Panasonic just dropped important firmware updates for four Lumix cameras – but the thing I actually want is still missing on my camera, 16 months after it debuted.
I feel bad being ungrateful, because Panasonic is brilliant – the best of all the camera brands, in fact – at listening to the community and delivering updates that meaningfully improve the cameras and the way you can use them.
To that end, some short but sweet fixes and features have been released for the Panasonic Lumix S1II, S1RII, S1IIE and S9 – all of which are incredibly welcome.
However, I've been waiting ever since the Urban Sports AF algorithm was released back in May 2025 for it to make its way to the S9 – but despite my fingers being crossed for this week's firmware drop, it's still missing in action.
Which is doubly gutting, because I was shooting skateboarding a couple of nights ago and that autofocus mode would really have helped the poor little S9 keep a pretty AF box around a skater. (Call me crazy but, if I were Panasonic and I had a killer AF mode that nobody else had, I'd be putting it in every camera I made.)
Anyway, entitled whinging aside, here's what you can expect from the new updates:
Lumix S9 version 2.1
In fairness, the updates are pretty sweet – but mainly for videographers, thanks to the addition of much-needed new modes for the MP4 (Lite) codec that is absolutely adored by content creators (I'm looking at you, Emily at Micro Four Nerds).
The camera also gets support for the brilliant Lumix Flow app (or rather, the Lumix Flow app has been updated to support the S9), along with more assignable functions for the customizable buttons on lenses.
Per the official notes:
- Support for Lumix Flow ver.1.7.0 or above
- Addition of 4K 60p/50p and FHD 120p/100p/60p/50p recording options for MP4 (Lite)
- Expanded assignable functions for Lens Fn Button settings, including:
- Aspect Ratio
- E-Stabilization (Video)
- Boost I.S. (Video)
- Image Area of Video
- Focus Ring Control
- Focus Limiter
- Hybrid Zoom
- Crop Zoom (Including related zoom operation functions
- Focus Peaking
- Video Record
Lumix S1II / S1RII / S1IIE
If you've ever used the S1II series for flash photography, you may have experienced latency issues when using TTL. Panasonic certainly heard from some working pros who struggled with the issue, which is pretty critical if you're using your equipment for client work like weddings.
Thankfully, the latest firmware will "improve shutter release responsiveness and burst shooting performance when using external flash units" according to the manufacturer.
On top of that, there's also the nebulous old chestnut of "enhancing overall operational stability".
Lumix Lab Version 3.1.1
In addition to gaining support for the S9's new MP4 (Lite) formats, the big Lumix Lab improvement is the ability to find LUTs more easily – and download them in collections.
All of which is incredibly welcome if you've ever tried navigating the user-created LUT libraries, which was often a painful experience. Being able to filter them and download batches is much appreciated!
- Support for newly added MP4 (Lite) recording formats on the Lumix S9
- New LUT category filtering functionality
- Introduction of downloadable LUT Packs, which group curated LUTs by creative theme
- Enhanced user interface and overall usability improvements
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