Panasonic has announced upcoming firmware Ver.2.0 for its Lumix DC-GH5 mirrorless camera, which provides multiple enhancements to the camera’s performance.

Released in response to photographers’ requests and available in late September, the new firmware will include the following features:
1. The GH5 will be compatible with tethered shooting via USB, using “LUMIX Tether” PC software, which can display the image on a large PC screen while shooting. The proprietary ‘6K PHOTO’ and ‘4K PHOTO’ modes can be used and users can start and stop video recording during tethered shooting.

2. Autofocusing performance has been improved and some changes have been made to the AF area settings. The customised AF area can be continuously displayed in ‘Multi AF’ and ‘Custom Multi AF’ during live-view. The AF area in ‘Multi AF’ can be moved to the other edge (side, top or bottom) when it reaches one edge.   The start point of AF lock can be set on the live view screen in advance in ‘AF Tracking’.   The AF area can be moved while the shutter button is half-pressed or while recording in ‘Burst Mode’, ‘6K PHOTO’ and ‘4K PHOTO’ modes.

3. When using 6K Burst’ and ‘4K Burst’, the waiting time before starting the next burst shooting sequence has been shortened to less than half the time. ‘Loop Rec’, which allows the user to continually record and overwrite data on an SD card, is now available in ‘6K PHOTO’, as well as the original ‘4K PHOTO’.

4. A new 4:2:2, 10-bit ALL-Intra video recording mode has been added to 4K/FHD  video recording.

5. Other enhancements to 4KHDR recording include a ‘Hybrid Log Gamma’ (HLG) Profile, which has been added to the ‘Photo Style’ menu. A new HDR (High Dynamic Range) mode reproduces both bright and dark areas in an image to deliver natural contrast and preserve fine detail. The camera records video with a designated gamma curve compatible with ITU-R BT.2100.  A new low bit-rate 4K HEVC for HLG recording mode enables playback on AV equipment compatible with the HEVC compression format, such as Panasonic 4K HDR TVs.

6. Building on the existing 4K Anamorphic video capabilities, High-Resolution Anamorphic mode adds the ability to record Anamorphic video in 18 megapixels for the ultimate resolution and quality. A new ‘Anamorphic Desqueeze Display’ lets the user view an enlarged image in Cinescope while recording with 2.0x and 1.33x Anamorphic lenses, and in playback. A feature that will be welcomed is ‘Video Guide Line’, which displays guide lines in a variety of aspect ratios, such as Cinescope, 16:9 and 1:1 while recording video. The mode spans Anamorphic mode and all video recording modes.

7. The new I.S. Lock (video) compensates for handshake when the viewing angle is fixed.  A new handshake correction mode provides optimum correction when using 2.0x and 1.33x Anamorphic lenses.

8. The new firmware corrects a problem that reset the K (Kelvin) value after adjusting the colour temperature with 2-axis white balance compensation.

9. The Time Lapse Shot function now allows the remaining shooting time and the number of recordable pictures to be displayed on the stand-by screen.

10. Power Save LVF can now be used during all stand-by display options.

11. A new Bluetooth Remote Control function has been added to Panasonic’s Image App. Users can now operate the shutter, video and bulb functionality remotely without wi-fi, which saves both time and battery power when there is no need to transfer images. The Image App will be updated at the same time as the GH5 firmware release. When using ‘Auto Transfer’, the GH5 will now automatically resume image transfer in situations where the camera is powered off and restarted.

Other improvements include:
. When reviewing shots, the user can assign a rating using a customisable Fn button

. The following functions can now be assigned to Fn buttons ““ ‘Constant Preview’, ‘6K/4K PHOTO Bulk Saving’, ‘Min. Shtr Speed’, ‘RAW Processing’, ‘Rec/Playback Switch’, ‘Destination Slot’ and ‘Mic Level Adj’.

. The DISP. Button can be locked.

. In Relay Rec, there were cases where the video file number was not able to be reset. This has been corrected.

. In Relay Rec, there were cases where the video file number was reset after formatting the SD Memory Card. This has been corrected.

. In Backup Rec, there were cases where the file number was not reset even after applying resetting. This has been corrected.

. The image quality when applying the following settings is improved: Extended low ISO, [i.Dynamic] (Intelligent D-range Control) and Highlight Shadow.

The firmware will be released at the end of September, at http://panasonic.jp/support/global/cs/dsc/.