A major firmware update for the Pentax K-7, version 1.10. I think that K7 owners should have a look right now.

Download firmware for Pentax K-7, from Pentax Japan web site.

Features:

• Added Movie editing function on playback mode palette. You can divide a movie into multiple segments and erase unwanted segments from the movie.
• Added Electronic Level indication on the Monitor.
• When Mode dial is set M or X and Electronic Level is set to display, exposure meter is indicated both of them in the LCD panel and in the Viewfinder.
• Added [Reversal Film] mode on Custom Image function [PENTAX Digital Camera Utility 4] have been updated.
• When using Live View, auto focus activate by pressing shutter release button halfway.
• Improved focus speed.

Download updater for Windows.

Download updater for Mac OSX.

Canon just announced the availability of a new firmware (v1.2.2) for the Canon EOS 7D.

Main features:

• Fixes a phenomenon in which the set aperture moves when shooting movies in manual exposure mode using some Canon lenses (such as macro lenses).
• Fixes the AF point-selection behavior of the C.Fn III-7 (Manual AF pt. selec. pattern) custom function when set to [1].
• Fixes the AF point display for the viewfinder electronic level when shooting in the vertical position.
• Corrects misspellings in the Spanish and Thai menus for applicable products.

Firmware Downloads from the Canon (Japan) web site: Canon EOS 7D firmware.

photo credit: eirikso

Canon launches two new firmwares (surprisingly, both hold the same version number v1.0.8, but they are really two different firmwares split at birth for two different cameras).

For the Canon EOS 1D Mk-IV, this is the correction of a bug around the aperture management in video mode.
For the Canon EOS 550D, menus have to be corrected/updated.

As usual, the downloads will take place from the Canon Japanese web site:

• Download Firmware Update 1.0.8 pour Canon EOS 550D
• Download Firmware Update 1.0.8 pour Canon EOS 1D Mk-IV

Canon was fast on this one. A few hours only after announcing the removal of version 2.0.3, here is the new version 2.0.4 of the Canon EOS 5D MkII firmware. It corrects a bug in sound handling in 1080p video mode.

Firmware v2.0.4

Canon just informed us that the new firmware 2.0.3 for the Canon EOS 5D MkII has an undescribed issue (for some users).

Canon is not much more precise than that yet (some users are speaking about sound issues, though). But if you did not already rush to get this specific (and important) firmware version, I’d suggest you think a little more and wait for some more news and a possible update.

We may have to group them since the firmware updates sometimes happen nearly at the same time. The latest ones are:

• Sony Alpha series (A380, A330 & A230): Mac, Windows (Sony Europe)
• Canon EOS 7D v1.1.0 (to correct an issue where a previous image may partly superimpose itself on the next, in continuous shooting): Instructions and download link

These last days, plenty of photo camera manufacturers announced updated and corrections to the firmware of their photo cameras. Uncanny…

• Pentax K-7 : site Pentax UK
• Canon EOS 7D : Canon web site
• Canon EOS Rebel XS/1000D : Canon web site

And we are told that Canon prépares a big firmware update to bring full HD video to the Canon EOS 5D MkII in 2010.

A few news for Pentax. The Pentax K-7 is receiving a new firmware. the most visible change is the introduction of a customizable behavior for the 4-way controller in order to allow people not to use the OK button so often.

• For Windows (Download zip from www.pentaximaging.com, 9.2MB)
• For Mac (Download zip from www.pentaximaging.com, 9.17MB)

At the same time, I can indicate that I identified the availability of the Pentax K-7 user manual (ready for a free download).

• Download Pentax K-7 User Manual in English (PDF – 6.8MB)
• Download Pentax K-7 User Manual in Spanish (PDF – 6.8MB)
• Update: Télécharger le mode d’emploi du Pentax K-7 en français (PDF)

Important update: It has been brought to my attention that Fujitsu is not the mother company of Fuji photo cameras (it would rather be Fujifilm). So, this announcement probably has no influence on the future of Fuji SLR cameras which will stay very dark.

After quite some time waiting for announcements from Fuji, we were starting to think that, maybe, Fuji was no longer serious about its involvement in SLR photo camera development. This appears not to be the case from what we learned today: Fujitsu and Nikon are partnering even further on SLR firmware development by creating a joint-venture named “Nikon Imaging Systems Inc.” which will be solely responsible for the firmware development in Nikon digital cameras.

Fairly enough, we could assume one of two things:

1. Fuji will move a few people from their internal team to a common shared structure while they no longer intend to use this resource that will be re-used by Nikon only. [the end of Fuji Nikon-based cameras]
2. Fuji wants to participate more deeply in the photo platform they buy from Nikon and their involvement is becoming more visible. [extension of the Fuji-Nikon cooperation]

Even if there is no clear evidence in the Press Release to support any of those directions, I would assume that the second option is the right one and is more credible. Fujitsu no longer has a choice in what technology they use for their SLR cameras. So, they embed themselves even more deeply. Possibly, Nikon even asked them to pay the technology partly with a technical involvement and some financial participation into the key technology that firmware is.

I usually do not comment about firmware upgrades for photo cameras. What about today?

Actually, this firmware is not from Canon. The Magic Lantern firmware has been designed by Trammell Hudson but it is usable on your Canon EOS 5D MkII.

I don’t know how he did that. I am sure that it voids your camera warranty. But, it brings impressive features, which are exactly what is missing from the Canon firmware and what serious film-makers needs from their camera.

• On-screen audio meters
• Disabled Automatic Gain Control (AGC)
• Manual gain control
• Zebra stripes (for over-exposed zones)
• Crop marks for 16:9, 2.35:1 and 4:3

Source : Magic Lantern firmware.

Canon has released firmware v1.1.0 for the EOS 5D Mark II. It enables manual control of ISO, aperture and shutter speed while the camera is set to capture video.

Canon EOS 5D Mk II video firmware

More information

• Links to download firmware v1.10
• PDF manual about how to use the new features in English/French/Spanish
• PDF manual about how to use the new features in Japanese/English/Chinese