LUMIX Firmware Updates S5II, S5IIX, GH7, G9II — January 2025
Photo Moment - January 23, 2025
It's firmware update time! A bunch of new features have been added to the LUMIX S5II, LUMIX S5IIX, LUMIX GH7 and LUMIX G9II.
Products Mentioned
Summary of New Features and Installation Guide
As we step into 2025, Panasonic continues to enhance the functionality of its LUMIX cameras with firmware updates for models including the S5II, S5IIX, G9II, and GH7. Here's a detailed breakdown of the new features and updates:
Frame Markers
- Multi-Frame Markers: Now, you can overlay up to three frame markers on your shots. This allows for visualizing different aspect ratios like 16:9 to 9:16 or 17:9 to 16:9 directly in the viewfinder or on the LCD screen.
- Use Case: Perfect for content creators who need to see how their shots will look in various formats, especially useful when shooting in Open Gate mode for simultaneous 16:9 wide, 9:16 vertical, and 1:1 square crops.
- Compatibility: Added to S5II, S5IIX, GH7, and S9II.
Enhanced Subject Detection in Autofocus
- New Detection Modes: Airplane and Train detection have been added to the autofocus capabilities.
- Target Parts: Now includes options for Car and Motorcycle, enhancing the precision of focus on specific parts of these subjects.
- Compatibility: This feature update is now available on S5II, S5IIX, and S9II, previously only on GH7.
LUMIX Lab App Integration
- Features:
- Remote Shooting: Control your camera from your smartphone.
- Shutter Remote Control: Trigger the camera remotely.
- Image Transfer: Automatically transfer images to your smartphone.
- Custom LUTs: Download and apply real-time LUTs directly from the app.
- Streaming Control: For cameras like S5IIX and GH7, manage Wireless IP streaming through the app.
- Note: This update replaces the need for the discontinued LUMIX Sync app.
MP4(Lite) Video Format
- Resolution and Size: Offers Open Gate capture at UHD resolution, significantly reducing file size:
- Full Frame (S5II, S5IIX): 3840x2560 pixels in 3:2 aspect ratio.
- Micro Four Thirds (GH7, G9II): 3840x2880 pixels in 4:3 aspect ratio.
- File Characteristics: H.265 HEVC, 50 Mbps, 4:2:0 10-bit, supports 25 and 30 fps.
- Benefits: Smaller file size (41% smaller), faster transfer (1.7x speed increase).
Hybrid Zoom and Crop Zoom
- Hybrid Zoom: Combines optical zoom with sensor cropping for quality zoom without pixel degradation. (only applies to full frame cameras)
- Example: Turns a 28-200mm lens into a 28-625mm when shooting HD.
- Crop Zoom: Provides fixed crop options, effectively turning fixed focal length lenses into zoom lenses.
New Picture Size - XS
- Resolution: 1920 pixels wide, ideal for quick uploads to social media platforms like Instagram without quality loss.
General Improvements
- Stability: Minor bug fixes across all updated models.
- User Interface: New pop-up message for S series cameras when using expandable lenses.
Security Enhancements
- WiFi Connection: Direct WiFi connections now require password authentication each time.
- Europe Specific: Removed ability to transfer images to PC via WiFi and RTMP streaming; RTMPS remains an option.
- Global: Removed direct RTP and RTSP streaming to PC or encoder over LAN for security reasons.
Installation Guide
- Download: Visit https://av.jpn.support.panasonic.com/support/global/cs/dsc/download/ and download the update file from the appropriate camera model page.
- Preparation: Ensure your camera battery is fully charged, format your memory card, and place the .bin file at the root level of the card.
- Update Process:
- Disconnect all peripherals from the camera.
- Insert the card into the camera.
- Turn off Bluetooth in the camera settings.
- Navigate to Others in the menu, select Firmware Update, and follow the prompts.
These updates not only bring feature parity but also improve user experience and security. If you encounter any issues or have questions, consider joining the community discussion on our private Discord server or leave your comments below.
🔗 More links you seek
📄 Full Video Transcript
CORRECTION: Hybrid Zoom is NOT available on the MFT cameras. (Crop zoom is). My apologies for the error; I misread the document.
