OREANDA-NEWS. January 19, 2016. Fujifilm Corporation (President: Shigehiro Nakajima) has announced that it will release a free firmware update for the Fujifilm X-E2 in February 4th, 2016.

The firmware introduces a new AF system with upgraded autofocus performance as well as an array of other improvements that reflect feedback from users.

Fujifilm is striving to keep the level of technology offered on this model as up to date as possible so that purchasers of X-series cameras will have greater longevity of use.

[ Firmware version ]

FUJIFILM X-E2 : Version 4.00

[ Scheduled release date ]

4th February 2016

[ Improvements and function enhancements with this firmware update ]
  1. 1. New AF System

    (1) New AF system with Zone and Wide/Tracking modes for effortless capture of moving subjects
    (2) Improvement of AF accuracy
    (3) Eye Detection AF
    (4) Auto Macro mode
    (5) AF improvement in the Movie mode

  2. 2. Function enhancements

    (6) High-speed electronic shutter with a maximum speed of 1/32000sec.*
    (7) White Balance Bracketing
    (8) Enhanced ISO Auto Setting to AUTO1/AUTO2/AUTO3
    (9) Exposure Compensation control in Manual.
    (10) Natural Live View function is just like the naked eye.
    (11) EVF / LCD Color Control
    (12) New Video Frame rates (50P / 25P / 24P)
    (13) Manual Shooting in Video mode
    (14) Phase detection AF support for Instant AF
    (15) Expansion of shutter speed in Program Shift mode

  3. 3. Operability improvements

    (16) The new user interface
    (17) Improved Shutter Speed Dial operation
    (18) Name of Silent mode changed to avoid confusion
    (19) Direct selection of AF area
    (20) Unlocked AE-L / AF-L Buttons
    (21) Variable Focus Area during MF
    (22) Q. Menu customization
    (23) Interlocking of Metering and Focus areas
    (24) Movie Recording

  4. 4. Other changes with the update

    (25) Supports focus limiter function for XF100-400mmF4.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR
    (26) “BACKGROUND COLOR” menu
    (27) The maximum number of images taken in the continuous shooting mode

1. New AF System

The AF System complements the fast and accurate 49-single-point autofocus system with new Zone and Wide/Tracking modes, which use 77 autofocus points across a wider area to substantially improve the camera's ability to capture moving subjects.

The Zone mode allows users to choose a 3x3, 5x3 or 5x5 zone from the 77-point AF area. When combined with the AF-C continuous focusing mode, the camera continues tracking a subject at the center of the selected zone. The 3x3 and 5x3 zones at the center, in particular, offer extra-fast focusing with the use of the built-in phase detection pixels.

In the Wide/Tracking mode, the camera displays the area in focus, identified automatically out of the 77-point AF area (Wide in the AF-S mode) and tracks the focus area's subject across the entire 77-point AF area (Tracking in the AF-C mode). This makes it possible to maintain focus on a subject that moves vertically, horizontally, and back and forth.

Single-point AF divides the focus area into smaller sections to more accurately determine the distance to the subject for even greater focusing accuracy. The built-in phase detection pixels have the detection range of 0.5EV, an improvement from the previous 2.5EV, delivering phase detection AF performance that enables fast focusing in low-light conditions and on low-contrast subjects.

The firmware update provides Fujifilm's Eye Detection AF, which automatically detects and focuses on human eyes. The function allows you to easily focus on the eyes even in difficult conditions, e.g. when shooting a portrait wide open to obtain a beautiful bokeh background.

The firmware update introduces the Auto Macro function, which automatically switches the camera into the Macro mode while maintaining the conventional AF speed. You no longer have to press the Macro button to initiate a close-up shot. This update eliminates the Macro function assigned to the Macro Button, allowing you to assign a different function to the button.

The optimized algorithm delivers a more natural and smooth AF action during movie recording.

2. Function enhancements

The FUJINON XF Lens series lineup includes a number of fast fixed focal length lenses which boast very high sharpness with the aperture wide open, producing excellent out of focus “bokeh”. However, fast apertures are difficult to use if the light is too bright, so to ensure users can create shallow depth-of-field effects, the camera is now equipped with a fully electronic shutter offering a maximum shutter speed of 1/32000sec. The mechanical shutter will not operate at all when any speed for the electronic shutter is selected, which also delivers a completely silent shooting experience; perfect for shots of sleeping children, pets, weddings, and more. In addition, it is possible to set the electronic shutter in 1/3 steps from a range of 1sec to 1/32000sec.

