Panasonic GH3 and G5 firmware update brings low light AF, silent shooting

If you've been spooking subjects or failing to focus on them with your Panasonic Lumix GH3 or G5, you might feel like you got a brand new camera today thanks to a firmware update. Its new features include low-light (-3EV) autofocus and a "silent mode" setting that'll turn off the electronic shutter, all sounds and the flash emission in one go, leaving subjects like deer or golfers undisturbed. You'll also get an exposure compensation shutoff reset option, better AF performance with certain lenses and a WiFi fix for Mac computers. You can grab it at the source, proving it's not only hackers that bring free goodies to pricey cameras.

Version 1.2 for the GH3 adds the 'Low light AF' previously seen on the G6 that works down to -3 EV, a 'silent mode' that turns off operational sounds and flash firing, and an 'Exposure Compensation Reset' function'. Meanwhile version 1.1 for the G5 only corrects wording of the Motion Picture menu on cameras sold in PAL broadcast regions (including Europe and Australasia), and therefore isn't required by US owners. Click below for full details and to download the firmware.

Click here to download the latest firmware for the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH3 (Ver 1.2)

Click here to download the latest firmware for the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G5 (Ver 1.1)


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Olympus PEN E-P5 shot in the wild, Wi-Fi and 16-megapixel sensor rumoured

Olympus, is about to add another branch to your camera-buying decision tree judging by new images and specs that leaked out showing a new PEN E-P5 model. The classically shaped Micro Four Thirds flagship was shown in leaked photos along with specs pointing to a 16-megapixel sensor, WiFi, a 1.04 million dot tilt screen, 5-axis stabilization, 5fps burst shooting and a 1/8000 shutter speed -- if accurate. While an earlier from Olympus suggests it'll launch around May 11th in China, none of the tea-leaf readers have divined a price yet -- though a look at the company's last mirrorless flagship, the PEN E-P3 might give a clue. You can catch several more photos after the break.