@@photojoseph someday hope to look into how that works on the S9 again. Didnt You make a video on that outside lil while back?
I have noticed after the 2.2 upgrade (Lumix S5IIX)that the Autofocus is doing weird things. The joystick is not responding either. I would appreciate very much a suggestion or comment. Thanks
Very odd. Back up your settings, then do a complete camera reset. Test again, and assuming it’s fixed, restore the settings. If the issue returns, reset again and rebuild the settings by hand (sucks, I know). If after the first reset the problem is still there, you’re gonna have to call support.
GIVE US smaller RAW size! not a less MP
So, compressed raw? You’re asking for compressed data with zero quality loss, or are you ok with a loss in raw quality?
Sad that Panasonic drops the GH6 like it never existed for updates. Due to that, ill skip on the rest of there 4/3 cameras. Not worth the investment anymore.
That is simply not true. Newer cameras get more updates now than older ones, and the GH6 got its piles of updates when it was newer. As to the sensor issue, it was improved as much as possible and affects nearly no one. To say shoring log is useless is laughable. I only shoot log, still use my Gh6, and have barely ever seen the issue. I’m sorry you’re upset but you’re stating things that aren’t accurate here.
@@photojoseph It is, How ever the lack of updates compared to my full frames, not even close. I feel Panasonic is trying to make there full frames more desirable with more updates and better features. I know myself and many others will and have dropped the Micro 4/3 system due to this. Sensor smearing was never addressed in updates on the GH6. Shooting in log is useless due to that.
The GH6 received eight firmware updates, the latest of which was mid 2024 (it’s now the start of 2025). That’s hardly a forgotten camera. The reason it didn’t get these updates is simple — every one of the cameras on this list run the same operating system and same image engine. The GH6 was the last of its generation. That doesn’t take away from what it is. It’s still a great camera. I feel like so many people interpret an upgrade to a newer camera as a downgrade to the one they own. That’s never the case. The GH6 today is a better camera than you initially bought, and that should make you happy.
Turning off blue tooth not an issue.
Interesting; it always has been in there past
Why doesn't the app allow for this firmware upgrade?
Ah. I’ve never actually tried to do the update that way. I suggest downloading the .bin as shown here.
LUMIX lab or sync apps didn’t show the new firmware upgrade option after connecting to Bluetooth
I am a Panasonic camera user from China, and I purchased the Panasonic S5M2x at the beginning of 2024, and the experience is great. Recently also received a firmware update. The experience is further enhanced. I think the biggest advantage of Panasonic is that it is cost-effective, and for non-professional capture work, Panasonic is fully competent. If one day the focusing performance can reach the level of Sony, coupled with the stacked sensor, it will really be the pinnacle of mirrorless cameras. Looking forward to this day
Thanks for the comment, and thanks for watching!
Any word on what the new S1 and S1R updates bring, the descriptions did not include much info
Stability (unspecified) and support for the new 18-40mm lens (just a message, telling you to extend the lens to use it). That’s it. I should have mentioned them in this video but it was glossed over in the briefing so I didnt even think of it until after this was published!
would love to see a test with the rs4 gimbal and active track with the improvements with the other auto focus modes like cars and motorcycles
@jxrdnz It’s designed for face and I don’t think it’ll lock without a face. But I’d have to try to be 100% sure
Pretty sure active track works with faces only, doesn’t it?
At https://youtu.be/7lo9XeDtDfs?t=113 you say that the Lumix Sync app is no longer necessary for any of these cameras. But isn't Lumix Sync required for GPS Location Logging?
nope! That's in LUMIX Lab as well.
Do we think the s5iix ever gets braw open gate?
I would imagine it's a processing power issue. The S1H doesn't have it either, but the GH7 does -- of course it's an MFT sensor on the GH7. Sounds like a feature for the S1H replacement, whenever we get to see that!
