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| Photo: Richard Butler |
Panasonic has announced forthcoming firmware for its S5II and S5II X that will add a series of features, including pre-shot buffering, proxy recording and direct upload to Adobe’s Frame.io collaboration platform.
Firmware v3.0 for the Lumix DC-S5II and firmware v2.0 for the Lumix DC S5II X will bring improvements to subject recognition and IS performance, the company says.
Proxy capture
Both cameras will gain the ability to capture lower-resolution proxy video files when you’re shooting .MOV files at resolutions of up to DCI 4K. Three quality levels will be available, creating either 10-bit 1080p versions in one of two compression levels or 8-bit HD 720p files. These files are then compatible with the cameras’ new Camera-to-cloud system.
Proxies cannot be generated in the cameras’ 5.9K or 6K modes or in the 3.3K anamorphic 4:3 mode. They can be created alongside ProRes footage on the S5II X, but not when either camera is in MP4 mode. All proxies are 16:9 aspect ratio, with black ‘letterboxing’ appearing if your primary footage is being captured in the 1.89:1 DCI aspect ratio.
If you’re shooting V-Log video you have a choice of whether a selected LUT is directly applied to the proxy footage. This setting is independent of whether the LUT is applied to your primary footage, meaning you can create proxies with approximate grading applied, without baking that decision into your full-res files.
Camera-to-cloud
Both cameras join recent Fujifilm models in their ability to upload stills and video to Adobe’s Frame.io collaboration platform. Logging the camera onto a wireless network then entering a code generated by Frame.io allows you to upload Raws, JPEGs or proxy video directly up to the platform, where they can be shared and annotated by people you’ve opted to share the project with. It’s also possible to upload to Frame.io via USB tethering, allowing remote editors or clients to see your output immediately.
Pre-burst shooting
The S5II twins gain the ability to buffer bursts when shooting in continuous high mode. This allows you to capture 0.5, 1 or 1.5 seconds worth of frames from immediately before you press the shutter button. The “SH Pre” option captures these bursts in the camera’s 30fps electronic shutter mode.
Improved subject recognition
Panasonic says the latest firmware improves the performance of both cameras’ human detection AF. It also adds eye detection to their animal detection modes and brings car and motorbike recognition modes to both.
EIS ‘High’ mode for video shooting
Finally, there’s an EIS ‘High’ mode that can be applied during movie shooting. This crops in slightly further (to 1.4x), allowing the correction of a greater magnitude of camera movement, but also attempts to correct perspective distortion. Essentially this avoids the wobbly corners that can otherwise occur when using wide-angle lenses.
The new firmware will be available to download from April 21st.
Press: Release:
News Release
Panasonic Announces Firmware Update to Improve the Shooting Experience and Sharing Functionality of LUMIX S5II and S5IIX
Newark, NJ (April 10, 2024) – Panasonic is pleased to announce 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.
Listening to creators needs, S5II Firmware V3.0 and S5IIX Firmware V2.0 delivers efficiency in both production and post-production workflows, providing important time (and therefore cost) saving benefits.
In line with LUMIX’s continuous commitment to supporting creators, the firmware will be available to download free of charge from the LUMIX Global Customer Support website https://panasonic.jp/support/global/cs/dsc/ at 9:00 pm EDT April 21, 2024.
S5II Firmware Version 3.0 / S5IIX Firmware Version 2.0
1. 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.
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 enabling a faster delivery from production to post.
2. 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 recognizing 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. Performance
In addition to Standard, High mode is newly added to E-Stabilization (Video) function, which electronically corrects large shakes when shooting on the move. A perspective distortion correction has also been added to correct 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 when shooting on the move.
3. Expanding Creative Options
SH Pre-burst Shooting
The newly introduced SH pre-burst shooting 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.
