Panasonic has officially released the firmware updates it teased earlier this month for the S series mirrorless cameras. The updates include autofocus improvements for the S1H, S1R, and S5, as well as enhancements to the G100 that makes it compatible with Panasonic's live streaming software

Other standout features include 5K 4:2:0 10-bit LongGOP at 200Mbps recording on the S1R, which can now also shoot 4K 60/50p 4:2:2 10-bit over HDMI.  The S5 also gets a significant update in 4K DCI and ProRes RAW support.


If you're an S1 shooter, don't sweat it, 5.9K, 4K DCI, and 4K 60p/50p 4:2:0 10-bit recording are coming to the camera in 2021. 

Firmware Highlights

  • Human/Animal recognition can be set ON or OFF when the AF mode is set to [1-Area] or [1-Area+] - S1H S1R S1 S5
  • [AF+MF] can be used during video recording - S1H S1R S1 S5
  • Recognition performance during video recording in V-Log has been improved - S1H S1 S5
  • [SS/Gain Operation] function has been added - S1R S1 S5
  • [Red REC Frame Indicator] is available - S1R S1
  • It is possible to play back vertical videos vertically - S1H S1R S1
  • 4K video files can be transferred to a smartphone via Wi-Fi - S1H S1R S1
  • [Horizontal Image Flip(Monitor)] / [Vertical Image Flip(Monitor)] enables you to reverse or not to reverse the monitor image when the free-angle monitor is rotated - S1H S5

You have to hand it to Panasonic for continuing to update existing hardware with features people are asking about. It's hard to go wrong with any of the S series cameras, as there's an option for large-scale video shooters, vloggers, and photographers alike. 

You can download the latest firmware for your camera on Panasonic's support page

Source: Panasonic