Can you please clarify if the Hybrid Zoom feature is available for STILLS photography? For example, if shooting with the 70-300 using Hybrid Zoom, would the sensor use the APS-C crop area to allow an effective focal length of up to 450mm? I shoot a lot of wide and telephoto landscape stills and prefer to do as much composition in the shooting moment rather than later in post. I understand that the resolution of the final in-camera jpeg image would be quite low, but if shooting raw + jpeg, would the raw file recorded be at the 300mm optical limit, just before the digital crop is activated? Just trying to get a better understanding of how the feature works for stills (if at all). TIA :)
@lettermanian9938 that’s a great point! Love it 😊
@@photojoseph Thank you for clarifying, I'm hoping that if an S1Rii ever materializes it will have this feature. The hybrid zoom would be an excellent compositional tool to have in the field, which would still yield a very good-sized jpeg image, or at least serve as a compositional guide for processing the raw file later.
You’ve got it. It works for stills however the JPEG is just a cropped image — so the resolution is lower. The RAW is as if you shot without hybrid zoom and is full resolution. It’s mostly useful for stills for social media where you don’t need resolution, or fast media delivery where resolution isn’t so important. I think (I’d have to verify this) that the maximum hybrid zoom for photos is determined the same way as it is for video — if you choose XS JPEG (1920 wide) you’ll get maximum “zoom”, just like with video. And of course the smallest JPEGs. Shoot RAW+JPEG to ensure you have the full resolution backup.
I wish Panasonic could add menu controls via Tether app to S5II. It works on GH7 and it a huge time saver when you record yourself.
@generalcontrol I understand your frustration however I do wish that folks would not be so quick to jump to the assumption that Panasonic is being nefarious. While I can’t guarantee this, from what I’ve just looked into and tested, it appears that the functionality you’re looking for is not market segmentation, but in fact, hardware. The cameras that support Ethernet control also have full menu access. Those that don’t, don’t.
@@photojoseph Yeah, no menu control there. I've checked S5IIX - it has it. Apparently its marketing segmentation. It's deliberate. No luck here.
I haven't tried; what do you get on S5II? Camera control but no menu control?
Original S- series camera owners big sad haha. Would have loved AWB-lock and 24p in 1080p. As well as high speed video mode export in 24p instead of just 30p. All of these things are within hardware limitations and wouldn't take away from newer cameras imo
I get it, but at some point development has to shift away from older cameras. I think people underestimate (I know I did) the impact even a single feature change has on hardware. Even adding something seemingly trivial and that seemingly couldn't possibly conflict with any other existing features has to be rigorously tested before it can be released. And the original S Series cameras all worked on a different processing engine and different operating system, so it's not a simple case of adding the same code to those cameras. Essentially, a ton of work that won't lead to new sales. At some point, the manufacturer just has to move on. I know it can be disappointing, but to be fair the original S cameras are nearly six years old now.
Wow a camera company that can write firmware that actually makes your camera better and not worse. (former fuji guy)
A camera company that at least update at all unlike some lmao
Why no significant update for the original s5? Because it's not capable of, or because they might sell a few less s5ii's or simply because they're basically not working on that? It's sad man, I bought mine shortly before they even announced the s5ii and besides the autofocus, for me there's no reason to upgrade. They simply forgot about the s5 og which makes me a little mad, but whatever
The S5 is a completely different camera that is currently over four years old. It has a different engine, different sensor. Internally it’s a completely different camera. All of these updated cameras are on the same engine/sensor generation. I understand that you’re bummed but I’ll never understand people getting upset that their 4+ year old hardware isn’t getting free updates when no one ever promised you any updates. Then to accuse Panasonic of “forgetting” about a camera, or worse, is pretty uncool. The LUMIX S5 had ten — TEN! — firmware updates since it was released, the last of which was just three months ago, October 2024. Perhaps you want to rethink your sentiment?
Does the Lab app have to stay on w screen to stay connected. Im wondering about auto transfer and more instruction on issues do to operator error. Tried the hybrid yestarday and so cool!So both hybrid/crop can be used togather in video? Iam talking about the S9 . Again Thank You
@APPRICIATE THAT!YESSIR!Thank You
On iOS, the app needs to remain in front, but the phone can be locked. I’ve actually had good results with it, walking around with the phone locked and in my pocket. Invariably I forget and open another app and forget to switch back, so that’s when the connection drops. If it’s only in the background for a few minutes it’ll maintain, but iOS kicks it out of memory after that. (Don’t know how it’s handled on Android). For crop and hybrid; they work independently. You can’t crop past sensor 1:1 no matter what.