The shutter sound can be muted if desired. Use the new “SHUTTER SOUND” and “SHUTTER VOLUME” options in the setup menu to choose the type and volume of the sound made when the shutter is released.

(7) White Balance Bracketing

Just fire the shutter once and capture the same scene at your selected white balance setting plus one frame at a warmer and another at a cooler color temperature. White Balance bracketing can be set in ±1, ±2 and ±3 steps.

(8) Enhanced ISO Auto Setting to AUTO1/AUTO2/AUTO3

You can use three ISO Auto setting AUTO1/AUTO2/AUTO3 in menu.

(9) Exposure Compensation control in Manual.

You can use the Exposure Compensation dial to make exposure adjustments while shooting in the Manual exposure mode with the ISO Auto setting.

(10) Natural Live View function is just like the naked eye.

One of the great benefits of an electronic viewfinder is that 'what you see is what you get'; the final image is displayed in real-time so any Film Simulation modes or other effects can be checked while shooting. But users sometimes need to see colors close to how they're viewed with an optical finder, or to focus on shadow detail, which some high-contrast effects block out. To aid this, the Natural Live View function has been added and, when "PREVIEW PIC. EFFECT" is turned Off in the menu, an image close to the naked eye is displayed during live view.

(11) EVF / LCD Color Control

“EVF COLOR” and “LCD COLOR” options in the setup menu to adjust the hue of the electronic viewfinder and LCD monitor.

(12) New Video Frame rates (50P / 25P / 24P)

As well as the existing 60fps and 30fps selections, 50fps, 25fps and 24fps options will be available with the update. 50fps and 25fps allow video editing in the PAL regions, such as Europe, without converting the frame rate. 24fps offers a cinema-like view.

(13) Manual Shooting in Video mode

The update will enable ISO sensitivity selection prior to shooting videos, as well as the ability to adjust aperture and shutter speed during movie recording.

(14) Phase detection AF support for Instant AF

In Instant AF mode, which is operated by pressing the AF-L button during manual focusing, the update will enable Phase Detection AF, providing faster focusing speeds.

(15) Expansion of shutter speed in Program Shift mode

In the current Program Shift mode, the slowest-speed setting is 1/4sec, but this will increase to a maximum of 4secs.

3. Operability improvements

The new user interface has been designed with particular attention paid to the size and layout of displayed settings. This allows you to concentrate fully on shooting through the viewfinder.

(17) Improved Shutter Speed Dial operation

When the Shutter Speed Dial is set to T and the Shutter Type to Mechanical + Electronic, you can use the command dial to set a full range of exposure times from 30-1/32000sec. Previously, this was limited to 30-2 seconds. This means you can change the shutter speeds across a broader range without having to change camera position.

(18) Name of Silent mode changed to avoid confusion

The Silent Mode has been renamed to “SOUND & FLASH ”.

(19) Direct selection of AF area

The update will let users select the focus area using the 4-way selector buttons, without pressing the Fn key.

(20) Unlocked AE-L / AF-L Buttons

The function of the AE-L / AF-L button is currently locked, but will be interchangeable, depending on the user's preference.

(21) Variable Focus Area during MF

When working in Manual focus mode, the update will enable changing the size of the focus area during Instant AF with the AF-L button.

(22) Q. Menu customization

To make the Q Menu (used for quick access of frequently-used items) even more efficient, the update will allow its items and layout to be changed to the user's preference.

(23) Interlocking of Metering and Focus areas

Users will be able to interlock the AF area position with the Metering area when Spot Metering mode is selected.

(24) Movie Recording

Movie recording starts by pressing a function button not the shutter button. “MOVIE” in DRIVE options is eliminated.

(25) Supports focus limiter function for XF100-400mmF4.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR

To be fully compatible with the lens, the new firmware supports focus limiter function for FUJINON XF100-400mmF4.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR

(26) “BACKGROUND COLOR” menu

“BACKGROUND COLOR” menu in “SCREEN SET-UP” menu is eliminated.

(27) The maximum number of images taken in the continuous shooting mode

JPEG in High-speed continuous shooting mode: approx. 28 images ? approx. 18 images RAW in High-speed and Low-speed continuous shooting mode: 1 or 2 less images than before the update.

  • * The Electronic Shutter may not be suitable for fast-moving objects. Flash can not be used.
[ Firmware update ]

You can download the new firmware from here. (link to http://www.fujifilm.com/support/digital_cameras/software/firmware/x/xe2/)

  • ** This firmware is exclusive to the FUJIFILM X-E2. Firmware is software that controls the camera body.