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New Lumix Gear and Firmware in October 2024

NEWS: New Lumix Gear and Firmware in October 2024

Panasonic is making moves this October 2024 with a series of exciting updates across its full-frame S-series lineup. Among the highlights, we’ve got the launch of a stylish new Smokey White Lumix S9 camera body colour option, the pre-order availability of the world’s smallest full-frame zoom lens, which is bundled with various S9 kits, and firmware updates for several of the most popular Panasonic Lumix camera models. 

Let’s dive in and see what new Lumix gear and firmware in October 2024 you can expect to see.

Panasonic Lumix S 18-40mm Lens available to order

When Panasonic teased the Lumix S 18-40mm F/4.5-6.3 Lens alongside the S9 camera earlier in 2024, it generated plenty of excitement. Now as of October 2024, this hybrid lens is available to order, and arrives as the world’s smallest and lightest full-frame lens, it’s a perfect match for the ultra-compact S9.

The ultra wide to standard zoom lens is designed for hybrid creators, offering a versatile zoom range, which is suitable for everything from landscapes to street photography and portraits. With a closest focusing distance of just 0.15m, it also excels at capturing detailed close-ups, vlogs and frame-filling content to engage your audience.

The full-frame L-mount lens benefits from excellent focus breathing suppression, ensuring smooth transitions during focus pulls. Despite weighing a mere 155g it is exceptionally robust with a dust, splash and freeze-resistant design. There’s a fluorine coating and thanks to the Hybrid Zoom function on the S9, you can digitally zoom from 18-120mm with this one compact lens, ensuring it becomes an essential tool for photographers and videographers who need the portability of Lumix’s system without sacrificing quality.

The lens is bundled in a kit with each of the five different S9 camera colours, so you can choose the perfect design which you most love:

• S9 Black with 18-40mm
• S9 Red with 18-40mm
• S9 Blue with 18-40mm
• S9 Smokey White with 18-40mm (new body colour)
• S9 Olive with 18-40mm

Sample image S9 Camera with Lumix S 18-40mm lens @40mm. Camera settings: 1/200 sec. f/6.3. ISO 200

Panasonic Lumix S5D extends the S5 range

Alongside the lens, Panasonic announced the Lumix S5D, a hybrid full-frame mirrorless camera that brings new capabilities for videographers and photographers. Based on the compact and lightweight design of the S5 series, this updated version adds DJI LiDAR AF compatibility, making it ideal for creators who want professional autofocus with reduced setup requirements.

The S5D uses precise distance measurement data to drive the focus without the need for a traditional focus motor when paired with the DJI LiDAR Range Finder Module and DJI RS 3 Pro Gimbal. This means you get easier handling, a more compact setup, and greater freedom during shoots.

Thanks to the LiDAR system's 43,200 ranging points over a 14-metre distance, the camera offers extremely quick autofocus, even in low-light conditions, without the need for manual lens calibration.

Aside from this feature the Lumix S5D inherits all the much-loved features of its predecessor, including a 24.2-megapixel full-frame sensor with Dual Native ISO for low noise and crystal-clear image quality up to ISO 51200. Advanced video performance includes 4K 60p/50p 4:2:0 10-bit, and 4K 30p/25p 4:2:2 10-bit internal recording up to 30 minutes. It is also capable of 4K 60p/50p 4:2:2 10-bit HDMI output, plus 5.9K RAW to Atomos Ninja V. For 4K 30p/25p 4:2:0 8-bit internal recording, there is no time limit.

Whether you capture photos or 4K video, the S5D delivers a flexible, high-quality solution for hybrid content creation, and will be available at the end of October, with an RRP of £1,399.

It is available in two versions for launch, including the:

1. S5D Camera with 18-40mm Lens
2. S5D Camera with 28-200mm Lens

New Firmware Updates for Lumix S9, S5II, S5IIX, and G9II Cameras

In addition to the new product releases, Panasonic simultaneously introduced new firmware updates across its full-frame and MFT lineup. The updates will be available for download free of charge and cover the Lumix S9, S5II, S5IIX, and G9II, providing users with improvements and tools to enhance their experience.

Lumix S9 Firmware Version 1.1

This update introduces a recording time limit menu and an option for unlimited recording. A feature for displaying multiple frame markers has been added, allowing up to three frame markers to appear at the same time, for greater flexibility especially when shooting in Open Gate.

Additionally, the already enhanced phase hybrid autofocus system has been further updated, with new subject detection options for airplanes, trains, and specific parts of cars and motorcycles. Lumix Lab smartphone app compatibility has also been extended, enabling remote shooting, shutter control, and image selection directly on the camera. General camera stability has also been improved by this firmware.

Sample image flowers S9 Camera with Lumix S 18-40mm lens @18mm. Camera settings: 1/50 sec. f/5.6. ISO 400

Lumix S5II Firmware Version 3.1 and S5IIX Firmware 2.1

With this update, a new LEICA Monochrome Photo Style is introduced, giving users a bold and dynamic monochrome option, akin to Leica’s recognisable black and white style. Lumix Lab app compatibility has also been added, as well as support for the Panasonic DMW-XLR2 XLR microphone adapter. A 5GHz Wi-Fi frequency option is also now available alongside the existing 2.4GHz option.

A new feature allows the Real Time LUT to be assigned to a function button, enabling creators to access classic or custom colour profiles directly from the camera body.Overall system stability has also been enhanced.

Lumix G9II Firmware Version 2.2

This update brings support for the Lumix Lab app and compatibility with the DMW-XLR2 microphone adapter, expanding the G9II’s XLR audio and remote control functionality. The 5GHz Wi-Fi option has been added, complementing existing 2.4GHz.

Similar to the S5II series, users can now assign the Real Time LUT feature to a function button, providing quick access to a range of colour styles during shoots. Operational stability has also been further improved.

Sample B&W Lumix S9 Camera with Lumix S 18-40mm lens @18mm. Camera settings: 1/200 sec. f/5.6. ISO 400

By launching this series of new products and firmware updates, Panasonic demonstrates its ongoing commitment to both MFT and full-frame creators. Highlights from October 2024 include the release of the world's smallest full-frame zoom lens, which is now available to order, a striking Smokey White S9 camera body joins the range, and a new hybrid S5D full-frame mirrorless camera.

Explore our comprehensive range of Panasonic cameras today, or browse for your next L-mount lens including the new Lumix S 18-40mm F/4.5-6.3 Lens, and don’t forget to check out the all-new White S9 camera.

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By Nick Dautlich on 08/10/2024