Gracias Joseph! Lo tienes en castellano?
No he hecho un video doblado porque ahora YouTube hace el doblaje automático. Haz clic en el menú de engranaje y elige "pista de audio" (Audio Track).
Hi Panasonic,
If we can have opengate in MP3 lite, can we have opengate in all resolutions? This will allow higher framerates in the lower resolution ranges. But we can still use anamorphic desqueeze to capture the full sensor, helping with the final viewing experience of anamorphic. Then we can have slow-mo for opengate. That would be great. Cheers 🍻
If we can have opengate in MP3 lite, can we have opengate in all resolutions? This will allow higher framerates in the lower resolution ranges. But we can still use anamorphic desqueeze to capture the full sensor, helping with the final viewing experience of anamorphic. Then we can have slow-mo for opengate. That would be great. Cheers 🍻
@photojoseph yes I did! And stop being argumentative. At a lower resolution it is less data. And also what do you know about what the camera is capable of. Are you a technician at Panasonic? Wasting my time commenting here. If you represent Panasonic your doing a terrible job!
You didnt answer my question; which camera? If you’re asking for open gate at 120p… brother, that’s a ton of data. The camera can process 30p at full resolution. Not 4x the data. A camera that can do that would cost a LOT more than any LUMIX does today.
@photojoseph when you film in anamorphic and want to use 50fps, 60fps, 100fps, and 120fps, you need to use 1080p, which doesn't offer opengate. (Opengate, you don't need to crop any of the picture to get standard wide-screen).
The cropped sensor affects the look of an anamorphic lens as the distortion is mostly on the side. Therefore, that is not an option, plus it changes your focal length.
The cropped sensor affects the look of an anamorphic lens as the distortion is mostly on the side. Therefore, that is not an option, plus it changes your focal length.
I’m confused. First; which camera? There is a 4:3 ratio 60p option that is cropped sensor and lower resolution , so I don’t follow what you’re looking for?
Now I love my Lumix cameras even more!!!
I just picked up the Lumix 70-200 2.8. Super excited to try the hybrid zoom. Does it work in photo mode as well??
Nice! Yes it does but all it’s doing is cropping the JPEG. It doesn’t scale up the image.
L'aggiornamento è stato fatto anche per S1r e S1...
That’s correct. Very minor updates:
1. Added a pop-up message when using a Panasonic collapsible lens.
2. Operational stability has been improved.
1. Added a pop-up message when using a Panasonic collapsible lens.
2. Operational stability has been improved.
I was thinking about what you had been doing. Great to see you still loving Panasonic. Granted I do use Nikon DSLR camera's. I am looking at used Panasonic S1H in good condition. And I intend to purchase both the Panasonic S5 Mark 2X and Panasonic S5 Mark 2 .
Cool! I’m still here making content ☺️ Lots to watch if you haven’t been around for a while!
I bought my Panasonic S5 ii when it first came out I have not done any firmware updates. Do I just do the latest firmware update? Will that take care of it?
@@photojoseph thanks buddy really appreciate it
Yep! You can go straight to the top.
Every time after Installation System say reboot. After this my Version is 3.1 and nothing is updated. Any idea?
Lumix s5 ii
Lumix s5 ii
@ that shouldn’t matter. Have you experienced that it does?
Also Make sure you remove the lens
🤔 you’ve disconnected USB and HDMI? Reformatted the SD card first? If so then you should do a camera reset and try again. Backup your settings to an SD card first if the current setup is important to you.
Lumix is by far the best bang for the buck system. And Panasonic does listen to their customers. Good job Panasonic.
Thank you for information in Hindi 🎉
@VisitPunjab that’s amazing. And it’s all AI. Wild.
@@photojoseph yes i understand easy
How does it sound? Is it a good translation?
