Fujifilm revises upcoming X-Pro1 and X-E1 firmware updates

Fujifilm has given more details about its upcoming firmware updates for the X-Pro1 and X-E1 (Versions 3.00 for the X-Pro1, and 2.00 for the X-E1). In addition to the existing promise to improve autofocus speed, it says that focus accuracy will be improved with difficult subjects. The updates will also add a ‘focus peaking’ function to aid manual focus, and improve image stabilisation during movie recording with the 18-55mm F2.8-4 lens. They are due to be available for download on 23rd July. 

Click here to download the latest Firmware for the Fujifilm X-Pro1

Click here to download the latest Firmware for the Fujifilm X-E1

Press release:

New firmware improves performance of the FUJIFILM X-Pro1 and FUJIFILM X-E1 cameras

Faster AF speed and the addition of a “Focus Peak Highlight” function for manual focusing plus enhanced focus precision when photographing subjects in low contrast.

FUJIFILM Corporation (President: Shigehiro Nakajima) will release a free dedicated firmware update on the 23rd of July which will drastically improve the performance of the FUJIFILM X-Pro1 and X-E1 premium interchangeable lens cameras and enable users to take photos even more conveniently.

Further to the detail of the firmware update announced on the 25th of June, point 4 below has been added, offering improved focus precision for subjects in various shooting conditions.

Firmware release date:

23rd July, 2013

Key contents of the firmware update for X-Pro1 and X-E1 cameras

1. Improved AF speed on most existing XF lenses.

Thanks to an updated algorithm, faster AF speed is achieved with the following XF lenses:

• XF14mmF2.8 R
• XF18mmF2 R
• XF35mmF1.4 R
• XF60mmF2.4 R Macro
• XF18-55mmF2.8–4 R LM OIS

NB: To benefit fully from the improvements above you will need to upgrade your XF lens firmware as well as your camera firmware

2. Addition of a “Focus Peak Highlight” function for manual focusing.

A “Focus Peak Highlight” function, as featured on the FUJIFILM X100S and X20 cameras, has been added to the X-Pro1 and X-E1 via this firmware update. It assists accurate and sensitive manual focusing by enhancing the outline of your subject in high contrast.

3. Improvement of the method to change magnification during manual focus.

Just press the dial to activate image magnification during manual focus and then rotate the dial right or left and the camera will alternate between 3x and 10x, whichever direction you turn.

4. Improvement of focus precision in various scenes [additional item]

The focus detection algorithm has been improved to provide more accurate focus precision for low contrast subjects and scenes containing horizontal stripes.

5. XF18-55mmF2.8-4 R LM OIS lens: Optical Image Stabilisation (OIS) is improved when recording videos.

The OIS has been improved to reduce image blurring when walking and recording video footage.

Firmware version

1. To enjoy these improvements, please upgrade the firmware on your X-Pro1 to version 3.00 or newer and the firmware on your X-E1 to version to 2.00 or newer:

• FUJIFILM X-Pro1: Ver. 3.00
• FUJIFILM X-E1: Ver. 2.00

2. It is also necessary to download new version 3.00 lens firmware and update this for each of your lenses to fully benefit from these enhancements

• All XF Lenses (different firmware for each lens): Ver. 3.00

To download the new firmware, please visit the support section of our global website:

Fujifilm global website: http://www.fujifilm.com/support/digital_cameras/software/

Fujifilm X-E1

Fujifilm X-Pro1

Comments

When will the X-E2 coming? It is bad idea to get X-E1 right now?

Like other users, I am sorely disappointed that Fuji cannot and will not implement an Auto ISO minimum shutter speed setting.

Fuji, I am super grateful for these upgrades, but if it’s not too much to ask, it would be *real nice* to be able to add that minimum shutter speed with A-priority/Auto ISO 🙂

But all these wonderful improvements and extra features aside, I am now puzzled even more why there is still no update for minimum shutter speed control in Auto ISO?

