Fujifilm is at it again, announcing firmware updates to six cameras coming over the next two months
As we all know, and has been extensively documented throughout their tenure in the digital interchangeable lens market, Fujifilm has a history of constantly implementing updates and improvements to their cameras for years after they launch. That history continues here today with the official announcement by Fujifilm of the impending release over the next two months of firmware updates to the [amazon_textlink asin=’B01MZARM64′ text=’GFX-50S’ template=’ProductLink’ store=’thephobl-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’9aec6626-3dbc-11e8-8086-775787a98a2b’] and five x-series cameras including the recently released [amazon_textlink asin=’B079PTRNKK’ text=’X-H1′ template=’ProductLink’ store=’thephobl-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’b169d8e2-3dbc-11e8-a0fb-1b3984df9c49′].
These firmware updates range from quite minor to quite extensive depending upon the camera model you are looking to upgrade. In addition to the GFX-50s and X-H1, the other X-Series cameras given updates are the [amazon_textlink asin=’B01I3LNMAM’ text=’X-T2′ template=’ProductLink’ store=’thephobl-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’b850f785-3dbc-11e8-8e81-d5cefb38e22a’], [amazon_textlink asin=’B01A8DUR74′ text=’X-Pro2′ template=’ProductLink’ store=’thephobl-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’c1702bb2-3dbc-11e8-bc58-7b5925b931da’], X-E3 and X-100F. The firware updates will be spread out over the course of April and May, with the first two cameras updated being the X-E3 and X-100F. The updates to the [amazon_textlink asin=’B0759GZFMG’ text=’X-E3′ template=’ProductLink’ store=’thephobl-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’c8e81956-3dbc-11e8-96dc-c537aa7375d7′] and [amazon_textlink asin=’B01N33CT3Z’ text=’X-100F’ template=’ProductLink’ store=’thephobl-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’d2aa4403-3dbc-11e8-af87-edad050986ab’] are expected to drop sometime in late April. The remaining four cameras will have their firmware updates dropped at some point in May, though Fujifilm was not incredibly specific about when in May, so for all we know they may not drop until the last day in May.
Regardless, new updates are always exciting for Fujifilm users; be that for the issues that they resolve, or the new functionality or performance that they unlock. As was noted, the specific updates to each camera are different, so below you can see a point by point list (pulled directly from the official Fujifilm press release) of what updates are coming to each camera.
FUJIFILM GFX 50S (Ver.3.10) – Available in May 2018
- Compatible with the newly developed FUJINON GF250mmF4 R LM OIS WR lens including “Focus Preset,” “AF-L” and “AF-ON”.
- Addition of “Flicker Reduction” to reduce flicker in both pictures and display when shooting under fluorescent lighting.
- Addition of “Select Folder” and “Create Folder” allowing users to choose the folder that images are stored in and to create a new folder.
- New “Large Indicators Mode” enabling users to enlarge indicators and information in the viewfinder and/or LCD monitor and to customize the location of where the information is shown on the display.
- Addition of Fn button support for “35mm Format Mode” for quick setting changes.
FUJIFILM X-H1 (Ver.1.1.0) – Available in May 2018
- Addition of Focus Bracketing allows the photographer to shoot focus distance bracketing of up to 999 frames.
- Compatible with new cinema lenses FUJINON MKX18-55mmT2.9 and FUJINON MKX50-135mmT2.9.
- Enlarged and customizable indicators and information in the viewfinder and/or LCD monitor. Users can also customize the location of where information is shown on the display.
- Enhanced Phase Detection AF during movie recording.
- Expanded Phase Detection AF Area options during still shooting.
- Enhanced Bluetooth® connectivity with FUJIFILM Camera Remote app.
- Addition of Fn button support for “IS Mode”.
FUJIFILM X-T2 (Ver.4.0.0) – Available in May 2018
- Addition of Focus Bracketing allowing the photographer to shoot focus distance bracketing of up to 999 frames.
- Compatible with new cinema lenses FUJINON MKX18-55mmT2.9 and FUJINON MKX50-135mmT2.9.