@photojoseph I'm thankful for hindi language
Oh cool, did you listen in Hindi? That’s all auto translated by YouTube
NICE! Def wont hurt 😊. So you can tether multi camera record trigger w lab app? Like airglu record control?🫶💯🤪🔥🫡Thank You
@DroseMr this is the one. Jamming just means you plug in timecode then disconnect it. As long as the camera isn’t turned off it’ll stay accurate for a few hours. https://youtu.be/SYsPBfBiiTw
@ Yessir. About the jam sync you have a video on that and i have the blue but that wont work correct? What are the jam options? You have a video on that as well? Appriciate You Thank You
Ninja Phone doesn’t do RAW, no. Timecode is in the camera, so if you’re using GH7 you can jam. Others you’ll need to put timecode on the audio track.
@ intresting. Can you share timecode without like say the ninja if so w what would be the easiest? I love my Atomos products but is bulky in certain senerios. I wish they had a recorder that used Cf express Type B and did all raw functions or codecs and frame rates as same only a super thin screen w hdmi in and out powered dc or usbc only . Does the iphone ninja record raw 4k60? Does it have in /out hdmi? Im just jabbin a jaw😅Thank You
Yes. They don’t start/stop frame accurate to eachother but they can all be set to start and stop with one click.
i will not upgdating my firmware. i dont need the features added and i dont want to lose the things they removed. dissapointing update. wanna remove funtionality from your camera? just use the new firmware... lumix what are you doing?🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Oh you left the comment about open gate high frame rate? I responded; why don’t you read that and reply there. And features like that aren’t “removed”. The GH7 wasn’t an upgrade from the GH5; it is a whole new camera. It’s like saying they removed the back seats from a Honda when they built a Ferrari. No, they just never put them in.
@photojoseph i know that. The only thing i blame panasonic for is removing features even gh5 had. I guess that was no givernments fault😸 no open gate slo mo is a big fail to me. Gh5 had 5! Open gate modes.. gh7 has one and no slowmo in open gate at all. Gh5 has..
You do realize that Panasonic is not the government, and if Panasonic wants to sell cameras in a region, it has to abide by the rules and regulations, right? Blame government — your elected officials — for implementing these rules, not Panasonic for complying. Sheesh. Drop the attitude bro. I’m just the messenger. Go complain to the government.
@photojoseph i use those features and i cant stand that fascist governments think we are little kids who cant decide about their own how to manage our own "security". I dont think that law requires to remove a feature completely. It was just easier and faster, cheaper to remove it than to code a workaround.
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 it's legal requirements. This is by law. So, you know, lighten up with the hysterics. Yes, it sucks to lose features. But tell me; do you use those features? If so, then don't upgrade. Most people don't. Sorry, I don't run the governments around the world.
i wish there was a function update to my gh7. i want open gate slowmo. gh7 does not have it. gh5 had.. yes there is a 4.4k 4.3 mode but its pixel by pixel, cropped in a lot and this is not acceptable to me
@@photojoseph I'm pretty sure that's indeed what OP means. I think it's the only function my GH5II has that the G9II/GH7 doesn't. For some people this makes it not a full replacement.
The weird thing about this is that both the sensor and engine/CPU should be able to do this. The sensor does 60/75fps RAW in burst mode and the engine does 4k120, which is more pixels per second if I'm not mistaken. But somehow 60fps open gate isn't possible.
There is probably a technical explanation for this and for me it's not a dealbreaker, but it is a bit of a bummer.
The weird thing about this is that both the sensor and engine/CPU should be able to do this. The sensor does 60/75fps RAW in burst mode and the engine does 4k120, which is more pixels per second if I'm not mistaken. But somehow 60fps open gate isn't possible.
There is probably a technical explanation for this and for me it's not a dealbreaker, but it is a bit of a bummer.
Interesting; I just dug out a GH5 to see what you mean. On GH5, you had open gate 60p but it output only a 3328*2496 file, but it was full sensor -- I don't see a crop happening when I choose it. Is that what you mean? On the GH7, yes it crops when you go to 4.4K. That's what you mean?