Why is this a long implemented feature on the X10, X20, X100 and X100S, yet it is still omitted in the X-“PRO” 1???

Agreed.

Agreed too

Nikon have it while Canon have been ignoring it for ages.
so Fujifilm side with Canon allowing less control by the user.

The big news of this clarification is actually:

“The focus detection algorithm has been improved to provide more accurate focus precision for low contrast subjects and scenes containing horizontal stripes.”

I have had so many readers of my X-Camera AF improvement tips reply to me that this was a main focus issue that they had when switching from a DSLR with cross sensor AF detection to a “split screen line” type CDAF in the Fuji X!

Many seemed to get much better results with my work around tips, but if this is actually improved in FW 3.0 it’ll be a great thing for all of us

Here is the blog post that I’m referring to:

http://fujixfiles.blogspot.com/2012/08/fuji-x-pro-1-af-autofocus-speed-and.html

Nikon should be ashamed by Fuji’s after sales support. Fuji don’t just fix bugs they provide functionality enhancements. If my D90 and P7100 were as well looked after as this I might not be looking so hard at Fuji.

Maybe Nikon release products at a more mature stage of development whereas Fuji release early and fix on the fly with more firmware updates. Not saying one is better or worse – just different philosophies for product development.

Agree! I left the Nikon camp and joined Fuji for many reasons including Nikon’s lack of support. It seems the company just doesn’t care about their customers. Fuji does.

Nikon service is quite good in Japan. I’d like to grade them higher than Canon because for times they repair things before I notice or tell them, and often at no extra cost.

no other maker can provide the same good service as Canon and Nikon even if they are sincere and honest on top of a small market share.

What about the option to see a live view of the background blur/depth of field? The degree of blur is an important aesthetic consideration particularly in people photos. Yet right now we must be forever chimping.

You can do this perfectly easily on the X-Pro1 and X-E1: just set one of the Fn buttons to DOF preview. Kinda like other cameras, in fact (except easier to see and more accurate than any SLR, of course).

only an issue for optical viewfinder,
non-issue for liveview,
as long as one can stop the lens down while framing.

I was sat on the fence whether to upgrade my well worn GF1 for a Nex 6 or XE-1. With these constant firmware updates from Fuji I find the XE-1 more irresistible than ever before..
I know of no other camera manufacturer that has listened and tweaked a camera like Fuji with the X-Pro 1 , ok some say it should have been like this from the beginning but I applaud Fuji for not just making another MKII and keeping the price high. The Pro and XE are fantastic value at the moment..

EOS M2 will be a big thing and Canon’s 22/2 (better than Sony 24/1.8) and 11-22 are very impressive.

in the mean while, upgrading to G5 sounds good for quite some performance improvement at relatively lower cost.

poor cost performance for both Sony NEX and Fujifilm XF.

Ok, let me get this straight- you are talking about an IF camera that is NOT OUT yet, while sorry what? Eh, no.

there are short sighted plans and long-term ones.

Soon the focus speed will be faster than speed of light after all the numerous updates that dramatically improved it. But kudos for trying and the peaking will be indeed useful for manual focussing. Can’t complain.

I’m looking forward to testing this out on Tuesday. Minimum shutter speed would also be nice eventually, but I’ve gotten so used to working around it by now I don’t know if I care enough.

It’s hard to complain when they keep releasing genuinely useful/noticeable firmware upgrades, but surely minimum shutter speed in AutoISO is a very easy fix?!

The X-M1 will have it so I would be surprised if this firmware update didn’t include a minimum shutter speed setting.

If a Japanese company says ‘drastically improve the performance’ then these will turn into a totally different cameras.

Wish the Focus magnification 3x and 10x would work in AF mode as well…

Still no minimum shutter in auto iso… Everything else looks good.

Sounds good. My X-E1 sometimes leave me very frustrated when it failed to focus slightly backlit face 10 times in a row.