Panasonic continues to add significant functionality to the feature set of their entry-level digital cinema camera, the EVA1. With the release of firmware 3.0 today, EVA1 owners can now record 10-bit files all the way up to the camera’s maximum frame rate in 4K, 60p (or 50p for those in formerly PAL countries). This is due to the inclusion in the new firmware of HEVC (for High Efficiency Video Codec), also known as H.265.

Sony has just announced that firmware version 3.0 for their flagship camera, the full format VENICE, is now available. If version 2.0, released in June of 2018, got the VENICE fully firing on all cylinders, this update seeks to refine the camera’s ease of use while nicely expanding its capabilities. We got to take a look at what’s included in the update—and there’s a lot—so let’s dig into the details.

Sony recently released firmware version 2.0 for their VENICE camera. The firmware download also includes an update for the AXS-R7 RAW recorder, which mounts to the rear of the camera body. In order to use the R7 with a VENICE camera running 2.0, the recorder's firmware must also be updated to version 2.0. The AXS-R7 uses a different update procedure than the camera body; instead of an SD card, a USB thumb drive is used.

In this video we take a look at the update process for the EVA1 as well as some of the new features of the 2.02 firmware.

Canon's latest firmware for the C300 Mark II, version 1.1.0.1.00, adds support for additional EF and EF-S lenses. Even more importantly, it also adds support for the LM-V1 Monitor that was originally introduced with the EOS C200.

At NAB, Sony announced a free firmware update for their popular PXW-FS5 camera that will provide Hybrid Log-Gamma and REC2020 color space recording via an additional picture profile, PP10. Hybrid Log-Gamma (HLG) is a clever implementation of High Dynamic Range (HDR) recording and playback that is backwards compatible with standard dynamic range displays.

I stopped by the ARRI booth to talk to Mike Wagner about the new features in the version 3.0 firmware for ARRI’s SkyPanel LED light fixtures. Building on the semi-hidden “Party Mode” in earlier firmware versions, a number of fun and creative new lighting effects have been introduced to simulate environmental lighting without console patching or programming.

In this video, I speak with newly-minted Panasonic Cinema Product Manager Mitch Gross about upcoming updates to the VariCam LT and other Panasonic products. In June 2017, Panasonic will release a free firmware update for the VariCam LT enabling RAW output of 2K at up to 240 fps.

This week Panasonic released firmware Version 7.0 for the VariCam 35 and HS, and Version 5.0 for the VariCam LT. These updates feature expanded ProRes recording, including higher bit rate Apple ProRes codecs and VFR to allow for more internal recording options to support your production's needs.