This is why we love Panasonic! They understand their market. Absolutely brilliant upgrade.
i can not put the bin file into the sd card, i see an "X" sign on my imac :(
@@photojoseph I'll do that! Thanks for your time 😄
It shouldn’t be necessary but I recommend it. However there’s no good reason the file won’t copy to the SD card, unless of course the card is full. And SD cards aren’t long term storage. You should copy the files to your computer, make sure they are backed up, then reformat the card. Generally do this after every shoot.
@photojoseph nopp, but i thought it was not necessary, i wont like to delete the files, but if thats the reason maybe i coud pass my files to my pc
Did you format the card in the camera? Sounds like your SD card reader isn’t working right.
s5x aouto focas is wery low in not for fomance
I don’t understand your comment. Please correct the spelling so I can read it.
still no PDAF in FFrame FHD 50-60p for S5II's and X.
@photojoseph before buing S5II I compare it to ALL cameras I can afford, read ALL information and watch ALL youtubers and no one, including you, tells about AF in FFrame FHD 50-60p. I comment for those who wants this camera and search full info like I did.
@photojoseph becouse when I buy this camera thre was no information about this serious issue in mode I personally shoot most of all, and when I finally get that something wrong, not with me or setting, but with camera itself, was already late to return it. Panasonic tricked consumers and youtubers helping them by avoiding this info.
It’s additional processing power and there’s only so much to go around. I don’t understand complaints about FREE firmware upgrades that add features to the camera you already own, just because it doesn’t include a feature you want but were never promised.
And crop zoom is not in high framerates. Panasonic hate sport shooters
I think there is an firmwareupdate for the s1r too!
And Lenses 24105 and 1635 too
And Lenses 24105 and 1635 too
I cant see 2.2 anywhere. My latest update for the S5m2x is 2.1 on official lumix site
It's there; click the link in the description to ensure you go the right place. https://share.cleanshot.com/k8Nx905R
The Panasonic update page entry for G9M2 does NOT say that Hybrid Zoom is supported. It does say that Crop Zoom is supported.
Unfortunately I was mistaken. I misread the document. Hybrid Zoom is NOT available on the MFT cameras. (Crop zoom is). My apologies for the error.
Crap, that may be correct. I could have misread the specs document. I’ll verify when I’m in the studio in a few hours. Sorry.
GH7 remote shutter and control work now. Yay!
D’oh. Too many letters and numbers, sorry!
Haha my 70-200 goes all the way up to 625 mm now, that's insane!! Unfortunately photos seem to be jpg only but it's still super cool 😀
Right, you get an HD JPEG, like HD video. It’s a crop, so of course the JPEG is smaller. The Raw file is full size and full sensor resolution so you can crop back in post.
@photojoseph 😂😂😂 I'll send it you the next draft should be more finished sometime next week!
LOL I didnt even notice who the comment was from 😂 Yeah show me!
@photojoseph all of them lol. I gotta show you a project I've been working on shot on the GH7 though
Yeah! Which camera do you have?
I heard the hybrid zoom is mot supported on the G9ii. Is this true?
Unfortunately I was mistaken. I misread the document. Hybrid Zoom is NOT available on the MFT cameras. (Crop zoom is). My apologies for the error.
I may have misread the document I got. I’m going to verify when I get to the studio this morning.
Can you use sensor crop zoom for photographs too?
Yes, but the resulting JPEG is lower resolution too. It’s basically no different than just cropping the JPEG. Handy for social media though if you shoot raw+jpeg so you get both cropped and full resolution images.
Very nicely explained! Makes an already perfect camera system "perfecter." Eagerly awaiting the baby ZS99.
RTSP removed entirely?? That's a weird choice. Is this driven by some sort of EU regulation?
ja its bad. i wont update my gh7 firmware because of that. i will use the old lumix app to do remote things.
Yeah I asked for references but haven’t received them yet. I agree it’s weird and unfortunate.
Wow! I ❤ LUMIX, keep adding value to a two year old camera like my S5II, I love hybrid zoom in my S9, now I’ll have to use on my bigger camera 🤩
Older base tech. Can’t support all these features. Notice these are all the newer PDAF sensors which got a new operating system and engine. Sorry, GH6 is too old for all of this.
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