Panasonic Lumix LX5 Firmware 2.0

Panasonic has announced it will soon be releasing a new, function-enhancing firmware update for the Panasonic LX5 premium compact camera. Version 2.0 speeds up the auto-focus to achieve best-in-class performance at the wide end of the zoom range, adds a High ISO NR function and improves AWB performance in low light situations. Additionally, the new firmware upgrade adds an Active mode to the image stabiliser during movie capture, expands the available My Colour modes with a Miniature Effect, and extends the maximum exposure time to 250 seconds (i.e. more than 4 minutes) for shooting fireworks, night scenes and starry skies. Shutter release operation is improved so that the camera can perform continuous auto-focus while the shutter release is depressed halfway, as with a system camera. The combination use of AF/MF is now easier even in situations where maximum focusing accuracy is demanded. The camera can now remember the size and position of the active AF point, which is convenient for shooting with the camera mounted on a tripod. The brightness, contrast and colour balance of the LCD screen and the optional external EVF can now be adjusted manually. The new firmware version will be available worldwide at the website below starting 5am GMT on 13th September.
Website: Panasonic
Panasonic Press Release
Panasonic updates firmware of DMC-LX5 to enhance its performance with a functional upgrades and improvements
A new firmware will be released for the LUMIX premium manual compact digital camera DMC-LX5. The firmware version 2.0 improves the camera’s performance and upgrades the various functions while enhancing the usability.
The redesigned algorithm makes it possible to speed up the AF time by reducing it by approx. 23% at the wide-end, which is the fastest level of speed in class. The High ISO NR (Noise Reduction) mode is newly added for offering deliberate noise reduction specially to the images shot at high ISO 1600/3200 sensitivity. The performance of auto white balance adjustment is improved in low light situations.
For functional upgrades, the Active mode is added in video recording for more effective countermeasure against blur. In addition to the conventional POWER O.I.S., the Active Mode effectively suppresses blur in video recording especially at wide angle while walking. The Popular Miniature Effect mode is added to the My Colour mode which can be applied to both photo and video. The conventional 60 second of shutter speed limit is now extended to max.250 second for shooting fireworks, night scenery or astrograph.
In pursuit of operability, shutter operation is improved so that the continuous focusing with half-shutter and shooting with full shutter is realized – like with a system camera. The combination use of AF/MF is now easier even in situations where severe focusing accuracy is demanded. The size and the location of the focusing area once set can be resumed which is convenient for shooting using a tripod. Now the brightness, contrast/saturation and red/blue tint of the LCD monitor/the External Live Viewfinder (optional) is adjusted manually to reproduce the colour setting more true to the user’s intention on the monitor.
Panasonic invites all users of DMC-LX5 to apply the updated firmware. The new firmware will be available worldwide at http://panasonic.jp/support/global/cs/dsc/, at GMT 5:00 on 13th of September, 2011.