Panasonic Announces Major Firmware Update to the LUMIX S5II and S5IIx

Panasonic has announced a significant firmware update for its full frame mirrorless LUMIX S5II and S5IIx cameras that improves the shooting experience and enhances sharing functionality for both images and videos.

In line with LUMIX’s continuous commitment to supporting creators, the S5II Firmware V3.0 and S5IIx Firmware V2.0 deliver efficiency in both production and post-production workflows, providing important time (and therefore cost) saving benefits.

Aaron Waters, Product Marketing Manager, Imaging, Panasonic, said: “LUMIX continues to exceed customer expectations by offering meaningful firmware updates to its cameras. These latest updates bolster our popular S5II and S5IIx cameras with new features and improved performance due to our continued product development. This is all at no cost to users, while adding value to their investment in the S Series.”

“The LUMIX S5II/S5IIx enhancements include updates to AF (autofocus) and IS (image stabilisation) technology first seen in the G9II, new partner developments with Adobe’s Frame.io and the inclusion of requested features from the LUMIX user communities, including proxy recording and high speed pre burst capabilities.”

The S Series firmware will be available to download free of charge from the LUMIX Global Customer Support website: https://panasonic.jp/support/global/cs/dsc/ at 11am AEST (UTC 1:00 am) on 22 April 2024.

S5II Firmware Version 3.0 / S5IIx Firmware Version 2.0

Enhancement of Production Workflows

New Native Camera to Cloud Integration with Adobe’s Frame.io

Compatibility with Frame.io Camera to Cloud is now supported, enabling images and videos to be automatically uploaded, backed up, shared, and worked on jointly via the cloud. Recorded content is sent to the Frame.io platform through an internet connection via Wi-Fi or USB tethering, enabling seamless sharing of captured photos (JPEG/RAW) and Proxy videos. This empowers creators to receive remote real-time feedback during capture and enables collaborative editing among production teams using their preferred creative software. Frame.io Camera to Cloud streamlines the workflow from shooting to editing,

enhancing overall efficiency in the creative process. These capabilities are ideal for wedding videographers who provide same-day highlight videos, or event photographers who work with a social media team.

Proxy Video Recording

This new feature records a low bit-rate proxy file when recording video. Simultaneously recording a proxy file that is linked with the original video recording enables faster delivery from production to post.

Improved Basic Performance

Real-time Auto-focus Recognition (Animal Eye, Car, Motorcycle Recognition)

The improved real-time auto-focus system enhances the highly accurate Phase Hybrid auto focus of the S5II and S5IIx, efficiently recognising people amongst multiple subjects. It also features an animal eye recognition function, to focus on and follow animal eyes, as well as a car and motorcycle recognition function, which is ideally suited for shooting motorsports.

Enhanced E.I.S. (Electronic Image Stabilisation) Performance

In addition to Standard, High mode is newly added to the E-Stabilisation (Video) function, which electronically corrects large shakes when shooting on the move. Perspective distortion correction has also been added to correct the distortion that tends to occur during video shooting when using a wide-angle lens. Combined with Active I.S. Technology, it is now possible to achieve even more stable footage.

Expanding Creative Options

Super High Speed (SH) Pre-burst Shooting

This new function records bursts before shooting begins. When set to the SH PRE mode, the camera begins burst shooting from the moment the user half presses the shutter button, allowing retroactive burst shooting up to the moment the shutter button is pressed down fully.