Camera firmware updates are software upgrades and fixes for the microprocessor in your camera body. It’s the brain of our beloved machine, so keeping it up to date is quite smart.
My camera is working fine … Should I update?
In short, yes, most of the time. Updates provide bug fixes, improved settings, battery drainage issues, sometimes even completely new features and more. Sure, don’t fix what’s working is solid advice, so check the update changes first and decide for yourself. But besides some compatibility issues with 3rd party lenses, the benefits outweigh the possible downsides.
Not sure which version is your camera firmware?
Check the current version of your camera body:
Find Version Disp. or Firmware Version in your camera menu under the Setup (wrench) icon.
Visit the Panasonic website for up to date info. Or check the table below to see if a new release is out. If some of the versions are out of date, please let me know in the comments.
| Series | Model | Version | Date | Download / Description |
| GH | DC-GH5S | Ver.1.5 | 2020/02/17 | Link |
| – | DC-GH5 | Ver.2.6 | 2019/11/19 | Link |
| – | DMC-GH4 | Ver.2.7 | 2017/09/27 | Link |
| – | DMC-GH3 | Ver.1.2 | 2013/07/09 | Link |
| – | DMC-GH2 | Ver.1.2 | 2018/07/25 | Link |
| – | DMC-GH1 | Ver.1.3 | 2010/05/10 | Link |
| G | DC-G9 | Ver.2.1 | 2020/02/17 | Link |
| – | DC-G90/G91/G95 | Ver.1.1 | 2019/07/09 | Link |
| – | DMC-G80/G81/G85 | Ver.1.4 | 2019/07/09 | Link |
| – | DMC-G7/G70 | Ver.2.2 | 2016/07/20 | Link |
| – | DMC-G6 | Ver.1.2 | 2014/02/04 | Link |
| – | DMC-G5 | Ver.1.1 | 2013/07/09 | Link |
| – | DMC-G3 | Ver.1.2 | 2011/10/12 | Link |
| – | DMC-G2 | Ver.1.1 | 2010/11/18 | Link |
| – | DMC-G1 | Ver.1.5 | 2010/05/10 | Link |
| GX | DC-GX9 | Ver.1.4 | 2019/07/09 | Link |
| – | DMC-GX80/GX85 | Ver.1.3 | 2019/11/19 | Link |
| – | DMC-GX8 | Ver.2.2 | 2016/07/20 | Link |
| – | DMC-GX7 | Ver.1.3 | 2014/05/22 | Link |
| – | DMC-GX1 | Ver.1.1 | 2012/01/25 | Link |
| GF | DC-GF10/GX880 | Ver.1.2 | 2019/11/19 | Link |
| – | DC-GF9/GX800/GX850 | Ver.1.2 | 2019/11/19 | Link |
| – | DMC-GF6 | Ver.1.2 | 2014/02/04 | Link |
| – | DMC-GF3 | Ver.1.2 | 2011/10/12 | Link |
| – | DMC-GF2 | Ver.1.1 | 2011/10/05 | Link |
| – | DMC-GF1 | Ver.1.2 | 2010/05/10 | Link |
| GM | DMC-GM5 | Ver.1.1 | 2015/02/09 | Link |
| – | DMC-GM1 | Ver.1.1 | 2014/04/24 | Link |
What do you need?
- Camera body
- Full camera battery
- Empty SD card
- Computer with an internet connection
Now to the point:
- Format the SD card in body, by navigating to:
Menu > Settings > Format
Important! Make sure you have backed up all your files on the memory card. - Charge your battery to 100% and insert it into the camera
- Insert SD Card to your computer
- Download the correct version of the firmware
- Copy .bin file to your SD Card and safely eject it
- Insert your card to the camera and turn it on
- Press Preview/Media button and agree
- Wait. Enjoy. That’s it