What Is A Firmware ?

[Ruben]

The only time I read anything about "firmware" was about not using it since it will block the use of generic batteries instead of Panasonic original ones.

Nevertheless, can anyone explain me the good sides, and what it is all about ?

Thanks
Ruben

[mhobart]

Firmware is the term for the instructions loaded into the processors that run a digital camera. It is stored in the camera's permanent memory, so it will remain there even when the power is off (or if the batteries are removed). This is in contrast to software on you computer, where the program must be loaded first before it is used.

It covers the full range of features that your camera's processors use.

The example that you mention is the one that Panasonic chose to implement, the battery in the camera identifies itself (or at least the Panasonic one does) and the firmware released by Panasonic now checks to make sure that battery is from Panasonic.

There are ways to remove this restriction, do a Google search on hacking the Panasonic firmware. If you try that, it is at your own risk, so if you are uncomfortable with that don't do it.

[Ians Tata]

It's not HARDware like your camera... It's not SOFTware like the computer program... It just FIRM.
Basically it's the "software" for the "computer" inside your camera.
As with the battery issue, it's no different than Apple's restriction for Adobe Flash on the I-touch, only much easier to hack.

Jeff

[Ned]

Originally Posted by Ians Tata

It's not HARDware like your camera... It's not SOFTware like the computer program... It just FIRM.

It's not like Papa bear's bed, and it's not like Mama bear's bed. It's Baby bear's bed.

[Ians Tata]

Originally Posted by Ned

It's not like Papa bear's bed, and it's not like Mama bear's bed. It's Baby bear's bed.

CORRECT ! ! !

It's not cream, it's not ice cream, it's custard.

Jeff

[Howi]

Originally Posted by Ruben

The only time I read anything about "firmware" was about not using it since it will block the use of generic batteries instead of Panasonic original ones.

Nevertheless, can anyone explain me the good sides, and what it is all about ?

Thanks
Ruben

Basically firmware, is software that is stored in 'Non volatile memory' i.e memory retained even when power is off.
So, when you power your camera up, the firmware (software that runs the camera functions etc) is immediately available.
Software, on the other hand, has to be loaded whenever power is restored.
Hardware is all the electrical components making up the physical object (camera, computer etc)
Think of firmware as permanent software.

taking a computer as an example....
the computer hardware is switched on, firmware contained in the BIOS tells the hardware where to get the operating software (Windows etc) from, usually a hard drive.
When you switch off the computer, the operating system (and any other software loaded at the time) will be lost, because the main memory the software is transfered to, is volatile i.e no power = no memory, but the BIOS will still retain it's memory, ready for when the computer is next switched on.

The firmware you have heard about, allows the manufacturer to change existing settings and add new features as required.
firmware is normally contained in a chip called ROM (read only memory) but some ROM's can be electrically reprogrammed (called EPROM) which is how we update our camera firmware.

[Ruben]

Originally Posted by Howi

.....
The firmware you have heard about, allows the manufacturer to change existing settings and add new features as required.
................
.

Can you, or anyone else give expamples of those new features that I guess should improve the camera functions ?

Cheers,
Ruben

[Ian]

Originally Posted by Ruben

Can you, or anyone else give examples of those new features that I guess should improve the camera functions ?

Cheers,
Ruben

Olympus updated the firmware in the E-410 and E-510 cameras so that they would work more reliably with very fast memory cards (UDMA media), while several older cameras had new firmware to add a feature which made the in-camera image stabilisation system compatible with any lens, not just E-System and other Four Thirds lenses.

These are just a couple of examples.

Ian

[mhobart]

Originally Posted by Ruben

Can you, or anyone else give expamples of those new features that I guess should improve the camera functions ?

Cheers,
Ruben

Here are the features of the various updates for the DMC-G1 as provided by Panasonic, from the G1 section of their website at
http://panasonic.jp/support/global/c...fts/index.html

Update Contents for DMC-G1
Improvements
Date/Version Description
2010/5/10
Ver 1.5

Improved operation menu for image stabilizer ([OFF] will be added under [STABILIZER] only when LUMIX G VARIO 14-42 mm / F3.5-5.6 ASPH. / MEGA O.I.S. (H-FS014042) is attached).
Improved modulation accuracy of flash
Improved AF (auto focus) performance with lenses of other manufacturer.

2009/9/17
Ver 1.4

Improved Auto Focus performance for the subject in low contrast.
Improved the stability of AE(Auto Exposure) control for H-ES045 lens(to be introduced in Oct., 2009).

2009/6/24
Ver 1.3

Fixed the instability of operation when the lens is retracted into its barrel, using Olympus Imaging Corporation's M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 14-42mm f3.5-5.6 lens.
Fixed the instability of operation, using Olympus Imaging Corporation's M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 17mm f2.8 lens.
Improved the battery identification to assure the safety standards Panasonic uses for our customer's safety.

[ Warning ]
After this firmware update your Panasonic Digital Camera cannot be operated by unauthorised 3rd party batteries.

< Important Notice for non genuine Panasonic or 3rd party battery packs(Recommendation for Use of Genuine Panasonic Battery Pack) >

2009/2/9
Ver 1.2

Performances in the Auto White Balance and the color reproduction were improved.
A reliability on the flash operation in low temperature environments were improved.
File write back from PC to the camera was enabled also for the models shipped for Europe.

2008/12/16
Ver 1.1

Makes it possible to check the exposure with Live View during the AE lock.
Makes it possible to continuously display the enlarged screen of the MF assist.
Added "color adjustment function" for the LCD monitor/View finder.
Added "Red-eye reduction forced flash on" to the flash setting for the [PARTY].
Improved the performance of AE(Auto Exposure) and AWB(Auto White Balance).
Improved the accuracy of flash control.
Improved the noise reduction during high sensitivity photo shooting.

An instruction manual for DMC-G1 after version 1.1 Update [updated PDF]

[Ruben]

Many thanks Mhobart