HUGE Lumix S5ii and S5iiX Firmware update!
The Lumix S5ii and S5iiX have been updated with some epic new features — some of which are my absolute favourites from the Lumix G9ii — and best of all the update is entirely FREE! Let’s get stuck in with what’s new…
Lumix S5ii firmware update — Updated Auto-Focus
This is a big one for me. I absolutely love the AF on the S5ii and X for “talking head” situations for my YouTube Channel, but now we have more advanced recognition features like the G9ii — the S5ii/X now has Animal Eye/Body, Car, and Motorcycle recognition.
Using dedicated recognition modes can really give the camera a head start in tricky shooting environments so I’m so happy to see these features migrate to these full frame cameras.
Proxy recording on the Lumix S5ii and S5iiX
Another big update to the range is we can now use proxy media recording. This gives you a smaller, more easy to edit, duplicate video file alongside the original. Honestly, the high-end features in these cameras for the price was already crazy good value but this firmware update has taken it to another level entirely.
You can choose to either record your proxy files onto the second SD slot on the Lumix S5ii, or on the S5iiX you can also bring the SSD recording into the mix.
You can even toggle whether you’d like to bake in a Real-Time LUT too, so you can see a version of the finished product straight away.
My only complaint with this update is it doesn’t include any of the Open Gate recording modes, it only goes up to Cinema 4k. The 6k Open Gate is the only file type that my computer struggles with, so proxy media in-camera for this would have been amazing. However I can certainly see the benefit of proxy media for larger scale productions in general. I shall cross my fingers for a future update!
Pre Burst mode is now on the Lumix S5ii and S5iiX
This is another huge one! I love love love the pre-burst modes on the Lumix G9ii. They made shooting wildelife in Kenya so much easy, and it can really increase your hit rate.
Now, on the S5ii and S5iiX, we have up to 30 frames per second pre-burst mode, which you can trigger 0.5, 1.0, or 1.5 prior to fully pressing the shutter. This isn’t quite as impressive as the 60 frames per second you can achieve on the Lumix G9ii, but, ya know… for a FREE UPDATE, this is so cool!
And on that note, I have to say, of all the camera brands currently in circulation, you undoubtedly get the best long-term support and value from Lumix. A lot of other camera manufacturers cough Sony cough OM System cough might have created an entirely new camera for you to buy, whereas Lumix gives you all this continued value for free.
Best of the rest…
Those were the main updates that caught my eye personally — what an exciting time! — but wait, there’s more! Here’s a quick rundown of the best of the rest…
Better E.I.S. performance
This is the crazy-good electronic stabilisation. Honestly, on the G9ii I’ve literally been in an off-road jeep chasing a cheetah sighting and the footage was buttery smooth. To see an update here will make gimbal-like walking shots on the Lumix S5ii and S5iiX even more impressive.
Cloud integration with Adobe Frame.io
This one is going to be a game-changer for a lot of smaller crews, but for little old me it’s a bit overkill. It’s great to see a partnership between Adobe and Lumix though, and I think Cloud backup in the field will only get more and more popular over time.
So when can we get the firmware updates?!
Firmware V3.0 on the Lumix S5ii and Firmware V2.0 on the Lumix S5iix will be available for download from April 22nd. And, again, I should shout from the rooftops…. it’s FREE! What a time to be alive.
The actual install of the firmware is super easy as usual. Just stick the .BIN file on the root of a formatted SD card, make sure your battery is full, then update the firmware in-camera. Enjoy!
Check out the Lumix S5ii on Amazon here
And the S5iiX
And just because I love it, the G9ii