- Enlarged and customizable indicators and information in the viewfinder and/or LCD monitor. Users can also customize the location of where information is shown on the display.
- Addition of F-log SD card recording.
- Addition of 1080/120P high-speed video mode ideal for recording slow motion footage.
- Enhanced Phase Detection AF to improve performance in various shooting environments.
- Addition of “Flicker Reduction” to reduce flicker in both pictures and display when shooting under fluorescent lighting.
- Addition of “Select Folder” and “Create Folder” allowing users to choose the folder that images are stored in and to create a new folder.
FUJIFILM X-Pro2 (Ver.5.0.0) – Available in May 2018
- Enlarged and customizable indicators and information in the viewfinder and/or LCD monitor. Users can also customize the location of where information is shown on the display.
- Enhanced Phase Detection AF to improve performance in various shooting environments.
- Addition of “Flicker Reduction” to reduce flicker in both pictures and display when shooting under fluorescent lighting.
- Addition of “Select Folder” and “Create Folder” allowing users to choose the folder that images are stored in and to create a new folder.
FUJIFILM X-E3 (Ver.1.2.0) – Available in Late April 2018
- Supports FUJIFILM X RAW STUDIO.
- Support for backup/restore of camera settings via FUJIFILM X Acquire when the camera is connected to a computer.
- Compatible with the newly developed FUJINON XC15-45mmF3.5- 5.6 OIS PZ lens.
- Improved radio flash controller usability allowing users to shoot with compatible third party studio flash in high speed sync or TTL mode via a radio controller.
- Enlarged and customizable indicators and information in the viewfinder and/or LCD monitor. Users can also customize the location of where information is shown on the display.
- Enhanced Bluetooth® connectivity with FUJIFILM Camera Remote app.
FUJIFILM X100F (Ver.2.1.0) – Available in Late April 2018
- Enlarged and customizable indicators and information in the viewfinder and/or LCD monitor. Users can also customize the location of where information is shown on the display.
As you can see, many of the updates are filtered down though the models, though users of the X-100F will likely find this update to be rather uninspiring. As well, it is notable that Fujifilm is bringing F-Log direct to SD to the X-T2, along with 1080p at 120FPS. These are features the X-H1 has that people had been hoping would trickle down to the X-T2. What the X-H1 has that was not, at least in this update, brought down to the X-T2 and X-Pro2 flagship cameras was the Eterna film simulation, which is an interesting decision from Fujifilm. Generally, when a new film simulation has been added to a new camera within the same generation, it has usually been brought to the other cameras in that generation as well in future firmware updates. This may still happen later on, but the decision to keep Eterna on the X-H1 for now is an interesting choice for sure.
That said, the addition of F-Log straight to SD and 1080/120fps is a big deal for X-T2 shooter who had been irritated with the feature set of the X-H1 and had been toying with the idea of updating. There are still reasons to get the X-H1 over the [amazon_textlink asin=’B01I3LNMAM’ text=’X-T2′ template=’ProductLink’ store=’thephobl-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’046be393-3dbe-11e8-bf11-7fc8d45590e2′], IBIS being a big one that can’t be given to the X-T2 in a firmware update, but this move here from Fujifilm with these updates makes the choice between the X-T2 and X-H1 for video or hybrid shooters even more challenging.
Its also good to see the AF improvements given to the X-H1 also coming down to the X-T2 and [amazon_textlink asin=’B01A8DUR74′ text=’X-Pro2′ template=’ProductLink’ store=’thephobl-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’fb221cad-3dbd-11e8-acad-5d95f7f5bcb8′]; as well as the flicker reduction mode, which was a godsend for those shooting indoors under poor lighting. Overall, these updates seem to be pretty good across the board, with the only real dud being the [amazon_textlink asin=’B01MUA5JGO’ text=’X-100F’ template=’ProductLink’ store=’thephobl-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’f411073a-3dbd-11e8-a9b1-efc0c3f710fa’] update.
Stay tuned and when more information regarding the availability of these firmware updates is made available we will notify you.
